Choosing between Vend and POS Nation for your business? Both are popular retail solutions, but they serve different needs. Vend starts at $89/month and is Cloud retail POS now integrated into Lightspeed., while POS Nation starts at $99/month or one-time purchase and is POS for retail, liquor, and tobacco stores. This comprehensive comparison will help you decide which POS system is the right fit for your operation.
Quick Comparison: Vend vs POS Nation
| Feature | Vend | POS Nation |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Retail | Retail |
| Starting Price | $89/month | $99/month or one-time purchase |
| Rating | 4.4/5 | 4.4/5 |
| Target Business | Small Business | Small Business to Mid-Market |
| Pricing Model | Subscription | Quote-based |
| Free Trial | Yes | Yes |
| Free Version | No | No |
| Best For | Retail stores wanting easy setup and multi-device flexibility | Liquor stores, tobacco shops, convenience stores |
Vend Overview
Vend, now part of Lightspeed Retail, is a cloud-based retail POS offering inventory management, customer loyalty, and multi-store capabilities. Known for ease of use and works on iPad, Mac, and PC.
Vend is offered by Lightspeed Commerce (founded 2010) based in Auckland, New Zealand. The system focuses on Retail, Fashion, Electronics, Home Goods.
Key Features:
- Cloud-based POS
- Inventory management
- Customer loyalty
- Multi-store support
- eCommerce integration
- Reporting
POS Nation Overview
POS Nation provides point-of-sale systems for retail stores, liquor stores, tobacco shops, and grocery stores. Features inventory management, age verification, and tobacco scan compliance.
POS Nation is offered by POS Nation (founded 2001) based in Charlotte, NC. The system focuses on Liquor Stores, Tobacco, Convenience.
Key Features:
- POS
- Inventory Management
- Age Verification
- Tobacco Compliance
- E-commerce
- Reporting
Feature Comparison
Vend Features:
- Cloud-based POS
- Inventory management
- Customer loyalty
- Multi-store support
- eCommerce integration
POS Nation Features:
- POS
- Inventory Management
- Age Verification
- Tobacco Compliance
- E-commerce
When comparing features, Vend stands out with Multi-platform (iPad/Mac/PC), while POS Nation differentiates itself with Age-restricted retail expertise. Your choice should depend on which features align better with your specific business requirements.
Pricing Comparison
| Pricing Aspect | Vend | POS Nation |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | $89/month | $99/month or one-time purchase |
| Pricing Model | Subscription | Quote-based |
| Price Range | Mid-range | Mid-range |
| Free Trial | Available | Available |
| Free Version | No | No |
Both systems offer competitive pricing for their respective feature sets. Consider the total cost of ownership including hardware, processing fees, and add-on modules when making your decision.
Pros and Cons
Vend
Pros:
- Easy to use
- Works on any device
- Strong inventory features
- Good customer support
- Now backed by Lightspeed
Cons:
- Limited restaurant features
- Pricing increased after Lightspeed acquisition
- eCommerce requires add-on
POS Nation
Pros:
- Industry specialization
- Compliance features
- Flexible pricing
- Good support
Cons:
- Niche market focus
- Add-on costs
- Hardware required
Who Should Choose Vend?
Vend is ideal for Retail stores wanting easy setup and multi-device flexibility. The system is particularly well-suited for Retail, Fashion, Electronics, Home Goods.
However, Vend may not be the best fit for Restaurants, large enterprises.
Who Should Choose POS Nation?
POS Nation is ideal for Liquor stores, tobacco shops, convenience stores. The system is particularly well-suited for Liquor Stores, Tobacco, Convenience.
However, POS Nation may not be the best fit for Restaurants or apparel retail.
Our Recommendation
Both Vend and POS Nation are solid POS solutions, but they excel in different areas. Choose Vend if you’re Retail stores wanting easy setup and multi-device flexibility. Choose POS Nation if you’re Liquor stores, tobacco shops, convenience stores. We recommend trying demos or free trials of both systems before making your final decision.