[Home](https://www.selecthub.com/) \> [POS](https://www.selecthub.com/category/pos/) \> [POS Software](https://www.selecthub.com/c/pos-software/) \> [Square POS](https://www.selecthub.com/p/pos-software/square-pos/) \> Square POS vs Lightspeed Retail # Square POS vs Lightspeed Retail Last Updated: August 31st, 2026 Our analysts compared [Square POS](https://www.selecthub.com/p/pos-software/square-pos/) vs [Lightspeed Retail](https://www.selecthub.com/p/retail-pos-systems/lightspeed-retail/) based on data from our 400+ point analysis of [POS Software](https://www.selecthub.com/c/pos-software/), user reviews and our own crowdsourced data from our [free software selection platform](https://www.selecthub.com/about/start-free-selection-project-site/?category=POS Software&cta=pos-software). [Overview](#product-overview) [Pricing](#product-pricing) [Our Review](#product-analyst-summary) [User Ratings](#user-sentiment-section) [Features](#product-benefits-features) [Analyst Ratings](#analyst-rating-section) [Comparison Charts](#product-comparison-charts) [Screenshots](#product-screenshots) Remove Add to Compare [![Square POS Software Tool](https://cdn.selecthub.com/products/adf7e293599134777339fdc40ddfa818-589bb9590ede06a9628262915d99bdf0/resources/normal/logo.png?1693318433)](https://www.selecthub.com/p/pos-software/square-pos/) [ ![Product Awards](https://www.selecthub.com/display/images/awards_badge.svg) ](#awards-section) Remove Add to Compare [![Lightspeed Retail Software Tool](https://cdn.selecthub.com/products/5705e1164a8394aace6018e27d20d237-3c552aa5bf61cb2c2c459767b3171caf/resources/normal/logo.png?1706663042)](https://www.selecthub.com/p/retail-pos-systems/lightspeed-retail/) [ ![Product Awards](https://www.selecthub.com/display/images/awards_badge.svg) ](#awards-section) [Get Free Demo](https://pmo.selecthub.com/get-product-demo/?category=POS+Software&product%5Fname=Square%2BPOS&product%5Flogo=https%3A%2F%2Fd3uimxdj41cg3o.cloudfront.net%2Fproducts%2Fadf7e293599134777339fdc40ddfa818-589bb9590ede06a9628262915d99bdf0%2Fresources%2Fnormal%2Flogo.png%3F1693318433) [Demo](https://pmo.selecthub.com/get-product-demo/?category=POS+Software&product%5Fname=Square%2BPOS&product%5Flogo=https%3A%2F%2Fd3uimxdj41cg3o.cloudfront.net%2Fproducts%2Fadf7e293599134777339fdc40ddfa818-589bb9590ede06a9628262915d99bdf0%2Fresources%2Fnormal%2Flogo.png%3F1693318433) [Request Pricing](https://pmo.selecthub.com/get-product-pricing/?category=POS+Software&product%5Fname=Square%2BPOS&product%5Flogo=https%3A%2F%2Fd3uimxdj41cg3o.cloudfront.net%2Fproducts%2Fadf7e293599134777339fdc40ddfa818-589bb9590ede06a9628262915d99bdf0%2Fresources%2Fnormal%2Flogo.png%3F1693318433&price=1) [Pricing](https://pmo.selecthub.com/get-product-pricing/?category=POS+Software&product%5Fname=Square%2BPOS&product%5Flogo=https%3A%2F%2Fd3uimxdj41cg3o.cloudfront.net%2Fproducts%2Fadf7e293599134777339fdc40ddfa818-589bb9590ede06a9628262915d99bdf0%2Fresources%2Fnormal%2Flogo.png%3F1693318433&price=1) [Get Free Demo](https://pmo.selecthub.com/get-product-demo/?category=POS+Software&product%5Fname=Lightspeed%2BRetail&product%5Flogo=https%3A%2F%2Fd3uimxdj41cg3o.cloudfront.net%2Fproducts%2F5705e1164a8394aace6018e27d20d237-3c552aa5bf61cb2c2c459767b3171caf%2Fresources%2Fnormal%2Flogo.png%3F1706663042) [Demo](https://pmo.selecthub.com/get-product-demo/?category=POS+Software&product%5Fname=Lightspeed%2BRetail&product%5Flogo=https%3A%2F%2Fd3uimxdj41cg3o.cloudfront.net%2Fproducts%2F5705e1164a8394aace6018e27d20d237-3c552aa5bf61cb2c2c459767b3171caf%2Fresources%2Fnormal%2Flogo.png%3F1706663042) [Request Pricing](https://pmo.selecthub.com/get-product-pricing/?category=POS+Software&product%5Fname=Lightspeed%2BRetail&product%5Flogo=https%3A%2F%2Fd3uimxdj41cg3o.cloudfront.net%2Fproducts%2F5705e1164a8394aace6018e27d20d237-3c552aa5bf61cb2c2c459767b3171caf%2Fresources%2Fnormal%2Flogo.png%3F1706663042&price=2) [Pricing](https://pmo.selecthub.com/get-product-pricing/?category=POS+Software&product%5Fname=Lightspeed%2BRetail&product%5Flogo=https%3A%2F%2Fd3uimxdj41cg3o.cloudfront.net%2Fproducts%2F5705e1164a8394aace6018e27d20d237-3c552aa5bf61cb2c2c459767b3171caf%2Fresources%2Fnormal%2Flogo.png%3F1706663042&price=2) ### Products Insights Overall Rating Comparison [ Analyst Rating Square POS - Analyst Score: 92 out of 100 92 Detailed Analysis ](#analyst-rating-section) [ User Sentiment ![Excellent User Sentiment](https://www.selecthub.com/display/images/scores/excellent.svg) (2169 Reviews) ](#user-sentiment-section) [ Analyst Rating Lightspeed Retail - Analyst Score: 72 out of 100 72 Detailed Analysis ](#analyst-rating-section) [ User Sentiment ![Great User Sentiment](https://www.selecthub.com/display/images/scores/great.svg) (518 Reviews) ](#user-sentiment-section) Price Starts From $0.15/Transaction + 2.6% Flat Rate [Free Trial is available →](https://pmo.selecthub.com/free-trial/?product%5Fname=Square POS&category=POS Software&product%5Flogo=https://d3uimxdj41cg3o.cloudfront.net/products/adf7e293599134777339fdc40ddfa818-589bb9590ede06a9628262915d99bdf0/resources/normal/logo.png?1693318433) $69 Monthly [Free Trial is available →](https://pmo.selecthub.com/free-trial/?product%5Fname=Lightspeed Retail&category=POS Software&product%5Flogo=https://d3uimxdj41cg3o.cloudfront.net/products/5705e1164a8394aace6018e27d20d237-3c552aa5bf61cb2c2c459767b3171caf/resources/normal/logo.png?1706663042) Pros What we like about Square POS and Lightspeed Retail: * Free plan and low starting cost make it easy to get started without upfront commitment * Clean, mobile-friendly interface that users say is easy to set up and use * Accepts offline payments and syncs automatically when connectivity returns * Integrates with Square's ecosystem for marketing, payroll, and e-commerce * Omnichannel setup lets you manage online and in-store inventory from one place * Connects with QuickBooks, Shopify, and Mailchimp right out of the box * Supports multiple locations with centralized inventory tracking and alerts * Feature set covers inventory, CRM, reporting, and employee management in depth Cons What we dislike about Square POS and Lightspeed Retail: * Per-transaction fees add up quickly as sales volume grows * Reporting and inventory tools lack the depth needed for detailed analysis * Customer support is hard to reach, with long waits and limited contact options * Automated fraud detection can freeze or close accounts without warning * Tiered pricing with add-on fees makes total cost hard to predict upfront * Relies on internet connectivity, which can be a problem in low-signal areas * iPad-only hardware limits your setup flexibility * Extensive feature set can be overwhelming for users new to POS software ### Our Review **Bottom line:** Square POS is the better pick if you're just getting started or running a lean operation on a tight budget. Lightspeed Retail is the stronger fit if you need multi-location support, deeper reporting, or tighter integration with your existing software stack. Square's free plan and per-transaction pricing mean you pay nothing upfront — it starts at $0.15 per transaction. That works well for low-volume sellers, but the fees compound fast as you grow. Lightspeed starts at $69 per month, and that's before per-transaction fees, extra registers, or add-ons. Square wins on simplicity. It's quick to set up, runs on Android and iOS, and works even without an internet connection — payments sync automatically when you're back online. Lightspeed requires internet connectivity to function and is limited to iPad hardware, which narrows your setup options. Where Lightspeed pulls ahead is depth. It connects with QuickBooks, Shopify, and Mailchimp, and handles multi-location inventory in a way Square doesn't match. Its CRM and reporting tools are more robust, which matters if you're managing a growing catalog or multiple stores. If you run a single-location shop and want something you can get running in an afternoon, Square is the clear choice. If you're managing more complexity — multiple locations, integrated e-commerce, or detailed inventory analytics — Lightspeed is worth the higher cost, as long as you're comfortable with a steeper setup and less predictable pricing. ### Analyst Rating Summary Overall Scores Based on the research and analysis by SelectHub's team of research analysts, Square POS has an analyst rating of 92\. By comparison Lightspeed Retail has an analyst rating of 72\. Square POS - Analyst Score: 92 out of 100 92 Lightspeed Retail - Analyst Score: 72 out of 100 72 Features Comparison **Compliance and Security** Safeguard customer payment data and protect your business from costly fines by meeting all industry security and regulatory standards effortlessly. 100 92 **Customer and Loyalty Management** Track customer buying habits and reward frequent shoppers with special deals, encouraging them to keep coming back to your store. 100 35 **Employee Management** Schedule shifts, track hourly performance, and manage staff permissions easily, giving you better control over labor costs and team efficiency. 100 60 [Show More](#) [Show More](https://pmo.selecthub.com/customize-data/?category=POS Software) Strengths The best features of Square POS and Lightspeed Retail as judged by user reviews and analyst validation. Compliance and Security Customer and Loyalty Management Employee Management Integration and Extensibility Items and Service Management Sales and Marketing Management Inventory Management Compliance and Security Payment Transactions and Cash Management Reporting and Insights ### Analyst Ratings for Functional Requirements [Customize This Data](#) [Customize This Data](https://pmo.selecthub.com/customize-data/?category=POS Software) How Square POS and Lightspeed Retail compare against the top 11 functional requirements as defined by SelectHub project data. Square POS Lightspeed Retail \+ Add Product [\+ Add Product](https://pmo.selecthub.com/customize-data/?category=POS Software) Compliance and Security Customer And LoyaltyManagement Employee Management Inventory Management Items And ServiceManagement Payment TransactionsAnd Cash Management POS Hardware Reporting And Insights Sales And MarketingManagement Store Management Types Of POS 100 100 100 98 100 100 74 100 74 69 100 92 35 60 98 71 89 59 88 100 73 33 0 25 50 75 100 Implementation Level of Effort Estimation **Tier 1:** Fully/moderately supported out-of-the-box allowing for quick and easy deployment. [Read more](#) **Tier 2:** Supported with workarounds or add-ons that may require additional costs. **Tier 3:** Requires partner integrations or custom development that is often at an additional cost. **Compliance And Security** Safeguard customer payment data and protect your business from costly fines by meeting all industry security and regulatory standards effortlessly. 100% 0% 0% 83% 0% 17% **Customer And Loyalty Management** Track customer buying habits and reward frequent shoppers with special deals, encouraging them to keep coming back to your store. 100% 0% 0% 30% 0% 70% **Employee Management** Schedule shifts, track hourly performance, and manage staff permissions easily, giving you better control over labor costs and team efficiency. 100% 0% 0% 60% 0% 40% **Inventory Management** Keep track of what's in stock, automatically reorder low items, and see your most popular products to prevent running out of key sellers. 100% 0% 0% 100% 0% 0% **Items And Service Management** Organize and update your entire product catalog, including prices and variations, instantly across all selling channels for fast, accurate transactions. 100% 0% 0% 50% 0% 50% **Payment Transactions And Cash Management** Process all card, cash, and digital payments quickly and accurately, while easily tracking daily deposits and managing your cash drawer balance. 100% 0% 0% 89% 0% 11% **POS Hardware** Connect all your essential equipment, including receipt printers and card readers, ensuring your checkout process runs smoothly every time you make a sale. 50% 0% 50% 57% 0% 43% **Reporting And Insights** See a clear picture of your sales, products, and customer trends, enabling you to identify your best opportunities and make smart business decisions instantly. 100% 0% 0% 88% 0% 12% **Sales And Marketing Management** Run targeted promotions, manage gift cards, and issue discounts easily, helping you to attract new customers and drive more revenue to your business. 60% 0% 40% 100% 0% 0% **Store Management** Manage multiple store locations, track sales performance across all branches, and control staff access from one central, easy-to-use platform. 56% 0% 44% 67% 0% 33% **Types Of POS** Choose the right setup for your business, whether you need a mobile device, a countertop terminal, or an all-in-one system for flexible selling. 100% 0% 0% 33% 0% 67% **Customize This Data For Your Unique Needs**and compare feature capabilities head-to-head [CUSTOMIZE NOW](#) [CUSTOMIZE NOW](https://pmo.selecthub.com/customize-data/?category=POS Software) ### Analyst Ratings for Technical Requirements [Customize This Data](#) [Customize This Data](https://pmo.selecthub.com/customize-data/?category=POS Software) Implementation Level of Effort Estimation **Tier 1:** Fully/moderately supported out-of-the-box allowing for quick and easy deployment. [Read more](#) **Tier 2:** Supported with workarounds or add-ons that may require additional costs. **Tier 3:** Requires partner integrations or custom development that is often at an additional cost. **Integration And Extensibility** Connect your current accounting and eCommerce systems seamlessly, making sure all your sales and inventory data is always synchronized and accurate. 100% 0% 0% we're gathering data N/A we're gathering data N/A we're gathering data N/A **Requirements Summary**Of typical requirements, 85.4% are fully supported out of the box by Square POS including Compliance And Security, Customer And Loyalty Management and Employee Management. Lightspeed Retail supports 63.3% and excels at Sales And Marketing Management, Inventory Management and Payment Transactions And Cash Management. Square POS has an analyst rating of 92 and a user sentiment rating of 'excellent' based on 2169 reviews, while Lightspeed Retail has an analyst rating of 72 and a user sentiment rating of 'great' based on 518 reviews. Square POS and Lightspeed Retail are both SelectHub award-winners. ### User Sentiment Summary Square POS has a user sentiment rating of 93 based on 2169 reviews. Lightspeed Retail has a user sentiment rating of 85 based on 518 reviews. ![Excellent User Sentiment](https://www.selecthub.com/display/images/scores/excellent.svg) 2169 reviews ![Great User Sentiment](https://www.selecthub.com/display/images/scores/great.svg) 518 reviews Synopsis Evaluating all review platforms, our market analysts have compiled the following user sentiment data. 93% of users recommend this product Square POS has a 'excellent' User Satisfaction Rating of 93% when considering 2169 user reviews from 3 recognized software review sites. 85% of users recommend this product Lightspeed Retail has a 'great' User Satisfaction Rating of 85% when considering 518 user reviews from 4 recognized software review sites. User Review Scores **FinancesOnline** n/a **4.7** (31) **G2.com, Inc** **4.6** (495) **4.1** (57) **Software Advice, Inc** n/a **4.22** (217) **Capterra Inc** **4.7** (1637) **4.3** (213) **TrustRadius** **4.5** (37) n/a ### Awards SelectHub awards earned by these products based on a comprehensive analysis by our research analysts. SelectHub research analysts have evaluated Square POS and concluded it deserves the award for the Best Overall POS Software available today and earns best-in-class honors for Compliance and Security, Customer and Loyalty Management, Items and Service Management, Payment Transactions and Cash Management and Types of POS. Square POS stands above the rest by achieving an ‘Excellent’ rating as a User Favorite. ![Analysts' Pick Award]() ![User Favorite Award]() Show more ![Compliance and Security Award]() ![Customer and Loyalty Management Award]() ![Items and Service Management Award]() ![Payment Transactions and Cash Management Award]() ![Types of POS Award]() SelectHub research analysts have evaluated Lightspeed Retail and concluded it earns best-in-class honors for Sales and Marketing Management. ![Sales and Marketing Management Award]() ### Product Assistance Training Resources Documentation In Person Live Online Videos Webinars Documentation In Person Live Online Videos Webinars Support Email Phone Chat FAQ Forum Help Desk Knowledge Base Tickets Training 24/7 Live Support Email Phone Chat FAQ Forum Help Desk Knowledge Base Tickets Training 24/7 Live Support ### Product Basics Company Size i Small Medium Large Small Medium Large Platforms Supported Windows Mac Linux Android Chromebook Windows Mac Linux Android Chromebook Deployment Supported Cloud On-Premise Mobile Cloud On-Premise Mobile Comparison of Top Alternatives [Square POS Alternatives ](https://www.selecthub.com/pos-software/square-pos/alternatives/) [Lightspeed Retail Alternatives ](https://www.selecthub.com/retail-pos-systems/lightspeed-retail/alternatives/) ### Screenshots ![Screenshots]()![Screenshots]()![Screenshots]()![Screenshots]() ![Screenshots]()![Screenshots]()![Screenshots]()![Screenshots]() ### Key Features * **Inventory management** – Tracks stock levels, sets low-stock alerts, and generates purchase orders automatically. * **Customer profiles** – Stores purchase history and supports targeted marketing campaigns. * **Mobile access** – Runs on Android and iOS so you can process payments and check reports from anywhere. * **Integrations** – Connects with Square's ecosystem including payroll, email marketing, and accounting tools. * **Offline payments** – Accepts payments when there's no internet and syncs transaction data once connectivity returns. * **Inventory management** – Tracks stock across multiple locations with real-time visibility, automated reordering, and low-stock alerts. * **Customer profiles** – Logs purchase history and preferences to support personalized campaigns and loyalty programs. * **Mobile access** – Lets you handle sales, inventory, and employee management from mobile devices. * **Integrations** – Connects with QuickBooks, Shopify, Xero, and Mailchimp for accounting, e-commerce, and marketing. * **Multi-location support** – Centralizes inventory and order management across physical and online stores from a single system. ### Top Alternatives in POS Software [ Bindo ](https://www.selecthub.com/p/pos-software/bindo/) [ Clover ](https://www.selecthub.com/p/pos-software/clover/) [ Epos Now ](https://www.selecthub.com/p/pos-software/epos-now/) [ Erply ](https://www.selecthub.com/p/retail-pos-systems/erply/) [ Helcim ](https://www.selecthub.com/p/pos-software/helcim/) [ Hike POS ](https://www.selecthub.com/p/retail-pos-systems/hike-pos/) [ International Bancard ](https://www.selecthub.com/p/payment-processing-software/international-bancard/) [ KORONA POS ](https://www.selecthub.com/p/pos-software/korona-pos/) [ Lightspeed ](https://www.selecthub.com/p/pos-software/lightspeed/) [ Lightspeed Retail ](https://www.selecthub.com/p/retail-pos-systems/lightspeed-retail/) [ MICROS ](https://www.selecthub.com/p/pos-software/micros/) [ NCR Voyix ](https://www.selecthub.com/p/restaurant-management-software/ncr-voyix/) [ PHP POS ](https://www.selecthub.com/p/retail-pos-systems/php-pos/) [ Rain POS ](https://www.selecthub.com/p/retail-pos-systems/rain-pos/) [ Shopify POS ](https://www.selecthub.com/p/pos-software/shopify-pos/) ### Related Categories Square POS and Lightspeed Retail can also be found with other leading products in these categories: [Equipment Rental Software ](https://www.selecthub.com/c/equipment-rental-software/) [Restaurant POS Systems ](https://www.selecthub.com/c/restaurant-pos-systems/) Show more [Retail POS Systems ](https://www.selecthub.com/c/retail-pos-systems/) Show more ### Head-to-Head Comparison ![Square POS Software Tool]() ![Bindo Software Tool]() [Square POS VS Bindo](https://www.selecthub.com/pos-software/square-pos-vs-bindo/) ![Square POS Software Tool]() ![Clover Software Tool]() [Square POS VS Clover](https://www.selecthub.com/pos-software/clover-vs-square-pos/) ![Square POS Software Tool]() ![Erply Software Tool]() [Square POS VS Erply](https://www.selecthub.com/pos-software/square-pos-vs-erply/) ![Square POS Software Tool]() ![KORONA POS Software Tool]() [Square POS VS KORONA POS](https://www.selecthub.com/pos-software/square-pos-vs-korona-pos/) ![Square POS Software Tool]() ![Lightspeed Software Tool]() [Square POS VS Lightspeed](https://www.selecthub.com/pos-software/lightspeed-vs-square-pos/) ![Square POS Software Tool]() ![Lightspeed Retail Software Tool]() [Square POS VS Lightspeed Retail](https://www.selecthub.com/pos-software/square-pos-vs-lightspeed-retail/) ![Square POS Software Tool]() ![MICROS Software Tool]() [Square POS VS MICROS](https://www.selecthub.com/pos-software/square-pos-vs-micros/) ![Square POS Software Tool]() ![PHP POS Software Tool]() [Square POS VS PHP POS](https://www.selecthub.com/pos-software/square-pos-vs-php-pos/) ![Square POS Software Tool]() ![Rain POS Software Tool]() [Square POS VS Rain POS](https://www.selecthub.com/pos-software/square-pos-vs-rain-pos/) ![Square POS Software Tool]() ![Shopify POS Software Tool]() [Square POS VS Shopify POS](https://www.selecthub.com/pos-software/square-pos-vs-shopify-pos/) ![Square POS Software Tool]() ![SpotOn Software Tool]() [Square POS VS SpotOn](https://www.selecthub.com/pos-software/square-pos-vs-spoton/) ![Square POS Software Tool]() ![Toast Software Tool]() [Square POS VS Toast](https://www.selecthub.com/pos-software/toast-vs-square-pos/) **About SelectHub (and our data)** We’re the employee-owned Austin-based startup democratizing software data so you can make your decisions in an influence-free zone. Our market data is crowdsourced from our user-base of 100,000+ companies. WE DISTILL IT INTO REAL REQUIREMENTS, COMPARISON REPORTS, PRICE GUIDES and more... ![SelectHub Products Reporting and Analytics]() [Build Your Requirements](https://pmo.selecthub.com/pos-software-requirements-onsite/) ![SelectHub Products Cost and Pricing Guide]() [Get Your Free Comparison Report](https://pmo.selecthub.com/request-custom-scorecard/?category=POS%20Software) **Tier 1:** Fully/moderately supported out-of-the-box allowing for quick and easy deployment. Fully or moderately supported out-of-the-box with industry-leading capabilities and is immediately available after installation without needing any add-ons, integrations, or custom development. **Tier 2:** Supported with workarounds or add-ons that may require additional costs. Not directly available in the software, but can be accomplished using other built-in features, workarounds, or add-ons/products from the vendor with or without any additional cost. **Tier 3:** Requires partner integrations or custom development that is often at an additional cost. Requires additional integrations, plugins, marketplace applications from a third-party vendor, or custom development using the APIs, libraries, extensions, and development framework supported by the software, with or without any additional cost. [Close](#) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://www.selecthub.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "POS", "item": "https://www.selecthub.com/category/pos/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "POS Software", "item": "https://www.selecthub.com/c/pos-software/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Square POS", "item": "https://www.selecthub.com/p/pos-software/square-pos/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 5, "name": "Square POS Vs Lightspeed Retail" } ] } ```