Choosing the right point-of-sale system is one of the most impactful technology decisions for retailers who sell both online and in-store. Lightspeed and Shopify POS are two of the most popular options, each with distinct strengths. This comparison breaks down the key differences to help you make the right choice for your business.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Shopify POS | Lightspeed |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | Included with Shopify plans (POS Pro: $89/mo per location) | $89/mo (Basic plan) |
| Ecommerce Integration | Native — unified platform | Available via eCom add-on |
| Inventory Management | Good; unified online & in-store | Advanced; detailed vendor management |
| Hardware | Shopify-branded hardware ecosystem | Third-party hardware compatible |
| Payment Processing | Shopify Payments (2.4% + 0¢ in-person) | Lightspeed Payments (2.6% + 10¢) |
| Multi-Location | Supported (additional fees per location) | Supported (included in higher plans) |
| Best For | Omnichannel retailers, ecommerce-first brands | Brick-and-mortar retailers, restaurants |
Ecommerce Integration
This is where Shopify POS has its clearest advantage. Because Shopify POS is built into the Shopify platform, your online store and physical store share the same product catalog, inventory, customer profiles, and order management system. There’s no syncing delay, no integration middleware, and no duplicate data entry.
Lightspeed offers ecommerce capabilities through its eCom product, but the integration between the POS and the online store isn’t as seamless as Shopify’s unified approach. For businesses where online sales are a significant revenue channel, this difference matters.
Inventory Management
Lightspeed has historically been stronger on advanced inventory management features, particularly for retailers with complex needs. Lightspeed offers detailed purchase order management, vendor catalogs, serial number tracking, and matrix inventory (size/color combinations) out of the box.
Shopify POS handles inventory well for most retailers, with real-time inventory tracking across all locations and channels. Shopify Plus merchants get additional inventory features like transfer tracking between locations. For very inventory-heavy operations (think: hardware stores with 50,000+ SKUs), Lightspeed’s native capabilities may have an edge.
Hardware and Setup
Shopify offers its own line of POS hardware (card readers, tablet stands, receipt printers, barcode scanners) that are guaranteed to work seamlessly with the software. The hardware is well-designed and reliable, but you’re limited to Shopify’s ecosystem.
Lightspeed supports a wider range of third-party hardware, giving retailers more flexibility in choosing equipment. This can be advantageous if you already have hardware you want to keep using, or if you need specialized equipment for your industry.
Pricing
Shopify POS Lite is included with all Shopify plans (starting at $39/month for Basic Shopify). POS Pro, which adds features like staff roles, unlimited registers, and in-store analytics, costs $89/month per location. For Shopify Plus merchants, POS Pro is included for one location.
Lightspeed’s retail plans start at $89/month for the Basic plan. Higher tiers (Standard at $149/month, Advanced at $239/month) add features like accounting integrations, loyalty programs, and advanced reporting. Note that Lightspeed has shifted to requiring Lightspeed Payments on lower-tier plans.
Reporting and Analytics
Both platforms offer solid reporting. Shopify provides unified reports that combine online and in-store sales data, giving you a holistic view of your business. Lightspeed offers detailed retail-specific reports including sell-through rates, inventory aging, and staff performance metrics.
Who Should Choose Shopify POS?
- Retailers who already sell (or plan to sell) online through Shopify
- Brands that want a truly unified omnichannel experience
- Businesses that prioritize ecommerce and view retail as a complementary channel
- Merchants who want the simplicity of a single platform for all commerce
Who Should Choose Lightspeed?
- Brick-and-mortar-first retailers with complex inventory needs
- Restaurants and hospitality businesses (Lightspeed has a dedicated restaurant POS)
- Retailers who need advanced purchase order and vendor management
- Businesses that want more flexibility in hardware choices
The Bottom Line
For most ecommerce-oriented retailers, Shopify POS is the stronger choice because of its seamless integration with the broader Shopify ecosystem. If you’re already on Shopify for online sales, adding POS creates a truly unified commerce experience that’s hard to replicate with separate systems.
If your business is primarily brick-and-mortar with complex inventory requirements, or if you’re in the restaurant industry, Lightspeed may be the better fit due to its deeper retail-specific features and flexibility.