Lightspeed and Shopify POS are both point-of-sale platforms for small and growing businesses, but they suit different priorities. Lightspeed leans toward advanced inventory and omnichannel pos for retail and hospitality. Shopify POS is built around unified online + in-person selling for commerce-first brands. The two score closely in our testing, so the decision comes down to fit.
Lightspeed vs Shopify POS at a glance
| Lightspeed | Shopify POS | |
|---|---|---|
| Our rating | 4.3 / 5 | 4.4 / 5 |
| Software cost | $109+ per month | $39+ per month (Basic plan) |
| In-person rate | 2.6% + 10¢ (Lightspeed Payments) | 2.6% + 10¢ |
| Commitment | 3-year contract | No contract |
| Best for | Inventory management | Online + in-person businesses |
Choose Lightspeed if…
- Features matters most to you
- You run retail
- You run full-service restaurants
Choose Shopify POS if…
- Ease of use matters most to you
- Pricing matters most to you
- You run retail
- You run omnichannel commerce
Pricing side by side
| Plan | Basic | Core | Plus | Basic + POS Lite | Retail (POS Pro) | Shopify plan |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly cost | From ~$89/mo | From ~$149/mo | From ~$289/mo | $39/mo (Basic plan) | $89/mo per location add-on | $105/mo |
| In-person rate | 2.6% + 10¢ (Lightspeed Payments) | 2.6% + 10¢ | 2.6% + 10¢ | 2.6% + 10¢ | 2.5% + 10¢ | 2.5% + 10¢ |
| Online rate | — | — | — | 2.9% + 30¢ | — | 2.7% + 30¢ |
| Keyed rate | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Hardware | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Commitment | 3-year contract | 3-year contract | 3-year contract | No contract | No contract | No contract |
Feature comparison
| Feature | Lightspeed | Shopify POS |
|---|---|---|
| Payments | ||
| Card-present payments | Yes | Yes |
| Offline mode | Partial | Partial |
| Inventory | ||
| Inventory tracking | Yes | Yes |
| Purchase orders | Yes | Yes |
| Reporting & analytics | ||
| Sales reporting | Yes | Yes |
| Online ordering | ||
| Menu / modifier management | Yes | No |
| First-party online ordering | Yes | Yes |
| Loyalty & marketing | ||
| Loyalty program | Yes | Partial |
| Gift cards | Yes | Yes |
| Multi-location | ||
| Multi-location management | Yes | Yes |
| Integrations & API | ||
| Open API | Yes | Yes |
| App marketplace | Yes | Yes |
Our verdict
Lightspeed and Shopify POS are close on our scoring. Match the pricing model and feature strengths above to your business type, and try both if you can before committing.
Frequently asked questions
Is Lightspeed cheaper than Shopify POS?
Lightspeed software runs $109+ per month with an in-person rate of 2.6% + 10¢ (Lightspeed Payments); Shopify POS is $39+ per month (Basic plan) at 2.6% + 10¢. Compare the effective rate on a real month of your own card volume, not the headline numbers.
Does Lightspeed or Shopify POS lock you into a contract?
Lightspeed: 3-year contract. Shopify POS: No contract. Confirm the term, auto-renewal window and any early-termination fee in writing before you sign.
Which is better, Lightspeed or Shopify POS?
They score closely. The better choice depends on your industry, card volume and which features you actually use.
Not sure which to pick?
Tell us about your business and we’ll recommend the better fit.