Head-to-head · Point-of-Sale Software
Lightspeed Retail vs SumUp POS
Lightspeed Retail leads on 0 checks, SumUp POS on 2, and 5 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 7 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.
Our verdict
- Highest scoreLightspeed Retail · 7.7/10
- Lowest starting priceSumUp POS · $49/mo
- Free planonly SumUp POS
- Free trialonly Lightspeed Retail
Lightspeed Retail scores higher on our rubric for point-of-sale software: 7.7 against 6.8 out of 10; our editors rank them #14 and #28.
SumUp POS offers free plan; Lightspeed Retail doesn't. SumUp POS is cheaper to start at $49/mo against $89/mo.
Lightspeed Retail is the better fit for established retailers needing mature omnichannel POS. SumUp POS is the better fit for small businesses wanting free POS with upgrades.
- Lightspeed Retail fits best
Established retailers needing mature omnichannel POS
- SumUp POS fits best
Small businesses wanting free POS with upgrades
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Side by side
| Feature | Lightspeed Retail 7.7/10 Visit ↗ | SumUp POS 6.8/10 Visit ↗ |
|---|---|---|
| At a glance | ||
| Editor score | 7.7 | 6.8 |
| Ranking | #14 in Point-of-Sale Software | #28 in Point-of-Sale Software |
| Best for | Established retailers needing mature omnichannel POS | Small businesses wanting free POS with upgrades |
| Pricing model | Paid | Free plan + paid |
| Starting price | $89/mo | $49/mo (best) |
| Free plan | — | ✓ (best) |
| Free trial | 14 days | — |
| Deployment | Cloud, Desktop, Mobile | Cloud, Mobile |
| Platforms | Web, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android | Web, iOS, Android |
| Integrations | 10 integrations | 8 integrations |
| Features Lightspeed Retail 5/5 · SumUp POS 5/5 | ||
| Inventory management | ✓ | ✓ |
| Offline mode | ✓ | ✓ |
| Employee permissions | ✓ | ✓ |
| Multi-location support | ✓ | ✓ |
| Sales reporting | ✓ | ✓ |
| Specs | ||
| Hardware support | Both | Both |
| Our review | ||
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| Our verdict | Lightspeed Retail is a cloud-based point-of-sale platform for retailers selling through stores and online channels. It brings checkout, payment processing, inventory, purchasing, ecommerce, customer data, employee controls, reporting,… Read the review → |
SumUp POS is point-of-sale software for small businesses such as cafés, boutiques, salons, barbers, and pet stores. It brings order and payment processing, product catalogs, item modifiers, inventory and ingredient management, staff tools,… Read the review → |
Strengths and trade-offs
Lightspeed Retail — where it wins
- Multi-location inventory, pricing, sales, and customer management
- Offline selling, employee permissions, reporting, and hardware support
- Open API plus ecommerce, accounting, marketing, and shipping integrations
Where it doesn't
- Paid plans start at $89 per month with no free plan
- Advanced reporting, API access, and custom roles require Core or Plus
- Some offline transactions depend on the specific transaction type
SumUp POS — where it wins
- Free POS plan covers catalogs, orders, reporting, and basic staff details.
- Supports inventory, ingredient management, stock alerts, and offline mode.
- Works with SumUp and compatible third-party checkout hardware.
Where it doesn't
- Advanced staff, printer, and cashbook tools require the $49 monthly POS Plus plan.
- Customer rewards and automated marketing start with the $199 monthly tier.
- Paid subscriptions are paired with transaction fees.
- Lightspeed Retail7.7/10 · 14-day trial
A mature omnichannel POS for established retailers with complex inventory and store operations.
Visit siteFull verdict → - SumUp POS6.8/10 · Free plan
A flexible POS with a free starting point, but advanced customer tools cost more.
Visit SumUp POSFull verdict →
All Point-of-Sale software comparisons → · Full ranking →
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update