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Head-to-head · Garden Center Software

Windward System Five vs Lilypad POS

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 1 check side by side
Higher score Windward System Five #3 in Garden Center Software 7.4/10 Pricing on request ✓ 0 of 6 features Visit Windward
Lilypad POS #4 in Garden Center Software 6.3/10 Pricing on request ✓ 1 of 6 features Contact Lilypad POS

Windward System Five leads on 0 checks, Lilypad POS on 0, and 1 is even. Who comes out ahead on the 1 yes/no, price and count check where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreWindward System Five · 7.4/10
  • Most featuresLilypad POS · 1 of 6

Windward System Five scores higher on our rubric for garden center software: 7.4 against 6.3 out of 10; our editors rank them #3 and #4.

Windward System Five is the better fit for garden centers prioritizing retail POS and integrations. Lilypad POS is the better fit for small centers needing basic point-of-sale checkout.

  • Windward System Five fits best

    Garden centers prioritizing retail POS and integrations

  • Lilypad POS fits best

    Small centers needing basic point-of-sale checkout

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature Windward System Five 7.4/10 Visit ↗ Lilypad POS 6.3/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 7.4 6.3
Ranking #3 in Garden Center Software #4 in Garden Center Software
Best for Garden centers prioritizing retail POS and integrations Small centers needing basic point-of-sale checkout
Pricing model Paid Paid
Starting price Pricing on request Pricing on request
Free plan Not checked yet Not checked yet
Free trial — —
Built for Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Small business, Mid-market
Features Windward System Five 0/6 · Lilypad POS 1/6
Point of sale Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Plant inventory Not checked yet Not checked yet
Ecommerce store Not checked yet Not checked yet
Multi-location support Not checked yet Not checked yet
Greenhouse production Not checked yet Not checked yet
Barcode scanning Not checked yet Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Combines POS, barcode inventory, purchasing and accounting.
  • Supports multi-store transfers and centralized operations.
  • Connects with WebSell, Shopify, WooCommerce and Power BI.
  • Designed for garden centers, nurseries and related plant retailers
  • Provides point-of-sale checkout
  • Positioned around retail checkout rather than general business management
Cons
  • Its listed features are general retail, not horticulture-specific.
  • Runs on Windows rather than across listed operating systems.
  • Pricing depends on users, modules, edition and deployment.
  • Pricing requires contacting sales
  • The stated feature focus is limited to point-of-sale checkout
  • Its fit is specified for small and mid-market businesses
Our verdict

Windward System Five brings point of sale, inventory, purchasing, customer records, accounting, reporting and e-commerce synchronization into one retail business management platform. Founded in 1984, it is aimed at independent retailers,…

Read the review →

Lilypad POS is point-of-sale software for garden centers, nurseries and related plant retailers. Its stated role is retail checkout, making it a straightforward candidate for small centers that need basic checkout operations rather than a…

Read the review →
  1. Windward System FiveGarden Center Software 7.4Pricing on request
  2. Lilypad POSGarden Center Software 6.3Pricing on request

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Windward System Five — where it wins

    • Combines POS, barcode inventory, purchasing and accounting.
    • Supports multi-store transfers and centralized operations.
    • Connects with WebSell, Shopify, WooCommerce and Power BI.

    Where it doesn't

    • Its listed features are general retail, not horticulture-specific.
    • Runs on Windows rather than across listed operating systems.
    • Pricing depends on users, modules, edition and deployment.

  • Lilypad POS — where it wins

    • Designed for garden centers, nurseries and related plant retailers
    • Provides point-of-sale checkout
    • Positioned around retail checkout rather than general business management

    Where it doesn't

    • Pricing requires contacting sales
    • The stated feature focus is limited to point-of-sale checkout
    • Its fit is specified for small and mid-market businesses

More comparisons

All garden center software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update