IT Retail vs. Lightspeed
Which is best for your grocery store?
Feeling torn between Lightspeed and IT Retail? We can help!
Discover the differences in their pricing, features, and support — and decide which solution is the best fit for grocery stores like yours.
IT Retail vs. Lightspeed: Side-by-Side Comparison
Get the full scoop on how IT Retail's pricing, features, and support stack up against Lightspeed's offerings.
* Please contact us if this page contains inaccuracies or needs an update.
Cost
Hardware
Yes
Yes
About POS Hardware
A well-equipped checkout counter starts with a touchscreen PC, barcode scanner, receipt printer, cash drawer, and payment device.
Lightspeed's Hardware Options
Lightspeed’s software is tablet-based. You can use your own tablet or purchase one from Lightspeed, plus accessories like a stand, Bluetooth scanner, and receipt printer. While user-grade tablets are convenient, note that they usually aren't as sturdy as commercial POS hardware.
IT Retail's Hardware Options
We offer a standard hardware bundle for grocers that includes a touchscreen PC, barcode scanner, receipt printer, and all the other checkout essentials. Our grocery hardware bundle also features a scanner scale to enable fast, weight-based sales.
Software
Yes
Yes
About Software
Most POS providers offer a tiered pricing structure for software with basic features included in the lowest cost option and more advanced features included in the higher cost option.
Lightspeed's Software Options
Lightspeed’s pricing options range from $109 to $339/month. Their most affordable option only includes basic features like payment processing and simple inventory tracking.
IT Retail's Software Options
We offer custom options to meet a variety of budgets. Pricing will depend on your store’s size, sales volume, and specific feature needs.
Self-Checkout
No
Yes
About Self-Checkout
Self-checkout is an essential option for growing grocery stores, allowing you to process more transactions in less time and keep checkout lines as short as possible.
Lightspeed's Self-Checkout Options
While Lightspeed offers a self-serve kiosk option for quick-service restaurants, they don’t offer self-checkout technology designed for grocery stores.
IT Retail's Self-Checkout Options
You can get started with IT Retail’s grocery-specific self-checkout solutions for less than $5000.
Payment Processing
Integrated Payment Processing
Yes
Yes
About Integrated Payment Processing
Choosing one solution for your POS and payment processing needs is almost always the best choice. Relying on one provider ensures speed, convenience, and enhanced security.
Lightspeed's Payment Processing Options
Lightspeed offers a fully integrated payment processing solution. Their standard processing rate is 2.6% + 10¢ per transaction.
IT Retail's Payment Processing Options
IT Retail offers a fully integrated payment processing solution. We offer custom processing rates to meet all grocery store’s budgets.
EBT Payments
No
Yes
About EBT
Accepting Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) payments expands your reach, allowing more customers to shop at your grocery store.
Lightspeed's EBT Options
Lightspeed’s built-in payment technology cannot process EBT transactions, so you’ll have to invest in additional technology to accept EBT.
IT Retail's EBT Options
With IT Retail, you have the option to accept EBT payments alongside credit cards, debit cards, and contactless pay methods.
Onboarding and Customer Support
Free Inventory Import and Setup
No
Yes
About Inventory Import and Setup
Importing your inventory records is one of the hardest parts of migrating to a new POS system — especially if your grocery store carries a wide range of products.
Lightspeed's Inventory Import Options
Lightspeed’s support team will import your inventory records as part of the onboarding process, but only for an additional fee.
IT Retail's Inventory Import Options
IT Retail includes inventory imports as part of our standard onboarding process at no additional cost.
24/7 Customer Support
Yes
Yes
About 24/7 Support
When technical issues arise, you want help as fast as possible to get your grocery store up and running again.
Lightspeed's Support
Lightspeed offers free, 24/7 support.
IT Retail's Support
IT Retail also offers 24/7 support at no additional cost.
Free Training Resources
Yes
Yes
About Training
Access to free training resources can help you resolve problems and find quick answers to questions.
Lightspeed's Training Resources
Lightspeed’s Merchant Academy includes lessons, videos, and other resources to help you learn about your new POS system.
IT Retail's Training Resources
With IT Retail, you’ll connect with a dedicated Customer Success representative who will spend as much time as needed helping you set up your new POS system and be your go-to during the onboarding process and beyond. Plus, you’ll have access to our comprehensive knowledge base and free training videos.
Features
Cloud-Based System
Yes
Yes
About Cloud-Based POS Software
A cloud-based POS system lets you monitor and manage your store at any time, from anywhere.
Lightspeed's Cloud-Based Software
Lightspeed’s software is cloud-based, so you can monitor your sales wherever you are.
IT Retail's Cloud-Based Software
IT Retail’s software is also fully cloud-based, letting you track your inventory changes and sales trends from anywhere.
App Store Integration
Yes
No
About App Store Integration
An integrated app store lets you easily add new features and functions to your POS system.
Lightspeed's App Store
With Lightspeed’s app store, you can explore apps that integrate seamlessly with your core software.
IT Retail's Integration Options
While we offer select e-commerce, marketing, and accounting integrations, IT Retail does not offer a built-in app store.
Low Stock Alerts
Yes
Yes
About Low Stock Alerts
A low stock alert is a timely reminder to restock a popular product before it runs out.
Lightspeed's Stock Monitoring Options
Lightspeed lets you set reorder points and use low stock alerts to help you avoid stockouts.
IT Retail's Low Stock Alerts
IT Retail will notify you when you’re running low on a product, empowering you to take action to prevent stockouts and keep customers happy.
Advanced Reporting
Yes
Yes
About Sales Reporting
Understanding your overall sales trends and customers’ changing shopping habits is the key to grocery store success. Your POS system’s reporting suite should reveal this data and more.
Lightspeed's Sales Reports
Lightspeed includes reporting features in many of their subscriptions.
IT Retail's Sales Reports
IT Retail includes a comprehensive, customizable reporting suite in all our software subscriptions.
Custom Product Menu
Yes
Yes
About Custom Product Menus
A custom product menu eliminates the clunky search process and makes it easy for cashiers to ring up non-scannable items like produce or quick-service meals.
Lightspeed's Product Menus
Lightspeed’s custom menu buttons allow you to quickly access products, categories, or actions from your POS system’s interface.
IT Retail's Product Menus
IT Retail’s custom product menus make it a breeze to ring up your most popular, non-scannable items. Plus, you can use these menus to let customers order or modify quick-service meals like sandwiches and wraps.
Unlimited SKUs
Yes
Yes
About Unlimited SKUs
As a grocer, you carry a huge variety of products, including everything from popular staples to fleeting seasonal items. Your POS system should be able to store all of these items at no additional cost.
Lightspeed's SKU Options
Lightspeed offers an unlimited database to house your store’s SKUs.
IT Retail's SKU Options
IT Retail also offers an unlimited database to store your product information. Some of our customers have databases including over 300,000 items!
Grocery E-Commerce
No
Yes
About E-Commerce
The online grocery boom is here to stay, and your POS system should help you capitalize on this growing trend.
Lightspeed's E-Commerce Options
Lightspeed offers a built-in e-commerce tool to help you launch a website and manage online orders, but it isn’t specifically designed for the complexity of online grocery shopping.
IT Retail's E-Commerce Options
IT Retail offers flexible e-commerce integrations that let you choose which online grocery platform to use. From there, you can seamlessly manage your online and in-store operations.
Dual Pricing
No
Yes
About Dual Pricing
Especially in a high-volume setting like a grocery store, payment processing fees can add up to a huge line item in your budget. Fortunately, dual pricing lets you save on these costs by offering special discounts to customers using cash.
Lightspeed's Dual Pricing Options
Lightspeed does not offer a dual pricing option.
IT Retail's Dual Pricing Options
IT Retail offers dual pricing to help you and your customers save.
Mobile POS
Yes
No
About Mobile POS
A POS system with mobile functionality makes it easy to count and adjust inventory from the sales floor.
Lightspeed's Mobile Options
Lightspeed’s software works on an iPad, which you can carry with you throughout the store and beyond.
IT Retail's Mobile Options
IT Retail’s software works best on a PC, so we’ve awarded Lightspeed the point in this category.
Wholesaler Integration
No
Yes
About Wholesaler Integration
A grocery POS system that integrates directly with wholesalers can save you 10+ hours every week. Instead of manually checking your wholesaler’s prices and inventory availability, your POS system will automatically update to give you an accurate overview of your options.
Lightspeed's Wholesaler Integration Options
Lightspeed does not seem to offer wholesaler integration, which is why we can’t give them the point in this category.
IT Retail's Wholesaler Integration
IT Retail connects directly with your main wholesaler, ensuring that your inventory costs and quantities are always up to date. This integration makes it easier to set profitable prices, simplifies the reordering process, and eliminates time-consuming manual data entry.
Deli Scale Integration
Yes
Yes
About Deli Scale Integration
Deli scale integration is a must-have if your grocery store sells produce, meats, cheeses, or bulk items like granola by weight.
Lightspeed's Deli Scale Options
Lightspeed offers deli scales that integrate with their POS software via Bluetooth or wired USB connection.
IT Retail's Deli Scale Options
IT Retail offers flexible, convenient options for weight-based sales, including deli scales with printers and reliable scanner scales.
Label Printing
Yes
Yes
About Label Printing
Label printing is an essential grocery POS feature for keeping items organized and fresh.
Lightspeed's Label Printing Options
Lightspeed connects with a label printer and lets you generate barcodes for unique items.
IT Retail's Label Printing Options
IT Retail lets you generate and print custom barcode labels.
Built-In Customer Loyalty
Yes
Yes
About Customer Loyalty
Launching a customer loyalty program is one of the most effective marketing strategies for small business grocers. Your POS system should make it easy to manage your program, customize your rewards structure, and enroll new members.
Lightspeed's Loyalty Options
Lightspeed offers a built-in loyalty program.
IT Retail's Loyalty Options
IT Retail also offers a built-in loyalty program.
Cost
Hardware
Yes
About POS Hardware
A well-equipped checkout counter starts with a touchscreen PC, barcode scanner, receipt printer, cash drawer, and payment device.
Lightspeed's Hardware Options
Lightspeed’s software is tablet-based. You can use your own tablet or purchase one from Lightspeed, plus accessories like a stand, Bluetooth scanner, and receipt printer. While user-grade tablets are convenient, note that they usually aren't as sturdy as commercial POS hardware.
Software
Yes
About Software
Most POS providers offer a tiered pricing structure for software with basic features included in the lowest cost option and more advanced features included in the higher cost option.
Lightspeed's Software Options
Lightspeed’s pricing options range from $109 to $339/month. Their most affordable option only includes basic features like payment processing and simple inventory tracking.
Self-Checkout
No
About Self-Checkout
Self-checkout is an essential option for growing grocery stores, allowing you to process more transactions in less time and keep checkout lines as short as possible.
Lightspeed's Self-Checkout Options
While Lightspeed offers a self-serve kiosk option for quick-service restaurants, they don’t offer self-checkout technology designed for grocery stores.
Payment Processing
Integrated Payment Processing
Yes
About Integrated Payment Processing
Choosing one solution for your POS and payment processing needs is almost always the best choice. Relying on one provider ensures speed, convenience, and enhanced security.
Lightspeed's Payment Processing Options
Lightspeed offers a fully integrated payment processing solution. Their standard processing rate is 2.6% + 10¢ per transaction.
EBT Payments
No
About EBT
Accepting Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) payments expands your reach, allowing more customers to shop at your grocery store.
Lightspeed's EBT Options
Lightspeed’s built-in payment technology cannot process EBT transactions, so you’ll have to invest in additional technology to accept EBT.
Onboarding and Customer Support
Free Inventory Import and Setup
No
About Inventory Import and Setup
Importing your inventory records is one of the hardest parts of migrating to a new POS system — especially if your grocery store carries a wide range of products.
Lightspeed's Inventory Import Options
Lightspeed’s support team will import your inventory records as part of the onboarding process, but only for an additional fee.
24/7 Customer Support
Yes
About 24/7 Support
When technical issues arise, you want help as fast as possible to get your grocery store up and running again.
Lightspeed's Support
Lightspeed offers free, 24/7 support.
Free Training Resources
Yes
About Training
Access to free training resources can help you resolve problems and find quick answers to questions.
Lightspeed's Training Resources
Lightspeed’s Merchant Academy includes lessons, videos, and other resources to help you learn about your new POS system.
Features
Cloud-Based System
Yes
About Cloud-Based POS Software
A cloud-based POS system lets you monitor and manage your store at any time, from anywhere.
Lightspeed's Cloud-Based Software
Lightspeed’s software is cloud-based, so you can monitor your sales wherever you are.
App Store Integration
Yes
About App Store Integration
An integrated app store lets you easily add new features and functions to your POS system.
Lightspeed's App Store
With Lightspeed’s app store, you can explore apps that integrate seamlessly with your core software.
Low Stock Alerts
Yes
About Low Stock Alerts
A low stock alert is a timely reminder to restock a popular product before it runs out.
Lightspeed's Stock Monitoring Options
Lightspeed lets you set reorder points and use low stock alerts to help you avoid stockouts.
Advanced Reporting
Yes
About Sales Reporting
Understanding your overall sales trends and customers’ changing shopping habits is the key to grocery store success. Your POS system’s reporting suite should reveal this data and more.
Lightspeed's Sales Reports
Lightspeed includes reporting features in many of their subscriptions.
Custom Product Menu
Yes
About Custom Product Menus
A custom product menu eliminates the clunky search process and makes it easy for cashiers to ring up non-scannable items like produce or quick-service meals.
Lightspeed's Product Menus
Lightspeed’s custom menu buttons allow you to quickly access products, categories, or actions from your POS system’s interface.
Unlimited SKUs
Yes
About Unlimited SKUs
As a grocer, you carry a huge variety of products, including everything from popular staples to fleeting seasonal items. Your POS system should be able to store all of these items at no additional cost.
Lightspeed's SKU Options
Lightspeed offers an unlimited database to house your store’s SKUs.
Grocery E-Commerce
No
About E-Commerce
The online grocery boom is here to stay, and your POS system should help you capitalize on this growing trend.
Lightspeed's E-Commerce Options
Lightspeed offers a built-in e-commerce tool to help you launch a website and manage online orders, but it isn’t specifically designed for the complexity of online grocery shopping.
Dual Pricing
No
About Dual Pricing
Especially in a high-volume setting like a grocery store, payment processing fees can add up to a huge line item in your budget. Fortunately, dual pricing lets you save on these costs by offering special discounts to customers using cash.
Lightspeed's Dual Pricing Options
Lightspeed does not offer a dual pricing option.
Mobile POS
Yes
About Mobile POS
A POS system with mobile functionality makes it easy to count and adjust inventory from the sales floor.
Lightspeed's Mobile Options
Lightspeed’s software works on an iPad, which you can carry with you throughout the store and beyond.
Wholesaler Integration
No
About Wholesaler Integration
A grocery POS system that integrates directly with wholesalers can save you 10+ hours every week. Instead of manually checking your wholesaler’s prices and inventory availability, your POS system will automatically update to give you an accurate overview of your options.
Lightspeed's Wholesaler Integration Options
Lightspeed does not seem to offer wholesaler integration, which is why we can’t give them the point in this category.
Deli Scale Integration
Yes
About Deli Scale Integration
Deli scale integration is a must-have if your grocery store sells produce, meats, cheeses, or bulk items like granola by weight.
Lightspeed's Deli Scale Options
Lightspeed offers deli scales that integrate with their POS software via Bluetooth or wired USB connection.
Label Printing
Yes
About Label Printing
Label printing is an essential grocery POS feature for keeping items organized and fresh.
Lightspeed's Label Printing Options
Lightspeed connects with a label printer and lets you generate barcodes for unique items.
Built-In Customer Loyalty
Yes
About Customer Loyalty
Launching a customer loyalty program is one of the most effective marketing strategies for small business grocers. Your POS system should make it easy to manage your program, customize your rewards structure, and enroll new members.
Lightspeed's Loyalty Options
Lightspeed offers a built-in loyalty program.
Cost
Hardware
Yes
About POS Hardware
A well-equipped checkout counter starts with a touchscreen PC, barcode scanner, receipt printer, cash drawer, and payment device.
IT Retail's Hardware Options
We offer a standard hardware bundle for grocers that includes a touchscreen PC, barcode scanner, receipt printer, and all the other checkout essentials. Our grocery hardware bundle also features a scanner scale to enable fast, weight-based sales.
Software
Yes
About Software
Most POS providers offer a tiered pricing structure for software with basic features included in the lowest cost option and more advanced features included in the higher cost option.
IT Retail's Software Options
We offer custom options to meet a variety of budgets. Pricing will depend on your store’s size, sales volume, and specific feature needs.
Self-Checkout
No
About Self-Checkout
Self-checkout is an essential option for growing grocery stores, allowing you to process more transactions in less time and keep checkout lines as short as possible.
IT Retail's Self-Checkout Options
You can get started with IT Retail’s grocery-specific self-checkout solutions for less than $5000.
Payment Processing
Integrated Payment Processing
Yes
About Integrated Payment Processing
Choosing one solution for your POS and payment processing needs is almost always the best choice. Relying on one provider ensures speed, convenience, and enhanced security.
IT Retail's Payment Processing Options
IT Retail offers a fully integrated payment processing solution. We offer custom processing rates to meet all grocery store’s budgets.
EBT Payments
No
About EBT
Accepting Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) payments expands your reach, allowing more customers to shop at your grocery store.
IT Retail's EBT Options
With IT Retail, you have the option to accept EBT payments alongside credit cards, debit cards, and contactless pay methods.
Onboarding and Customer Support
Free Inventory Import and Setup
No
About Inventory Import and Setup
Importing your inventory records is one of the hardest parts of migrating to a new POS system — especially if your grocery store carries a wide range of products.
IT Retail's Inventory Import Options
IT Retail includes inventory imports as part of our standard onboarding process at no additional cost.
24/7 Customer Support
Yes
About 24/7 Support
When technical issues arise, you want help as fast as possible to get your grocery store up and running again.
IT Retail's Support
IT Retail also offers 24/7 support at no additional cost.
Free Training Resources
Yes
About Training
Access to free training resources can help you resolve problems and find quick answers to questions.
IT Retail's Training Resources
With IT Retail, you’ll connect with a dedicated Customer Success representative who will spend as much time as needed helping you set up your new POS system and be your go-to during the onboarding process and beyond. Plus, you’ll have access to our comprehensive knowledge base and free training videos.
Features
Cloud-Based System
Yes
About Cloud-Based POS Software
A cloud-based POS system lets you monitor and manage your store at any time, from anywhere.
IT Retail's Cloud-Based Software
IT Retail’s software is also fully cloud-based, letting you track your inventory changes and sales trends from anywhere.
App Store Integration
Yes
About App Store Integration
An integrated app store lets you easily add new features and functions to your POS system.
IT Retail's Integration Options
While we offer select e-commerce, marketing, and accounting integrations, IT Retail does not offer a built-in app store.
Low Stock Alerts
Yes
About Low Stock Alerts
A low stock alert is a timely reminder to restock a popular product before it runs out.
IT Retail's Low Stock Alerts
IT Retail will notify you when you’re running low on a product, empowering you to take action to prevent stockouts and keep customers happy.
Advanced Reporting
Yes
About Sales Reporting
Understanding your overall sales trends and customers’ changing shopping habits is the key to grocery store success. Your POS system’s reporting suite should reveal this data and more.
IT Retail's Sales Reports
IT Retail includes a comprehensive, customizable reporting suite in all our software subscriptions.
Custom Product Menu
Yes
About Custom Product Menus
A custom product menu eliminates the clunky search process and makes it easy for cashiers to ring up non-scannable items like produce or quick-service meals.
IT Retail's Product Menus
IT Retail’s custom product menus make it a breeze to ring up your most popular, non-scannable items. Plus, you can use these menus to let customers order or modify quick-service meals like sandwiches and wraps.
Unlimited SKUs
Yes
About Unlimited SKUs
As a grocer, you carry a huge variety of products, including everything from popular staples to fleeting seasonal items. Your POS system should be able to store all of these items at no additional cost.
IT Retail's SKU Options
IT Retail also offers an unlimited database to store your product information. Some of our customers have databases including over 300,000 items!
Grocery E-Commerce
No
About E-Commerce
The online grocery boom is here to stay, and your POS system should help you capitalize on this growing trend.
IT Retail's E-Commerce Options
IT Retail offers flexible e-commerce integrations that let you choose which online grocery platform to use. From there, you can seamlessly manage your online and in-store operations.
Dual Pricing
No
About Dual Pricing
Especially in a high-volume setting like a grocery store, payment processing fees can add up to a huge line item in your budget. Fortunately, dual pricing lets you save on these costs by offering special discounts to customers using cash.
IT Retail's Dual Pricing Options
IT Retail offers dual pricing to help you and your customers save.
Mobile POS
Yes
About Mobile POS
A POS system with mobile functionality makes it easy to count and adjust inventory from the sales floor.
IT Retail's Mobile Options
IT Retail’s software works best on a PC, so we’ve awarded Lightspeed the point in this category.
Wholesaler Integration
No
About Wholesaler Integration
A grocery POS system that integrates directly with wholesalers can save you 10+ hours every week. Instead of manually checking your wholesaler’s prices and inventory availability, your POS system will automatically update to give you an accurate overview of your options.
IT Retail's Wholesaler Integration
IT Retail connects directly with your main wholesaler, ensuring that your inventory costs and quantities are always up to date. This integration makes it easier to set profitable prices, simplifies the reordering process, and eliminates time-consuming manual data entry.
Deli Scale Integration
Yes
About Deli Scale Integration
Deli scale integration is a must-have if your grocery store sells produce, meats, cheeses, or bulk items like granola by weight.
IT Retail's Deli Scale Options
IT Retail offers flexible, convenient options for weight-based sales, including deli scales with printers and reliable scanner scales.
Label Printing
Yes
About Label Printing
Label printing is an essential grocery POS feature for keeping items organized and fresh.
IT Retail's Label Printing Options
IT Retail lets you generate and print custom barcode labels.
Built-In Customer Loyalty
Yes
About Customer Loyalty
Launching a customer loyalty program is one of the most effective marketing strategies for small business grocers. Your POS system should make it easy to manage your program, customize your rewards structure, and enroll new members.
IT Retail's Loyalty Options
IT Retail also offers a built-in loyalty program.
Choose IT Retail if you...
- Run a grocery store or supermarket
- Need integrated scale support
- Stock perishable inventory
- Want grocery-specific features
Choose Lightspeed if you...
- Run a general retail store
- Need strong e-commerce
- Manage multiple locations
- Want restaurant features
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