Lightspeed vs Square

Founded in 2005 in Montreal, Quebec, Lightspeed POS is a cloud-based platform that provides tailored solutions for retail, restaurant, golf, and e-commerce businesses of all sizes. They offer a unified platform that helps businesses operate day-to-day tasks and reach their potential. They have served over 168,000 small to medium-sized businesses in more than 100 countries worldwide. They offer software and hardware tools for in-person sales and e-commerce, as well as inventory management, team management, supplier management, and store location management. They also offer 24/7 support, real-time analytics, and reporting capabilities to help businesses run more efficiently. Additionally, they offer marketing tools, third-party integrations, and API access. Lightspeed takes data security seriously and maintains compliance with Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards through a team of IT security experts. They use PCI-compliant third-party providers for transactions and undergo annual assessments and audits for SOC 2 Type 2 compliance to keep their network monitored and safe. Lightspeed is well-regarded by peers and clients, with high review scores on Trustpilot and industry leader lists. However, they are not BBB-accredited and have an F rating. 

Square POS, founded in 2009 and headquartered in San Francisco, is a transformative point-of-sale system provider delivering streamlined transactions for retail, restaurants, and service-oriented businesses. Renowned for their commitment to user empowerment, Square provides a versatile range of services that go beyond transactional tools. The company places a strong emphasis on customer experience, offering a user-friendly interface and features like a 30-day free trial for the Plus plan, allowing businesses to explore advanced offerings risk-free. Their industry-leading security measures include card swipe encryption, secure software development practices, and 24/7 server monitoring. This ensures a secure environment for businesses and their customers. Square's services extend to advanced inventory management, seamless eCommerce integration, and payroll processing. The company stands out for their transparent pricing structure, clear of hidden charges or contracts. Their adaptability is showcased through third-party hardware integration, enabling businesses to tailor their POS setup according to unique operational needs.