Clover vs Lightspeed
Clover gives you polished hardware with an app-based approach to features. Lightspeed gives you deep, retail-focused software on iPad. For simpler retail where hardware appearance matters, Clover. For complex inventory and multi-location operations, Lightspeed.
Our Verdict
Lightspeed wins for serious retail operations—better inventory, purchase orders, and vendor management. Clover wins for simple retail where premium hardware appearance matters, or if you're already in a Clover reseller relationship.
Best for:
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Clover | Lightspeed | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hardware design | Excellent, premium | iPad-based | Clover |
| Inventory management | Good | Excellent | Lightspeed |
| Purchase orders | Via apps | Built-in | Lightspeed |
| Vendor management | Basic | Excellent | Lightspeed |
| Pricing transparency | Via reseller | Published rates | Lightspeed |
| Multi-location | Via apps/config | Native, excellent | Lightspeed |
| App marketplace | Large | Moderate | Clover |
| E-commerce | Basic | Good (add-on) | Lightspeed |
Clover
Pros
- ✓Premium hardware design
- ✓Flexible app ecosystem
- ✓Service business apps
- ✓Professional appearance
Cons
- ✗Reseller pricing complexity
- ✗Inventory less deep
- ✗Features via apps add up
Lightspeed
Pros
- ✓Excellent inventory depth
- ✓Built-in purchase orders
- ✓Strong vendor management
- ✓Transparent pricing
Cons
- ✗iPad-only hardware
- ✗Higher starting price
- ✗E-commerce is add-on
In-Depth Analysis
Inventory Depth Reality
Lightspeed handles product matrices, serial numbers, vendor catalogs, and automated purchasing natively. Clover can do some of this through apps, but it's piecemeal. If inventory is your retail complexity, Lightspeed's unified approach works better.
The Reseller Question
Clover is sold through resellers who set their own prices and terms. Lightspeed sells direct with published pricing. You might find a great Clover deal—or a terrible one. Lightspeed is predictable. Factor your risk tolerance into this decision.
Hardware vs Software Priority
Clover invests in beautiful, solid hardware. Lightspeed invests in powerful, deep software. Both approaches work—but you're making a trade-off. Which matters more for your specific store?
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use Clover hardware with Lightspeed software?
No. They're separate ecosystems. Clover hardware only works with Clover. Lightspeed runs on iPad. You choose one or the other.
Which is better for a boutique?
Depends on your boutique's complexity. Simple boutique with nice aesthetic: Clover. Boutique with lots of variants, seasons, and vendor relationships: Lightspeed.