Lightspeed vs Helcim

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Our analysts compared Lightspeed vs Helcim based on data from our 400+ point analysis of POS Software, user reviews and our own crowdsourced data from our free software selection platform.

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Product Basics

Lightspeed is a cloud-based point-of-sale (POS) system offering features for businesses in retail, hospitality, and service industries. Its core functionality includes managing sales, inventory, customers, and employees, with additional features like marketing tools and reporting. While suitable for various business sizes, it often caters to those needing more advanced features than basic POS systems. Lightspeed shines in its scalability and omnichannel capabilities, allowing businesses to manage online and physical stores seamlessly. Users praise its intuitive interface, robust reporting, and app integrations. However, some find its pricing structure complex and miss features like offline functionality. Compared to similar POS systems, Lightspeed offers a wider range of features and integrations, but at a higher price point. It caters to businesses seeking a feature-rich solution for managing their omnichannel presence, while simpler and often cheaper options might suffice for smaller businesses with basic needs.

Pros
  • Scalable & Omnichannel
  • Intuitive Interface
  • Robust Reporting
  • App Integrations
  • Feature-Rich
Cons
  • Complex Pricing
  • No Offline Mode
  • Steeper Learning Curve
  • Not Ideal for Basic Needs
  • Higher Price Point
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Helcim offers a cloud-based point-of-sale (POS) system geared towards small businesses across various industries. It equips users with tools to accept payments, manage inventory, and track customer data. Notably, Helcim caters to businesses seeking flexibility, with its POS accessible on various devices like tablets and smartphones. This portability, coupled with features like omnichannel inventory management and customer loyalty programs, positions Helcim well for businesses looking to streamline operations and boost customer engagement. Pricing-wise, Helcim adopts a transparent, tiered approach based on transaction volume, making it budget-friendly for startups and scaling businesses alike. However, compared to competitors, its feature set might be less extensive for complex retail needs. Overall, Helcim provides a solid POS solution for businesses prioritizing affordability, mobility, and ease of use.

Pros
  • Affordable pricing
  • Mobile-friendly interface
  • Easy to use and set up
  • Omnichannel inventory management
  • Customer loyalty program
Cons
  • Limited features for complex needs
  • Customer support could be improved
  • Not ideal for high-volume businesses
  • Integration with third-party apps might be limited
  • Lacks some advanced reporting features
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Windows
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Cloud
On-Premise
Mobile
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On-Premise
Mobile

Product Assistance

Documentation
In Person
Live Online
Videos
Webinars
Documentation
In Person
Live Online
Videos
Webinars
Email
Phone
Chat
FAQ
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Knowledge Base
24/7 Live Support
Email
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24/7 Live Support

Product Insights

  • Quickly Launch Online Storefronts: Upload content, choose templates and build an online store tailored to specific needs. 
  • Sync Online and Retail Sales: Consolidate digital and retail sales data in a centralized platform and offer a consistent brand experience using barcode scanners, point of sale systems, label printers and more. 
  • Streamline Restaurant Management: Restaurant owners can provide contactless payment, food delivery, order ahead and other options. 
  • Manage Golf Courses: Use a booking management module with tee sheets and customizations for standards, shotguns, crossovers and more. 
  • Work Remotely: Optimized for mobile devices and tablets for remote access. 
  • Perform Omnichannel Marketing: Advertise business on various social networks and marketplaces, and manage every listing from a dashboard. Offers SEO tools and metadata customizations for optimizing personal website’s visibility. 
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  • Run a Smoother Business: Simplify daily tasks with an intuitive interface and mobile accessibility, manage your business from anywhere.
  • Budget-Friendly Choice: Benefit from transparent, tiered pricing that adapts to your business size, making it affordable for startups and growing ventures.
  • Boost Customer Satisfaction: Foster loyalty with built-in features like loyalty programs and omnichannel inventory, ensuring a seamless shopping experience.
  • Inventory Made Easy: Gain real-time insights into stock levels across all channels, prevent stockouts, and optimize purchasing decisions.
  • Scale with Confidence: Accommodate your business's evolving needs with a POS system that adapts and grows alongside you.
  • Data-Driven Decisions: Generate comprehensive reports to track sales performance, identify trends, and make informed business decisions.
  • Secure Transactions: Enjoy peace of mind with industry-standard security measures that protect your customer data and financial information.
  • Integrate with Ease: Connect Helcim with your existing business tools and services for a streamlined workflow.
  • Dedicated Support: Get help when you need it with responsive customer support available via phone, email, and live chat.
  • Focus on What Matters: Spend less time managing your POS and more time focusing on growing your business.
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  • E-Commerce: Set up an online store with customizable, mobile-friendly templates and built-in SEO tools. Sync inventories across all physical locations, purchase stock from the Lightspeed Supplier Market and sell units from a unified dashboard. Manage in-store appointments and Google local inventory ads from the POS system. 
  • Payment Processing: Complete sales with simple pricing, no hidden fees, a fast and secure checkout experience, and built-in PCI compliance and fraud detection. Process transactions with EMV-compatible terminals and accept all payment methods. Receive a dedicated expert’s assistance on dispute management and chargeback issues. Available only in the U.S; external integrations are required for payment processing in Canada, Australia and the U.K. 
  • Loyalty: Offer a point-based loyalty program with flexible reward tiers to incentivize customer loyalty and boost retention. Manage both in-store and online promotions and coupons while providing one-time special offers on birthdays or to VIP shoppers. Boost custom marketing campaigns with seasonal promotions and auto-segment customers based on their purchasing habits. 
  • Analytics: Drill down on critical areas with customizable reports and monitor sales, inventory and employee performance to make growth-oriented decisions. With Analytics Core, pay only for the expert-crafted reports required for business instead of the whole suite of report templates. 
  • Lightspeed Accounting: This integration creates a link between a store’s POS and accounting systems. Record business finances with automatic bookkeeping and receive daily sales receipts, profit and loss statements and more. 
  • Hardware: Choose from various hardware bundles for businesses or acquire single items, including zebra label printers, USB or Bluetooth bar scanners, Verifone P400 PIN pads, TM-m30 receipt printers and more. Design branded gift cards for the store and ship them to customers’ doorsteps. 
  • Restaurant Point of Sale: Offers industry-specific POS system for restaurants. 
    • Delivery: Syncs menu with major delivery apps like UberEats, SkipTheDishes or DoorDash to scale business and reach more customers. Receive delivery orders, promote high-margin dishes, create delivery-only menus and more. 
    • Order Ahead: Provide customers with the flexibility to order ahead for takeout, curbside pickup and appointments. They can add custom notes, table and room number requested, whether utensils are required and more details. Keep customers in the loop with real-time SMS notifications. 
    • Self Order Menus: Let customers send their orders via an interactive digital menu directly to the kitchen, bypassing the need for waiters and servers. Realign employees to focus on faster cooking, increasing order accuracy and improving customer service. 
    • Kitchen Display System: Displays a detailed view of every order, including turnaround time and images, color codes orders according to assigned chefs, and sends alerts for pending orders. Have online orders directly go to the display board after submission for faster preparation. 
    • Customer Facing Display: Exhibit the total breakdown of customers’ orders, subtotal cost, tax percentage, tips paid and total price on a display screen. Customize the screen with business logo and brand colors while advertising high-margin dishes or the item-of-the-day. 
    • Enterprise: Run multiple restaurants located in different places with a cloud-based POS system. Monitor each location’s sales, employee and promotional data while centralizing customer data from numerous areas. Customize and scale as needed with an open API interface. 
  • Golf Course Management: Caters to businesses that operate golf courses. 
    • Tee Sheets: Personalize tee sheets according to the facility’s structure. Manage golf courses from nine to 54 holes. Accommodate any play type, including shotguns, crossovers, front or back nines and more. 
    • Booking Management: Players can register for tournaments and pick their tee times. Organize monthly or yearly leagues, track attendees and review metrics from the dashboard. 
    • Membership Management: Create unlimited types of memberships, customize booking restrictions and pricing structures per type, and automate the billing process. 
    • Professional Website: Increase online presence, showcase facilities, attract more golfers and provide flexible payment options through a personalized website and mobile application. Design websites with preset templates or customize them with source coding. The vendor takes charge of website maintenance. 
  • Integrations: Leverage various integrations for assistance in accounting, analytics, CRM, marketing, payment processing (In the U.K, Canada and Australia), ERP, invoicing and more. 
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  • Omnichannel Inventory Management: Track stock levels across physical and online stores, prevent stockouts, and optimize purchasing decisions.
  • Mobile POS App: Run your business from anywhere with a POS accessible on smartphones and tablets.
  • Virtual Terminal: Accept payments online without a physical store through a secure web interface.
  • Invoicing and Billing: Send professional invoices, accept payments, and track customer payment history.
  • Payment Processing: Accept various payment methods including credit cards, debit cards, ACH transfers, and contactless payments.
  • Customer Management: Store customer information, create profiles, and track purchase history to personalize shopping experiences.
  • Loyalty Programs: Reward repeat customers and encourage brand loyalty with customizable programs.
  • Gift Cards and Store Credit: Offer gift cards and store credit as additional sales channels and customer incentives.
  • Reporting and Analytics: Generate comprehensive reports on sales performance, inventory levels, and customer trends to make informed business decisions.
  • Integrations: Connect Helcim with various third-party apps and services for a streamlined workflow, including accounting software, marketing tools, and shipping platforms.
  • API Access: Developers can leverage the Helcim API to integrate functionalities into custom applications.
  • Security Features: Industry-standard security measures protect customer data and financial information, ensuring PCI compliance.
read more...

Product Ranking

#10

among all
POS Software

#65

among all
POS Software

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Analyst Rating Summary

86
59
67
67
94
52
60
20
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Integration and Extensibility
Types of POS
Inventory Management
Reporting and Insights
Customer and Loyalty Management
Payment Transactions and Cash Management

Analyst Ratings for Functional Requirements Customize This Data Customize This Data

Lightspeed
Helcim
+ Add Product + Add Product
Compliance And Security Customer And Loyalty Management Employee Management Inventory Management Items And Service Management Payment Transactions And Cash Management POS Hardware Reporting And Insights Sales And Marketing Management Store Management Types Of POS 67 94 60 98 90 86 76 96 89 70 100 67 52 20 56 55 86 59 50 52 50 74 0 25 50 75 100
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67%
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90%
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56%
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44%
86%
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57%
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43%
78%
11%
11%
78%
11%
11%
50%
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60%
88%
13%
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67%
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33%
44%
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56%
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75%
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25%

Analyst Ratings for Technical Requirements Customize This Data Customize This Data

100%
0%
0%
80%
0%
20%

User Sentiment Summary

Great User Sentiment 1168 reviews
Great User Sentiment 54 reviews
86%
of users recommend this product

Lightspeed has a 'great' User Satisfaction Rating of 86% when considering 1168 user reviews from 5 recognized software review sites.

88%
of users recommend this product

Helcim has a 'great' User Satisfaction Rating of 88% when considering 54 user reviews from 3 recognized software review sites.

5.0 (58)
n/a
4.1 (160)
4.4 (13)
4.75 (169)
4.27 (22)
4.2 (774)
4.6 (19)
4.3 (7)
n/a

Awards

SelectHub research analysts have evaluated Lightspeed and concluded it earns best-in-class honors for Types of POS.

Types of POS Award

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Synopsis of User Ratings and Reviews

User-Friendly Interface: Users consistently praise Lightspeed's intuitive interface, making it easy to navigate and perform tasks efficiently, even with limited technical experience.
Robust Features: Lightspeed offers an extensive suite of features, addressing various business needs, including inventory management, sales reporting, customer relationship management, employee management, and omnichannel capabilities.
Integrations: The system integrates seamlessly with a wide range of popular third-party software, such as accounting, marketing, and e-commerce platforms, streamlining workflows and data exchange.
Omnichannel Functionality: Lightspeed excels in managing both online and in-store sales channels effectively, providing a unified experience for customers and streamlining operations across multiple touchpoints.
Reporting and Analytics: Users appreciate the comprehensive reporting tools that offer insights into sales trends, customer behavior, inventory levels, and employee performance, enabling data-driven decision-making.
Customer Support: Lightspeed offers multiple support channels, including phone, email, and online resources, with generally helpful and knowledgeable agents, providing assistance when needed.
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Competitive Pricing: Users mentioned significantly lower fees compared to previous processors, saving them money on transactions.
Feature Rich: Users appreciated features like extensive APIs, detailed documentation, and the ability to customize the platform for their specific needs.
Reliable Processing: Many users reported smooth and dependable payment processing, crucial for uninterrupted business operations.
Strong Integrations: Users valued seamless integrations with various third-party tools, streamlining their workflow.
Supportive Customer Service: While some mentioned occasional issues, users generally praised the helpfulness and responsiveness of the customer service team.
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Pricing Structure: Some users find the tiered pricing plans and add-on fees confusing, making it difficult to calculate accurate costs upfront.
Limited Offline Functionality: Reliance on an internet connection can be problematic for businesses with unreliable internet or those operating in remote areas.
Inventory Management Issues: Some users have reported challenges with inventory tracking accuracy, slow syncing across multiple locations, and a lack of advanced inventory features.
Customer Support Wait Times: While generally helpful, customer support can experience longer wait times during peak periods, leading to potential delays in resolving issues.
Steeper Learning Curve: The extensive feature set can be overwhelming for less tech-savvy users, requiring a greater investment in training and onboarding.
Customization Limitations: Adapting the system to highly specific workflows or unique business models can be challenging without extensive workarounds or third-party integrations.
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Potentially Higher Fees for Low Volume: While praised for competitive pricing, some users with low transaction volume felt fees were less economical compared to flat-rate options.
Occasional Technical Issues: Some users reported encountering bugs or glitches within the platform, causing workflow disruptions.
Learning Curve for Beginners: New users unfamiliar with complex POS systems sometimes found initial setup and navigation challenging.
Limited Integration Options: Although integrations exist, users expressed a desire for broader compatibility with specific accounting or inventory management software.
Contractual Concerns: A few users mentioned being locked into longer contracts than desired, limiting flexibility to switch providers.
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Lightspeed POS, a cloud-based solution catering to retail, hospitality, and service industries, garners mixed reviews from users. While lauded for its user-friendly interface, robust features, omnichannel capabilities, and seamless integrations, some find its pricing complex, offline functionality limited, and specific functionalities lacking. Strengths that shine: Users consistently praise Lightspeed's intuitive interface, making it easy for both tech-savvy and less-experienced individuals to navigate. The vast feature set, encompassing inventory management, reporting, customer relationship management, and employee tools, caters to diverse business needs. Integrations with popular software like QuickBooks and Shopify streamline operations and data exchange. Notably, Lightspeed excels in omnichannel management, allowing businesses to manage online and physical stores seamlessly, a crucial strength in today's retail landscape. Weaknesses to consider: The pricing structure, with tiered plans and additional fees for features like offline functionality, can be confusing for some users. The lack of true offline functionality can be a dealbreaker for businesses with unreliable internet or operating in remote areas. While the feature set is comprehensive, some users report limitations in specific areas like advanced inventory management, which might necessitate workarounds or third-party integrations. Standing out from the crowd: Compared to competitors like Square POS and Shopify POS, Lightspeed offers a wider range of features and caters to more complex business needs. However, these strengths come at a higher price point. Ultimately, the choice between Lightspeed and its competitors boils down to individual business requirements and budget constraints. In conclusion, Lightspeed POS is a feature-rich solution with a user-friendly interface, but its pricing structure and lack of true offline functionality can be drawbacks. If you prioritize omnichannel capabilities, extensive integrations, and a robust feature set, Lightspeed is worth considering. However, carefully evaluate your needs and budget against potential limitations before making a decision.

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Recent user reviews of Helcim's POS software reveal a multifaceted perspective. While lauded for its competitive pricing and feature richness, potential drawbacks emerge for specific user profiles. Strengths: Users consistently highlight Helcim's transparent interchange-plus pricing model, which translates to significant cost savings compared to traditional processors. The platform's extensive APIs and customization capabilities empower businesses to tailor the software to their unique workflows. Additionally, seamless integrations with popular third-party tools further enhance operational efficiency. Weaknesses: Reviews indicate a potential learning curve for new users, particularly those unfamiliar with complex POS systems. While integrations exist, some users yearn for broader compatibility with niche software, suggesting room for improvement. Furthermore, the fee structure might seem less competitive for businesses with low transaction volumes, where flat-rate options offered by competitors like Square or Shopify POS might be more suitable. In conclusion, Helcim shines for businesses seeking a cost-effective POS solution with rich features and customization options. Its transparent pricing model and integration capabilities are valuable assets. However, the potential learning curve and limited integration options should be carefully considered, especially for new users or those with specific software needs. A thorough evaluation of your business's size, transaction volume, and technical expertise is crucial to determine if Helcim truly differentiates itself from the competition.

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