Vend by Lightspeed is a cloud-based point-of-sale (POS) and retail management software designed to simplify sales, inventory management and customer engagement. This article provides a comprehensive review of the services, pricing, comparisons and reviews of Vend by Lightspeed.
Headline numbers
- Used by over 25,000 retailers in 140+ countries
- More than 300 million customers served
- Processing over £10 billion in sales annually
- Fees table for Vend by Lightspeed
Vend fees and charges
| Feature | Cost |
|---|---|
| EPOS system name | Vend by Lightspeed |
| Contract length | 12 months |
| Terminal cost | £49 to £89 per month, depending on the plan |
| Consumer card fees | 1.2% + 20p per transaction |
| Business card fees | 1.9% + 20p per transaction |
| Card not present (CNP) fees | 2.5% + 20p per transaction |
| Minimum monthly charge | £49 |
| Refund fees | No additional charge |
| Chargebacks | £15 per instance |
| Replacement reader | £59 |
| Receipt rolls | £12.99 for a pack of 20 |
| Paper billing (optional) | Not available |
| PCI compliance | Included |
| Early termination | No early termination fees, monthly contracts can be cancelled any time |
Company information
| Detail | Data |
|---|---|
| Founded (date, location) | 2010, Auckland, New Zealand |
| Website URL | www.vendhq.com |
| Phone number | +64 9 886 5682 |
| FSCS protected? | No |
| FCA regulated? | No |
Pros and cons of Vend
Pros:
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Card One Money ✓ No Credit Checks ✓ Simple Fees ✓ Up to 3.5% Cashback Pricing Trial period Contact |
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ANNA Money ✓ Apply in 10 minutes ✓ Bookkeeping & Payroll Tools ✓ User-Friendly Mobile App Pricing Trial period Contact |
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Co-Op Business Banking ✓ Business Current Account ✓ Online, App & High Street Banking ✓ Quick & Easy Application Process Pricing Trial period Contact |
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HSBC Business Banking ✓ Business Current Account ✓ In-Branch, Online & App Banking ✓ FSCS Protected Pricing Trial period Contact |
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Metro Business Banking ✓ Business Current Account ✓ High Street Presence ✓ FSCS Protected Pricing Trial period Contact |
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Mettle Business Banking ✓ Business Bank Account ✓ Online & App ✓ Quick & Easy Application Process Pricing Trial period Contact |
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Monzo Business Banking ✓ Business Current Account ✓ Dedicated mobile app experience ✓ FSCS Protected Pricing Trial period Contact |
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Virgin Money ✓ Business M Account ✓ In-Store, Online & App Banking ✓ Insights & Forecasting Platform Pricing Trial period Contact |
- User-friendly interface
- Extensive integrations with e-commerce platforms
- Robust inventory management features
Cons:
- High cost for premium features
- Limited customisation options
- Reports could be more detailed
Vend products and services
Vend POS
A comprehensive cloud-based POS system that helps streamline retail operations. Features include sales, inventory management, customer profiles, and analytics. Pricing ranges from £49 to £89 per month, per register, depending on the chosen plan.
Vend E-commerce
This is an integrated e-commerce platform allowing for seamless online and in-store operations. It includes product listing, stock control, and order management. Pricing is included in the Vend POS packages.
Vend Reporting and Insights
Vend’s Reporting and Insights tools provide valuable data to businesses. They offer detailed analytics and real-time reporting on sales, products, and staff performance, enabling businesses to make data-driven decisions. This is included within all Vend POS packages.
Vend Customer Management
This feature helps businesses manage customer relationships effectively. It enables the creation of customer profiles, tracks purchase histories, and manages loyalty programmes. This feature is included within all Vend POS packages.
Vend Multi-Outlet Retail
For businesses with multiple locations, Vend’s Multi-Outlet Retail feature offers comprehensive support for managing all stores from a single account, making it easy to track inventory, sales, and customers across all locations. Pricing is included in the Vend Pro and Enterprise POS packages.
Vend On-the-Go
Vend On-the-Go allows businesses to sell anywhere, anytime, from any device. It offers a mobile POS system that integrates with the rest of Vend’s services, providing flexibility and convenience for businesses. Pricing is included in all Vend POS packages.
Vend reviews
| Source | Rating |
|---|---|
| TrustPilot | 4.3/5 |
| Google Reviews | 4.1/5 |
| Reviews.io | 3.8/5 |
| Average | 4.07/5 |
Alternatives to Vend
Competitors to Vend by Lightspeed in the POS market include Square, Shopify, and Epos Now. All these alternatives also offer POS and inventory management systems, with their own unique strengths and weaknesses.
Additional considerations
Before choosing Vend by Lightspeed, businesses should consider the scale and nature of their operations, as well as their budget and specific needs. While Vend offers a comprehensive range of features, it may not be cost-effective for smaller businesses.
Vend company history
Vend was founded in 2010 in New Zealand, aiming to simplify retail management for businesses of all sizes. In 2021, the company was acquired by Lightspeed, a global leader in cloud-based commerce platforms, further enhancing its product offering and global reach.
FAQ
Yes, Vend offers plans suitable for businesses of all sizes.
Yes, Vend integrates with numerous other applications, including e-commerce platforms and payment providers.
Yes, Vend is compatible with various devices, including iPads, Macs, and PCs.
Vend offers a robust inventory management system that allows retailers to easily add, remove and adjust stock levels. It also supports product variations like size, colour, and material, and allows for easy import and export of product lists.
Yes, Vend allows you to manage multiple store locations from a single account. You can track inventory, sales, and customers across all your locations.
Vend offers a range of customer support options, including 24/7 phone and online support, a comprehensive online resource library, and onboarding assistance for new customers.
Vend offers both monthly and annual billing options. While there’s no minimum term for using Vend, you can save money by opting for the annual plan.
Yes, Vend offers a 14-day free trial that allows you to test the platform before making a commitment.
Yes, Vend is compatible with a wide range of point-of-sale hardware, allowing you to use your existing equipment. However, it’s important to check the specific hardware requirements on the Vend website to ensure compatibility.