Choosing between Vend and Epicor for your business? Both are popular retail solutions, but they serve different needs. Vend starts at $89/month and is Cloud retail POS now integrated into Lightspeed., while Epicor starts at Contact for pricing and is Enterprise software for retail and manufacturing. This comprehensive comparison will help you decide which POS system is the right fit for your operation.
Quick Comparison: Vend vs Epicor
| Feature | Vend | Epicor |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Retail | Multi-Industry |
| Starting Price | $89/month | Contact for pricing |
| Rating | 4.4/5 | 3.9/5 |
| Target Business | Small Business | Mid-Market to Enterprise |
| Pricing Model | Subscription | Quote-based |
| Free Trial | Yes | No |
| Free Version | No | No |
| Best For | Retail stores wanting easy setup and multi-device flexibility | Large enterprises with complex needs |
Vend Overview
Vend, now part of Lightspeed Retail, is a cloud-based retail POS offering inventory management, customer loyalty, and multi-store capabilities. Known for ease of use and works on iPad, Mac, and PC.
Vend is offered by Lightspeed Commerce (founded 2010) based in Auckland, New Zealand. The system focuses on Retail, Fashion, Electronics, Home Goods.
Key Features:
- Cloud-based POS
- Inventory management
- Customer loyalty
- Multi-store support
- eCommerce integration
- Reporting
Epicor Overview
Epicor provides enterprise software including retail POS, ERP, and supply chain solutions. Serves manufacturing, distribution, retail, and hospitality industries.
Epicor is offered by Epicor Software (founded 1972) based in Austin, TX. The system focuses on Manufacturing, Distribution, Retail.
Key Features:
- ERP
- Retail POS
- Supply Chain
- Manufacturing
- Financial Management
- BI & Analytics
Feature Comparison
Vend Features:
- Cloud-based POS
- Inventory management
- Customer loyalty
- Multi-store support
- eCommerce integration
Epicor Features:
- ERP
- Retail POS
- Supply Chain
- Manufacturing
- Financial Management
When comparing features, Vend stands out with Multi-platform (iPad/Mac/PC), while Epicor differentiates itself with Enterprise depth. Your choice should depend on which features align better with your specific business requirements.
Pricing Comparison
| Pricing Aspect | Vend | Epicor |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | $89/month | Contact for pricing |
| Pricing Model | Subscription | Quote-based |
| Price Range | Mid-range | Premium |
| Free Trial | Available | Not available |
| Free Version | No | No |
Both systems offer competitive pricing for their respective feature sets. Consider the total cost of ownership including hardware, processing fees, and add-on modules when making your decision.
Pros and Cons
Vend
Pros:
- Easy to use
- Works on any device
- Strong inventory features
- Good customer support
- Now backed by Lightspeed
Cons:
- Limited restaurant features
- Pricing increased after Lightspeed acquisition
- eCommerce requires add-on
Epicor
Pros:
- Enterprise scale
- Industry-specific solutions
- Deep functionality
- Global presence
Cons:
- Complex implementation
- High cost
- Requires dedicated IT
Who Should Choose Vend?
Vend is ideal for Retail stores wanting easy setup and multi-device flexibility. The system is particularly well-suited for Retail, Fashion, Electronics, Home Goods.
However, Vend may not be the best fit for Restaurants, large enterprises.
Who Should Choose Epicor?
Epicor is ideal for Large enterprises with complex needs. The system is particularly well-suited for Manufacturing, Distribution, Retail.
However, Epicor may not be the best fit for Small businesses wanting simple POS.
Our Recommendation
Both Vend and Epicor are solid POS solutions, but they excel in different areas. Choose Vend if you’re Retail stores wanting easy setup and multi-device flexibility. Choose Epicor if you’re Large enterprises with complex needs. Vend has a higher user rating (4.4 vs 3.9). We recommend trying demos or free trials of both systems before making your final decision.