Choosing between Vend and Retail Pro 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 Retail Pro starts at Contact for pricing and is Enterprise retail management software. This comprehensive comparison will help you decide which POS system is the right fit for your operation.
Quick Comparison: Vend vs Retail Pro
| Feature | Vend | Retail Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Retail | Retail |
| Starting Price | $89/month | Contact for pricing |
| Rating | 4.4/5 | 4.0/5 |
| 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 | Multi-store specialty retailers |
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
Retail Pro Overview
Retail Pro is an enterprise retail management software for specialty retailers. Offers POS, inventory management, and customer engagement tools for multi-store operations.
Retail Pro is offered by Retail Pro International (founded 1986) based in Folsom, CA. The system focuses on Specialty Retail, Apparel, Multi-store.
Key Features:
- POS
- Inventory Management
- Multi-store
- Customer Management
- Reporting
- E-commerce Integration
Feature Comparison
Vend Features:
- Cloud-based POS
- Inventory management
- Customer loyalty
- Multi-store support
- eCommerce integration
Retail Pro Features:
- POS
- Inventory Management
- Multi-store
- Customer Management
- Reporting
When comparing features, Vend stands out with Multi-platform (iPad/Mac/PC), while Retail Pro differentiates itself with Enterprise retail focus. Your choice should depend on which features align better with your specific business requirements.
Pricing Comparison
| Pricing Aspect | Vend | Retail Pro |
|---|---|---|
| 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
Retail Pro
Pros:
- Enterprise scalability
- Deep inventory features
- Multi-store management
- Customizable
Cons:
- High cost
- Complex implementation
- Requires IT resources
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 Retail Pro?
Retail Pro is ideal for Multi-store specialty retailers. The system is particularly well-suited for Specialty Retail, Apparel, Multi-store.
However, Retail Pro may not be the best fit for Small single-location stores.
Our Recommendation
Both Vend and Retail Pro 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 Retail Pro if you’re Multi-store specialty retailers. Vend has a higher user rating (4.4 vs 4.0). We recommend trying demos or free trials of both systems before making your final decision.