Comparison

Star Setting Utility vs Lightspeed Retail POS (R)

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Star Setting Utility

This utility allows users to manage Bluetooth and Ethernet settings for compatible Star Micronics printers and peripherals. It supports connecting devices, changing names, configuring auto-connection, and setting security for Bluetooth, and searching for devices on a network for Ethernet.

Highlights
  • Bluetooth device connection
  • Change device and port names
  • Auto-connection toggle
  • Bluetooth security settings
  • PIN code management
  • Network device search
  • Open Ethernet settings page
Read full description

Compatibility: Requires iOS 8.0 or later. Star Setting Utility enables the user to change the Bluetooth and Ethernet setting of Star Micronics products. ***** Application features ****** For Bluetooth setting - Connect the Star Micronics products to an iOS device - Change Device Name and iOS Port Name - Auto connection ON/OFF - Security setting - Change the PIN code For Ethernet setting - Search the Star Micronics products on a network. - Open Ethernet setting page ***** Supported Star Micronics products ***** Desktop Receipt Printers - FVP10 : Ethernet/Bluetooth - TSP650 : Ethernet - TSP650II : Ethernet/Bluetooth - TSP700II : Ethernet/Bluetooth - TSP800II : Ethernet/Bluetooth - SP700 : Ethernet/Bluetooth Peripheral - DK-AirCash : Ethernet/Bluetooth Portable Printers - SM-S210I : Bluetooth (Required F/W Ver: 3.0 or later) - SM-S220I : Bluetooth (Required F/W Ver: 3.0 or later) - SM-T300I : Bluetooth (Required F/W Ver: 3.0 or later) - SM-T400I : Bluetooth (Required F/W Ver: 3.0 or later) - SM-S230I : Bluetooth - SM-L200 : Bluetooth Low Energy ****** Note ******* To Star Bluetooth Utility users, please use this Star Setting Utility instead of Star Bluetooth Utility because we will not update Star Bluetooth Utility.

About

Lightspeed Retail POS (R)

This cloud-based point of sale system streamlines retail operations with integrated inventory, customer, and employee management. It simplifies transactions, provides detailed sales analytics, and offers customizable user roles for enhanced efficiency.

Highlights
  • Inventory management
  • Detailed reporting
  • Customer management
  • Multi-location support
  • Employee management
  • Cloud-based access
  • Customer Facing Display
Features
Read full description

The POS system preferred by serious retailers in over 100 countries. Lightspeed retail POS is more than just a cash register. It’s a smart, scalable, and dependable point of sale system with built-in features like inventory management, detailed reporting, customer management, multi-location compatibility, employee management, and so much more, all on the cloud. The app centralizes everything your staff needs based on their role. Now, cashiers have their own intuitive profile tab in POS-mode that lets them focus on sales, and managers can toggle into the Manager tab to perform daily tasks. This split-functionality minimizes distractions and potential for mistakes and requires almost no training time for new employees. Complete transactions and instantly access your sales data from anywhere, so you can spend more time focusing on what’s most important—your customers. Process sales - Complete transactions from anywhere in your store to reduce wait times. - Snap pictures of new stock straight from the sales screen. - Perform on-the-spot returns, accept gift cards, apply discounts and sell on-account. - Send receipts via email. - Process special orders, layaways, and work orders. - Provide customers with a clear view of the items in their transaction, including taxes and discounts, with a Customer Facing Display (CFD). Manage inventory and collections - Sell bundled, serialized or unique items. - Easily manage multiple variations of the same product. - Import up to 1,000 new items in 1 click. - Combine purchasing, transferring, and multiple vendors into one master order. Track data and performance - Track sales and inventory with reports on profits and fluctuations over time. - Identify opportunities for growth and improvement. - Detect trends in your stock movement and learn what your top performers are. - Get a clear view of your customers’ needs and shopping habits. Take care of customers - Track sales history to improve your shopping experience and personalize your sales approach. - Record relevant customer information to better inform your targeting decisions. - Collect emails to send current promotions and new arrival notifications to customers. Provide employees with easy-to-use tools - Empower your staff with an intuitive, easy-to-learn app. Minimal training required. - Simplify your cashiers’ workflow with one screen for everything they need to open and close their day. - Create a simple and logical workflow tailored to your business. - Track sales and performance reports per employee. - Limit access to refunds, products, pricing, or sales data with custom user permissions. Supercharge the POS with integrations - Sell in-store and online with Lightspeed’s fully integrated eCommerce solution, Lightspeed eCom. - Drive more repeat business and build long-term customer relationships with Lightspeed Loyalty. - Build your perfect system with over 250 integration options. Add hardware and payment processing - Lightspeed Payments: 2.6% + 10¢ - one rate per transaction for swipe, dip or tap—no matter the card type, no matter the sale amount. - Connect external hardware like Bluetooth barcode scanners, receipt printers, cash drawers and customer-facing displays. - Reduce credit card fraud with EMV-compatible hardware. Get free onboarding and 24/7 support - Receive a personalized one-on-one onboarding session with a Retail POS expert. - Call or chat with support agents 24/7. Lightspeed POS is the perfect fit for: Bike and sporting goods Fashion and apparel Jewelry and accessories Pets and supplies Home decor Electronics Toys and hobbies Fitness and supplements Health and beauty Questions? Ask our friendly retail POS pros. Call 1-855-251-0441 or go to our support center for helpful tips, training videos, and system updates.

Screenshots

Star Setting Utility4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Star Setting Utility at 2.9 against Lightspeed Retail POS (R)'s 2.1. Star Setting Utility also leads on monetization model (free vs free with in-app purchases) and device support (3 vs 1). Lightspeed Retail POS (R)'s advantage is update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 10 months) and ratings volume (177 vs 13). On price, review sentiment, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Star Setting Utility holds the better App Store score, 2.9 against 2.1. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Lightspeed Retail POS (R) has 177 ratings behind it against 13, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 33% of Star Setting Utility's written reviews are positive against 31% of Lightspeed Retail POS (R)'s.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Star Setting Utility ships an update every 10 months, Lightspeed Retail POS (R) every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 23, 2026 and November 1, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
Star Setting Utility versus Lightspeed Retail POS (R): the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterStar Setting UtilityLightspeed Retail POS (R)
PriceFreeFree
Rating2.9 (13 ratings) — better2.1 (177 ratings)
Positive reviews33.3% of reviews — better31.1% of reviews
Number of ratings13177 — better
Update frequencyEvery 10 monthsEvery 2 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPad
Requires iOS8.0 — better16.0
Further details — not scored
Size1 MB207 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperSTAR MICRONICS CO., LTD.Lightspeed Commerce Inc.

Customer experience

Star Setting Utility

All ratings13 ratings
Positive46.2%
Neutral7.7%
Negative46.2%
Written reviews3 reviews
Positive33.3%
Neutral0.0%
Negative66.7%

Lightspeed Retail POS (R)

All ratings177 ratings
Positive23.7%
Neutral6.2%
Negative70.1%
Written reviews90 reviews
Positive31.1%
Neutral7.8%
Negative61.1%

Bugs and requests

Star Setting Utility

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

Lightspeed Retail POS (R)

Reported bugs

19 issues
  • App crashes during peak business hours
  • Scanner and printer disconnect frequently
  • Payment terminal connectivity issues
  • App freezes when entering or changing prices
  • Inventory freezing when adding stock
Show 14 more
  • Work order notes and billed parts erasing randomly
  • App logging out unexpectedly
  • Keyboard not appearing with Bluetooth scanner connected
  • Inventory counts changing on their own
  • Photo upload functionality not working
  • Payment screen freezing after card approval
  • App won't launch after updates
  • Slow typing response (4+ seconds per character)
  • Register confusion between multiple registers
  • PIN login required multiple times per transaction
  • Label printer connection failures
  • Latency issues even on new devices
  • Work order data loss during app freeze
  • Matrix merged items still appearing after deletion

Requested features

14 requests
  • Native phone app version
  • Camera-based barcode scanning using iPad camera
  • Ability to change unit costs on purchase order page
  • PDF/email receipt functionality
  • Access to work orders and sales tabs when register is closed
Show 9 more
  • Gift card refunds on main sales screen
  • Built-in gift certificate system
  • Stripe card reader support outside US
  • Keyboard availability with Bluetooth scanner
  • Simplified work order process with fewer steps
  • Better iPad app performance optimization
  • Support for multiple currencies and coin types
  • Streamlined inventory addition process
  • Automatic barcode scanning to add items to sale

In-app purchases

None

Star Setting Utility

No in-app purchases

None

Lightspeed Retail POS (R)

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Star Setting Utility free?
Star Setting Utility is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Lightspeed Retail POS (R) free?
Lightspeed Retail POS (R) is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Star Setting Utility or Lightspeed Retail POS (R)?
Star Setting Utility is rated higher. Star Setting Utility averages 2.9 out of 5 from 13 ratings, while Lightspeed Retail POS (R) averages 2.1 from 177 ratings.
Do Star Setting Utility or Lightspeed Retail POS (R) have ads?
Neither Star Setting Utility nor Lightspeed Retail POS (R) shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Star Setting Utility or Lightspeed Retail POS (R)?
Star Setting Utility ships an update every 10 months, and Lightspeed Retail POS (R) every 2 weeks. Most recently, Star Setting Utility was updated on October 23, 2026 and Lightspeed Retail POS (R) on November 1, 2026.

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