# Star Setting Utility vs Lightspeed Retail POS (R)

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.

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

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.

Star Setting Utility ships an update every 10 months, Lightspeed Retail POS (R) every 2 weeks. Both last shipped on November 1, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Star Setting Utility | Lightspeed Retail POS (R) |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[2.9 (13 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/star-setting-utility/id667867619/reviews)** | [2.1 (177 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/lightspeed-retail-pos-r/id848366907/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 13 | **177** |
| Positive reviews | **33.3% of reviews** | 31.1% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 10 months | **Every 2 weeks** |
| Monetization | **Free** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 1 MB | 207 MB |
| Requires iOS | **8.0** | 16.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [STAR MICRONICS CO.,LTD.](https://appshunter.io/developer/552221028) | [Lightspeed Commerce Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/390465117) |

## What reviewers say

### Star Setting Utility

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/star-setting-utility/id667867619)

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

**In-app purchases:** none


### Lightspeed Retail POS (R)

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/lightspeed-retail-pos-r/id848366907)

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:** Apple Wallet

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Intuitive and easy-to-use interface
- 📊 Comprehensive inventory management system
- 🌐 Seamless cross-platform integration (desktop & iPad)
- 📱 Mobile flexibility for retail operations
- 💼 Powerful reporting and analytics capabilities

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Frequent app crashes and freezing issues
- ⚠️ Hardware connectivity problems (scanner, printer, terminal)
- 🔌 Unreliable Bluetooth connections
- 💰 Expensive pricing structure
- ⏱️ Slow app performance on older devices

**Reported bugs**

- 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

**Requested features**

- 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


## Frequently asked 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 November 1, 2026 and Lightspeed Retail POS (R) on November 1, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*