Comparison

Lightspeed Retail POS (R) vs Rapid RMS

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

Head to head
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.

About

Rapid RMS

A cloud-based point-of-sale and inventory management system designed for high-volume businesses, multiple locations, and remote sales. Offers features like cash register functions, promotion management, and detailed reporting. It is free and does not charge for software updates or service contracts.

Highlights
  • Cloud-based POS system
  • Robust inventory management
  • Industry-specific layouts (Gas, Retail, Restaurant)
  • Cash register functions with offline support
  • Promotion and discount management
  • Customer loyalty programs
  • Full web-based back office
Features
Read full description

Rapid RMS is an iPad and cloud-based Point-of-Sale system with robust inventory management. It is the ideal solution for managing high volume businesses, multiple locations, and remote sales forces. Best of all, Rapid RMS never charges for software updates or service contracts. Easy to set up, no networking required, Bluetooth compatible. Features: - Cash Register (Invoice Process, Payment Process, Reporting Management, Offline Support) - Industry specific layout - Gas, Retail, Restaurant - Clock in Clock-Out and Shift in Shift-Out - Promotion (Mix & Match Discount, Qty Discount) - EBT Management - Customer Loyalty (House Charge, RapidRMS Gift Card) - Robust Inventory management - Multiple Barcode tracking - Single/Case/Pack item tracking - Purchase Order - Inventory Count - Manual Entry - Reporting (Sales tracking by register, hourly, weekly, etc.) - Full BackOffice on the web - Quick check out process - Simple delivery check in process - Label printing with barcodes - Customer display - Signature capture with credit card. - Gas transactions: PrePay, PostPay, Pay-at-Pump - Gas Station Management: Fuel Price Management, Tank Management Retail Department Store, Discount Store, Warehouse Store, Mom-And-Pop, Specialty Store, Boutique, General Store, Liquor Store, Convenience Store, & Mall. Gas Gas Station, Gas+Retail Features Expertise Inventory Management, Shift Management, Purchase Order, Clock In/Clock out, Item Movement Reporting, Detailed Sales Tracking & Inventory Count.

Screenshots

Rapid RMS1 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Rapid RMS at 4.1 against Lightspeed Retail POS (R)'s 2.1. Rapid RMS also leads on review sentiment (60% vs 31%) and monetization model (free vs free with in-app purchases). Lightspeed Retail POS (R)'s advantage is update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 2 months) and ratings volume (177 vs 22). On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support 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

Rapid RMS holds the better App Store score, 4.1 against 2.1. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Lightspeed Retail POS (R) has 177 ratings behind it against 22, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 31% of Lightspeed Retail POS (R)'s written reviews are positive against 60% of Rapid RMS's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Lightspeed Retail POS (R) ships an update every 2 weeks, Rapid RMS every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on November 11, 2026 and November 1, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Lightspeed Retail POS (R) versus Rapid RMS: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterLightspeed Retail POS (R)Rapid RMS
PriceFreeFree
Rating2.1 (177 ratings)4.1 (22 ratings) — better
Positive reviews31.1% of reviews60.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings177 — better22
Update frequencyEvery 2 weeks — betterEvery 2 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPadiPhone, iPad — better
Requires iOS16.0 — better17.6
Further details — not scored
Size207 MB193 MB
Age rating4+17+
DeveloperLightspeed Commerce Inc.Nirav Inc.

Customer experience

Lightspeed Retail POS (R)

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

Rapid RMS

All ratings22 ratings
Positive77.3%
Neutral0.0%
Negative22.7%
Written reviews5 reviews
Positive60.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative40.0%

Bugs and 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

Rapid RMS

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

Lightspeed Retail POS (R)

No in-app purchases

None

Rapid RMS

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Lightspeed Retail POS (R) free?
Lightspeed Retail POS (R) is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Rapid RMS free?
Rapid RMS is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Lightspeed Retail POS (R) or Rapid RMS?
Rapid RMS is rated higher. Lightspeed Retail POS (R) averages 2.1 out of 5 from 177 ratings, while Rapid RMS averages 4.1 from 22 ratings.
Do Lightspeed Retail POS (R) or Rapid RMS have ads?
Neither Lightspeed Retail POS (R) nor Rapid RMS shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Lightspeed Retail POS (R) or Rapid RMS?
Lightspeed Retail POS (R) ships an update every 2 weeks, and Rapid RMS every 2 months. Most recently, Lightspeed Retail POS (R) was updated on November 11, 2026 and Rapid RMS on November 1, 2026.

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