Shopify vs Lightspeed: Which Platform Fits You?
Shopify is online-first with a massive app ecosystem. Lightspeed is POS-first for retailers with a physical store. Which fits your situation?
Book an introShopify and Lightspeed compared
Shopify is the absolute market leader in the Netherlands with approximately 35% market share. The platform is built from online e-commerce and scales from starting webshop to enterprise. Lightspeed eCom (originating from the Dutch SEOshop) is built from the physical store and excels at POS integration and omnichannel retail.
The choice depends on your business model. Pure online-only webshops almost always choose Shopify because of the app ecosystem, scalability, and seamless Channable integration. Retailers with one or more physical stores who want register, inventory, and webshop in one system find a strong solution in Lightspeed.
Channify builds and migrates Shopify stores and connects them with Channable. We also guide migrations from Lightspeed to Shopify if you want to grow further.
Why most webshops choose Shopify
11,000+ apps available
Shopify has the largest app ecosystem. From email marketing to loyalty programs and return management: everything is plug-and-play. Lightspeed has significantly fewer apps.
Learn moreQuick to launch, lower costs
Shopify starts from $29/month. Lightspeed begins at ~$89/month. Shopify is faster to set up and has a flatter learning curve.
Learn moreShopify Markets for international growth
Sell in multiple languages, currencies, and markets from one store. Lightspeed is stronger in the Benelux, but less suited for international expansion.
Learn moreShopify vs Lightspeed: side-by-side
| Feature | Shopify | Lightspeed eCom |
|---|---|---|
| Type platform | SaaS (online-first) | SaaS (POS-first) |
| Price from | $29/month | ~$89/month |
| App ecosystem | 11,000+ apps | Hundreds of apps |
| POS integration | ✓ Shopify POS | ✓ Best-in-class |
| International scalability | ✓ Shopify Markets | ~ More limited |
| Channable integration | ✓ Seamless (App Store) | ✓ Seamless (App Store) |
| Dutch localization | ✓ iDEAL, PostNL apps | ✓ Native (SEOshop roots) |
| Setup time | Hours to days | Days to weeks |
Frequently asked questions about Shopify vs Lightspeed
I have a physical store. Is Lightspeed always better then?
Not necessarily. Shopify POS is now mature and covers most retail needs. Lightspeed has the edge with complex multi-location inventory management and matrix products (sizes/colors). Book an intro for tailored advice.
Can I migrate from Lightspeed to Shopify?
Yes, we do this regularly. We migrate products, customers, order history, and settings from Lightspeed to Shopify. Then we connect Channable for your feeds and marketplaces. A migration typically takes 2-4 weeks.
Which platform is cheaper in the long run?
Shopify is generally cheaper, especially for pure online webshops. Lightspeed has a higher entry fee. With Shopify, app costs can add up, but you only pay for what you use. Total cost of ownership is more predictable with Shopify.
Does Channable work as well with Lightspeed as with Shopify?
Channable has official app integrations for both platforms. The Shopify integration is slightly deeper due to Shopify Markets support (per-country pricing and inventory). Both work excellently for feed management and order integration.
Does Shopify have a good POS system?
Shopify POS is now a full-fledged POS system with hardware support, offline mode, and inventory sync. For a few physical locations, it's more than sufficient. For complex retail architectures with many locations, Lightspeed has the edge.
Can Channify help with both platforms?
Channify is a Shopify Partner and builds exclusively on Shopify. For Lightspeed, we refer you to a suitable partner. Want to migrate from Lightspeed to Shopify? We handle the full migration including Channable integration.
Deciding between Shopify and Lightspeed?
Edwin knows both platforms and helps you think through what best fits your store, order volume, and growth plans.
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