Software Comparison

Lightspeed POS vs SumUp POS - Irish POS Software Compared

Choosing between Lightspeed POS and SumUp POS is one of the most common decisions Irish businesses face when evaluating pos software. This comparison breaks down everything an Irish SME needs to know, from Revenue integration and GDPR data residency to pricing and ease of use.

View Lightspeed POS

View SumUp POS

Last verified: 05 Apr 2026 data verified to the older of the two vendor profiles Methodology

Quick Verdict

Lightspeed POS vs SumUp POS - Feature Comparison

Feature	Lightspeed POS	SumUp POS
Free Trial	Free trial available	No free trial. Free entry tier is a permanent product tier, not a trial.
Irish VAT Handling	Supported. Irish VAT rates managed within the platform.	Not supported. No built-in VAT rate management.
Irish IBAN and SEPA Support	Not supported.	Supported. Irish IBAN payouts and SEPA direct debit available.
GDPR Data Residency	EU data hosting available.	EU data processing standard.
Irish Customer Support	No dedicated Irish support.	Irish business hours support via live chat, email, and phone. Regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland.
Revenue and PAYE Modernisation	Not supported. No Revenue or PAYE Modernisation integration.	Not supported. No Revenue or PAYE Modernisation integration.
Best Suited Business Size	6 to 50 employees. Retail and hospitality with complex inventory or multi-location needs.	1 to 5 employees. Sole traders, market traders, and micro-businesses.
Pricing
Starting Price	From €69/month	Free tier available
Free Trial	✓	✗
Irish Compliance
Revenue Integration	✗	✗
PAYE Modernisation	✗	✗
Irish Bank Feeds	✗	✗
GDPR Data Residency	EU	EU
SEPA Direct Debit	✗	✓
Irish IBAN Support	✗	✓
VAT Handling	✓	✗

Irish Compliance Comparison

For Irish businesses, compliance with Revenue, GDPR, and local banking standards is non-negotiable. Here is how Lightspeed POS and SumUp POS compare on the requirements that matter most to Irish SMEs.

Revenue Integration

Neither Lightspeed POS nor SumUp POS offers native Revenue Online Service integration. Irish businesses in pos may not need this feature directly, but should ensure their accounting software handles Revenue compliance separately.

Irish Bank Feeds

Neither Lightspeed POS nor SumUp POS offers direct Irish bank feed integrations, which is expected for pos software. Your accounting platform should handle bank feeds separately.

GDPR Data Residency

Both Lightspeed POS and SumUp POS store data in EU data centres, providing strong GDPR compliance out of the box. Irish businesses can use either platform without worrying about cross-border data transfers to the US or other non-EU jurisdictions.

SEPA and IBAN Support

SumUp POS supports SEPA Direct Debit and Irish IBAN format, making euro payments and bank transfers seamless. Lightspeed POS does not support SEPA natively, which could mean extra manual steps when processing euro payments or setting up direct debits for Irish customers.

VAT Handling

Lightspeed POS includes Irish VAT handling for return preparation and submission. SumUp POS does not handle VAT natively - Irish businesses using SumUp POS will need their accounting software to manage VAT obligations separately.

Pricing Comparison

All prices below are in euro. Pricing can change - we verify vendor pricing monthly, but always confirm on the vendor's website before purchasing.

Lightspeed POS

€69 /mo

Pricing model: Flat rate
Free trial: Yes
EUR pricing guaranteed: No - may fluctuate with exchange rates

View Lightspeed POS pricing →

SumUp POS

Free

Pricing model: Usage-based
Free trial: No
EUR pricing guaranteed: Yes

View SumUp POS pricing →

SumUp POS does not publish entry-level pricing - request a quote directly. Total cost of ownership depends on users, plan tier, add-ons and features, so always calculate the full annual cost for your team size before committing.

Who Should Choose Lightspeed POS

Lightspeed POS is the better fit if your business matches one or more of these profiles:

✓ Growing businesses with 21-50 employees that need a platform which scales
✓ Those who value: advanced inventory management
✓ Those who value: multi-location support

Who Should Choose SumUp POS

SumUp POS is the better fit if your business matches one or more of these profiles:

✓ Companies that value Irish-based phone and email support
✓ Those who value: no monthly subscription fee
✓ Those who value: irish iban payouts supported

Our Verdict

Neither product offers Revenue integration or PAYE Modernisation support, so Irish businesses will need separate payroll and tax compliance software regardless of which they choose. Lightspeed carries a higher monthly cost and potential contract commitments, making it unsuitable for casual or seasonal traders, whereas SumUp's 1.69 per cent per transaction fee structure can become expensive at higher volumes, which is where Lightspeed's flat subscription becomes better value.

Ultimately, the best choice depends on your specific business needs, team size, and priorities. We recommend taking advantage of free trials from both vendors before making your final decision. If you are working with an Irish accountant or payroll bureau, ask which platform they prefer - their familiarity with the software can save you significant time and hassle during setup and ongoing support.

Not sure which is right for you?

Our AI-powered recommendation engine analyses your business size, sector, and priorities to suggest the best software stack for your Irish business - in under 60 seconds.

Try Our Free Recommendation Tool →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Lightspeed POS or SumUp POS better for Irish SMEs?

Lightspeed POS is the stronger choice for Irish retail shops and hospitality venues with 6 to 50 employees that need advanced inventory management, table management, multi-location stock control, and detailed reporting. SumUp POS wins for sole traders and micro-businesses with 1 to 5 employees who want to accept card payments with no monthly subscription and benefit from Irish IBAN payouts via SEPA, a meaningful advantage for businesses banking with AIB, Bank of Ireland, or PTSB. Both products host data in the EU, satisfying GDPR requirements, and Lightspeed additionally handles Irish VAT rates natively, while SumUp lacks built-in VAT rate management. Neither product offers Revenue integration or PAYE Modernisation support, so Irish businesses will need separate payroll and tax compliance software regardless of which they choose. Lightspeed carries a higher monthly cost and potential contract commitments, making it unsuitable for casual or seasonal traders, whereas SumUp's 1.69 per cent per transaction fee structure can become expensive at higher volumes, which is where Lightspeed's flat subscription becomes better value.

Which is cheaper, Lightspeed POS or SumUp POS?

Lightspeed POS starts at From €69/month, while SumUp POS starts at Free tier available. SumUp POS is the more affordable option at entry level, though total cost depends on the number of users and features you need.

Does Lightspeed POS or SumUp POS have better Irish bank feeds?

Lightspeed POS supports None. SumUp POS supports None. Both offer similar Irish bank compatibility.

Which has better GDPR compliance, Lightspeed POS or SumUp POS?

Lightspeed POS stores data in EU data centres (GDPR-friendly). SumUp POS stores data in EU data centres (GDPR-friendly). Both offer EU data centre options, though configuration may be required.

Can I switch from Lightspeed POS to SumUp POS?

Yes, migrating between Lightspeed POS and SumUp POS is possible. Most pos platforms allow you to export your data in CSV or standard formats. We recommend working with your accountant or IT provider to plan the migration, ideally at the start of a new financial year or payroll period to minimise disruption.

Not sure which one fits?

Share your email and we'll send tailored guidance based on this comparison.