Compare · Shops, online stores and POS
SME AI Office vs Lightspeed Retail
Lightspeed Retail is a cloud POS for retailers with built-in payments and wholesale tools; SME AI Office is a free POS, stock and shop joined to Singapore accounting.
Prices checked 30 September 2026
The short answer
Choose Lightspeed Retail if you run a larger shop that wants an iPad POS with 24/7 support, loyalty, wholesale ordering through Lightspeed Wholesale, and advanced inventory reports. It suits a retailer ready to pay a monthly fee per register and location.
Choose SME AI Office if you run one shop in Singapore and want the POS, stock, website and accounting in one place, with PayNow free. Lightspeed Basic at US$89 a month is US$1,068 a year. SME AI Office is free, with a small 0.5% fee only on card and automatic PayNow payments.
Side by side
| SME AI Office | Lightspeed Retail | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free. A small 0.5% platform fee, only on card and automatic PayNow paymentsYour own PayNow QR and cash: no fee | Basic US$89 a month, Core US$149, Plus US$289US prices from lightspeedhq.com; no Singapore price page |
| Free plan | Yes, for good. No monthly fee, no card, no cap on sales | No free plan. Free trial offered; length not stated |
| Sold in Singapore | Built for Singapore: GST, PayNow, CPF and SGD throughout | Yes. Retail POS assigns the tax rate automatically for Singapore storesSingapore is not in the website's country list |
| Registers | Several POS stations at no extra cost, each selling from its own place's stock | 1 register included on each plan; extra registers and locations cost more |
| Online store | Website and online shop included, on the same product list and stock as the POS | Built-in Lightspeed eCommerce listed on the pricing page |
| Accounting | Built in. Every sale goes into your profit and loss with its cost; stock on the balance sheet with Pro 365 | Integrations with accounting, e-commerce and marketing software |
| Barcode scanning | USB or Bluetooth scanner on a laptop or tablet | Mobile Scanner app turns an iOS or Android phone into a stock-counting tool |
| Support | WhatsApp +65 9613 7676 and Feedback inside the product | 24/7 chat and phone support in EnglishPhone lines for North America, Australia, New Zealand, UK; others dial +1 |
Only on SME AI Office
- Free planYes, for good. No monthly fee, no card, no cap on sales
Which one fits
SME AI Office fits when
- One shop in Singapore that wants a free POS, stock list and website
- Your customers pay by PayNow and you want each sale in your accounting by itself
- You want GST, payroll and CPF from the same system later
Lightspeed Retail fits when
- You want an iPad POS with 24/7 phone and chat support
- You buy from brands through Lightspeed Wholesale and NuORDER
- You need loyalty programmes and advanced inventory reports in the POS
Free. A small 0.5% platform fee, only on card and automatic PayNow payments.
Questions
Is SME AI Office cheaper than Lightspeed Retail in Singapore?
Yes. Lightspeed lists Retail Basic at US$89 a month on its US pricing page, which is US$1,068 a year for one register. SME AI Office runs the POS, stock and online shop free for Singapore businesses. A small 0.5% fee applies only to card and automatic PayNow payments; your own PayNow QR and cash cost nothing.
Is Lightspeed Retail available in Singapore?
Yes. Lightspeed's Retail POS help centre says a tax rate is assigned automatically for stores in Singapore. Its website has no Singapore page or Singapore prices, so the prices shown are US dollar prices. Ask Lightspeed's sales team for a Singapore quote.
What is a cheaper alternative to Lightspeed Retail for a small shop in Singapore?
SME AI Office has a free POS in the browser, one product list with sizes and colours for the counter and the website, stock across a shop and storeroom, and a website. Sales paid by your own PayNow QR or cash carry no fee, and every sale goes into your accounting.
Can I move from Lightspeed Retail to SME AI Office?
Yes. Lightspeed Retail exports your product list as a CSV or XLSX file from Catalog, Products. Send us that file and we copy your products, prices and options across and set up your website. WhatsApp us on +65 9613 7676 and we help you move it over.
Does SME AI Office take card payments at the counter like Lightspeed?
At the counter, SME AI Office records a card payment taken on your own card terminal, along with cash, PayNow and bank transfer. It does not process counter card payments itself. Lightspeed has its own integrated payments. Online, SME AI Office takes cards through your own Stripe account.
Lightspeed Retail facts are from lightspeedhq.com/pos/retail/pricing, Lightspeed help: setting up outlets and registers, Lightspeed help: contacting Retail Support, Lightspeed help: product CSV export, checked on 30 September 2026. Prices are as shown there. Lightspeed Retail is a trademark of Lightspeed Commerce Inc.. SME AI Office is not connected with Lightspeed Retail.