How to Build Your Own Lightspeed Retail (formerly Vend)
Replace Lightspeed Retail (formerly Vend) with a custom build. The POS system loved by tens of thousands of the world's best businesses now has even more resources to help retailers innovate and grow
Build Difficulty: 5/5
Build a working replacement in a weekend with AI tools
Estimated Timeline
Based on 33 features at Weekend Project difficulty, expect about One weekend with AI-assisted development.
Recommended Tech Stack
Full-stack React framework with API routes and server components
PostgreSQL database, auth, and real-time subscriptions
Utility-first styling for rapid UI development
Key Features to Replicate
Top features across 8 categories. See all 33 features
Inventory Management(5 features)
Track levels, SKUs, product variants and unique serial numbers across all channels. Prevent running out or overstocking with built-in purchase orders
Distribute freight and duty costs in product prices and get more accurate margins
Access to exclusive wholesale network to discover and connect with brands, place orders that sync with POS and automate product creation
Oversee inventory, sales, and customer information across all sales channels and retail outlets. View overall sales or deep dive into specific outlets, best-selling products or employee performance
Sync purchase orders between NuORDER and Lightspeed to save time ordering, reordering and receiving
Marketing(5 features)
Create smart customer segments using behavioral data
Robust email marketing capabilities to keep in touch and stay top of mind with customers
Acquire customers, cultivate stronger relationships and keep them coming back with loyalty programs that reward shoppers both in-store and online
Market business across channels by integrating social channels, boosting SEO and sharing email notifications
Launch SMS campaigns with high open and click rates for text messaging
Support(4 features)
Round-the-clock chat support from retail experts
Round-the-clock phone support from retail experts
Dedicated Account Manager to directly address all queries
Dedicated onboarding support to guide through setup and configuration
eCommerce(3 features)
Sell anywhere, to anyone across the internet and around the world. Control everything from a single platform with social selling and online marketplace integration
Make online store available in up to 14 languages and offer multiple currencies to grow from local to global
Integrate shipping to track orders from dispatch to delivery
Integration(2 features)
Integrate POS with accounting, eCommerce and marketing software to streamline operations
Powerful retail API that extends POS platform capabilities. Build custom reports, checkout workflows, connect all channels, integrate to enterprise ERP and accounting
Mobile(2 features)
Turn iOS or Android device into powerful inventory management tool to count products, track inventory and fulfill orders easily
Take payments on iOS app, count products, track inventory and fulfill orders from mobile device
Payments(2 features)
Payment processing integrated with POS at 1.5% card-present rate
Payments seamlessly embedded into POS with automated payment process, fewer errors, speedier checkouts, batch reports and settlements directly from POS
Product Management(2 features)
Access accurate catalog information for over 5 million products to speed up product creation
Full control over products and pricing with ability to optimize floor sales, manage discounts and promotions, and set up seasonal promotions in advance
Cost Calculator
Keep Paying Lightspeed Retail (formerly Vend)
Build It Yourself
Total Cost Comparison
DIY hosting estimate based on Vercel + Supabase free/pro tiers (~$20/mo). Build time estimated from 33 features at very easy complexity.