Key takeaways
- Lightspeed is strong in cash register and retail; choose the package that suits your store.
- Microcart brings your webshop, products and orders together in one environment.
- You build for free with Microcart; Growth for live sales costs €39.95 per shop.
- Compare on total monthly costs, not just the entry price.
Lightspeed and Microcart are both active on the Dutch market, but target different entrepreneurs. Lightspeed is an established platform that is strong in the combination of physical store (checkout systems) and online. Microcart is an all-in-one webshop platform with one fixed price, aimed at self-employed people and small entrepreneurs who sell online. This comparison will help you choose.
At a glance
| Topic | Microcart | Lightspeed |
|---|---|---|
| Focus | online webshop, all-in-one | retail + catering + online, strong in cash register (POS) |
| Pricing model | build for free; Growth €39.95 per shop | subscription, often plus modules/add-ons |
| Target group | self-employed and small entrepreneurs | from small to larger retailers |
| iDEAL, VAT | iDEAL via your payment provider; set VAT yourself | available depending on package |
| Complexity | deliberately simple | more extensive, more setting options |
| Support | Dutch-speaking | Dutch-speaking |
What Lightspeed is strong at
Lightspeed has its roots in cash register systems and is strong when you combine a physical store or catering industry with online sales. If you have multiple cash registers, stock that runs throughout the store and webshop, and need extensive reporting, Lightspeed is built for that. It is a mature, comprehensive system.
This extensiveness has a downside: more functions means more setup work, and the costs increase with modules and add-ons. For a self-employed person who starts purely online, this may be more than necessary.
What Microcart is strong at
Microcart focuses on entrepreneurs who want to sell online from a clear environment. You build for free and choose Growth for live sales: €39.95 per shop with 0% own transaction costs. You connect payments via Mollie, Stripe or Adyen. Compare separately which cash register functions you need for a physical store.
Costs
At Lightspeed, your monthly payment depends on your subscription and any modules. At Microcart you build for free; Growth for live sales costs €39.95 per shop. Microcart charges 0% of its own transaction costs, while your payment provider charges its own rates. Calculate both solutions for your situation — see what a webshop costs.
For whom is Lightspeed the better choice?
- You combine a physical store or catering industry with online sales.
- You need extensive cash register, inventory and reporting functions.
- You are a larger retailer with multiple locations or cash registers.
For whom is Microcart the better choice?
- You mainly or only sell online.
- You are self-employed or a small entrepreneur and want a fixed price per shop.
- You want to build your shop for free and choose your payment provider yourself.
- You want a clear environment for your webshop, products and orders.
Frequently asked questions
What is the main difference between Microcart and Lightspeed?
Lightspeed is strong in the combination of physical store/catering and online, with an extensive system; Microcart is a simple all-in-one online platform with one fixed price, aimed at self-employed persons and small businesses.
Is Lightspeed suitable for a physical store?
Yes, it is strong in that — cash register systems and stock across the store and webshop are a core strength.
Does Microcart charge transaction fees?
Microcart charges 0% of its own transaction costs. For live sales you pay Growth: €39.95 per shop. You pay the rates of your payment provider separately.
Which one is easier for a starter?
Microcart has been deliberately kept simple for those starting online. Lightspeed offers more, but also requires more setup work.
Can I switch later?
Yes, you can take your products and data with you. Plan the switch and test everything before you go live.
Conclusion
If you combine a physical store with an online store and want an extensive system, Lightspeed is built for that. If you mainly sell online and, as a self-employed person, you want simplicity and predictable costs, then Microcart is a better fit. Calculate your choice with what a webshop costs, or start with the step-by-step plan to start a webshop.
