StockFlow vs Vend
Vend POS is discontinued (acquired by Lightspeed). This guide helps existing Vend users understand StockFlow as a modern replacement with free migration assistance.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | StockFlow | Vend |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Free core plan + low-cost scaling | Discontinued (acquired by Lightspeed) |
| Availability | Available worldwide | Legacy only, no new signups |
| Focus | Inventory-first | POS-first, inventory included |
| Mobile App | Limited | |
| Multi-channel Sales | Via API & webhooks | Limited |
| Barcode Scanning | ||
| Multi-warehouse | ||
| Migration Path | Free migration assistance | Migrate to Lightspeed X-Series |
| Future Development | Active development | No new features |
| API Access | Limited | |
| New Customer Signups | ||
| CSV Import/Export | Available while account remains active |
Why Migrate from Vend?
Vend Status
- • Acquired by Lightspeed (2021)
- • Being phased out
- • No new customer signups
- • Limited support
- • Migration to Lightspeed X-Series required
StockFlow Advantages
- ✓ Available for new customers
- ✓ Active development and new features
- ✓ Free tier available
- ✓ Fast, easy setup
- ✓ Free migration assistance
Worked Example: Migrating a 300-SKU Retail Catalog
Say a retailer has 300 SKUs in Vend, spread across two till locations, and wants to move before support options narrow further. The export from Vend gives product name, SKU, cost, retail price, and last-known quantity per outlet, the same fields most inventory platforms expect on import.
- 1. Export products and stock levels from Vend as CSV (available while the account is active)
- 2. Import into StockFlow, mapping SKU, quantity, cost, and location columns
- 3. Physically count the top 20-30 SKUs by sales volume before going live these carry the most oversell risk if the Vend export was stale
- 4. Run both systems in parallel for a few days if the till location isn't switching yet, then cut over fully
Catalog size barely changes the timeline the physical count on high-velocity items is the bottleneck, not the import. Clean historical counts mean a same-day cutover; known discrepancies mean count first.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened to Vend POS?
Vend was acquired by Lightspeed in 2021 and is being phased out. Existing Vend customers are being migrated to Lightspeed X-Series. New customers cannot sign up for Vend. StockFlow offers a modern alternative with free migration assistance.
Can I migrate from Vend to StockFlow?
Yes. StockFlow provides free assisted migration from Vend including products, warehouses, suppliers, stock levels, and historical data. This is especially valuable since Vend is being discontinued and customers need to migrate anyway. Most migrations complete within 2-3 business days.
Is StockFlow a good replacement for Vend?
Yes, StockFlow is an excellent replacement for Vend. It offers all core inventory features plus modern advantages: free tier, fast setup, and active development. StockFlow is inventory-first, making it ideal if you want to keep your existing POS system.
Should I migrate to Lightspeed X-Series or StockFlow?
If you need a new POS system, Lightspeed X-Series may be appropriate. If you want to keep your existing POS and need better inventory management, StockFlow is the better choice. StockFlow integrates with any POS system via API, giving you flexibility.
What are the advantages of StockFlow over Vend?
StockFlow advantages: (1) Available for new customers (Vend is discontinued), (2) Free tier vs Vend's paid-only model, (3) Free migration assistance and fast setup, (4) Active development and new features, (5) Inventory-first design vs Vend's POS-first approach.
Do I need to replace my POS system when I migrate off Vend?
Not necessarily. Lightspeed X-Series is the direct Vend successor if you want a new POS. If your checkout process works fine and it's specifically the inventory side you want to fix, StockFlow can run as the inventory layer behind any POS via CSV export/import or API/webhooks, so you don't have to swap your register just to get better stock control.
What does a Vend-to-StockFlow migration actually involve?
Export your product catalog, current stock levels, and supplier list from Vend as CSV. Import products into StockFlow, mapping SKU, quantity, and cost columns. Do a spot physical count on your top 20-30 SKUs before going live, since a stale Vend export is the most common source of an inaccurate starting balance. Most StockFlow migrations complete within 2-3 business days.
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