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Restaurant POS review

Lightspeed Restaurant

Restaurant POS with Starter, Essential and Premium plans from $69 a month. Lightspeed Payments is required by default; using another processor needs Lightspeed's written approval and carries a monthly fee. The term is set in your order form.

By LightspeedParent company: Lightspeed Commerce Inc. (NYSE, TSX: LSPD)

RTC SCORE

4.1

#10 of 13 with enough data

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Our verdict

Software and hardware prices are published, but your card rates, the price of each extra POS device and the term come with your quote. Get them in writing and check the renewal notice before signing.

What we like

  • Plan and hardware prices are published, and online ordering is included from the Essential plan up.
  • 24/7 support, per its pricing page.

What to watch

  • Card rates are only published as an example in its blog, and using another processor needs approval and a monthly fee.
  • Renews for a period equal to your initial term, at the then-current prices and without your first-order discounts, with 90 days' notice on longer terms.
  • The early termination fee includes the recurring fees left plus any discounts you received.
  • Its contract gives a 30-day hardware warranty; after that, you go to the manufacturer.

How the score breaks down

How the score of Lightspeed Restaurant is built: 4.1 out of 10#10 of 13 with enough data. We could verify 78% of the scoring data. Cost to get started (reference restaurant): 19.8 of 25; Switching or signing bonus you qualify for (reference restaurant): 0 of 25; 36-month total cost (reference restaurant): No data; Own online ordering: 7.7 of 11; Hardware warranty included: 2.4 of 8; Support 24/7 (as the vendor publishes it): 5 of 5; 6 criteria in one bar: 0.8 of 6; Initial term: No data · Weight 2%; Early termination fee: Weight 2%; Exclusive processing commitment: Weight 1%; Trial or money-back period: Weight 1%; Length of automatic renewals: No data · Weight 1%; Notice to avoid renewal: Weight 0%. No data: lowers completeness, never counts as zero. Methodology v0.5.0.4.1RTC Score,out of 10LightspeedRestaurant#10 of 13 with enough dataData completeness78%We could verify 78% of thescoring dataMethodology v0.5.0How this score is builtEach bar is as long as the weight of its criterion.The filled part is what Lightspeed Restaurantearned.70% of the RTC ScoreCost to get started (reference restaurant)19.8 of 25Strongest · $1,036 to get startedSwitching or signing bonus you qualify for(reference restaurant)0 of 25Weakest36-month total cost (reference restaurant)No data20 points not verified24% of the RTC ScoreOwn online ordering7.7 of 11StrongestHardware warranty included2.4 of 8Support 24/7 (as the vendor publishes it)5 of 5Strongest6% of the RTC Score6 criteria in one bar0.8 of 6The 6 criteria, enlarged1234561Initial termNo data · Weight 2%2Early termination feeWeight 2%3Exclusive processing commitmentWeight 1%4Trial or money-back periodWeight 1%5Length of automaticrenewalsNo data · Weight 1%6Notice to avoid renewalWeight 0%Points earnedPoints possibleNo data: lowers completeness, never counts as zero
How the score of Lightspeed Restaurant is built: 4.1 out of 10#10 of 13 with enough data. We could verify 78% of the scoring data. Cost to get started (reference restaurant): 19.8 of 25; Switching or signing bonus you qualify for (reference restaurant): 0 of 25; 36-month total cost (reference restaurant): No data; Own online ordering: 7.7 of 11; Hardware warranty included: 2.4 of 8; Support 24/7 (as the vendor publishes it): 5 of 5; 6 criteria in one bar: 0.8 of 6; Initial term: No data · Weight 2%; Early termination fee: Weight 2%; Exclusive processing commitment: Weight 1%; Trial or money-back period: Weight 1%; Length of automatic renewals: No data · Weight 1%; Notice to avoid renewal: Weight 0%. No data: lowers completeness, never counts as zero. Methodology v0.5.0.05104.1RTC Score, out of 10Lightspeed Restaurant#10 of 13 with enough dataData completeness78%We could verify 78% of the scoring dataMethodology v0.5.0How this score is builtEach bar is as long as the weight of its criterion. The filled part is what Lightspeed Restaurantearned.0510152025points70% of the RTC ScoreCost to get started (reference restaurant)Strongest · $1,036 to get started19.8 of 25Switching or signing bonus you qualify for(reference restaurant)Weakest0 of 2536-month total cost (reference restaurant)20 points not verifiedNo data24% of the RTC ScoreOwn online orderingStrongest7.7 of 11Hardware warranty included2.4 of 8Support 24/7 (as the vendor publishes it)Strongest5 of 56% of the RTC Score6 criteria in one bar0.8 of 6The 6 criteria, enlargedInitial termNo data · Weight 2%Early termination feeWeight 2%Exclusive processing commitmentWeight 1%Trial or money-back periodWeight 1%Length of automatic renewalsNo data · Weight 1%Notice to avoid renewalWeight 0%Points earnedPoints possibleNo data: lowers completeness, never counts as zero
Verified Oct 1, 2026Each data point and its source are under “All the data, with sources”, further down this page.How we score

Points by criterion

#10 of 13 with enough data

  • 70% of the RTC Score
    • Cost to get started (reference restaurant): 19.8 of 25 · Strongest · $1,036 to get started
    • Switching or signing bonus you qualify for (reference restaurant): 0 of 25 · Weakest
    • 36-month total cost (reference restaurant): No data · 20 points not verified
  • 24% of the RTC Score
    • Own online ordering: 7.7 of 11 · Strongest
    • Hardware warranty included: 2.4 of 8
    • Support 24/7 (as the vendor publishes it): 5 of 5 · Strongest
  • 6% of the RTC Score
    • 6 criteria in one bar: 0.8 of 6
    • Initial term: No data · Weight 2% · 1.5 points not verified
    • Early termination fee: Weight 2%
    • Exclusive processing commitment: Weight 1%
    • Trial or money-back period: Weight 1%
    • Length of automatic renewals: No data · Weight 1% · 0.8 points not verified
    • Notice to avoid renewal: Weight 0%

No data: lowers completeness, never counts as zero

Methodology v0.5.0

RTC Score4.1out of 10

Methodology v0.5.0

Data completeness78%

We could verify 78% of the scoring data

Strongest points
Cost to get started (reference restaurant), Own online ordering, Support 24/7 (as the vendor publishes it)
Weakest point
Switching or signing bonus you qualify for (reference restaurant)

Score by criterion

  • Cost to get started (reference restaurant)Weight 25%Strongest7.9 out of 10

    $1,036 to get started

  • Switching or signing bonus you qualify for (reference restaurant)Weight 25%Weakest0.0 out of 10

    $0 in promotions our reference restaurant qualifies for

  • 36-month total cost (reference restaurant)Weight 20%No data
  • Own online orderingWeight 11%Strongest7.0 out of 10
  • Hardware warranty includedWeight 8%3.0 out of 10
  • Support 24/7 (as the vendor publishes it)Weight 5%Strongest10.0 out of 10
  • Initial termWeight 2%No data
  • Early termination feeWeight 2%5.0 out of 10
  • Exclusive processing commitmentWeight 1%0.0 out of 10
  • Trial or money-back periodWeight 1%0.0 out of 10
  • Length of automatic renewalsWeight 1%No data
  • Notice to avoid renewalWeight 0%3.0 out of 10

Cost to get started

The cash your restaurant puts in before it opens on the new POS, in our reference scenario ($30k/month in card sales, $35 average ticket, 2 terminals, 1 location, 36 months): equipment you buy up front plus one-time setup or installation fees. Same rows for every POS.

25% of the RTC Score

Terminals, upfront: iPad station (iPad 11 + Mobile Tap card reader) (×2)$1,036
Total to get started$1,036

Left out and why

  • Monthly and yearly charges (rent, software, yearly fees per device) are part of the 36-month cost, not of the entry cost.

Switching or signing bonus

What the vendor's current promotions are worth to our reference restaurant ($30k/month in card sales, $35 average ticket, 2 terminals, 1 location, 36 months), an established restaurant switching from another company's POS.

25% of the RTC Score

Counted in the RTC Score

$0

  • Buyout of your current contract · $1,000

    Doesn't count: it pays toward leaving your current provider, and our reference restaurant owes nothing to leave.

Promotions end and change, so we re-check them: one with no end date comes down if we can't re-check it within 30 days, and an expired one stops counting the day after it ends.

Lightspeed Restaurant, current promotion. Counted in the RTC Score: $0.Buyout of your current contract: Up to $1,000. The vendor publishes no end date. We take it down if we can't re-check it within 30 days. Doesn't count: it pays toward leaving your current provider, and our reference restaurant owes nothing to leave.Counted in the RTC Score$0Counts in the RTC Score only ifour reference restaurant qualifies.Current promotionBuyout of your current contractUp to $1,000The vendor publishes no end date.We take it down if we can't re-check itwithin 30 days.Doesn't count: it pays toward leaving yourcurrent provider, and our referencerestaurant owes nothing to leave.
Lightspeed Restaurant, current promotion. Counted in the RTC Score: $0.Buyout of your current contract: Up to $1,000. The vendor publishes no end date. We take it down if we can't re-check it within 30 days. Doesn't count: it pays toward leaving your current provider, and our reference restaurant owes nothing to leave.Counted in the RTC Score$0Counts in the RTC Score only if our referencerestaurant qualifies.Current promotionBuyout of your current contractUp to $1,000The vendor publishes no end date. We take it down if we can't re-check it within 30 days.Doesn't count: it pays toward leaving your current provider, and our reference restaurant owesnothing to leave.
Verified Oct 1, 2026 · The conditions and the source of each promotion are in the block right below.

Counted in the RTC Score: $0

  • Buyout of your current contract: Up to $1,000. Doesn't count: it pays toward leaving your current provider, and our reference restaurant owes nothing to leave.

Current promotion

  • Buyout of your current contract

    Up to $1,000Source: Lightspeed (opens in a new tab)
    Conditions
    Lightspeed may reimburse the cancellation fee your current payment processor charges you, up to $1,000 including fees and taxes, as an adjustment to your settlement account. For new or current customers in the US and Canada who sign a Lightspeed Payments order form, are approved and process at least $25,000 in card volume; you send proof of the fee within 6 months of reaching that volume. Lightspeed decides who qualifies, it cannot be combined with other promotions, and Lightspeed calls it a limited-time offer with no end date and can end or change it at any time. The terms page is not listed on Lightspeed's site and is linked from its golf payments page, not from its restaurant pages.
    Valid until
    The vendor publishes no end date. We take it down if we can't re-check it within 30 days.

Counts in the RTC Score only if our reference restaurant qualifies.

The switching or signing incentive is one of the criteria with the most weight in the RTC Score. We count a promotion only while it's current, with a fixed published amount and conditions our reference restaurant meets. "Up to" amounts, buyouts of your current contract and unpublished amounts don't count. The cost calculator subtracts one only when your numbers qualify.

Check it with your numbers

Hardware warranty

The same rows for every POS: how long the main terminal is covered against defects when you get it a standard way (buying, leasing, renting, a subscription or a loan), the conditions, including what it leaves out and what keeping it costs, and the price to replace that terminal outside the coverage.

Hardware warranty included1 yearSource: Apple (opens in a new tab)The coverage is the manufacturer's: the POS terminal is an iPad, and Apple's limited warranty covers defects for one year from the original purchase. Lightspeed's own warranty is shorter and runs on top of it: 30 days under its Service Agreement (§3.2), and its hardware store FAQ says 14 days on Apple products (one year on hardware that isn't Apple). After that, repairs and replacements go through Apple.
Warranty conditionsNot covered: normal wear and tear, opened or tampered units, liquids, accidents, misuse, cosmetic damage, or use with products Lightspeed did not provide. You must check the shipment within 5 business days of receiving it or Lightspeed's warranty does not apply, and the warranty cannot be transferred (§3.1, §3.2). Under the contract you pay return shipping and a restocking fee may apply, and if Lightspeed cannot repair or replace a unit it refunds the net purchase price; the store FAQ instead promises an overnight replacement with a prepaid return label for defective units under warranty. Lightspeed has no responsibility for hardware bought elsewhere. Hardware given at a discount or for free must be paid back at its value if you stop using the POS within 24 months, don't start Lightspeed Payments within 30 days, or fall below a $100 daily average on Lightspeed Payments (§3.5). The store says extended warranties exist on some products, with no price shown on the restaurant listings.Source: Lightspeed (opens in a new tab)
Price to replace the main terminal$449 one-timeSource: Lightspeed (opens in a new tab)An iPad on its own: Lightspeed Restaurant runs on an iPad, which costs $449 in Lightspeed's US store. The stand is extra ($169, or $199 with the payments mount), and so are the payment devices (the Mobile Tap reader is $69).

The RTC Score only counts how long defects are covered. What the coverage leaves out (accidents, theft, loss) and what it costs to keep are in the conditions. A protection plan sold separately doesn't count; if the vendor offers one, it's in the conditions. The replacement price isn't added to the 36-month cost, because there's no public data on how often equipment fails.

Trial or money-back period

Whether you can try the POS and leave, and what it costs you if you do. Same rows for every POS.

Trial or money-back periodNone publishedSource: Lightspeed (opens in a new tab)Lightspeed's 14-day trial is for Lightspeed Retail; for restaurants it offers a demo. Its Service Agreement says payments are non-refundable unless the law requires otherwise.
Trial periodN/A()Source: Lightspeed (opens in a new tab)No trial is published for the restaurant POS.
Charges during the trialN/A()Source: Lightspeed (opens in a new tab)No trial is published for the restaurant POS.
Trial conditionsNo trial is published for the restaurant POS. Payments to Lightspeed are non-refundable unless the law requires otherwise.()Source: Lightspeed (opens in a new tab)

In the RTC Score the trial is part of the contract block, the lowest weight in the model: full points when you can try it with no software charges or get your money back, half when you can cancel without the early termination fee but the charges during the trial are yours.

All the data, with sources

Each value links to its source. "Not published" means the vendor doesn't disclose it; "Unconfirmed" means we looked and couldn't confirm it. Data points we have for fewer than four vendors are left out until we can compare them.

Software
Data pointValue
Software from$69/moSource: Lightspeed (opens in a new tab)Starter plan. Essential is $189 and Premium $399 a month; Enterprise is quoted. Lightspeed notes that prices may vary by business and industry.
Software billed perBeing re-verified()(due for a re-check)Source: Merchant Maverick (opens in a new tab)Reported by Merchant Maverick: each plan covers a location with one register, and each extra register license costs more per month. Lightspeed's pricing page doesn't state the unit.
Kitchen display (KDS) fee$30/mo per deviceSource: Lightspeed (opens in a new tab)Per kitchen screen per month, on every plan.
Payment processing
Data pointValue
Who processes your cardsVendor's processing by default; another processor carries an extra feeSource: Lightspeed (opens in a new tab)With written approval you can use another processor, and Lightspeed then charges a monthly fee based on your estimated volume (§5.4).
Pricing model for card feesFlat rateSource: Lightspeed (opens in a new tab)
In-person card rate2.6%Source: Lightspeed (opens in a new tab)Published by Lightspeed as an example in its blog, not on its pricing page. Your quote may differ.
In-person fee per transaction10¢Source: Lightspeed (opens in a new tab)
Online card rate2.9%Source: Lightspeed (opens in a new tab)Card-not-present rate (online and keyed), from the same blog example.
Online fee per transaction30¢Source: Lightspeed (opens in a new tab)
Keyed-in card rateBeing re-verified()(due for a re-check)Source: Merchant Maverick (opens in a new tab)Reported by Merchant Maverick for the Essential plan. Lightspeed's own blog gives 2.9% + $0.30 for card-not-present payments in general and doesn't list a keyed rate.
Keyed-in fee per transactionBeing re-verified()(due for a re-check)Source: Merchant Maverick (opens in a new tab)
Annual fees per deviceUnconfirmed()Source: Lightspeed (opens in a new tab)We checked the pricing page, the Service Agreement and its transaction fee schedule; none lists a yearly fee per device.
Dual pricing or surcharge programYesSource: Lightspeed (opens in a new tab)Credit card surcharging with Lightspeed Payments: credit cards only, in person only (not card-not-present or Order Anywhere), never above your processing rate and never above 3%, and not in every state. Lightspeed publishes no dual pricing program. With it, card processing on in-person sales costs your restaurant $0 in our estimate and your customers pay the surcharge. Card network rules and state laws apply, and some states limit or ban surcharges.
Cards the program coversCredit cards only (surcharge)Source: Lightspeed Restaurant Help Center (opens in a new tab)
Other fees in the contractIf Lightspeed approves another processor in writing, it charges a monthly fee based on your estimated volume (§5.4). Some features are add-ons without a published price.Source: Lightspeed (opens in a new tab)Lightspeed's US transaction fee table (pdf.lightspeedhq.com, linked from its legal page) sets that monthly fee by estimated card volume: $200 a month from $5,000 to $34,999, up to $1,120 from $200,000 to $249,999; above that, your account manager quotes it.
Hardware
Data pointValue
HardwareYou buy itSource: Lightspeed (opens in a new tab)You buy the hardware, from Lightspeed's store or with your quote; the Service Agreement treats it as a purchase (§3). You can also use a supported iPad and peripherals you already own.
Hardware works with another processorYesSource: Lightspeed Restaurant Help Center (opens in a new tab)The POS app runs on an iPad or an iPhone, so orders can be taken at the table.
Contract and exit
Data pointValue
Initial termQuote onlySource: Lightspeed (opens in a new tab)The initial term is set in your order form. Merchant Maverick (Dec 2025) reports monthly, yearly and custom terms; no standard length is published.
Automatic renewalQuote onlySource: Lightspeed (opens in a new tab)Renews automatically for a period equal to your initial term.
Notice to avoid renewal90 daysSource: Lightspeed (opens in a new tab)For terms of 90 days or less, the notice equals the length of the term.
How the early termination fee is calculatedSoftware or subscription fees left in the termSource: Lightspeed (opens in a new tab)
Early termination feeThe sum of unpaid one-time fees, the recurring fees left in the current term, and the difference between list price and any discount you received on software or hardware (§13.5).Source: Lightspeed (opens in a new tab)
Exclusive processing commitmentYesSource: Lightspeed (opens in a new tab)Exclusive by default; another processor needs written approval and a monthly fee.
Right to raise prices during the termLightspeed may change fees and products with 30 days' written notice (§20.8). A renewal is billed at the then-current prices, and discounts from your first order form don't carry over (§5.2).Source: Lightspeed (opens in a new tab)
Personal guarantee by the signerUnconfirmed()Source: Lightspeed (opens in a new tab)The Service Agreement has no personal guarantee clause. The Lightspeed Payments processing agreement, where processors usually ask for one, is not public.
Online ordering and delivery
Data pointValue
Own online orderingIncluded in higher plansSource: Lightspeed (opens in a new tab)The pricing table checks online ordering on the Essential and Premium plans, not on Starter ($69), where it is a paid add-on. Third-party delivery integrations need an add-on.
No per-order commission on own online orderingYesSource: Lightspeed (opens in a new tab)Order Anywhere, Lightspeed's own online ordering, charges no commission per order; on-demand delivery costs a fee per delivery. Card processing still applies.
Delivery app integrationsDoorDash, Uber EatsSource: Lightspeed (opens in a new tab)Through Deliverect, and Uber Eats also directly from the Back Office. The pricing page says third-party delivery integrations need an add-on. Grubhub is not named.
Features
Data pointValue
Kitchen display system (KDS)Paid add-onSource: Lightspeed (opens in a new tab)
Loyalty programIncluded in the base planSource: Lightspeed Restaurant Help Center (opens in a new tab)Loyalty cards (discount, punch, gift and ID cards) come with the POS; you ask support for a batch of cards.
Support
Data pointValue
Support 24/7YesSource: Lightspeed (opens in a new tab)
Language
Data pointValue
POS screen in SpanishUnconfirmedSource: Lightspeed Help Center (opens in a new tab)Lightspeed documents Spanish for the Back Office, not for the POS screen. Its POS apps list Spanish in the App Store, which is only a hint.
Back office in SpanishYesSource: Lightspeed Help Center (opens in a new tab)The Back Office is available in six languages, Spanish included. Combos can have a name and description per language.
Kitchen display in SpanishUnconfirmedSource: Lightspeed Restaurant Help Center (opens in a new tab)We read the KDS setup, the device and the Back Office articles of Lightspeed's help center; none says which languages the kitchen screen shows.
Language of kitchen ticketsUnconfirmed()(due for a re-check)Source: Merchant Maverick (opens in a new tab)Merchant Maverick reports a kitchen name per item that prints in the language you choose; that is a second item name, not the ticket language. Lightspeed's help center doesn't document the ticket language.
Language of customer receiptsUnconfirmedSource: Lightspeed Restaurant Help Center (opens in a new tab)The receipt template articles don't say which language the printed receipt uses.
Support in Spanish (as declared by the vendor)ChatSource: Lightspeed Restaurant Help Center (opens in a new tab)Chat with support from the help center, Back Office or POS app is offered in all languages; Lightspeed doesn't name Spanish. Phone support is in English, French, German and Dutch only.
Website in Spanish for the USNoSource: Lightspeed (opens in a new tab)There is a Spanish site for Mexico but no US Spanish version.

More about Lightspeed Restaurant

How we score