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Lightspeed POS Review and Pricing
Written by: Skye Schooley, Senior Lead AnalystUpdated Jul 16, 2025
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Table of Contents
Editors Score:9.4/10
Lightspeed is our pick for the best POS system for retail businesses. Its feature-rich software, integrations, automations, and advanced e-commerce, inventory management and payment processing functions make retail management seamless.
Pros
Lightspeed's inventory management features include preloaded catalogs with more than 8 million items.
Retailers can use Lightspeed's built-in payment processor or choose a third-party provider.
Lightspeed's POS reports help optimize stock, increase customer loyalty and improve employee performance.
Cons
Some Lightspeed POS plans are pricier than comparable options from competitors we reviewed.
Lightspeed offers fewer third-party payment processor choices than some rivals.
Lightspeed charges more for plans that use third-party payment processors instead of its own Lightspeed Payments service.
When choosing a retail point-of-sale (POS) system, businesses must evaluate features like inventory management, customer relationship oversight and employee management. Lightspeed’s feature-rich POS software offers these functions and more, enabling retailers to generate advanced reports and leverage hundreds of integrations. It’s an excellent choice for small and midsize retailers with one or more locations, offering various pricing plans, advanced e-commerce and loyalty tools, and multichannel sales data. Lightspeed also supports restaurants and golf courses with specialized functionality.
Lightspeed Editor's Rating:
9.4 / 10
Price/value
9.3/10
Features
9.6/10
Customizations, add-ons and integrations
9.1/10
Ease of use
9.7/10
Customer service
9.1/10
Why We Chose Lightspeed for Retail Businesses
Lightspeed is our choice for the best POS system for retail businesses because it provides all the necessary features to run a successful brick-and-mortar or e-commerce retail operation. We like that its three retail POS plans include essential features, such as tools to streamline inventory management, which is typically a massive undertaking for many retailers. When testing the software, we were also impressed that Lightspeed has preloaded product catalogs with millions of items — a feature most competitors don’t offer. These catalogs can significantly reduce the time spent adding new inventory items to your POS system.
Other retail-specific features we appreciated include bulk uploads, low-stock alerts and e-commerce store integrations. We like that Lightspeed supports popular payment methods and offers free, 24/7 customer service — not all rival vendors are this accessible. Another huge perk is the one-on-one onboarding training Lightspeed provides at no extra cost.
We were also impressed by Lightspeed’s customer loyalty tools, employee management features, reporting functionality and extensive integrations. You can use its internal payment processing system or partner with a third party, which is a crucial option that allows retailers to manage both sales and processing rates. For these reasons and more, Lightspeed is the best POS system for businesses looking for a retail-oriented solution.
Bottom Line
Lightspeed offers a full suite of POS system features and inventory management tools designed with retailers in mind, making it ideal for retail businesses.
Lightspeed’s inventory management tools let you track stock, manage inventory levels, set reorder points and much more. Source: Lightspeed
Ease of Use
Lightspeed offers user-friendly software for various business types. We like that Lightspeed’s industry-specific POS plans enhance usability for each vertical:
Retail: Lightspeed’s POS features are ideal for retail stores in industries like apparel, cannabidiol, electronics, gifts, health, home decor, jewelry, liquor, pets, sporting goods and toys.
Restaurant: Lightspeed’s restaurant POS functionality includes table management, online ordering and delivery tracking, making it suitable for quick-service restaurants, fine dining, bars, food trucks and cafes.
Golf: Golf course operators can use Lightspeed’s course management system to handle everything from tee time bookings and pro shop sales to food and beverage operations.
When testing the platform, we were impressed by Lightspeed’s mobile-friendly interface, which allows businesses to operate seamlessly on the go. We also appreciated its hundreds of integrations that help streamline business processes. It integrates with top credit card processors, analytics tools, marketing services, the best accounting software and other business applications. Many competitors offer far fewer integrations.
Additionally, you and your team can easily set up personalized dashboards and use customizable templates, making the software easy to navigate. After customizing the Lightspeed dashboard, it didn’t take us more than a few minutes to become familiar with its layout. We were impressed by how seamless Lightspeed made the implementation process and how helpful its guides are when users encounter issues.
We were also impressed by Lightspeed’s customization options, which allow retailers to create optimal and unique user experiences. Consider the following:
Customizable receipt templates and branding options
Configurable user permissions and access controls
Personalized dashboard widgets and reporting metrics
Restaurants can customize:
Menu layouts with seasonal items and modifiers
Kitchen display systems for order management
Floor plans with drag-and-drop table layouts
Table management with guest preference tracking
Staff scheduling and performance monitoring tools
Lightspeed Features
When we evaluated the best retail POS systems, Lightspeed immediately stood out for the essential features in its Basic package and the advanced e-commerce and loyalty tools in higher-tier plans. We were also impressed by Lightspeed’s built-in SEO tools, which support retail marketing strategies, and the fact that the vendor regularly updates the software with new features. Here are the functions we found most valuable.
Inventory Management
We loved Lightspeed’s robust suite of inventory management tools designed specifically for retailers, including its free templates for inventory tracking and purchase orders. The platform lets you track stock, bundle items, create product variations, and manage vendors and inventory across multiple locations.
Lightspeed’s retail POS software includes the following inventory management features:
Product catalog management: Add, edit and organize thousands of products with detailed descriptions, images and pricing.
Multi-location inventory tracking: Monitor stock levels across multiple stores in real-time.
Low-stock alerts: Receive automatic notifications when inventory reaches predetermined thresholds.
Purchase order management: Create and track purchase orders directly within the system.
Vendor management: Maintain detailed vendor profiles with contact information and ordering history.
Barcode generation: Generate and print custom barcodes for inventory tracking.
Product variations: Manage items with multiple sizes, colors or other attributes.
Bulk import/export: Upload large product catalogs via CSV files.
Serial number tracking: Track individual items with unique serial numbers.
Composite items: Bundle multiple products together as single sellable units
The platform includes access to preloaded catalogs with more than 8 million items, significantly reducing setup time for new inventory. This feature is particularly valuable for retailers in electronics, health and beauty, and sporting goods sectors, where product specifications are standardized.
Numerous inventory management tools make Lightspeed an excellent POS system for retailers. Source: Lightspeed
Customer Management and Loyalty
Lightspeed’s customer management tools can help retailers earn repeat business and build customer loyalty. Its built-in customer relationship management (CRM) features let you create customer profiles, add notes about preferences and run sales analytics reports. You can also view purchase histories, assign VIP status and offer targeted rewards and promotions.
Restaurants will appreciate the ability to segment customers by spending habits and view their order history, which is helpful for crafting personalized rewards and offers.
During our testing, we found the following loyalty tool functions particularly impressive:
Points-based customer loyalty programs: Customers earn points on purchases that can be redeemed for discounts or free items.
Tiered loyalty levels: Create VIP, Gold and Platinum customer tiers with increasing benefits.
Automated marketing campaigns: Send targeted promotions based on customer purchase history and preferences.
Birthday and anniversary rewards: Automatically send special offers during customer milestone dates.
Referral programs: Reward customers for bringing in new business.
Social media integration: Connect loyalty programs with Facebook and Instagram for increased engagement.
Lightspeed’s customer management and loyalty features are comparable to those of leading competitors but still deliver substantial value.
Lightspeed makes it easy to track customer loyalty program information. Source: Lightspeed
Employee Management
During our analysis, we found Lightspeed’s employee management features both helpful and insightful. For retail businesses, we liked that the POS system includes a built-in time clock and the ability to generate reports on employee hours, sales and profits.
Key employee management capabilities include:
Time tracking: Employees can clock in and out using PIN codes or biometric systems.
Commission tracking: Monitor individual sales performance and calculate commission payments.
Role-based permissions: Assign different access levels based on job responsibilities.
Performance analytics: Generate reports on sales metrics, transaction counts and average sale values per employee.
Scheduling integration: Coordinate staff schedules with peak business hours and labor cost targets.
Training modules: Access to Lightspeed’s comprehensive training resources for new hires.
Lightspeed’s restaurant-specific employee management options are also helpful. For example, you can assign roles and allow staff to clock in and out directly through the system.
Lightspeed’s built-in time clock makes shift management simpler. Source: Lightspeed
E-Commerce
We were impressed by Lightspeed’s strong e-commerce support for retailers. The platform includes tools for setting up an online store, selling products from any location and building a solid e-commerce marketing strategy. You can choose from more than 50 professional themes and several mobile-responsive, customizable templates. We also liked that you can showcase products in high definition — a valuable feature for online retailers.
Advanced e-commerce capabilities include:
Multi-channel inventory synchronization: Automatically sync stock levels between physical stores and online platforms.
Built-in SEO tools: Optimize product pages for search engines with meta descriptions, title tags and structured data.
Mobile-responsive design: Ensure seamless shopping experiences across all devices.
Integrated payment processing: Accept online payments through the same system used for in-store transactions.
Abandoned cart recovery: Automatically send reminder emails to customers who leave items in their cart.
Product review management: Collect and display customer reviews to build trust and improve conversion rates.
We also love that Lightspeed Retail syncs your online and in-store operations, allowing for more organized inventory management across all your sales channels. The system also provides in-store analytics to help you make better and smarter sales and inventory decisions.
Reporting and Analytics
With the global retail POS market growing at 16.1 percent annually and forecast to reach $110.2 billion by 2032, according to Fortune Business Insights, retailers increasingly rely on advanced POS analytics to remain competitive. Businesses will appreciate that Lightspeed offers more than 50 built-in POS reports, ranging from simple overviews to highly detailed breakdowns. Notable retail-focused reporting tools include:
Restaurant owners and managers will also appreciate how Lightspeed’s reporting tools help them manage their staff and gain customer insights. Restaurant-specific analytics features include:
Table turnover analysis: Optimize seating arrangements and service timing.
Menu performance tracking: Identify best-selling items and seasonal trends.
Labor cost optimization: Balance staffing levels with sales volume and profit targets.
Guest satisfaction monitoring: Track customer feedback and service quality metrics.
Tip
Use Lightspeed Restaurant's Guestbook feature for advanced market segmentation. You can view full customer visit histories, including tips, spending, server, payment methods and frequency, to improve service and marketing strategies.
Hardware
We like that Lightspeed’s POS system is iPad-based, giving retailers flexibility. An iPad can function as a mobile POS device, a stationary terminal with a stand or a customer-facing display.
You can purchase third-party POS hardware directly from Lightspeed, either as bundled kits or individual components. Available hardware includes barcode scanners, cash drawers, receipt printers, iPad stands and more. Some equipment is suitable for both retail and restaurant businesses.
Hardware options include:
iPad stands: Universal tablet stands and premium stands with magnetic swivel functionality
Payment terminals: Smart terminals with integrated printers and countertop readers for various business environments
Receipt printers: High-speed thermal printers compatible with Lightspeed’s receipt customization features
Barcode scanners: Bluetooth-enabled scanners for inventory management and checkout processes
Cash drawers: Secure cash storage solutions with automatic opening integration
Customer-facing displays: Secondary screens for transaction transparency and customer engagement
Did You Know?
Restaurant iPad POS systems offer unique benefits, including tableside payment processing, cloud access and easy setup.
We also appreciate that many businesses can use existing hardware with Lightspeed, potentially saving them money. The Lightspeed Help Center includes a full list of compatible devices.
Another perk: Lightspeed is an authorized Apple reseller, so you can buy your iPad kit and accessories directly from the company — a convenience many POS competitors don’t offer.
You can purchase your iPad-based retail POS hardware and accessories directly from Lightspeed. Source: Lightspeed
Integrations
Lightspeed’s software provides extensive integration capabilities through its comprehensive API. The platform offers REST APIs for both R-Series and X-Series systems, enabling custom integrations with enterprise resource planning systems, accounting platforms and other third-party applications. API access is available with the Plus plan, providing businesses with the flexibility to build custom workflows and connect with specialized business tools.
The system uses OAuth authentication for secure API access, ensuring data integrity while allowing developers to integrate Lightspeed with external systems. This technical foundation supports complex retail operations that require seamless data flow between multiple business systems, from inventory management to customer relationship platforms.
We appreciate that Lightspeed maintains rigorous security standards with PCI DSS Level 1 compliance across all its product lines, including R-Series, X-Series, C-Series, K-Series and payment processing systems. The platform provides end-to-end encryption for every transaction at the point of sale and tokenizes data immediately upon reaching Lightspeed’s servers.
Additional security measures include 24/7 system monitoring, DDoS protection and centrally managed access controls with multi-factor authentication. The company protects data both in transit and at rest using strong encryption protocols and follows the principle of least privilege for employee access. Lightspeed also maintains SOC 2 Type II compliance for security, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality and privacy controls.
FYI
Lightspeed's offline mode allows you to continue processing sales and orders even if your business Wi-Fi fails or there's an internet outage — a massive benefit for retailers and restaurants.
Lightspeed Pricing
Lightspeed’s POS pricing differs by product (Retail, Restaurant or Golf). Here’s how it breaks down:
Retail POS Pricing
Lightspeed’s Retail POS plans include the Lightspeed Payments payment processing service with a 1.5% card-present rate across all plans. However, you may incur a monthly fee of up to $400 if you choose to use a third-party payment processor.
Plan
Pricing
Features
Basic
$89 per month (billed annually)
$109 per month (billed monthly)
1 register included
Integrated payments
Inventory management
Basic built-in Lightspeed eCommerce
Onboarding and professional services
24/7 chat support
Core
$149 per month (billed annually)
$179 per month (billed monthly)
Everything in Basic, plus:
In-store and online loyalty programs
Advanced sales, staff and inventory reports
Accounting, eCommerce and marketing integrations
Mobile scanner app
Plus
$289 per month (billed annually)
$339 per month (billed monthly)
Everything in Core, plus:
Custom reporting and insights
Forecasting and order recommendations
API access for custom integrations
Workflows and automation tools
Custom user roles and permissions
24/7 phone support
Note:
Additional locations cost extra per month for each plan tier.
Additional registers beyond the first incur monthly charges.
Enterprise plans with custom pricing are available for larger operations.
Restaurant POS Pricing
Although we chose Lightspeed as the best POS system for retail businesses, it’s also considered among the best restaurant POS systems. In addition to the following monthly costs, you’ll also pay payment processing fees and hardware costs.
Plan
Pricing
Features
Essential
$189 per month
Core restaurant POS functionality
Table management and floor plans
Menu customization
Basic reporting
Staff management
24/7 support
Premium
$399 per month
Everything in Essential, plus:
Multiple revenue support for hotels
Custom payment processing rates
API access
Enterprise
Custom pricing
Everything in Premium, plus:
Personalized hardware and software setups
Unlimited launch support and consultations
Dedicated customer support team
Tip
While Lightspeed is a good choice for a restaurant POS system, you may need more restaurant-specific features and functionality. If so, check out our TouchBistro POS review.
Golf POS Pricing
You’ll need to contact Lightspeed for a custom quote if you want to use its robust golf POS software. It includes inventory management features, e-commerce integrations, the ability to process transactions from the tee sheet, pro shop features, data analysis and more.
Payment Processing
Lightspeed’s in-house payment processing service, Lightspeed Payments, has flat-rate pricing and no additional POS charges or fees. As mentioned above, using a third-party processor may incur extra charges — up to $400 per month.
Lightspeed Payments rates are typically as follows:
In-person credit card transactions: 2.6% + 10 cents per transaction
Manually keyed-in transactions: 2.6% + 30 cents per transaction
Online transactions: 2.6% + 30 cents per transaction
Money deposited with Lightspeed Payments will be in your account within two business days.
FYI
If a one-stop shop for restaurant POS features and payment processing appeals to you, you might also want to consider our Toast POS review.
Implementation and Onboarding
We were impressed that Lightspeed offers one-on-one onboarding via phone or video chat, plus free staff training to ensure you’re getting the most out of the platform. We especially like that every plan includes a dedicated account manager — a rare perk in the POS market.
Implementation Process
Implementation typically takes four to six weeks, with Lightspeed already serving approximately 165,000 locations worldwide, according to Lightspeed’s official website. The comprehensive setup process includes:
Initial consultation: Discuss business requirements and customize the system configuration.
Data migration: Transfer existing product catalogs, customer information and historical sales data.
Hardware setup: Install and configure POS terminals, payment processing equipment and peripherals.
Staff training: Host comprehensive training sessions for managers and employees on system functionality.
Go-live support: Receive on-site or remote assistance during the initial launch period.
Follow-up optimization: Get regular check-ins to fine-tune settings and address any operational concerns.
After setup, customers transition to the vendor’s support team, but there’s a grace period during which users can still contact onboarding agents. Most users run into few issues, and Lightspeed provides a detailed setup guide to help troubleshoot common problems.
We were also impressed that Lightspeed is rolling out field implementation specialists for larger clients. These representatives ensure infrastructure (like cabling) is in place and can make on-site adjustments at launch.
Training and Resources
Lightspeed provides “white-glove onboarding and support from industry experts who know what it takes to succeed in your market.” Training resources include:
Live training sessions: Interactive webinars covering system basics and advanced features
Video tutorials: On-demand training videos for specific functionalities and best practices
Documentation library: Comprehensive guides and FAQs covering all aspects of system operation
Customer Support
Lightspeed’s customer support options are varied and well-executed:
24/7 phone and chat support: Depending on plan level
Help center: Extensive knowledge base with articles, tutorials and troubleshooting guides
Online resources: Free online tools specifically designed for golf courses, restaurants and retailers — we found the free barcode generator and preloaded retail catalogs especially helpful, and like that Lightspeed’s prebuilt templates can also save retailers hours when organizing and managing inventory
Community forums: Peer-to-peer support and best practice sharing among users
Account management: Dedicated account managers for ongoing relationship management and optimization
Priority support: Enhanced support tiers for Enterprise customers with faster response times
The vendor promises “personalized 24/7 support and solutions that scale with your business,” positioning Lightspeed as both a POS technology platform and business partner.
Tip
If you need business funding, ask your Lightspeed representative about Lightspeed Capital, the company's merchant cash advance program.
Limitations
While Lightspeed is an excellent POS for retailers, we discovered several potential drawbacks:
Higher pricing: Some Lightspeed POS plans are pricier than comparable options from competitors we evaluated.
Third-party payment processor limitations: Lightspeed offers fewer third-party payment processor choices than some rivals, and charges additional monthly fees (up to $400) for using external processors. Check out our Epos Now review if you’re looking for a solution with more payment processor flexibility.
Internet dependency: While the system includes offline mode capabilities, some advanced features require stable internet connectivity for full functionality.
Learning curve: The comprehensive feature set can be overwhelming for new users, particularly those transitioning from simpler POS systems.
Industry limitations: The platform is optimized for retail, restaurant and golf businesses but may not suit other industry verticals.
Contract requirements: Annual billing offers better pricing, but month-to-month plans are significantly more expensive.
Did You Know?
If you're researching credit card processing options for your retail business, business.com's FREE guide to the best credit card processors is a great place to start. You'll notice Lightspeed's rival, Clover, also offers retail and restaurant plans.
Methodology
We researched and analyzed dozens of POS systems to identify the top solutions on the market. We examined:
Pricing
Contracts
Hardware
Platform compatibility
Key POS features
Reporting
Payment processing
Integrations
Usability
Customer support
To help businesses select the ideal POS system for their specific need, we also gained hands-on experience through product videos, demos and personal testing. When determining the best POS system for retail businesses specifically, we prioritized features like inventory management, customer management, loyalty programs, employee management, reporting, e-commerce and integrations.
Our investigation included:
Market research: Analysis of industry trends and competitive positioning within the growing POS market
Feature comparison: Side-by-side evaluation of core functionalities across leading POS providers
Pricing analysis: Comprehensive review of total cost of ownership, including software, hardware and processing fees
User experience testing: Hands-on evaluation of interface design, workflow efficiency and learning curves
Integration assessment: Testing of API capabilities and third-party application compatibility
Security evaluation: Review of compliance standards, data protection measures and fraud prevention features
Lightspeed FAQs
Lightspeed charges 2.6% plus 10 cents per transaction for card-present transactions when using Lightspeed Payments. Traditional rates for manually keyed-in and online transactions are 2.6% plus 30 cents per transaction.
You can get out of a Lightspeed contract by following the instructions in the Lightspeed help center, which outlines using the chat function to cancel your contract. Be sure to review any early termination fees that may apply if you're canceling before your contract term expires.
Yes, Lightspeed works on PCs. The Retail POS platform is web-based and compatible with both Macs and Windows PCs. However, the Retail POS app is designed for iOS devices, specifically iPads. The Lightspeed help center for each product line lists supported hardware and provides compatibility information for various operating systems and devices.
Yes, Lightspeed works with QuickBooks Online to help you manage sales and finances, with accounting integrations available in the Core and Plus plans. Once connected, Lightspeed can sync your sales data to QuickBooks on a nightly basis, reducing the need for manual entries. This is a viable option for retailers with one or multiple locations. See our QuickBooks Online review for more information.
Bottom Line
We recommend Lightspeed for …
Small and midsize retailers with one or multiple locations.
Businesses seeking comprehensive inventory management with multi-location capabilities.
Retailers wanting integrated e-commerce and in-store operations.
Companies requiring extensive POS reporting and analytics capabilities.
We do not recommend Lightspeed for …
Very small businesses with simple POS needs looking for budget-friendly options.
Skye Schooley is a dedicated business professional who is especially passionate about human resources and digital marketing. For more than a decade, she has helped clients navigate the employee recruitment and customer acquisition processes, ensuring small business owners have the knowledge they need to succeed and grow their companies.
At business.com, Schooley covers the ins and outs of hiring and onboarding, employee monitoring, PEOs and HROs, employee benefits and more.
In recent years, Schooley has enjoyed evaluating and comparing HR software and other human resources solutions to help businesses find the tools and services that best suit their needs. With a degree in business communications, she excels at simplifying complicated subjects and interviewing business vendors and entrepreneurs to gain new insights. Her guidance spans various formats, including newsletters, long-form videos and YouTube Shorts, reflecting her commitment to providing valuable expertise in accessible ways.