Most people expect Lightspeed POS pricing to be simple. One plan. One monthly fee. Done.
In reality, your total cost is built from several layers. POS system subscription, payment processing rates, hardware like terminals and barcode scanners, plus add-ons such as inventory management, online ordering, and advanced reports.
And those costs add up fast.
Industry data shows that payment processing alone can take 1.5% to 3.5% of every sale, which often makes your POS more expensive over time than the software itself.
In this guide, I break down how the Lightspeed pricing structure really works, what you actually pay each month, and where hidden fees usually catch restaurant operators off guard.
Key Takeaways
- Processing fees drive most of your costs: Card payments usually take 2% to 3.5% of every transaction, so your total spend often depends more on volume than the Lightspeed subscription itself
- Hardware adds up fast: Terminals, barcode scanners, cash drawers, and receipt printers can easily exceed $800 to $1,500+ per station, especially across multiple locations.
- Add-ons stack quickly: Inventory management, online ordering system, loyalty, and advanced reports can double your monthly bill once you enable more advanced features.
- Hidden fees matter: Chargebacks, PCI compliance, higher online rates, and contract terms often come into play after onboarding.
- Real costs depend on size: Most small restaurants land around $300 to $700 per month, while busy or multi-location setups often exceed $1,000+ per month once processing and extras are included.
What Lightspeed Pricing Looks Like in 2026
Lightspeed does not charge you once and call it a day. Costs grow as your restaurant grows.
You start with the core Lightspeed Restaurant POS subscription. Then you add registers, connect Lightspeed Payments, buy hardware like terminals, cash drawers, receipt printers, and a barcode scanner, and suddenly the monthly total looks very different from the advertised plan price.
The bigger your operation, the more layers you add. Extra locations, more staff accounts, deeper restaurant inventory management, and online ordering setup all increase the bill incrementally.
As a result, two restaurants on the same Lightspeed X Series plan can end up hundreds of dollars apart each month.
I’ve seen many operators keep Lightspeed for in-store payments but move loyalty, ordering, or marketing tools elsewhere. That kind of split setup often saves a few hundred dollars a month without replacing the entire point-of-sale system.
Lightspeed POS Plans & Monthly Software Costs
Lightspeed uses tiered software plans rather than a single price. Each plan’s base fee is just one piece of your total cost. Your true Lightspeed POS cost also depends on payment processing rates, extra registers, and the features you add as your restaurant grows.
Before you pick a plan, you need to understand how the monthly subscription and processing fees will combine at your expected sales volume.
Below is a clear breakdown of the most common Lightspeed Restaurant POS plans and what you might expect to pay:
| Plan | Monthly software fee | Typical processing rates* | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starter | ~$69/month | ~2.6% + $0.10 (in-person) / 2.6% + $0.30 (online) | Small cafés, single station bars, or quick service spots |
| Essential | ~$189/month | ~2.6% + $0.10 (in-person) / 2.6% + $0.30 (online) | Full-service restaurants with tableside service |
| Premium | ~$399/month | ~2.6% + $0.10 (in-person) / 2.6% + $0.30 (online) | Multi-revenue streams or multi-location restaurants |
*Sources: Lightspeed Pricing, Lightspeed Pricing Guide, Lightspeed POS Review
Starter Plan
The $69/month entry tier gives you the core restaurant POS, basic menu, table management tools, and simple reporting.
It includes integrated payments, but because it lacks advanced features like deep inventory tracking and online ordering, it’s best for small cafés or bars with a single register.
Essential Plan
At around $189/month, Essential adds more operational depth: better reporting, floor plans, and options like contactless ordering and multi-revenue support, such as delivery and takeaway workflows. For most independent full-service restaurants, this is the baseline at which software truly supports daily operations.
Premium Plan
Premium, roughly $399/month, unlocks more advanced tools and reporting, raw API access for custom integrations, and support for multiple revenue centers like connected venues or hotel restaurants.
Restaurants that run across multiple service styles often choose this tier.
Enterprise Plan
For larger brands or groups with unique requirements, enterprise pricing is custom-quoted.
It wraps in unlimited launch support, tailored hardware deals, and a dedicated success team to manage complex setups.
Lightspeed Hardware Costs
Hardware is where many restaurants underestimate their Lightspeed POS pricing.
Unlike some POS companies that lock you into proprietary terminals, Lightspeed POS runs mostly on iPads and standard accessories. That gives you flexibility, but it does not mean hardware is cheap.
You still need tablets, stands, cash drawers, receipt printers, mobile card readers, and, often, a barcode scanner or a kitchen display system. Once you set up multiple stations or expand to multi-location service, costs stack up quickly.
In practice, most restaurants spend $800 to $1,500 or more per register just to get started.
Here’s what typical hardware costs look like:
| Hardware | Typical 2026 Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| iPad (POS terminal) | $329–$599 | Required for each station |
| iPad stand or enclosure | $100–$250 | Counter or swivel mount |
| Cash drawers | $100–$200 | Per register |
| Receipt printers | $200–$350 | Kitchen or front counter |
| Mobile card readers | $49–$99 | For Lightspeed Payments |
| Barcode scanner | $100–$250 | Useful for inventory management |
| Kitchen Display (KDS tablet setup) | $300–$600 | Often another iPad + mount |
*Sources: Lightspeed Pricing, Lightspeed Pricing Guide, Lightspeed POS Review
If you run two terminals and one kitchen screen, your hardware setup can easily cost $2,000 to $3,000 upfront before you even process your first order.
For many restaurant owners, the simplest way to control costs is to start lean. Add stations only when the volume justifies it, rather than buying every device on day one.
Lightspeed Payment Processing Fees & Extra Charges
If you only look at the monthly Lightspeed POS subscription, you will miss the real cost.
For most, restaurant payment processing becomes the biggest expense tied to the system.
Every card you tap, insert, or process online takes a percentage of the sale. Industry averages usually land between 1.5% and 3.5% per transaction, but Lightspeed’s integrated rates typically sit around 2.6% + $0.10 in person and 2.6% + $0.30 online.
That might sound small. It is not.
At $50,000 in monthly sales, 2.6% means $1,300+ per month just in processing fees. That alone is often higher than the software plan itself.
And because Lightspeed Payments is tightly integrated into the platform, your costs scale directly with your sales volume. The busier you get, the more you pay.
This is especially noticeable for multi-location restaurants or operators running heavy online ordering.
Standard & Custom Processing Rates
Lightspeed uses a flat rate model for most restaurants, with two common tiers:
Typical Lightspeed Payments rates
- In store payments: ~ 2.6% + $0.10
- Online or manually keyed: ~ 2.6% + $0.30
- Custom pricing: negotiated for higher volume or enterprise groups
Higher-volume operators may qualify for discounts, but most independent restaurants stay close to standard rates.
Even small changes matter. A 0.3% difference can mean thousands of dollars per year.
Additional & Hidden Fees
Processing costs are not just percentages.
Restaurants often run into smaller charges that are easy to miss during onboarding:
- Chargeback fees per dispute
- PCI compliance or non-compliance penalties
- Higher rates for online or card-not-present transactions
- Fees from third-party payment processors if you choose not to use Lightspeed Payments
- Extra hardware or terminal licensing costs
- Add on costs tied to e-commerce or additional sales channels
Individually, these look minor. Together, they quietly increase your total pos system bill every month.
I often see single-location restaurants start with a simple setup, then add more advanced features, extra terminals, and online sales. The subscription barely changes, but processing and add-ons double the final invoice amount.
The safest move is simple. Estimate your yearly card volume first. Then choose the ideal pos system and plan based on real transaction costs, not just the headline monthly fee.
Add-Ons & Extra Modules
The base Lightspeed POS plan only covers the essentials.
At first, you just want a simple point-of-sale system for orders and payments. Then you need better inventory management, deeper reports, an online store for online ordering, loyalty programs, or accounting connections. Each upgrade adds another monthly charge.
This is how a $69 or $189 plan can quickly turn into a much larger bill.
I often see operators keep Lightspeed for in-store payments and core POS, but move ordering, loyalty, or marketing outside the platform to control costs.
A hybrid setup with UpMenu can cover online ordering, restaurant delivery software, and customer loyalty with a single flat fee, without forcing changes to your existing Lightspeed Payments or hardware.
Online Ordering & Delivery Tools
Adding online ordering or an online store sounds simple, but it usually means:
- Higher processing fees for card-not-present payments
- Extra monthly ecommerce or integration costs
More hardware or tablet stations to manage orders
For restaurants with heavy online volume, these costs scale quickly across multiple locations.
Loyalty, Rewards & Marketing
Lightspeed also offers tools for customer engagement, promotions, and targeted marketing campaigns.
These help drive repeat visits, but they are often offered as paid add-ons or as part of higher-tier plans. SMS credits, email sends, and automation features can increase your monthly bill beyond the base subscription.
Some operators prefer external restaurant marketing tools that offer the same features at a lower fixed cost.
Inventory, Menu Management & Reporting
Basic stock tracking is included, but more advanced inventory management features usually require upgrades.
That includes:
- Purchase orders
- Vendor management
- Stock counts
- Detailed inventory reports accounting
- Custom reports and advanced insights
If you run a restaurant with complex inventory or multiple suppliers, these tools become essential. But they also push you toward more expensive plans.
Payroll & Team Management
Scheduling, payroll, and team management are often separate from the core POS system.
Costs typically rise per employee or per location. For growing restaurants, this can quietly become one of the biggest monthly expenses, second only to payment processing.
Hidden Costs, Contract Terms & What Most Restaurants Miss
In reviews and community discussions, users often mention that pricing feels simple at first, then the bill grows once real-world factors kick in: processing, add-ons, extra stations, and support charges, with no clear upfront visibility.
Many operators also report higher costs when using third-party payment processors, since the platform strongly favors integrated payment processing.
Other common extras include:
- Early termination or long contracts
- PCI or compliance fees
- Chargebacks
- Hardware setup or service work
- Add-ons that auto-push you into higher-tier plans
The safest move is simple. Calculate your full yearly spend, not just the monthly price, and only pay for the tools your restaurant actually uses.
Real Lightspeed POS Pricing Scenarios
Here’s what Lightspeed POS pricing looks like in total once you combine the subscription, Lightspeed Payments, hardware, and extra features.
These are not official quotes. They are practical ranges based on common plan prices and typical restaurant sales volumes.
| Scenario | Typical setup | Software + add ons* | Payment processing estimate* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small café/food truck | 1 iPad terminal, Lightspeed X Series Starter, basic inventory, limited online ordering | $70–$200 | $400–$800 |
| Full-service restaurant | 2–3 terminals, kitchen display, online ordering, loyalty, advanced inventory management | $200–$600 | $1,000–$2,000 |
| Multi-location group | Multiple registers per site, advanced reports, ecommerce features, team management, multi-location support | $600–$1,500+ (across sites) | $3,000–$7,000+ |
*Ranges assume typical Lightspeed POS plans and ~2.6% processing. Processing estimates based on $15k to $30k to $120k+ monthly card volume.
To put this into perspective, a single restaurant doing $50,000 in card sales per month at 2.6% pays about $1,300 in processing fees per month. That alone is often 5 to 10 times the base software subscription.
That is why many operators focus less on shaving $50 off the plan price and more on controlling add-ons, extra terminals, and online sales costs.
The easiest savings usually come from staying lean with hardware and using external tools for ordering or marketing rather than stacking every feature into the same POS system.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How much does Lightspeed cost per month?
For a small café or food truck, Lightspeed POS pricing usually lands around $300 to $800 per month total once you include software and payment processing.
A typical full service restaurant often pays $1,000 to $2,000+ per month, depending on sales volume, hardware, and add ons like online ordering or advanced inventory management.
What are Lightspeed payment processing fees?
Most restaurants using Lightspeed Payments pay around:
- In store: 2.6% + $0.10 per transaction
- Online or manually keyed: 2.6% + $0.30 per transaction
At $50,000 in monthly card sales, that equals roughly $1,300 per month in processing alone.
Are there hidden Lightspeed fees?
Yes. Beyond the base POS system subscription, you may see:
- Chargeback fees per dispute
- PCI or compliance fees
- Higher rates for online or card-not-present payments
- Extra licenses for terminals or users
- Paid upgrades for advanced features like inventory management, custom reports, or multi-location support
- Additional costs when using third-party payment processors
These extras often cost more than the software plan itself.
