What is Lightspeed Restaurant and who is it best for?

Lightspeed Restaurant is a restaurant-focused POS/software platform. It fits full‑service operators who want integrated ordering, handhelds/KDS, and clear pricing. Feature availability varies by plan and region.

Does Lightspeed Restaurant support online ordering and delivery tools?

Yes—most Lightspeed Restaurant setups include native online ordering or integrations for delivery and pickup. Exact options depend on plan and add‑ons offered by the vendor.

What payment processing does Lightspeed Restaurant use?

Lightspeed Restaurant typically bundles payment processing with its platform. Rates and terms can vary; request a current quote to confirm fees for your location and card mix.

Does Lightspeed Restaurant work with handhelds and KDS?

Handheld ordering and kitchen display systems are commonly supported by Lightspeed Restaurant. Hardware choices differ by deployment; check compatibility during the demo.

How do I schedule a Lightspeed Restaurant demo or pricing consult?

You can request a demo using the buttons on this page. We’ll pass you to the official Lightspeed Restaurant team so you receive up‑to‑date pricing and onboarding details.

Lightspeed Restaurant POS — Deep Dive Review

Quick Summary

TL;DR

The 30-second version for busy operators

Verdict: Excellent for bar-forward and small-to-mid FSR/QSR concepts that need inventory depth and flexible delivery/ordering integrations.

Shines at: Ingredient-level inventory, reporting, and iPad hardware simplicity with KDS and Deliverect/Uber Eats style connections.

Know Before You Sign

Lightspeed Payments is the default; confirm if required on your plan and get your effective rate in writing.

We may earn a referral if you use our partner links. We still call it straight for operators.

Platform Overview

What Lightspeed Does & Who It's For

Core Features

iPad-First POS

POS & KDS: Kitchen display with live order status and routing on iPad devices.
Inventory: Ingredient-level tracking with menu costing and depletion.
Delivery/Ordering: Integrations to third-party marketplaces via connectors like Deliverect; online ordering options.
Reporting: Detailed sales, item mix, and labor reports with mobile access and multi-location rollups.
Payments: Lightspeed Payments with synced terminals and contactless support.

Feature availability depends on region/plan and connected apps.

Who It's For

Best Fit

Bars, cafes, and restaurants that want strong inventory + reporting.
Concepts using iPad fleets with cloud back office and KDS.
Multi-location groups that need centralized control and analytics.

Investment

Pricing & Payments Reality

What to ask before you sign

Pricing Notes

Software tiers: Starter/Essential/Premium/Enterprise; feature unlocks by tier.
Hardware: iPad-based terminals/KDS; printers and peripherals vary by setup.
Add-ons: Loyalty, delivery connectors, and advanced inventory/analytics can be extra.

Quote total cost of ownership: software + hardware + processing + connectors + support.

Payments Reality

Get This In Writing

Lightspeed Payments is integrated; setup requires business/KYC verification and mapped terminals.
Ask for your all-in effective rate and funding timelines (batch, weekends, chargebacks).
Some regions/plans may support alternatives—confirm before signing if you need third-party processing.

Processing Fees

Card Processing Snapshot

Illustrative U.S. ranges only

Example Rates

Card-present: ~2.3%–3.5% + $0.10–$0.25 per transaction
Card-not-present: typically +0.25–0.75 percentage points vs card-present
Other fees: chargebacks, refunds, add-ons can apply — ask for a full fee table

Request a formal quote from Lightspeed or your reseller.

Get Lightspeed Quotes

Hardware & Integrations

Device Options & Ecosystem

iPad Terminals & KDS

Hardware

Run POS and KDS on iPad devices; add printers/displays by station.
Offline mode available for continuity.

Delivery & Marketplaces

Consolidate Orders

Consolidate delivery orders via connectors (e.g., Uber Eats/Deliverect) into one screen.
Sync menu items and modifiers to marketplaces.

Setup & Scale

Cloud-Based

Cloud back office; remote updates and multi-location controls.
Role-based permissions and audit trails.

Honest Take

Pros & Cons

✓ Pros

Ingredient-level inventory and strong reporting depth.
iPad-first hardware keeps costs/power-user workflows flexible.
Delivery connectors reduce order tablet chaos.

✗ Cons

Some features depend on external connectors and paid add-ons.
Payments terms can vary by region and plan; confirm requirements.
DIY setup may need more operator involvement vs. bundled stacks.

Getting Started

Integrations & Migration Checklist

Integrations & Ecosystem

Delivery connectors like Deliverect to sync menus and route orders to POS.
Partner integrations for loyalty, accounting, workforce, and analytics.

Switching to Lightspeed: Checklist

Before You Sign

Export recipes/items; map ingredients and vendor costs for inventory.
Decide delivery/online ordering connector and configure menus.
Payments: complete Lightspeed Payments onboarding; test terminals and funding.
Training: FOH KDS flows, comps/voids, discount/tax permissions.

Options

Alternatives & Recommendations

Closest Alternatives

Toast: unified stack with first-party ordering and KDS.
Clover: SMB-friendly with app marketplace flexibility.
TouchBistro: iPad-centric table service with floor plans.

What We Recommend

Run your menu and modifiers through a live demo on iPads + KDS.
Compare quotes apples-to-apples, including processing and add-ons.
Negotiate renewal, exit terms, and service credits up front.

Get Lightspeed Quotes Back to Comparisons

Common Questions

Lightspeed Restaurant FAQ

Does Lightspeed have a native KDS?

Yes—Lightspeed's KDS runs on iPad devices and shows live order status and routing.

Can I integrate Uber Eats or DoorDash?

Yes—via connectors like Deliverect to sync menus and send orders directly into the POS.

Is Lightspeed Payments required?

Lightspeed Payments is the default and often required for bundled features; verify based on your region/plan.

What hardware does it use?

Primarily iPads for POS and KDS, with compatible printers and peripherals per station layout.