Lightspeed POS Review: Is It Right For Your Business?

Lightspeed’s retail and hospitality packages have been tailored to meet the specific needs of each sector, ensuring owners have all the tools they need to successfully manage and grow their shops, restaurants, bars, and hotels. 

The point of sale provider isn’t as quick off the mark when it comes to pricing, though, with Lightspeed’s average software price point coming in much higher than its competitors. That being said, you need to bear in mind that you get what you pay for, and you are investing in a hospitality POS system that goes above and beyond when it comes to features. 

In this review, we’ll take a closer look at some of the great features that Lightspeed serves up, and look into the ways in which it could improve, too. By the end of our review, you’ll know whether to keep your light on for Lightspeed, or leave it in the dark.

What are Lightspeed’s features and benefits?

Lightspeed’s software is renowned for being rich in industry-specific features, and we’d be here all day if we were to go through all of them. Instead, we’ve pulled out some of its best POS features, and gone into detail about how they can help you to manage your hospitality or retail business. 

✔ Business-specific POS systems

Going one step further than most POS providers, Lightspeed has created POS systems for pubs and bars as well as business types within the hospitality and retail sectors. Below, you can find out just how specific Lightspeed goes: 

Each tailored package consists of the ideal hardware, software, and integrations for your business area. And if your business doesn’t feature on the lists above, we’re sure the Lightspeed sales team will be able to help you pull together the perfect package.

✔ Innovative hardware

The team at Lightspeed realise that a POS system isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. They’ve ensured that its POS system integrates with a range of hardware, in order to meet sector-specific needs. Below, we’ve provided you with some insight into Lightspeed’s different hardware options: 

✔ Software integration 

These days, point of sale systems are more like small computers. They have the ability to integrate with a whole host of software platforms to assist you in managing every area of your business – not just your sales and payment processing. Lightspeed integrates with a range of platforms to offer the following:

Is Lightspeed right for my business?

From a feature perspective, Lightspeed is hard to beat – especially if you want an EPOS system for a pub or a bar. It offers sector-specific features and business-specific packages, providing you with all the tools and analytics you need to effectively run your business. 

Offering both wired and wireless POS systems, plus the ability to integrate with top quality point of sale hardware, Lightspeed is all about providing you with great options. However, with that said, there are still some questions that you need to ask yourself. 

How does the cost of Lightspeed compare to other providers?

All of Lightspeed’s features come at a price (head down the page to discover more about Lightspeed pricing). Lightspeed is one of the most expensive point of sale providers, and while some businesses may not be able to justify the monthly fees, you do need to bear in mind that you get what you pay for. 

Does Lightspeed supply all the hardware I need?

Lightspeed only offers third-party hardware, rather than its own branded hardware. This means you could pay more for a receipt printer if you purchase it through Lightspeed, rather than if you bought it direct from the manufacturer. 

The upside to this is that Lightspeed’s software is compatible with a range of equipment, meaning it could be possible for you to integrate some of your current hardware with your new system (if you’re upgrading your current EPOS system). This is ideal for those looking to save on their hardware costs. 

Do I need to apply for a merchant account separately?

While many POS providers offer in-house credit card fee processing, Lightspeed only offers this service to its US customers. This means you’ll have to research merchant account providers that are partnered with Lightspeed. For most businesses, the lack of in-house credit card processing isn’t an issue. But for those looking for an all-in-one solution, there are other POS providers out there.  

How much does Lightspeed cost?

Lightspeed isn’t the cheapest POS provider going, but that doesn’t mean you’re getting a bad deal. The extensiveness of its integrations gives you the freedom to run your business just how you envision it, with a restaurant EPOS system for the hospitality industry and a tailored retail system for retailers. Below, we’ve provided you with a rough guide to its pricing.

Be aware

The above figures are for Lightspeed’s software package only, and don’t include the costs of its hardware, installation fees, or the credit card processing fees of your merchant account provider. 

If you would like a quote for a POS system that includes the monthly cost of the software, plus everything mentioned above, use our quote comparison service to discover the best POS system for your business. 

All you need to do is fill in our form with a few details, and the providers that match your requirements will be in touch.

What do Lightspeed’s customer reviews say?

Lightspeed has some great customer credentials across the web, with the majority rating it very favourably. But as with any product that offers a large range of services, people have picked out some niggly problems. Here’s a roundup of the reviews. 

What are people praising?

Its capabilities

The majority of customers praise Lightspeed’s sheer capabilities. Many have compared POS systems before they’ve committed to a specific one, with Lightspeed offering them the features they need to run their business as they’ve envisioned it. 

Ease of use

Although jam-packed with features, Lightspeed’s POS system is still fairly easy to use. Thanks to an intuitive interface, users can easily navigate their way through the system. This also means training new staff is a fairly simple process, and shouldn’t impact on trading time or your restaurant’s service.

What concerns are people raising?

Small glitches

Lightspeed offers a huge variety of features, so naturally, there’s more opportunity for little glitches to occur. The majority of glitches that do come up are small, and the customer service team is generally quick to address issues that customers may have. 

Some feature limitations

Lightspeed offers lots of features, but doesn’t necessarily offer tonnes of functionality within those features. 

This means that customers are encountering certain limitations with the software. These limitations are largely down to a lack of customisation, whether it’s to do with not being able to personalise receipts, or limited ecommerce templates.

How We Reviewed Lightspeed POS

Expert verdict 

There’s no doubt that Lightspeed offers a superior point of sale system for both retail and hospitality businesses. It provides you with a huge range of capabilities, giving you the freedom to manage and evolve your business as times change. 

That being said, smaller businesses may simply have no need for the number of features on offer – and there’s no point paying for something that you don’t need! You should take the time to compare POS providers, so you know exactly what features you’re getting for your money. 

There are heaps of fantastic POS providers out there, so why not cut down some of your research time by using our price comparison service?

All you need to do is fill in our form with a few details, and the best providers for your business’ needs will be in touch with prices for you to compare.