PalomaPOS vs Lightspeed
Lightspeed Restaurant lists Starter, Essential and Premium plans at 69, 189 and 399 USD, with 24/7 support and payouts on demand. PalomaPOS is $0/month POS software with PalomaPOS processing, quoted from your current statement, on month-to-month terms with no cancellation fee.
| Feature | PalomaPOS | Lightspeed |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly software fee | $0/month with PalomaPOS processing | Plans listed at 69 USD (Starter), 189 USD (Essential), 399 USD (Premium); KDS $30/screen per month[1] |
| In-person card rate | Custom quote from your current statement | Varies — check current terms |
| POS hardware | At cost, or free placement for qualifying volume | iPad POS (iPad Stand) with Lightspeed payment terminals[2] |
| Payouts | Same-day funding, with an instant funding option | Payouts on demand — deposits as soon as within a few hours, even on weekends[2] |
| Contract & cancellation | Month-to-month, no cancellation fee; return the terminal if you leave | Varies — check current terms |
| Setup & menu build | Free menu build and data migration; remote setup by video call | Varies — check current terms |
| Support | People, in English & Spanish, Mon–Fri 9 AM–6 PM ET | 24/7 support[1] |
| Offline mode | Orders, cash, printing & KDS keep working; cards offline on Valor terminals only | Offline mode available[1] |
| Cash discount program | Varies — check current terms | |
| Business banking | Embedded banking | Varies — check current terms |
Lightspeed facts are quoted from the vendor's own website as checked on October 24, 2026; the number after each one points to its source below. Prices and terms change — verify them on the vendor's site before you decide. Lightspeed is a trademark of its owner; PalomaPOS is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Lightspeed.
Sources (checked October 24, 2026)
- [1] Lightspeed — Restaurant POS pricing https://www.lightspeedhq.com/pos/restaurant/pricing/
- [2] Lightspeed — Restaurant payment processing https://www.lightspeedhq.com/pos/restaurant/payments/
Vendors change their prices and terms, and they can depend on your plan, location, and volume — verify current terms on the vendor's site before you decide. “Varies — check current terms” means we haven't verified a published figure.
How PalomaPOS differs from Lightspeed
Lightspeed's restaurant pricing page lists three plans — Starter at 69 USD, Essential at 189 USD and Premium at 399 USD — plus a Kitchen Display System at $30 per screen per month, and notes that prices may vary depending on the nature of the business and the industry. Lightspeed Payments offers payouts on demand, with deposits arriving as soon as within a few hours, even on weekends.
PalomaPOS covers what restaurants use every shift — tables and coursing, split checks, modifiers, kitchen display, tips with tip pooling — with POS software at $0/month when you process with PalomaPOS. Same-day funding with an instant funding option, a cash discount program, and embedded banking are part of the system, and it runs on Valor and Sunmi POS terminals, Android tablets and phones, and iPhone and iPad.
If you don't need Lightspeed's advanced inventory, reservations, or multi-location tools, send us your current statement — a person reviews it for free so you can compare real costs.
Who should switch — and who should stay with Lightspeed
Switch to PalomaPOS if…
- You want $0/month POS software with PalomaPOS processing instead of a plan fee
- You want a choice of Valor and Sunmi terminals, Android devices, or iPhone and iPad
- You want month-to-month terms with no cancellation fee
- You want a cash discount program and support in English and Spanish
Stay with Lightspeed if…
- You need advanced inventory management, Lightspeed Reservations, or raw API access
- You manage several sites and use Lightspeed's multi-location management
- You run hotel food and beverage with multiple revenue centers
- You need 24/7 support
FAQ
Is PalomaPOS as feature-rich as Lightspeed for restaurants?
PalomaPOS covers the daily essentials — tables and coursing, split checks, modifiers, the kitchen display, and tips with tip adjust and tip pooling. It does not include inventory or accounting integrations; Lightspeed lists advanced inventory, reservations, multi-location management, and raw API access among its plan features, so book a demo to check fit.
Will I have to break my Lightspeed contract to switch?
It depends on your contract terms — check your Lightspeed agreement. You can start PalomaPOS at one location, then move the rest when your terms allow.
Can I keep my iPads?
PalomaPOS runs on iPhone and iPad as well as Valor and Sunmi POS terminals with built-in printers and Android tablets and phones, so the iPads you use today may work — we confirm your models on the demo.
How does PalomaPOS compare on cost vs Lightspeed?
Lightspeed lists its restaurant plans at 69, 189 and 399 USD (checked October 24, 2026). PalomaPOS software is $0/month with PalomaPOS processing, hardware is at cost or free placement for qualifying volume, and processing is quoted from your current statement. Send us a statement for a free review; check your current effective rate at /calculator.
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Ready to grow your food business without the busywork?
Book a free 15‑minute demo. We'll walk through your menu and your current processing statement — and answer every question, no pressure.
Same‑day funding
Get paid the same day, every day.
Hardware at cost
Or free placement for qualifying processing volume.
Setup included
Menu build, data migration, and staff training.
Or email sales@palomapos.com