Lightspeed vs Toast 2026
On a 3-5 location FSR chain, Lightspeed Pro (with Upserve analytics) is close to Toast Enterprise on TCO. Lightspeed wins on bar / fine-dining analytics. Toast wins on hardware and roadmap.
5-location FSR chain 5-year TCO: Toast Enterprise ~$650K vs Lightspeed Pro ~$620K. Lightspeed wins on analytics depth (Upserve). Toast wins on purpose-built hardware and ecosystem. Bar/fine-dining hybrid: Lightspeed. Mainstream FSR chain: Toast.
SaaS pricing per location
Toast Core $69/terminal/mo, Enterprise quoted Toast pricing · 2026-06-20.
Lightspeed Essential $69/mo per location with Lightspeed Payments; Plus and Pro priced higher Lightspeed pricing · 2026-06-20.
Processing rate
Toast: negotiated 2.49% + 15c card-present typical at FSR scale, plus 10bps Volume Subscription Fee. Lightspeed Payments: 2.6% + 10c card-present typical Lightspeed Payments · 2026-06-20. Net to Toast at higher volume; Lightspeed within margin at moderate volume.
iPad vs purpose-built Android
Lightspeed runs on iPad. Customer supplies iPads ($329-$849 each) or buys bundles. Toast runs on purpose-built Android terminals optimised for kitchen environments. Toast hardware lasts longer in high-heat, high-grease environments.
Bar / fine-dining hybrid
Lightspeed wins. Upserve analytics depth + iPad form factor for sommelier tableside service + bar inventory tracking by pour. Toast covers the basics but Lightspeed Pro is the honest pick.
5-year TCO on 3-5 location chain
Comparable within 5%. Pick on functional fit and hardware preference, not on TCO.