Clover POS vs Lightspeed: Pricing and Ratings Compared (2026)
Entry prices and free plans as read on each vendor's pricing page, and user ratings as published on review sites, for Clover POS and Lightspeed side by side. This page compares data; it is not a hands-on review.
On the data: On the data below, Clover POS leads on lower entry price; Lightspeed leads on higher user rating. We do not name an overall winner for this pair.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
Based on published vendor pricing and features and on public review data, here's who should pick what:
Clover POS
Take payments on countertop and handheld POS hardware with business-specific plans
Best for you if:
- • You want pricing for each business type is published on the vendor's site
Lightspeed
Manage and operate every part of your business from one highly configurable system.
Best for you if:
- • You want highly configurable and tailored for specific business types
| At a Glance | Clover POS | Lightspeed |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | From $84.95/mo, billed monthly Retail Standard (Retail Growth software plan) plan | From $89/mo, billed monthly Basic plan |
Category | Payment Processing Restaurant POS | Restaurant POS Payment Processing |
Rating | 3.8/5 Capterra 3.8 586 reviews | 4.2/5 Capterra 4.0 · G2 4.4 1,792 reviews |
Free plan | No | No |
Watch out for | n/a | Onboarding/professional services are options, not free |
Choose Clover POS or Lightspeed?
Choose Clover POS if
- You want pricing for each business type is published on the vendor's site
- You want the card-present rate on the retail bundles varies by plan
- Budget matters ($84.95/mo, billed monthly vs $89/mo, billed monthly)
- You work in payment processing, not restaurant POS
Choose Lightspeed if
- You want highly configurable and tailored for specific business types
- You want streamlines operations and reduces manual data entry
- You work in restaurant POS, not payment processing
In-Depth Analysis
Clover POS
Take payments on countertop and handheld POS hardware with business-specific plans
Strengths
- Pro: Pricing for each business type is published on the vendor's site
- Pro: The card-present rate on the retail bundles varies by plan
- Pro: Hardware ranges from a compact terminal with a 3.6-inch screen to a 14-inch Station Duo with an 8-inch customer display and a handheld Flex
- Pro: Troubleshooting support is offered 24/7/365
Weaknesses
- Con: Hardware is bought or financed as part of the bundle, so total cost depends on the devices
- Con: Keyed-in card payments are charged a published rate on the retail bundles
- Con: Accounts are subject to approval, including credit approval
- Con: The advertised hardware promotion requires a 3-year contract
Key features
Lightspeed
Manage and operate every part of your business from one highly configurable system.
Lightspeed's pricing, ranging from $89/month for Basic to $289/month for Plus, appears expensive for a single register POS system, especially given that many core features are available across all tiers.
Watch out
Onboarding/professional services are options, not free
Strengths
- Pro: Highly configurable and tailored for specific business types
- Pro: Streamlines operations and reduces manual data entry
- Pro: Provides deep insights for strategic decision-making
- Pro: Offers comprehensive support and onboarding
- Pro: Scalable to grow with the business and supports multi-store operations
Weaknesses
- Con: No free tier available
- Con: Requires integration with external tools for some functionalities (e.g., accounting, employee management)
Key features
Plans and prices: Clover POS vs Lightspeed
| Tool | Plans and prices | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Clover POS |
| clover.com/pricing/retail read Oct 21, 2026 |
| Lightspeed |
| lightspeedhq.com/pricing read Oct 14, 2026 |
Prices as read on each vendor's own pricing page on the date shown. Plans are listed per tool and are not matched against the other tool's plans: a plan name or price in one column says nothing about the same row in the other. Details on Clover POS pricing and Lightspeed pricing.
Key Takeaways
Clover POS
- Lower entry price: $84.95/mo, billed monthly vs $89/mo, billed monthly
Lightspeed
- Higher user rating: 4.2/5 vs 3.8/5
What the data shows
On the data below, Clover POS leads on lower entry price; Lightspeed leads on higher user rating. We do not name an overall winner for this pair.
- Lightspeed has the higher user rating (3.8/5 from 586 reviews for Clover POS, 4.2/5 from 1,792 reviews for Lightspeed).
- Clover POS has the lower entry price: $84.95/mo, billed monthly (Retail Standard (Retail Growth software plan)) against $89/mo, billed monthly (Basic) for Lightspeed.
Criteria: user rating (only above 20 reviews on both sides, gap of 0.2 or more), entry price (only on the same billing basis), free plan. How we rate
Frequently Asked Questions
How do Clover POS and Lightspeed compare in 2026?
On the data below, Clover POS leads on lower entry price; Lightspeed leads on higher user rating. We do not name an overall winner for this pair. Lightspeed has the higher user rating (3.8/5 from 586 reviews for Clover POS, 4.2/5 from 1,792 reviews for Lightspeed). Clover POS has the lower entry price: $84.95/mo, billed monthly (Retail Standard (Retail Growth software plan)) against $89/mo, billed monthly (Basic) for Lightspeed.
What are Clover POS and Lightspeed used for?
Clover POS: Take payments on countertop and handheld POS hardware with business-specific plans. Lightspeed: Manage and operate every part of your business from one highly configurable system.
What does Clover POS cost vs Lightspeed?
Clover POS's cheapest paid plan is Retail Standard (Retail Growth software plan) at $84.95/mo, billed monthly. Lightspeed's cheapest paid plan is Basic at $89/mo, billed monthly. Prices read on the vendors' pricing pages, latest check Oct 21, 2026.
What's the main difference between Clover POS and Lightspeed?
Clover POS's main strength: pricing for each business type is published on the vendor's site. Lightspeed's main strength: highly configurable and tailored for specific business types.