Can I use my own card processor with Toast or Lightspeed?

Toast requires Toast payments. Lightspeed requires its own payments in most markets. Benvo is an option if you want to choose your processor and pay no software markup on card fees. Check processing rates, contract length and early termination terms before you sign either.

Which is better outside the US, Toast or Lightspeed?

Lightspeed operates in more countries, including across Europe and Australia. Toast is built for the US first and also operates in Canada, the UK and Ireland. Check local payments and support before you sign. Card processing rules also differ by country, so ask each vendor for local rates.

Toast vs Lightspeed

Toast vs Lightspeed: restaurant POS compared

Toast suits US restaurants that want one company for hardware, payments, payroll and delivery ordering. Lightspeed suits venues outside the US or with a retail side that want published plans and a wide integration marketplace. Both require their own payments in most cases, which is the main thing to price carefully.

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Free, no commitment. Thirty minutes with someone who has run a venue. Updated November 2026.

Choose Toast if

US restaurants that want hardware, payments, payroll and online ordering from one vendor.

Choose Lightspeed if

Restaurants and bars in North America, Europe or Australia that want published plans and many integrations.

Consider Benvo if

If neither processing lock in suits you, Benvo POS works with the card processor you choose and adds no markup, and runs on iPads you already own. It also opens the check from the booking or member card, which matters for clubs and hotels, though it has no payroll or delivery app ordering yet.

Price

Per venue per month in US dollars, before tax.

$448 a monthPOS, Menus and beverage list

$0 setup, data moved for you
$5,376 in the first year
AI team included, no cover fees

Toast$325 a monthTypical mid tier

Setup not published
$3,900 in the first year

Lightspeed$295 a monthTypical mid tier

Setup not published
$3,540 in the first year

Differences

Plans and price

As of November 2026, Toast offers a $0 Starter Kit and a $69 Point of Sale plan, typically around $325 a month with add ons. Lightspeed lists $69, $189 and $399 plans, typically around $295 a month.

Payroll

Toast sells payroll as an add on inside the platform. Lightspeed has no payroll of its own.

Inventory and gift cards

Lightspeed includes inventory deducted from sales and gift cards. Toast sells both as add ons.

Kitchen screens

Both offer kitchen displays. Lightspeed lists them at $30 a screen per month, while Toast prices them within its hardware and plan quotes.

Features

POS and loyalty

16 features

ToastLightspeed

Table service and split billsIncludedIncludedIncluded

Kitchen display screensIncludedIncludedIncluded

Keeps selling when offlineIncludedOrders queue, card, cash and member charges within limitsIncludedIncluded

Own hardware soldNot includedRuns on iPads and phones you already ownIncludedIncluded

Integrated card paymentsIncludedIncludedIncluded

Choose your own card processorIncludedNo Benvo markup on card feesNot includedOwn payments requiredPartlyOwn payments required in most markets

Online ordering and delivery appsNot includedTakeaway and QR table ordering onlyPaid extraPaid extra

Stock deducted from salesIncludedPaid extraIncluded

PayrollNot includedPaid extraNot included

Gift cards and stored valueIncludedPaid extraIncluded

Guest recognised at the tableIncludedBooking or member card opens the checkPartlyLoyalty lookup, no booking linkPartlyLoyalty lookup at the till

Points and tiersIncludedPaid extraPaid extra

Rewards without an appIncludedWallet passes and a web cardIncludedPartlyNot confirmed

Room charge to hotel billIncludedWith the Benvo hotel modulePartlyThrough hotel system partnersPartlyThrough hotel system integrations

Member account chargingIncludedIncludedHouse accountsPartlyNot confirmed

Loyalty measured against a holdoutIncludedNot includedNot included

Included IncludedPaid extraPartly Limited, on a higher plan or not confirmedNot included Not included

Sources and how we checked

From each vendor's own pricing, product and help pages, and buyer reviews where a vendor publishes little, checked in November 2026. Prices are typical per venue per month in US dollars before tax; vendors quote per deal. Product names are trademarks of their owners, and Benvo is not affiliated with any of them. Spotted something out of date? Tell us and we will correct it.

Toast1 2 3
Lightspeed1 2 3

Benvo vs Toast Benvo vs Lightspeed

Questions

Still curious? Talk to someone who has run a venue.

At entry level they are close: Toast starts at $0 with the Starter Kit or $69 a month, and Lightspeed Starter is $69 a month as of November 2026. Typical mid tier venues pay around $325 a month on Toast and $295 on Lightspeed, before processing and hardware.

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Toast vs Lightspeed: restaurant POS comparedToast vs Lightspeed: restaurant POS compared

Toast, Lightspeed and Benvo.

How Toast and Lightspeed really differ.

Plans and price

Payroll

Inventory and gift cards

Kitchen screens

Feature by feature, with Benvo alongside.

POS and loyalty

Toast or Lightspeed, answered.

Is Toast cheaper than Lightspeed?

Can I use my own card processor with Toast or Lightspeed?

Which is better outside the US, Toast or Lightspeed?

More pos and loyalty comparisons.

Not sure which fits?

Toast vs Lightspeed: restaurant POS compared