Payment Processor Comparison
PaymentsPlus vs Lightspeed
Lightspeed is a great POS platform, but their bundled processing fees can cost your business thousands more per year. See how PaymentsPlus compares.
Average Savings Example
A business processing $25,000/month typically saves:
With Lightspeed
$810/mo
With PaymentsPlus
$460/mo
Monthly Savings
$350/mo
Annual Savings
$4,200/yr
Side-by-Side Comparison
See how we stack up on the features that matter most
| Feature | PaymentsPlus | Lightspeed |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Interchange + 0.20% | 2.6% + 10¢ flat rate |
| Monthly Fee | $10/month | $89-$289/month (POS required) |
| Contract | Month-to-month | Annual commitment |
| Equipment | Free placement | Included with POS plan |
| Processing Choice | Use any POS system | Locked to Lightspeed processing |
| Debit Card Rate | Interchange + 0.20% (~1.2%) | 2.6% + 10¢ (same as credit) |
| POS Software | Compatible with multiple POS | Full-featured POS platform |
| Inventory Management | Via third-party POS | Built-in advanced inventory |
| E-commerce Integration | Via gateway (Shopify, WooCommerce) | Native e-commerce platform |
| Canadian Support | Yes - Phone & Email | Yes - Montreal-based |
Common Lightspeed Complaints
Why businesses are looking for Lightspeed alternatives
Lightspeed requires a POS subscription ($89-$289/month) to use their payment processing. You cannot use Lightspeed processing without paying for their full POS platform.
If you use Lightspeed POS, you must use Lightspeed Payments. You cannot bring your own processor, meaning you are locked into their flat-rate pricing.
Lightspeed charges 2.6% + 10¢ on debit cards that cost only ~0.5% at interchange. For businesses with high debit volume, this means overpaying by 2%+ per debit transaction.
When you add POS subscription ($89-289/mo) plus flat-rate processing fees, total monthly costs can exceed $500/month before you factor in actual processing volume.
Why Canadian Businesses Are Switching to PaymentsPlus
- Interchange-plus pricing - pay the real cost, not flat markup
- No mandatory $89-289/month POS subscription
- Free equipment placement - modern terminals included
- Use any POS system - not locked to one ecosystem
- Debit cards at true interchange - not 2.6%
- Save $350+/month on processing and platform fees
Get a free quote showing exactly how much you'll save compared to Lightspeed's bundled pricing. No obligation, no pressure.
Get Your Free QuoteWhen Lightspeed Might Be Better
Lightspeed is genuinely excellent if you need their full POS, inventory management, and e-commerce platform. If you're already using Lightspeed POS and love it, switching processors isn't possible without leaving their ecosystem. For businesses that just need payment processing without a bundled POS, PaymentsPlus saves significantly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use Lightspeed POS with PaymentsPlus processing?
Unfortunately, Lightspeed requires you to use their own payment processing with their POS system. However, PaymentsPlus works with many alternative POS systems that offer similar features at a lower total cost.
How does Lightspeed's total cost compare?
Lightspeed charges $89-$289/month for POS software PLUS 2.6% + 10¢ on every transaction. On $25k/month in processing, your total cost can exceed $810/month. PaymentsPlus costs about $460/month total for the same volume.
What POS features does PaymentsPlus offer?
PaymentsPlus provides free terminal placement with modern POS capabilities. We work with Clover, PAX, and Dejavoo terminals that offer inventory tracking, employee management, and reporting — many of the features Lightspeed offers.
Is Lightspeed a Canadian company?
Yes, Lightspeed is headquartered in Montreal. PaymentsPlus is also Canadian, serving businesses across the country. Both companies understand the Canadian market.
How much can I save switching from Lightspeed?
Most businesses save $300-400/month by switching from Lightspeed's bundled pricing to PaymentsPlus interchange-plus. The savings come from both lower processing rates AND eliminating the mandatory POS subscription.
Stop Overpaying with Lightspeed
Great POS software shouldn't mean expensive processing fees. See exactly how much you could save with transparent interchange-plus pricing.