Do I have to use Lightspeed Payments?

Lightspeed's restaurant help centre says it requires merchants to use Lightspeed Payments, and merchants on other processors pay a monthly fee. Its Service Agreement allows exceptions agreed in writing. CAVIAR POS also requires card processing, through Armour Payments.

Can I leave a Lightspeed contract early?

Its Service Agreement says customers may not terminate before the term ends, except as the agreement allows, and the early termination fee includes recurring fees for the rest of the term. Your Order Form sets the term.

Which is cheaper, CAVIAR POS or Lightspeed?

CAVIAR POS Single Store is $99 CAD a month for unlimited terminal licenses. Lightspeed Restaurant lists Starter at $89 CAD and Essential at $239 CAD a month. Your total depends on devices, processing, and add-ons, so compare full quotes.

CAVIAR POS vs Lightspeed for Canadian restaurants

Lightspeed is a Canadian POS company known for deep reporting and inventory tools. CAVIAR POS charges one flat monthly price for unlimited terminals. Here is how they compare for restaurants in Canada.

Lightspeed details checked on November 6, 2026. Prices are per month in Canada unless noted, and can change.

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Side by side

Software price: CAVIAR POSSingle Store is $99 CAD a month, one flat price for unlimited terminal licenses. Multi-Store is $149.99 CAD a month.; LightspeedStarter is $89, Essential is $239, and Premium is $499 CAD a month. Enterprise is by quote, and Lightspeed says prices can vary by business.
Payment processing: CAVIAR POSCard processing through Armour Payments is required. Ask our sales team for rates.; Lightspeed2.6% + 10 cents on Starter and Essential, with custom rates on Premium. Lightspeed says it requires Lightspeed Payments unless it agrees otherwise in writing, and using another processor adds a monthly fee.
Sales tax: CAVIAR POSHandles all Canadian sales tax rates, including GST, HST, PST, and QST.; LightspeedCanadian businesses set their own tax rates and profiles in the Back Office.
Offline: CAVIAR POSKeeps taking orders and card payments when the internet goes down.; LightspeedOrders and cash keep working over the local network. Card payments need a terminal in standalone mode with a cellular connection, and terminals without one stop working.
Contract: CAVIAR POSAsk our sales team; LightspeedThe term is set in your Order Form and renews automatically, with 90 days' notice for terms over 90 days. You cannot end early except as the agreement allows, and the early termination fee includes the remaining recurring fees.
Hardware: CAVIAR POSPOS stations, tablets, kiosks, kitchen displays, printers, and payment terminals. Pricing is shown to registered business customers.; LightspeedThe POS app runs on Apple devices. Lightspeed Payments terminals come directly from Lightspeed. Discounted hardware carries a 24-month condition.
Support: CAVIAR POSCanadian-based support team, available 24/7, through Armour Payments.; Lightspeed24/7 support by phone, text, and email, with free training.
Delivery apps: CAVIAR POSIntegrates with SkipTheDishes, Uber Eats, and DoorDash through the Integrations Hub, $29.99 CAD a month per site. Third-party vendor fees apply.; LightspeedThird-party delivery needs an add-on, with no published price. Lightspeed lists Uber Eats, SkipTheDishes, and DoorDash orders. It has an Uber Eats integration, and Deliverect, which needs its own account, connects platforms such as DoorDash.
Included and add-ons: CAVIAR POSSingle Store includes online ordering, gift cards, inventory, scheduling, and unlimited kitchen displays (display hardware required). A kiosk counts as an additional terminal license. Loyalty and marketing are $49.99 CAD a month per site.; LightspeedKitchen display is $40 a month per screen. Gift cards and reservations are paid add-ons with no published price.
QuickBooks: CAVIAR POSIntegrates with QuickBooks through the Integrations Hub.; LightspeedLightspeed Accounting is a paid add-on available in select regions. Where it is not available, Lightspeed points to an Omniboost integration. Check with Lightspeed for Canada.

What Lightspeed does well

A Canadian company with Canadian dollar restaurant pricing and a Canadian hardware store.
NerdWallet lists its inventory management and recipe costing as strengths.
It handles multiple restaurant locations well, according to NerdWallet.
24/7 support and free training.

Common questions

Do I have to use Lightspeed Payments?: Lightspeed's restaurant help centre says it requires merchants to use Lightspeed Payments, and merchants on other processors pay a monthly fee. Its Service Agreement allows exceptions agreed in writing. CAVIAR POS also requires card processing, through Armour Payments.
Can I leave a Lightspeed contract early?: Its Service Agreement says customers may not terminate before the term ends, except as the agreement allows, and the early termination fee includes recurring fees for the rest of the term. Your Order Form sets the term.
Which is cheaper, CAVIAR POS or Lightspeed?: CAVIAR POS Single Store is $99 CAD a month for unlimited terminal licenses. Lightspeed Restaurant lists Starter at $89 CAD and Essential at $239 CAD a month. Your total depends on devices, processing, and add-ons, so compare full quotes.

Sources

Lightspeed is a trademark of its owner. CAVIAR POS is not affiliated with Lightspeed. If something here is out of date, tell us and we will correct it.