Clover and Lightspeed are both point-of-sale platforms for small and growing businesses, but they suit different priorities. Clover leans toward flexible pos hardware sold through banks and merchant-services resellers. Lightspeed is built around advanced inventory and omnichannel pos for retail and hospitality. In our testing Lightspeed scores higher overall (4.3 vs 3.9), but the right pick depends on your business.
Clover vs Lightspeed at a glance
| Clover | Lightspeed | |
|---|---|---|
| Our rating | 3.9 / 5 | 4.3 / 5 |
| Software cost | $0+ per month (reseller-set) | $109+ per month |
| In-person rate | ~2.5% + 10¢ (reseller-set) | 2.6% + 10¢ (Lightspeed Payments) |
| Commitment | 3-year contract | 3-year contract |
| Best for | Choosing your own processor | Inventory management |
Choose Clover if…
- Ease of use matters most to you
- You run retail
- You run full-service restaurants
Choose Lightspeed if…
- Pricing matters most to you
- Features matters most to you
- Support matters most to you
- Integrations matters most to you
Pricing side by side
| Plan | Starter | Standard | Advanced | Basic | Core | Plus |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly cost | From ~$0–$15/mo | From ~$50/mo | From ~$85/mo | From ~$89/mo | From ~$149/mo | From ~$289/mo |
| In-person rate | ~2.6% + 10¢ (reseller-dependent) | ~2.3%–2.6% + 10¢ | Reseller-dependent | 2.6% + 10¢ (Lightspeed Payments) | 2.6% + 10¢ | 2.6% + 10¢ |
| Online rate | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Keyed rate | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Hardware | From ~$799 or financed | — | — | — | — | — |
| Commitment | 3-year contract | 3-year contract | 3-year contract | 3-year contract | 3-year contract | 3-year contract |
Feature comparison
| Feature | Clover | Lightspeed |
|---|---|---|
| Payments | ||
| Card-present payments | Yes | Yes |
| Offline mode | Yes | Partial |
| Inventory | ||
| Inventory tracking | Yes | Yes |
| Purchase orders | Partial | Yes |
| Reporting & analytics | ||
| Sales reporting | Yes | Yes |
| Online ordering | ||
| Menu / modifier management | Yes | Yes |
| First-party online ordering | Partial | Yes |
| Loyalty & marketing | ||
| Loyalty program | Partial | Yes |
| Gift cards | Yes | Yes |
| Multi-location | ||
| Multi-location management | Partial | Yes |
| Integrations & API | ||
| Open API | Yes | Yes |
| App marketplace | Yes | Yes |
Our verdict
Lightspeed is the stronger all-round choice for most businesses on our scoring. Pick Clover instead if its strengths — retail and full-service restaurants — line up with how you operate. Use the tables above to check pricing and features against your own numbers.
Frequently asked questions
Is Clover cheaper than Lightspeed?
Clover software runs $0+ per month (reseller-set) with an in-person rate of ~2.5% + 10¢ (reseller-set); Lightspeed is $109+ per month at 2.6% + 10¢ (Lightspeed Payments). Compare the effective rate on a real month of your own card volume, not the headline numbers.
Does Clover or Lightspeed lock you into a contract?
Clover: 3-year contract. Lightspeed: 3-year contract. Confirm the term, auto-renewal window and any early-termination fee in writing before you sign.
Which is better, Clover or Lightspeed?
Lightspeed rates higher overall in our review, but Clover can be the better fit for specific business types. See "Our verdict" above.
Not sure which to pick?
Tell us about your business and we’ll recommend the better fit.