TL;DR: Square publishes Free ($0), Plus ($49/location), and Premium ($149/location) plans with clear processing rates. Lightspeed Retail publishes Basic $89, Core $149, Plus $289 per month. Toast and many Clover configurations are more quote- or package-led. Order follows published list prices first.
Point-of-sale (POS) software processes in-person and online payments, manages inventory, tracks staff, and often includes online ordering or loyalty. Restaurant-focused systems differ from general retail systems in kitchen display, table management, and labor tools.
Every entry uses the same fields: published pricing, free plan or trial, vertical focus, and the main limitation. The order below is not a quality ranking. Public $0 / published price first, quote-led last.
POS software compared at a glance
| Provider | Published pricing | Vertical focus | Best for | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Square | Free $0/mo; Plus $49/location; Premium $149/location + processing fees from 2.4β2.6% + 15Β’ | General retail, food, services | Small businesses wanting transparent no-contract pricing | Visit β |
| Lightspeed Retail | Basic $89/mo; Core $149; Plus $289 (X-Series; 1 register included) | Specialty & complex retail | Retailers with larger inventories or multi-channel needs | Visit β |
| Toast | Starter packages and hardware-inclusive plans; many configurations quote- or package-based | Restaurants & food service | Full-service and multi-location restaurants | Visit β |
| Clover | Varies by reseller/processor; software plans often start low but total cost depends on hardware and processing agreement | General SMB retail & mixed | Owners who prefer bank/processor relationships and flexible hardware | Visit β |
Square and Lightspeed published list prices were verified on 22 September 2026. Toast and Clover frequently use packages or reseller quotes; confirm current figures and processing rates on the live vendor or partner pages.
Two platforms publish clear monthly software tiers. Restaurant and reseller models lean toward packages or quotes.
Retail vs restaurant POS in 2026
General retail POS emphasizes inventory depth, omnichannel sync, and reporting. Restaurant POS prioritizes order routing to kitchens, table management, tips, and labor scheduling. Processing rates, hardware lock-in, and contract length often matter as much as the monthly software fee.
The 4 providers in detail
1. Square
Best for: Small and growing businesses that want a free starting tier, transparent processing rates, and no long-term contract.
| Published pricing | Free $0; Plus $49/location/mo; Premium $149/location/mo; processing 2.4β2.6% + 15Β’ (card-present) |
| Free plan / trial | Permanent Free plan; 30-day trials on paid tiers |
| Core focus | In-person + online payments, basic inventory, invoicing, staff tools |
| Main limitation | Advanced inventory and multi-location depth trail dedicated retail platforms at scale |
- True $0 software tier with only processing fees when you take payments.
- Clear published processing rates and month-to-month flexibility.
- Hardware starts low; Tap to Pay works without extra devices.
2. Lightspeed Retail
Best for: Retailers with complex inventory, multiple channels, or the need for deeper reporting and wholesale tools.
| Published pricing | Basic $89/mo; Core $149; Plus $289 (USD, X-Series) |
| Free plan / trial | No free plan; contact sales for trial/demo |
| Core focus | Inventory, eCommerce sync, loyalty, advanced reports |
| Main limitation | Higher monthly software cost than free-tier POS; payments rate listed at 1.5% card-present on their plans |
- Published monthly tiers with clear feature progression.
- Strong inventory and multi-location capabilities for specialty retail.
- Built-in eCommerce and loyalty options on higher plans.
View Lightspeed Retail pricing β
3. Toast
Best for: Restaurants that need kitchen display systems, online ordering, and labor tools purpose-built for food service.
| Published pricing | Starter packages available; many full configurations and hardware are package- or quote-based |
| Free plan / trial | Limited starter options; demo required for full pricing |
| Core focus | Restaurant POS, kitchen ops, online ordering, payroll/labor |
| Main limitation | Hardware is typically Toast-approved; total cost includes software + processing + devices |
- Designed specifically for restaurants rather than general retail.
- Strong kitchen display, online ordering, and multi-location support.
- 24/7 support included with subscriptions.
View Toast pricing options β
4. Clover
Best for: Owners who already have a preferred processor or bank relationship and want flexible hardware choices.
| Published pricing | Varies widely by reseller and processing agreement; software often starts low |
| Free plan / trial | Depends on partner; many start with low or $0 software then add hardware/processing |
| Core focus | Payments + POS apps across retail and services |
| Main limitation | Total cost and contract terms depend heavily on the selling partner |
- Hardware ecosystem is broad and durable.
- Works well when you already negotiate processing with a bank or ISO.
- App marketplace extends basic POS functionality.
Kurums Match
I want the lowest barrier and transparent processing rates
Square Free or Plus. Start at $0 software and only pay when you process payments; published rates make budgeting straightforward.
I run a specialty retail store with complex inventory
Lightspeed Retail publishes clear tiers and is built for deeper inventory and multi-channel retail.
I operate a full-service or multi-location restaurant
Toast is purpose-built for restaurants. Expect to review package and hardware options rather than a single public software price.
I already have a processor relationship and want hardware flexibility
Clover is commonly sold through banks and ISOs; total cost depends on that relationship.
Buying tip
Model all-in monthly cost at your actual transaction volume: software fee + processing rate + hardware amortization + any contract early-termination fees. Ask for the effective rate after interchange and for offline-mode behavior. Restaurant buyers should also confirm kitchen-display and online-ordering add-on pricing.
How this comparison was put together
Official Square and Lightspeed pricing pages were checked on 22 September 2026. Toast and Clover pricing is frequently package- or partner-dependent; those entries are labeled accordingly. Order prioritizes published list prices. No affiliate ranking influenced placement.
FAQ
Is Square really free?
The software tier is $0; you pay only processing fees when you accept payments (published 2.6% + 15Β’ card-present on Free). Paid tiers lower the processing rate and add features.
Does Lightspeed lock me into their payments?
Lightspeed promotes its own payments (listed at 1.5% card-present on the pricing page), but confirm current integration and rate options with sales for your volume.
Why is Toast pricing harder to find?
Toast designs packages around restaurant size, hardware, and processing. Many buyers receive a tailored quote rather than a single public monthly fee.
Can I use my own hardware?
Square is the most flexible (phone/tablet or Square hardware). Toast generally requires approved Toast devices. Clover and Lightspeed support their own or selected third-party hardwareβconfirm compatibility before buying.
Related: Best Inventory Management Software in 2026 Β· Best Ecommerce Platforms in 2026
Last updated 22 September 2026. Pricing and plan names change; always verify on the vendor site.
Discover more from Kurums | Business Intelligence
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.