PortalPay vs Lightspeed: Restaurant & Retail Without the POS Tax

Free POS/KDS on any device, instant settlement, and crypto support.

71%

Lower Fees

$3,528

Average Annual Savings

Instant

Settlement Time

Feature Comparison

Feature	PortalPay	Lightspeed POS
Monthly POS Fee	$0	$89+
Processing Fee	0.5-1%	2.6% + 10¢
Hardware	Any device	Preferred hardware
Settlement	Instant	1-2 days
Accept Crypto	✓	✗

Real-World Savings Examples

Restaurant ($15k/mo)

With Lightspeed POS:$5,340/year

With PortalPay:$1,350/year

You Save:$3,990

75% annual savings

Retail ($12k/mo)

With Lightspeed POS:$4,488/year

With PortalPay:$1,080/year

You Save:$3,428

76% annual savings

Cafe ($8k/mo)

With Lightspeed POS:$3,348/year

With PortalPay:$720/year

You Save:$2,628

78% annual savings

Why Businesses Switch to PortalPay

Problems with Lightspeed POS

✗High processing fees (2.60% + 0.1¢)
✗Monthly software fees ($89+)
✗Slow settlement (1-3 business days)
✗Chargeback losses
✗Requires traditional bank account
✗Limited crypto support

Benefits of PortalPay

✓Ultra-low fees (0.5-1% total)
✓No monthly fees ever
✓Instant settlement (seconds)
✓Zero chargebacks
✓No bank account required
✓Accept both crypto and cards
✓Free enterprise features included

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it hard to switch from Lightspeed POS to PortalPay?

No! Most businesses complete the switch in under an hour. You can export your data from Lightspeed POS, set up your PortalPay account, and start accepting payments the same day. Many merchants run both systems in parallel for a week to ensure a smooth transition. Our support team helps with the migration.

Will my customers need crypto wallets?

No. While crypto enthusiasts can pay directly with their wallets, any customer can pay using credit/debit cards, Apple Pay, or Google Pay through our onramp. We handle the crypto conversion instantly. Your customers won't even know it's crypto - they just see a simple payment experience.

How much will I really save?

On average, businesses save 70-85% on total payment processing costs. The exact savings depend on your monthly volume and current Lightspeed POS plan. Use our cost calculator above to see your specific savings. Most businesses save between $2,000-10,000 annually.

Do I need a bank account to use PortalPay?

No! This is a major advantage over Lightspeed POS. Payments go directly to your crypto wallet. You can hold as crypto, convert to stablecoins, or cash out to your local currency. Perfect for international businesses or new companies that struggle with traditional banking.

What about features I use in Lightspeed POS?

PortalPay includes all essential features for your industry - and they're all free. We have specialized POS systems for restaurants, retail, hotels, and more. Check the feature comparison table above to see specific capabilities. In most cases, you'll get more features than Lightspeed POS offers, at no extra cost.

Is settlement really instant?

Yes! Crypto transactions settle in seconds, not days. Compare this to Lightspeed POS's 1-3 business day wait. You have immediate access to your funds for restocking, payroll, or any other needs. No more waiting for batch processing or dealing with hold times.