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Our verdict
Lightspeed review
Best overall for busy venues that need strong reporting and room to grow.
Last checked: 5 October 2026
Pricing
Lightspeed has no New Zealand price list; NZ visitors are shown its Australian pricing. Restaurant Starter is A$79 a month. Retail Basic shows as A$129 a month on the annual tab with “Save with Lightspeed Payments” switched on, and Lightspeed Payments isn’t listed for NZ, so the Retail price for NZ may differ. Lightspeed does not say whether GST is included. Treat these figures as a starting point and ask for a written quote.
≈ marks a US or Australian dollar price we converted at US$1 = NZ$1.78 and A$1 = NZ$1.24 (European Central Bank reference rates via Frankfurter, 2 October 2026) and added 15% GST to.
| Software | ≈ NZ$112/mo incl. GST |
|---|---|
| Card fees | Set by your EFTPOS provider (Lightspeed Payments isn’t listed for NZ) |
| Hardware | Ask the provider (no hardware prices published) |
| First year, before card fees | ≈ NZ$1,344 software only; ask about hardware |
EFTPOS & payments in NZ
Lightspeed integrates with Windcave, Shift4 (formerly Smartpay) and Eftpos NZ (Verifone): the sale amount is sent to the terminal. Card fees: Set by your EFTPOS provider (Lightspeed Payments isn’t listed for NZ). Confirm your exact terminal model before signing.
Support & contract
| Support | 24/7 chat and phone (Retail); 24/7 support (Restaurant) |
|---|---|
| Contract | Not published |
What it does well
✓ Menu manager, bill splitting and pay at the table from Restaurant Essential
✓ Multi-location management and inventory reporting from Restaurant Essential
✓ Integrates with Windcave, Shift4 and Eftpos NZ terminals
Where it falls short
— No NZ price list: plans are quoted in Australian dollars
— Costs rise as you add sites
— Kitchen display screens and gift cards are paid add-ons
Who should skip Lightspeed
Very small stalls that only need basic sales and receipts.
Alternatives
Frequently asked questions
Does Lightspeed work with Xero?
Listed on the Xero App Store NZ (Retail X-Series and Kounta). Confirm the exact workflow on your plan before buying.
Can Lightspeed work offline?
Restaurant plans include offline mode. Lightspeed doesn’t publish this for Retail. Card payments may still depend on your terminal and provider.
Is there a long contract?
Lightspeed doesn’t publish a minimum term. Ask for the minimum term and cancellation notice in writing.