Lightspeed vs National Processing
Lightspeed is a unified, feature-rich commerce platform for ambitious retailers. National Processing focuses intently on providing competitive payment processing rates. They tackle different problems: Lightspeed offers a powerful system, while National Processing offers a cheaper service. Your choice depends completely on whether you need features or cost savings.
Robust platform with exceptional onboarding.
We find Lightspeed offers an exceptionally detailed and user-friendly platform, successfully unifying inventory, POS, and loyalty features for ambitious businesses. While the implementation and onboarding support are repeatedly excellent, the platform faces criticism for inconsistent post-setup responsiveness and high long-term costs. Overall, Lightspeed is a robust solution for ambitious retailers who prioritize comprehensive features and can manage the escalating price of specialization.
Pros
- Exceptional onboarding and setup support from dedicated specialists.
- Comprehensive cloud-based platform encompassing POS, inventory, and loyalty.
- User-friendly system with detailed features and frequent updates.
- Effective inventory management functionality is highly praised.
Cons
- Customer service for resolving ongoing issues can be slow or inconsistent.
- Cost increases significantly with add-ons (e.g., rewards program nearly doubles the price).
- Base pricing excludes the cost of extra locations and additional registers.
- Some core features lack basic functionality, such as modifying or duplicating Purchase Orders.
Competitive Rates, Extreme Service Risk
We note that National Processing presents competitive, tiered pricing structures and guarantees low transaction rates. However, user experiences consistently describe significant hidden fees, outright deception regarding billing, and functionally non-existent customer support. Overall, we cannot recommend a provider whose operational transparency and reliability are this severely compromised.
Pros
- Explicitly structured 3-tier pricing with low advertised transaction rates.
- Advertised transaction fees start competitively low (2.41% + 10¢).
- No PCI compliance fees for compliant merchants are advertised.
- Option for free reprogramming of existing POS equipment.
Cons
- Massive discrepancy between advertised rates and fees actually charged (hidden fees).
- Customer support is widely reported as consistently unresponsive and unhelpful.
- Long or indefinite holds placed on merchants' processing funds.
- Complaints about unreliable and mediocre POS equipment quality.
AboutLightspeed
Lightspeed is a comprehensive commerce platform built specifically for growing businesses. It provides one seamless touchpoint for all your operational needs. Whether you run a retail store, a fast-paced restaurant, or a specialised golf facility, Lightspeed helps you manage crucial tasks better. It’s an innovative, easy-to-use system that combines multilocation tools, integrations, and reports into a single hub. This reliable platform is trusted by businesses in over 100 countries, supporting roughly 144,000 customer locations globally.
AboutNational Processing
National Processing offers comprehensive merchant services and credit card processing. This service covers everything you need, whether you require in-person terminals or seamless online eCommerce integration. They provide tailored payment solutions to businesses across all industries, including retail, food service, and enterprise. For over 17 years, NP has focused on offering transparent and reliable solutions, earning them recognition as a top-ranked U.S. processor. ✅
Highlights
Feature Comparison
Features Overview
We highlight the main differences and pick a winner for each feature.
Transaction Rates
Lightspeed offers a powerful, low fixed processing rate of 1.5%. National Processing rates are higher but negotiable for high volume.
Lightspeed offers a fixed card-present transaction rate of 1.5% across all plans. This predictable rate simplifies all your financial planning. National Processing's lowest in-person rate starts at 2.41% + 10¢ on their Premium plan. This rate is competitive but higher than Lightspeed's fixed 1.5%. Lightspeed provides rate certainty for the integrated payment solution. National Processing may offer customized lower rates for very high-volume users. The $500 guarantee shows National Processing’s confidence in beating other processors’ rates. For overall savings, Lightspeed's 1.5% is hard to ignore.
Core Platform Focus
Lightspeed is unified POS software; National Processing is a dedicated payment processor.
Lightspeed is a comprehensive commerce platform unifying POS, inventory, e-commerce, and loyalty. It aims to solve operational complexities. National Processing focuses primarily on merchant services and providing aggressive transaction rates. It is focused on processing payments efficiently. Lightspeed is the tool that runs your business end-to-end. National Processing is the service that facilitates cheap payment acceptance. If you are replacing an entire retail management system, Lightspeed is the correct choice. If you just need a better rate, pick National Processing.
Inventory Management
Lightspeed's inventory tools are designed for complex retail. National Processing handles transaction data only.
Lightspeed excels with comprehensive inventory management features built right in. It includes landed costs calculation and forecasting insights. National Processing focuses on payment data and requires integration for inventory tracking. It does not offer logistics management features. Lightspeed helps you manage stock levels and predict future orders accurately. National Processing only logs the sale transaction data. A growing retailer with massive stock needs advanced tools like those found in Lightspeed's Core plans.
Onboarding & Setup
Lightspeed provides expert ‘whiteglove’ onboarding. National Processing offers hardware flexibility.
Lightspeed offers 'whiteglove onboarding' with dedicated industry specialists. They ensure a smooth, tailored setup process. National Processing helps by providing free reprogramming of your existing payment equipment. They make switching equipment easier. Lightspeed’s specialized help is invaluable for complex retail setups and data migration. National Processing saves money by reusing your hardware. If you need deep initial guidance for a complex system, Lightspeed’s expert setup is a huge advantage.
Multi-Location Tools
Lightspeed is built for multi-store operations. National Processing is less focused on location management.
Lightspeed is purpose-built for multi-location businesses needing unified management. It resolves operational silos easily. National Processing's tools focus mainly on transaction processing, not complex location-specific inventory analysis. Multi-site reporting is less prominent. Lightspeed allows easy switching, comprehensive reporting, and centralized control across all your locations. National Processing offers simple payment processing regardless of where you operate. For serious scaling with complex logistics across 5+ stores, Lightspeed is the obvious platform choice.
Base Monthly Cost
National Processing has a much lower fixed monthly cost. Lightspeed starts higher for its feature set.
Lightspeed’s base commitment starts at $89 per month for a single register and one location. This is a high entry point. National Processing starts at just $14.95 monthly for its Basic plans. This is significantly cheaper upfront every month. Lightspeed’s cost includes the advanced POS software and reporting suite. National Processing’s major cost is the transaction fee percentage. If minimizing fixed monthly expenses is your top priority, National Processing wins easily on starting price.
Equipment Flexibility
National Processing lets you reuse old hardware. Lightspeed requires commitment to their integrated solution.
National Processing offers free reprogramming of your existing payment equipment upon migration. This avoids costly hardware purchases. Lightspeed’s system is integrated and usually requires using its specialized hardware. New equipment is often necessary. National Processing simplifies the switch by adapting to your current setup. Lightspeed integrates POS and payments for unified performance. Using National Processing means lower switching costs if you already own terminals you like.
Reporting and Visibility
Lightspeed provides actionable insights and forecasting. National Processing focuses on raw data ownership.
Lightspeed offers powerful features like forecasting insights and custom reporting for better decisions. It provides real-time visibility. National Processing grants the 'Deed to Your Data,' ensuring secure access to key metrics. Reporting is generally payment-focused. Lightspeed tells you *what* to do next based on performance data and trends. National Processing ensures you simply own your transaction data. For optimizing buying and operations across multiple locations, Lightspeed’s analytical power is superior.
Our Verdict
Choosing between Lightspeed and National Processing requires comparing a system versus a service. Lightspeed is the clear winner for businesses needing true operational systems. Lightspeed offers a unified commerce platform, excelling in retail management and logistics. Its superpower is the comprehensive inventory, multi-location tools, and advanced reporting features. Lightspeed even provides a super-low, fixed 1.5% credit card processing rate. National Processing’s superpower is aggressively low base costs and transaction rate promises. They guarantee they can beat your current rates or they will give you $500. National Processing makes sense if you focus strictly on minimizing fixed processing fees. The key deciding factor is whether you need robust POS features or cost savings alone. Lightspeed provides top-tier retail software features but at a higher monthly expense. National Processing provides equipment flexibility and lower base costs. Choose Lightspeed if you run a scaling retail operation needing advanced tools and unified control. Choose National Processing only if your absolute primary priority is guaranteed low payment processing rates for high volume.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper monthly, Lightspeed or National Processing?
National Processing is cheaper monthly, starting at just $14.95 for basic plans. Lightspeed starts higher at $89 per month for its integrated POS software. However, Lightspeed offers a lower, fixed transaction rate (1.5%) overall.
Does Lightspeed or National Processing offer better inventory management?
Lightspeed offers significantly better inventory management for retailers. It includes advanced tools like forecasting insights and landed costs calculation. National Processing is focused on payment processing data, not retail logistics.
Can I use my existing payment equipment with Lightspeed or National Processing?
National Processing offers free reprogramming of your existing equipment for a smooth switch. Lightspeed is a more deeply integrated POS system, often requiring dedicated hardware specific to their platform.
Which offers a better customer support experience?
Lightspeed generally offers a more reliable and positively reviewed customer support experience. While National Processing advertises 24/7 U.S.-based support, user reviews often cite poor service and slow response times.
Which system is better for businesses with multiple locations?
Lightspeed is superior for multi-location businesses. It is built with innovative tools for unified inventory, centralized reporting, and seamless operational control across stores.
Does National Processing have a lower transaction rate than Lightspeed?
No. Lightspeed offers a fixed 1.5% card-present rate, which is aggressive and low. National Processing's lowest rate is 2.41% + 10¢, but they guarantee to beat your current processor rates for high volume.
Ready to Choose?
Both tools have their strengths. Choose based on your specific needs.