GastroSystem vs. Lightspeed
Lightspeed is a Canadian enterprise POS. Powerful, but complex, expensive and built for large customers with an implementation team. For a typical pizzeria, snack bar or mid-sized restaurant, Lightspeed is overkill: long onboarding phases, high licence costs, lots of modules you'll never need. The Lightspeed alternative is lean, ready to go in one day, and needs no implementation consultant.
Lightspeed Restaurant (formerly iKentoo) is a cloud POS system from the Canadian company Lightspeed Commerce. It targets larger hospitality businesses and chains with a focus on POS, inventory and reporting. An online ordering system of its own is only available through third-party integrations. GastroSystem targets small and mid-sized restaurateurs in the DACH region — with ordering system and POS in one solution.
Our verdict
Lightspeed is a powerful enterprise POS for larger chains. For independent restaurateurs and small businesses in the DACH region it is oversized and expensive — and without its own ordering system. GastroSystem is built specifically for this market: POS + ordering system, German servers, German support.
Frequently asked questions about the Lightspeed alternative
What size of restaurant is Lightspeed made for?
Lightspeed is designed for larger setups: multi-brand chains, hotels with several F&B outlets, international operations with their own IT team and a dedicated implementation budget. For a typical German pizzeria, snack bar or a restaurant with 1 to 5 branches, the solution is usually overkill in feature scope, complexity and pricing. GastroSystem is tailored exactly to this kind of mid-sized restaurant business. The same feature scope in a lean, integrated solution.
What does Lightspeed really cost?
Lightspeed Restaurant advertises entry packages in the low three-figure range per month, but realistically, add-ons (online ordering, loyalty, inventory, reporting), certified hardware (tablets, receipt printers, drawers) and implementation costs quickly add up to €400–800/month plus several thousand euros in setup. GastroSystem covers the same restaurant use case at €99–359/month all-in. No setup fee, no hardware lock-in.
How long does switching from Lightspeed to GastroSystem take?
For a typical mid-sized setup (1–3 branches): 1–3 days. Export your menu from Lightspeed or import it fresh. Keep using your receipt printer and tablets, no new hardware needed. Set up GastroSystem, configure delivery zones, opening hours and a payment provider. Run a parallel comparison for one shift first, then switch over completely. Finally cancel the Lightspeed contract on the proper notice. We handle the master data migration for free on request, no weeks-long onboarding like with Lightspeed.
Can I migrate Lightspeed data to GastroSystem?
Yes. Menus (products, categories, prices, allergens), staff master data, delivery zones and opening hours can be taken over via CSV or API. We do the migration for free on request. Order history and tax-relevant revenue data stay archived in Lightspeed (a DSFinV-K export for the tax authorities should be done before switching; mind GoBD-compliant retention). Customer data can be transferred, provided you can pull it as an export from Lightspeed.
What data can I export from Lightspeed?
Lightspeed offers extensive export functions: order data, customer data, menu master data, inventory, reports. Usually as CSV or via the API. Important for German accounting: a DSFinV-K export for the tax office, and GoBD-compliant archiving of the TSE data. Before switching, you should pull these exports in full and archive them in a tamper-proof way for at least 10 years. We import master data like menu and customers into GastroSystem for free.
Can I test Lightspeed and GastroSystem in parallel?
Yes. You can run GastroSystem on a tablet or in the browser alongside your running Lightspeed installation, for example just for online orders, just for one branch, or just for delivery. The digital menu is free forever, and the modules are cancellable monthly. That way you compare in daily operation whether the leaner, integrated solution covers your setup better. Only once you're convinced do you make the complete switch.
Is GastroSystem TSE and KassenSichV compliant?
Yes. The built-in till system signs through a BSI-certified cloud TSE, generates KassenSichV-compliant receipts, exports DSFinV-K for the tax authorities, and is GoBD compliant. The mandatory receipt requirement from 2026 is covered. A DATEV export for accounting is included too. Unlike Lightspeed, the TSE module is part of the base rate. No extra module costs, no tie-in to special hardware packages.
Do I need new hardware when switching?
Usually not. GastroSystem runs on any iPad, Android tablet, in the browser or on a PC. For the receipt you need an Epson receipt printer from the TM series, on the router or directly on the tablet. We don't support other brands like Star or Bixolon, then the paperless route via PDF remains. You can keep using tablets from your Lightspeed hardware. Unlike Lightspeed, there's no hardware lock-in: you buy devices wherever it's cheapest and swap freely.
What does support look like compared to Lightspeed?
German support by email, chat and phone. Response times typically under one working day, same day for urgent cases. Onboarding is free and usually done in one session, no dedicated implementation consultant needed. Lightspeed offers extensive enterprise support, but often in English or through partner agencies. Sensible for large customers, simply overkill for a typical pizzeria or snack bar. GastroSystem support is made for German mid-sized restaurant businesses.