TouchBistro vs Lightspeed Restaurant
TouchBistro and Lightspeed Restaurant are two iPad POS systems built for hospitality, with a table map, kitchen display and integrated payments. TouchBistro is designed by and for restaurant people, with a local server option that keeps working without internet and paid modules for reservations, online ordering, gift cards and loyalty. Lightspeed is a mature POS with inventory, advanced analytics and multi-location management, suited to groups and busy venues. Alongside them we've put GrazieChef, an order app that runs in the browser with no dedicated hardware.
| TouchBistro | Lightspeed Restaurant | GrazieChef | |
|---|---|---|---|
| What it does | iPad POS for restaurants: table-side ordering, floor plan, menu management | iPad POS with inventory, advanced analytics and multi-location management | Orders, kitchen display, live table map and the bill, in the browser |
| Pricing model | Monthly subscription per license; reservations, online ordering, gift cards and loyalty are paid modules | Monthly subscription, pricing on request, paid add-ons; usually with a commitment | Free forever up to 100 orders every 7 days; Starter €19/month, Pro €39/month, no contract |
| Hardware | iPads, printers, often a local server | iPads plus printers and card readers | None — runs in the browser on the phones and tablets you already own |
| Card payments | Integrated payments available | Integrated (Lightspeed Payments in many markets) | No card terminal: keep yours; guests can pay from their phone via Stripe (0.5% per bill plus Stripe fees) |
| Getting started | Hardware setup and onboarding | Onboarding and configuration with their team | Minutes: sign up, draw the tables, load the menu |
| Kitchen display and table map | Yes | Yes | Yes, real-time on every device |
Competitor details are summarised from their public websites as of September 2026 and may change; check their site for current pricing.
Which one should you choose?
Choose TouchBistro if you want a traditional iPad POS built for restaurants, with integrated payments and a local server that keeps going even if the internet drops, and you're fine with paid modules for reservations and loyalty.
Choose Lightspeed Restaurant if you have several venues or a very busy one with someone who owns the system, and you need inventory, advanced analytics and Lightspeed Payments.
For a single pub or small restaurant, a subscription, iPads and onboarding can be more than you need. GrazieChef gives you a table map, orders and a kitchen display on the devices you already own, with reservations, gift cards and a loyalty card included in Free (up to 100 orders every 7 days). It's not a card terminal and it needs a connection: keep your own terminal and a 4G hotspot as plan B.
Frequently asked questions
- TouchBistro or Lightspeed: which suits a multi-location business better?
- Lightspeed, which offers multi-location management, inventory and advanced analytics and is built for groups and busy venues. TouchBistro is designed by and for restaurant people, with table-side ordering on iPad, floor plans and a local server option for reliability.
- Do TouchBistro and Lightspeed work without an iPad?
- No: both run on iPad, with printers; TouchBistro often adds a local server, Lightspeed adds card readers. GrazieChef, by contrast, runs in the browser on Android, iPhone, iPad and computers.
- How much do TouchBistro and Lightspeed cost compared to GrazieChef?
- TouchBistro has a monthly subscription per license, with add-on modules billed separately; Lightspeed has a monthly subscription with pricing on request and add-ons. GrazieChef publishes its prices: Free forever up to 100 orders every 7 days, then €19 or €39 per month with no contract.
Try GrazieChef for free
Free plan forever, no card and no hardware. The demo needs no account.