LND doesn't need lnbits or btcpay.
What will be interesting to see if more app devs will build apps that could link a phoenixd backend to it.
For example Alby, Zeus, Bitbanana, Lnbits, Walletano.

DarthCoin

It depends on the definition of a lightning node but I'd describe it as a lightning node without routing/liquidity concerns.

Is not meant to be a LN wallet or LN node.

I think it is meant to be like the Phoenix wallet, but can always receive because it's running on a server (and not on a phone).

need something like LNbits or BTCpay on top of it

lightning

Running phoenixd tests

nout

It depends on the definition of a lightning node but I'd describe it as a lightning node without routing/liquidity concerns.

> Is not meant to be a LN wallet or LN node.

I think it is meant to be like the Phoenix wallet, but can always receive because it's running on a server (and not on a phone).

> need something like LNbits or BTCpay on top of it

The same can be said for LND, can't it?