Quick Overview
- 1#1: Toast - Cloud-based restaurant POS with dynamic digital menu boards, online ordering, and real-time updates.
- 2#2: Lightspeed Restaurant - Comprehensive POS platform offering customizable digital menus, kiosks, and multi-location management.
- 3#3: TouchBistro - iPad-centric POS system with intuitive digital menu displays and table-side ordering capabilities.
- 4#4: Revel Systems - Scalable POS solution featuring advanced digital menu management and kiosk integrations for restaurants.
- 5#5: Square for Restaurants - Affordable POS with easy-to-deploy digital menus, QR code ordering, and seamless online integration.
- 6#6: Clover - Flexible POS hardware and software with customizable digital menu boards and app marketplace extensions.
- 7#7: UpMenu - Dedicated digital menu builder for creating interactive screens, QR menus, and online ordering systems.
- 8#8: GloriaFood - Free online ordering platform with digital menu widgets and website integration for small restaurants.
- 9#9: Flipdish - Online ordering and digital menu solution optimized for takeaways with self-service kiosk support.
- 10#10: MenuTiger - QR code-based digital menu platform for contactless ordering and dynamic content updates.
Tools were chosen based on a focus on robust features (including dynamic updates and integration capabilities), reliable performance, intuitive usability, and strong value, ensuring they meet the diverse demands of restaurants, cafes, and takeaways.
Comparison Table
Digital menu software transforms how dining businesses showcase menus and manage operations, and this comparison table explores top tools like Toast, Lightspeed Restaurant, TouchBistro, Revel Systems, Square for Restaurants and more. Readers will discover key features, pricing highlights, and usability insights to identify the best fit for their specific needs.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Toast Cloud-based restaurant POS with dynamic digital menu boards, online ordering, and real-time updates. | enterprise | 9.7/10 | 9.9/10 | 9.2/10 | 9.4/10 |
| 2 | Lightspeed Restaurant Comprehensive POS platform offering customizable digital menus, kiosks, and multi-location management. | enterprise | 8.8/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.5/10 | 8.3/10 |
| 3 | TouchBistro iPad-centric POS system with intuitive digital menu displays and table-side ordering capabilities. | enterprise | 8.2/10 | 8.5/10 | 7.8/10 | 7.5/10 |
| 4 | Revel Systems Scalable POS solution featuring advanced digital menu management and kiosk integrations for restaurants. | enterprise | 8.2/10 | 8.8/10 | 7.7/10 | 7.4/10 |
| 5 | Square for Restaurants Affordable POS with easy-to-deploy digital menus, QR code ordering, and seamless online integration. | enterprise | 8.3/10 | 8.0/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.6/10 |
| 6 | Clover Flexible POS hardware and software with customizable digital menu boards and app marketplace extensions. | enterprise | 8.3/10 | 8.7/10 | 8.4/10 | 7.8/10 |
| 7 | UpMenu Dedicated digital menu builder for creating interactive screens, QR menus, and online ordering systems. | specialized | 8.1/10 | 8.5/10 | 8.0/10 | 7.7/10 |
| 8 | GloriaFood Free online ordering platform with digital menu widgets and website integration for small restaurants. | specialized | 7.6/10 | 7.4/10 | 8.5/10 | 9.2/10 |
| 9 | Flipdish Online ordering and digital menu solution optimized for takeaways with self-service kiosk support. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 9.0/10 | 8.5/10 | 8.8/10 |
| 10 | MenuTiger QR code-based digital menu platform for contactless ordering and dynamic content updates. | specialized | 8.4/10 | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.0/10 |
Cloud-based restaurant POS with dynamic digital menu boards, online ordering, and real-time updates.
Comprehensive POS platform offering customizable digital menus, kiosks, and multi-location management.
iPad-centric POS system with intuitive digital menu displays and table-side ordering capabilities.
Scalable POS solution featuring advanced digital menu management and kiosk integrations for restaurants.
Affordable POS with easy-to-deploy digital menus, QR code ordering, and seamless online integration.
Flexible POS hardware and software with customizable digital menu boards and app marketplace extensions.
Dedicated digital menu builder for creating interactive screens, QR menus, and online ordering systems.
Free online ordering platform with digital menu widgets and website integration for small restaurants.
Online ordering and digital menu solution optimized for takeaways with self-service kiosk support.
QR code-based digital menu platform for contactless ordering and dynamic content updates.
Toast
enterpriseCloud-based restaurant POS with dynamic digital menu boards, online ordering, and real-time updates.
AI-powered menu optimization and dynamic pricing that automatically adjusts offerings based on demand, inventory, and customer data for maximized revenue.
Toast is a comprehensive cloud-based restaurant management platform from toasttab.com that excels in digital menu software, enabling restaurants to create interactive, customizable digital menus for online ordering, kiosks, QR codes, and in-house displays. It supports real-time menu updates, dynamic pricing, personalized recommendations via AI, and seamless integration with POS, payments, and kitchen operations. This solution streamlines the entire customer ordering journey from browsing menus to fulfillment, making it ideal for modern hospitality businesses.
Pros
- Highly customizable digital menus with real-time updates and AI-driven personalization
- Seamless integration with POS, online ordering, and loyalty programs
- Robust analytics for menu performance and sales optimization
Cons
- Premium pricing may be steep for very small operations
- Initial setup and hardware integration requires time and support
- Advanced features locked behind higher-tier plans
Best For
Full-service restaurants, chains, and high-volume venues seeking an all-in-one digital menu and POS ecosystem.
Pricing
Starts at around $165/month per location for core POS + digital menu bundle (includes hardware lease); scales to custom enterprise plans with volume discounts.
Lightspeed Restaurant
enterpriseComprehensive POS platform offering customizable digital menus, kiosks, and multi-location management.
Lightspeed Order Anywhere for frictionless, multi-device customer ordering without staff dependency
Lightspeed Restaurant is a cloud-based POS system with advanced digital menu capabilities, allowing restaurants to create, customize, and deploy interactive digital menus via QR codes, websites, and mobile apps. It supports seamless online ordering, self-service kiosks, and table-side ordering, integrating directly with inventory, payments, and CRM for efficient operations. Ideal for modern restaurants aiming to enhance customer experience with contactless and omnichannel menu access.
Pros
- Deep integration with POS for real-time menu updates and inventory syncing
- Multi-channel support including QR codes, kiosks, and online ordering
- Robust customization options for menus with images, allergens, and modifiers
Cons
- Pricing can be steep for small operations with per-location fees
- Full feature set requires training and may overwhelm beginners
- Dependent on reliable internet for cloud-based functionality
Best For
Mid-sized to enterprise restaurants needing an all-in-one POS with sophisticated digital menu and ordering integration.
Pricing
Starts at $69/month per location (Basic plan), up to $129+/month for advanced tiers; hardware and add-ons extra, billed annually.
TouchBistro
enterpriseiPad-centric POS system with intuitive digital menu displays and table-side ordering capabilities.
End-to-end integration of digital menus with POS, inventory, and kitchen display systems for unified restaurant operations
TouchBistro is a comprehensive POS system for restaurants that includes digital menu capabilities through its online ordering and table management modules. It enables businesses to create customizable digital menus accessible via QR codes, apps, or kiosks, streamlining ordering and reducing waitstaff dependency. While powerful for full-service restaurants, its digital menu features are tightly integrated with the broader POS ecosystem rather than standing alone.
Pros
- Seamless integration with full POS for real-time menu updates and order processing
- Customizable digital menus with photos, allergens, and modifiers
- Supports QR code scanning and table-side ordering to enhance guest experience
Cons
- Primarily a POS system, so digital menus feel secondary and less flexible for non-TouchBistro users
- High pricing model requires per-terminal subscriptions and hardware
- Steeper learning curve for setup compared to dedicated digital menu tools
Best For
Full-service restaurants seeking an all-in-one POS platform with integrated digital menu functionality.
Pricing
Starts at $69 per terminal/month for basic plans, with online ordering add-ons from $100+/month; custom enterprise pricing available.
Revel Systems
enterpriseScalable POS solution featuring advanced digital menu management and kiosk integrations for restaurants.
Real-time menu synchronization across kiosks, online platforms, and POS terminals with automatic inventory adjustments
Revel Systems is a cloud-based point-of-sale (POS) platform designed primarily for restaurants and retail, featuring robust digital menu management tools. It enables businesses to create customizable digital menus for kiosks, online ordering, mobile apps, and in-store displays, with real-time updates and integration to orders and inventory. The system supports menu customization, promotions, and multi-location management, making it suitable for streamlining customer-facing menu experiences within a full POS ecosystem.
Pros
- Seamless integration of digital menus with POS, inventory, and online ordering
- Highly customizable menus with real-time updates and multi-location support
- Scalable for growing businesses with advanced reporting and analytics
Cons
- High cost including hardware requirements and subscription fees
- Steep learning curve for non-tech-savvy users due to extensive features
- Less focused on standalone digital menu displays compared to specialized tools
Best For
Mid-sized to enterprise restaurants needing integrated digital menus within a comprehensive POS system.
Pricing
Starts at $99/month per location for core POS (menu features included), plus $500+ hardware per terminal and custom enterprise pricing.
Square for Restaurants
enterpriseAffordable POS with easy-to-deploy digital menus, QR code ordering, and seamless online integration.
End-to-end integration of digital menus with real-time POS inventory and payment processing
Square for Restaurants is a comprehensive POS system designed for the food service industry, offering digital menu tools through its online ordering platform, self-service kiosks, and QR code-enabled menus. It allows restaurants to build, customize, and share interactive digital menus accessible via websites or mobile devices, facilitating contactless ordering and payments. The solution integrates menu management directly with Square's payment processing and inventory tracking for efficient operations.
Pros
- Seamless integration with POS and payment processing
- Intuitive interface with quick setup for digital menus
- No monthly software fees, only transaction-based pricing
Cons
- Transaction fees can accumulate for high-volume users
- Limited advanced customization options for digital menu designs
- Hardware purchases required for full kiosk functionality
Best For
Small to medium restaurants needing an affordable, all-in-one POS with straightforward digital menu and online ordering capabilities.
Pricing
Free POS software; 2.6% + 10¢ per in-person transaction, 2.9% + 30¢ online; optional hardware from $49-$799.
Clover
enterpriseFlexible POS hardware and software with customizable digital menu boards and app marketplace extensions.
Seamless end-to-end integration of digital menus with native payment processing and inventory management
Clover is a comprehensive point-of-sale (POS) platform from clover.com that includes digital menu capabilities, allowing restaurants to create dynamic, interactive menus for online ordering, self-service kiosks, and table-side displays. It syncs menu items, pricing, and inventory in real-time across devices, integrating seamlessly with payments and order management. Ideal for streamlining front-of-house operations, Clover's menu tools support customization with images, modifiers, and promotions.
Pros
- Deep integration with POS, payments, and inventory
- Vast app marketplace for menu extensions and customizations
- Real-time menu updates across online, kiosk, and in-store channels
Cons
- Higher costs due to required hardware and per-device fees
- More POS-focused than pure digital menu software
- Steeper setup for non-tech-savvy users
Best For
Small to medium-sized restaurants wanting an all-in-one POS system with built-in digital menu and ordering features.
Pricing
Software plans start at $14.95/month per device (Register plan) plus 2.3-3.5% + $0.10 processing fees; hardware from $499 upfront.
UpMenu
specializedDedicated digital menu builder for creating interactive screens, QR menus, and online ordering systems.
One-click QR code menus that directly link to integrated online ordering without needing additional apps
UpMenu is a versatile digital menu software tailored for restaurants, enabling the creation of interactive QR code menus accessible via smartphones. It combines menu display with online ordering, website building, and POS integrations to streamline dine-in, takeaway, and delivery operations. The platform supports customization, multi-language menus, and marketing tools like loyalty programs.
Pros
- Comprehensive integrations with POS and delivery services like Uber Eats
- User-friendly drag-and-drop menu builder with QR code generation
- Built-in marketing tools including email campaigns and loyalty programs
Cons
- Higher pricing tiers can be expensive for small cafes
- Limited advanced analytics compared to enterprise competitors
- Occasional reports of mobile responsiveness issues on custom designs
Best For
Mid-sized restaurants seeking an all-in-one solution for digital menus, online ordering, and customer engagement.
Pricing
Starts at $49/month (Starter) for basic digital menus; Pro at $99/month adds ordering; Premium at $199/month includes full features; 14-day free trial.
GloriaFood
specializedFree online ordering platform with digital menu widgets and website integration for small restaurants.
Free forever online ordering website with zero commissions on orders
GloriaFood is a free online ordering platform designed for restaurants, enabling them to create customizable digital menus and accept direct orders via a branded website. It streamlines menu management, handles secure payments, and integrates with major delivery apps like Uber Eats and DoorDash. The tool is particularly suited for small eateries transitioning to digital ordering without complex setups.
Pros
- Completely free core plan with no order commissions
- Quick and intuitive setup for digital menus
- Seamless integrations with delivery services
Cons
- GloriaFood branding on free plan menus
- Limited advanced customization and analytics
- Customer support can be slow for free users
Best For
Small restaurants and cafes needing a no-cost entry into digital menus and online ordering.
Pricing
Free plan with branding; paid plans start at $9/month per location to remove branding and unlock extras like white-labeling.
Flipdish
specializedOnline ordering and digital menu solution optimized for takeaways with self-service kiosk support.
White-label mobile apps that deliver a native app experience without app store fees or commissions
Flipdish is a robust online ordering and digital menu platform tailored for restaurants, takeaways, and QSRs, enabling the creation of customizable digital menus on branded websites and mobile apps. It supports seamless customer ordering without third-party commissions, with features like upsells, loyalty programs, and real-time inventory management. The software integrates deeply with POS systems such as Lightspeed, Square, and Epos Now, providing analytics to optimize menu performance and sales.
Pros
- Commission-free transactions keeping 100% of sales
- Strong POS integrations for streamlined operations
- Custom white-label apps and websites for brand control
Cons
- Pricing can be steep for very small businesses
- Setup requires some technical configuration
- Advanced analytics locked behind higher tiers
Best For
Mid-sized restaurants and chains needing a full-featured, direct online ordering system with dynamic digital menus.
Pricing
Starts at €149/month for Starter plan (up to 500 orders), scaling to €499+/month for Growth/Enterprise; no platform commissions.
MenuTiger
specializedQR code-based digital menu platform for contactless ordering and dynamic content updates.
Real-time dynamic menu updates via QR codes that reflect changes instantly across all customer devices
MenuTiger is a cloud-based digital menu platform tailored for restaurants, cafes, and hospitality businesses, enabling the creation of interactive QR code menus accessible via any smartphone browser without app downloads. It supports features like online ordering, table reservations, loyalty programs, promotions, and analytics to streamline operations and enhance customer experience. The platform emphasizes contactless service, multi-language support, and integrations with popular POS systems for efficient management.
Pros
- Intuitive drag-and-drop menu builder for quick setup
- No customer app required, works on any device
- Strong analytics and multi-location management
Cons
- Higher-tier plans needed for advanced customizations
- Pricing scales quickly for multiple locations
- Limited free plan with basic features only
Best For
Small to medium restaurants seeking an easy-to-deploy QR menu system with ordering and reservation capabilities.
Pricing
Starter at $39/month, Growth at $79/month, Pro at $149/month (billed annually, per location); 14-day free trial available.
Conclusion
The top 10 tools highlight varied strengths in digital menu management, from cloud-based adaptability to contactless simplicity. Leading the pack, Toast stands out with robust dynamic menus, online ordering, and real-time updates. Lightspeed Restaurant and TouchBistro follow as strong alternatives—Lightspeed for comprehensive multi-location and kiosk support, TouchBistro for intuitive iPad design and table-side ordering, catering to distinct business needs.
To elevate your operations, start with Toast—its blend of features makes it the ideal choice for modern restaurants seeking reliability, flexibility, and growth.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison
