Quick Overview
- 1#1: Toast - Cloud-based POS and restaurant management platform with integrated online ordering, delivery, and customer loyalty features.
- 2#2: Olo - Enterprise online ordering and guest engagement platform designed for high-volume restaurants and chains.
- 3#3: ChowNow - Commission-free online ordering system that enables restaurants to build direct customer relationships via branded apps and websites.
- 4#4: Square for Restaurants - Affordable POS system with built-in online ordering, delivery integrations, and payment processing for small to medium restaurants.
- 5#5: Lightspeed Restaurant - Cloud POS solution offering online ordering, table management, and multi-location support for restaurants.
- 6#6: Revel Systems - iPad-based POS with advanced online ordering, inventory management, and third-party delivery integrations.
- 7#7: TouchBistro - Mobile-first POS for full-service restaurants featuring online ordering, reservations, and staff management.
- 8#8: GloriaFood - Free online ordering website and mobile app builder with commission-free orders for small restaurants.
- 9#9: UpMenu - Customizable online ordering platform with website builder, self-delivery options, and marketing tools.
- 10#10: Flipdish - All-in-one online ordering, payments, and marketing solution tailored for takeaways and quick-service restaurants.
Tools were selected based on critical factors including feature depth, user-friendliness, scalability, and overall value, ensuring a curated list of top performers that deliver tangible benefits across different restaurant needs.
Comparison Table
Online food ordering software is essential for modern restaurants to enhance customer reach and operational efficiency, and this comparison table outlines top tools including Toast, Olo, ChowNow, Square for Restaurants, Lightspeed Restaurant, and more. Readers will gain insights into features, pricing, and usability to find the best fit for their specific business needs.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Toast Cloud-based POS and restaurant management platform with integrated online ordering, delivery, and customer loyalty features. | enterprise | 9.8/10 | 9.9/10 | 9.2/10 | 9.3/10 |
| 2 | Olo Enterprise online ordering and guest engagement platform designed for high-volume restaurants and chains. | enterprise | 9.2/10 | 9.6/10 | 8.4/10 | 8.9/10 |
| 3 | ChowNow Commission-free online ordering system that enables restaurants to build direct customer relationships via branded apps and websites. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 9.0/10 | 8.5/10 | 8.8/10 |
| 4 | Square for Restaurants Affordable POS system with built-in online ordering, delivery integrations, and payment processing for small to medium restaurants. | enterprise | 8.7/10 | 8.5/10 | 9.4/10 | 9.0/10 |
| 5 | Lightspeed Restaurant Cloud POS solution offering online ordering, table management, and multi-location support for restaurants. | enterprise | 8.1/10 | 8.5/10 | 7.9/10 | 7.6/10 |
| 6 | Revel Systems iPad-based POS with advanced online ordering, inventory management, and third-party delivery integrations. | enterprise | 8.1/10 | 8.4/10 | 8.2/10 | 7.6/10 |
| 7 | TouchBistro Mobile-first POS for full-service restaurants featuring online ordering, reservations, and staff management. | enterprise | 8.3/10 | 8.7/10 | 8.4/10 | 7.7/10 |
| 8 | GloriaFood Free online ordering website and mobile app builder with commission-free orders for small restaurants. | specialized | 8.4/10 | 8.0/10 | 9.2/10 | 9.5/10 |
| 9 | UpMenu Customizable online ordering platform with website builder, self-delivery options, and marketing tools. | specialized | 8.1/10 | 8.5/10 | 7.7/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 10 | Flipdish All-in-one online ordering, payments, and marketing solution tailored for takeaways and quick-service restaurants. | specialized | 8.4/10 | 8.6/10 | 8.8/10 | 8.0/10 |
Cloud-based POS and restaurant management platform with integrated online ordering, delivery, and customer loyalty features.
Enterprise online ordering and guest engagement platform designed for high-volume restaurants and chains.
Commission-free online ordering system that enables restaurants to build direct customer relationships via branded apps and websites.
Affordable POS system with built-in online ordering, delivery integrations, and payment processing for small to medium restaurants.
Cloud POS solution offering online ordering, table management, and multi-location support for restaurants.
iPad-based POS with advanced online ordering, inventory management, and third-party delivery integrations.
Mobile-first POS for full-service restaurants featuring online ordering, reservations, and staff management.
Free online ordering website and mobile app builder with commission-free orders for small restaurants.
Customizable online ordering platform with website builder, self-delivery options, and marketing tools.
All-in-one online ordering, payments, and marketing solution tailored for takeaways and quick-service restaurants.
Toast
enterpriseCloud-based POS and restaurant management platform with integrated online ordering, delivery, and customer loyalty features.
Commission-free branded online ordering with built-in upsell capabilities and direct integration into the POS system
Toast is a leading cloud-based restaurant management platform with robust online food ordering capabilities, enabling restaurants to create branded ordering websites and apps for takeout and delivery. It supports commission-free online orders, real-time menu management, and seamless integrations with third-party delivery services like DoorDash, Uber Eats, and Grubhub. The system also includes POS, inventory tracking, loyalty programs, and analytics, making it a full-suite solution for streamlining restaurant operations.
Pros
- Commission-free branded online ordering that drives direct customer traffic and higher margins
- Extensive integrations with delivery platforms, POS hardware, and accounting software for seamless operations
- Comprehensive analytics and marketing tools to boost customer retention and sales
Cons
- Higher upfront costs for hardware and full-suite subscriptions
- Steeper learning curve for advanced features and customizations
- Pricing can scale quickly for multi-location enterprises
Best For
Full-service restaurants and chains seeking an all-in-one POS and online ordering platform with enterprise-grade scalability.
Pricing
Starts at $69 per location/month for Essentials plan (includes online ordering); Growth at $165/month; custom enterprise pricing; hardware sold separately with financing options.
Olo
enterpriseEnterprise online ordering and guest engagement platform designed for high-volume restaurants and chains.
Olo's Guest Data Platform, which unifies customer data across channels for hyper-personalized experiences and predictive analytics
Olo is a comprehensive online ordering platform tailored for restaurants, enabling seamless digital ordering through web, mobile apps, kiosks, and third-party delivery services. It integrates deeply with POS systems, handles payments via Olo Pay, and provides advanced guest data management for personalized marketing and loyalty programs. The platform scales effortlessly for enterprise chains, offering analytics to drive revenue and operational efficiency.
Pros
- Extensive integrations with 100+ POS systems and major delivery partners like DoorDash and Uber Eats
- Powerful guest data platform for personalization, loyalty, and targeted promotions
- Scalable for multi-location enterprises with robust reporting and AI-driven insights
Cons
- Custom enterprise pricing can be prohibitive for small independent restaurants
- Steeper learning curve due to advanced features and setup complexity
- Less flexibility for highly customized UI/UX compared to smaller platforms
Best For
Enterprise restaurant chains and multi-location operators needing scalable, data-driven online ordering with deep integrations.
Pricing
Custom enterprise pricing based on order volume and locations, typically starting at $5,000+/month with per-order fees.
ChowNow
specializedCommission-free online ordering system that enables restaurants to build direct customer relationships via branded apps and websites.
100% commission-free direct ordering with full customer data ownership
ChowNow is a commission-free online ordering platform tailored for independent restaurants, allowing them to create branded ordering experiences on their websites and mobile apps. It enables direct customer orders for pickup or delivery without sharing revenue with third-party marketplaces like DoorDash or Uber Eats. The platform integrates with POS systems, offers marketing tools, loyalty programs, and analytics to help restaurants own their customer data and boost repeat business.
Pros
- Commission-free model retains full order revenue for restaurants
- Strong marketing automation and customer data ownership tools
- Seamless POS integrations and customizable branded ordering
Cons
- Monthly fees can be steep for very small operations
- Limited built-in delivery network compared to aggregators
- Initial setup requires some technical configuration
Best For
Independent restaurants seeking to build direct customer relationships and avoid third-party commissions.
Pricing
Starts at $149/month per location (Basic plan), up to $325/month for premium features; no order commissions, plus payment processing fees around 2.8% + $0.30 per transaction.
Square for Restaurants
enterpriseAffordable POS system with built-in online ordering, delivery integrations, and payment processing for small to medium restaurants.
Commission-free online ordering that instantly syncs with POS and kitchen displays for effortless fulfillment
Square for Restaurants is a POS platform with integrated online food ordering, enabling restaurants to set up customizable menus for pickup, delivery, and dine-in via Square Online. It syncs orders directly to the POS and kitchen displays, supports third-party delivery integrations like DoorDash and Uber Eats, and includes tools for loyalty programs and customer management. This makes it a versatile solution for streamlining operations without third-party commissions on direct orders.
Pros
- Seamless integration with POS and kitchen displays for real-time order flow
- Commission-free direct online ordering with low setup costs
- User-friendly interface with quick setup and mobile app support
Cons
- Transaction fees (2.9% + 30¢ online) can add up for high-volume orders
- Limited advanced customization and reporting for enterprise-scale restaurants
- Additional hardware or premium features incur extra costs
Best For
Small to medium-sized restaurants seeking an affordable, easy-to-implement online ordering system tightly integrated with POS.
Pricing
Free POS software and online ordering; 2.6% + 10¢ per in-person transaction, 2.9% + 30¢ online; add-ons like KDS at $20/device/month.
Lightspeed Restaurant
enterpriseCloud POS solution offering online ordering, table management, and multi-location support for restaurants.
Order Anywhere module for fully branded online ordering that auto-syncs with kitchen displays and POS in real-time
Lightspeed Restaurant is a comprehensive cloud-based POS system tailored for restaurants, featuring integrated online ordering capabilities through its Order Anywhere module. It allows businesses to create branded online storefronts for pickup and delivery orders, which sync seamlessly with the POS for kitchen display and inventory management. The software supports third-party delivery integrations like DoorDash and Uber Eats, alongside tools for menu management, payments, and analytics to enhance order fulfillment efficiency.
Pros
- Seamless POS-online ordering integration reduces errors and speeds up fulfillment
- Robust multi-location support with centralized menu and inventory control
- Advanced analytics for sales trends and customer insights
Cons
- Higher pricing tiers and mandatory hardware can increase total costs
- Steeper learning curve for non-tech-savvy staff during initial setup
- Limited native delivery management compared to specialized platforms
Best For
Mid-to-large restaurants needing an all-in-one POS with reliable online ordering integration.
Pricing
Starts at $69/month per location (Basic), $109/month (Essential), up to $289/month (Enterprise), plus hardware (~$1,000+), payment processing fees (2.6% + $0.30), and add-ons.
Revel Systems
enterpriseiPad-based POS with advanced online ordering, inventory management, and third-party delivery integrations.
Real-time POS synchronization ensuring online orders instantly update kitchen displays and inventory without manual entry
Revel Systems is a cloud-based POS platform with integrated online ordering software tailored for restaurants, enabling customers to browse menus, place orders, and pay online directly syncing with the restaurant's POS. It supports features like customizable menus, promotions, loyalty programs, and real-time inventory management to streamline operations. The system is ideal for quick-service and full-service establishments seeking a unified solution for in-store and online sales.
Pros
- Seamless integration between online orders and POS for real-time updates
- Robust customization options for menus, promotions, and customer loyalty
- Comprehensive analytics and reporting for sales and inventory insights
Cons
- Higher pricing structure compared to standalone online ordering tools
- Requires Revel POS hardware and subscription as a base
- Steeper learning curve for advanced customizations
Best For
Restaurants using or planning to adopt Revel POS that need reliable, integrated online ordering without third-party dependencies.
Pricing
Core POS starts at $99/month per location plus hardware; online ordering add-on ~$50-$150/month depending on volume and features.
TouchBistro
enterpriseMobile-first POS for full-service restaurants featuring online ordering, reservations, and staff management.
Commission-free branded online ordering with instant POS synchronization
TouchBistro is an all-in-one restaurant management platform with integrated online food ordering capabilities designed for full-service restaurants. It allows businesses to set up commission-free, branded online ordering via websites or apps, with real-time syncing to the POS, inventory, and kitchen displays. This solution excels in unifying front-of-house and back-of-house operations while supporting third-party delivery integrations like DoorDash and Uber Eats.
Pros
- Seamless integration with TouchBistro POS for real-time order and inventory management
- Commission-free direct online orders with customizable menus and upsell features
- Strong support for loyalty programs, promotions, and multi-location management
Cons
- High pricing requires full POS subscription commitment
- Primarily iPad-based, limiting hardware flexibility
- Less ideal as a standalone online ordering tool without the ecosystem
Best For
Full-service restaurants using or adopting TouchBistro POS that need integrated, commission-free online ordering.
Pricing
Online Ordering starts at $99/month (billed annually) as an add-on; requires POS plans from $69/location/month plus hardware.
GloriaFood
specializedFree online ordering website and mobile app builder with commission-free orders for small restaurants.
Zero commissions on orders, allowing restaurants to keep 100% of revenue minus processor fees
GloriaFood is a free online food ordering platform that enables restaurants to create a customizable ordering website or app for direct customer orders. It supports menu management, online payments via gateways like Stripe and PayPal, order notifications, and basic marketing tools like coupons and loyalty programs. The service eliminates monthly fees and commissions, allowing businesses to retain full order revenue minus payment processing costs.
Pros
- Completely free with no monthly fees or commissions on orders
- Quick setup with drag-and-drop menu builder
- Seamless integration with social media and existing websites
Cons
- Limited advanced analytics and reporting features
- Basic customization options compared to premium competitors
- Customer support primarily via email, lacking live chat or phone
Best For
Small to medium restaurants seeking a straightforward, cost-free online ordering solution without transaction fees.
Pricing
Free forever; no setup, monthly, or commission fees—only standard payment processor charges apply.
UpMenu
specializedCustomizable online ordering platform with website builder, self-delivery options, and marketing tools.
White-label native mobile app builder for iOS and Android
UpMenu is a white-label online ordering platform that enables restaurants to build fully branded websites and native mobile apps for direct orders without commissions. It offers robust menu management, payment integrations, delivery dispatching, and loyalty programs to streamline operations. The no-code builder allows customization while integrating with POS systems and third-party delivery services like Uber Eats.
Pros
- Commission-free ordering with unlimited orders
- White-label websites and native iOS/Android apps
- Strong integrations with POS and delivery platforms
Cons
- Steep learning curve for advanced customizations
- Pricing can escalate quickly for high-volume users
- Limited built-in marketing tools compared to competitors
Best For
Restaurants and chains seeking full branding control and direct customer relationships without marketplace fees.
Pricing
Starts at €49/month (Starter plan) up to €199+/month (Enterprise), with a 14-day free trial; scales by order volume and features.
Flipdish
specializedAll-in-one online ordering, payments, and marketing solution tailored for takeaways and quick-service restaurants.
Fully branded native iOS and Android apps with push notifications and loyalty integration that mimic proprietary restaurant apps
Flipdish is a white-label online ordering platform tailored for restaurants, takeaways, and QSRs, enabling them to launch branded websites and mobile apps for direct customer orders. It integrates seamlessly with popular POS systems like Lightspeed, Square, and Epos Now, automating menu updates and order routing to kitchen displays. The solution also includes marketing tools, loyalty programs, and analytics to drive repeat business and optimize operations, helping businesses avoid high third-party commissions.
Pros
- Commission-free direct orders reducing costs
- Seamless POS integrations for real-time syncing
- Intuitive dashboard and quick setup for non-tech users
Cons
- Pricing scales with volume, expensive for low-order businesses
- Limited advanced customization without developer help
- Stronger presence in Europe than other regions
Best For
Mid-sized independent restaurants and chains wanting full control over their branded online ordering without aggregator fees.
Pricing
Subscription starts at €99-€299/month based on order volume, plus one-time setup fee (~€500-€2000) and optional add-ons; no per-order commissions.
Conclusion
While each tool brings unique strengths, Toast stands as the top choice, integrating POS, delivery, and loyalty features to streamline operations. Olo impresses for high-volume chains with its enterprise guest engagement, and ChowNow shines for restaurants building direct customer ties via commission-free orders. Together, these three lead the pack, catering to diverse needs across the industry.
Don’t miss out—explore Toast to transform your ordering process and grow your business with ease.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison