Quick Overview
- 1#1: Toast - Cloud-based POS system with advanced menu management, customization, modifiers, pricing, and analytics for restaurants.
- 2#2: Lightspeed Restaurant - Comprehensive restaurant POS offering menu engineering, inventory integration, and multi-location menu synchronization.
- 3#3: TouchBistro - iPad-based POS with intuitive menu building, course management, and real-time updates for full-service restaurants.
- 4#4: Square for Restaurants - Affordable POS with simple drag-and-drop menu creation, modifiers, and seamless integration for quick-service spots.
- 5#5: Revel Systems - Scalable POS platform featuring flexible menu structures, kiosk support, and detailed sales reporting.
- 6#6: Clover - Versatile POS with customizable digital menus, table-side ordering, and hardware flexibility.
- 7#7: Lavu - Mobile-first POS with easy menu setup, family-style sharing, and loyalty program integration.
- 8#8: MustHaveMenus - Online menu design tool for creating professional digital and print menus with templates and branding options.
- 9#9: MenuDrive - Online ordering platform with centralized menu management for websites, apps, and delivery integrations.
- 10#10: GloriaFood - Free online ordering system with customizable menus, website builder, and commission-free orders.
We prioritized tools based on key metrics: menu customization flexibility, integration with inventory and ordering systems, user-friendliness across scales, and overall value, ensuring a balanced selection that resonates with diverse restaurant workflows.
Comparison Table
This comparison table explores top restaurant menu software tools, including Toast, Lightspeed Restaurant, TouchBistro, Square for Restaurants, Revel Systems, and more, designed to help restaurants streamline operations and enhance customer experiences. Readers will discover key features, pricing models, and integration capabilities to identify the ideal solution for their specific needs.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Toast Cloud-based POS system with advanced menu management, customization, modifiers, pricing, and analytics for restaurants. | enterprise | 9.5/10 | 9.8/10 | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 |
| 2 | Lightspeed Restaurant Comprehensive restaurant POS offering menu engineering, inventory integration, and multi-location menu synchronization. | enterprise | 9.1/10 | 9.5/10 | 8.7/10 | 8.3/10 |
| 3 | TouchBistro iPad-based POS with intuitive menu building, course management, and real-time updates for full-service restaurants. | enterprise | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.5/10 | 7.8/10 |
| 4 | Square for Restaurants Affordable POS with simple drag-and-drop menu creation, modifiers, and seamless integration for quick-service spots. | specialized | 8.4/10 | 8.2/10 | 9.3/10 | 8.9/10 |
| 5 | Revel Systems Scalable POS platform featuring flexible menu structures, kiosk support, and detailed sales reporting. | enterprise | 8.4/10 | 9.2/10 | 7.6/10 | 7.9/10 |
| 6 | Clover Versatile POS with customizable digital menus, table-side ordering, and hardware flexibility. | specialized | 8.0/10 | 8.3/10 | 7.7/10 | 7.5/10 |
| 7 | Lavu Mobile-first POS with easy menu setup, family-style sharing, and loyalty program integration. | specialized | 8.1/10 | 8.5/10 | 8.0/10 | 7.6/10 |
| 8 | MustHaveMenus Online menu design tool for creating professional digital and print menus with templates and branding options. | creative_suite | 8.2/10 | 8.5/10 | 9.0/10 | 7.8/10 |
| 9 | MenuDrive Online ordering platform with centralized menu management for websites, apps, and delivery integrations. | specialized | 7.6/10 | 8.1/10 | 7.2/10 | 7.0/10 |
| 10 | GloriaFood Free online ordering system with customizable menus, website builder, and commission-free orders. | other | 7.2/10 | 7.0/10 | 8.5/10 | 9.0/10 |
Cloud-based POS system with advanced menu management, customization, modifiers, pricing, and analytics for restaurants.
Comprehensive restaurant POS offering menu engineering, inventory integration, and multi-location menu synchronization.
iPad-based POS with intuitive menu building, course management, and real-time updates for full-service restaurants.
Affordable POS with simple drag-and-drop menu creation, modifiers, and seamless integration for quick-service spots.
Scalable POS platform featuring flexible menu structures, kiosk support, and detailed sales reporting.
Versatile POS with customizable digital menus, table-side ordering, and hardware flexibility.
Mobile-first POS with easy menu setup, family-style sharing, and loyalty program integration.
Online menu design tool for creating professional digital and print menus with templates and branding options.
Online ordering platform with centralized menu management for websites, apps, and delivery integrations.
Free online ordering system with customizable menus, website builder, and commission-free orders.
Toast
enterpriseCloud-based POS system with advanced menu management, customization, modifiers, pricing, and analytics for restaurants.
Real-time menu syncing that instantly updates prices, items, and availability across all sales channels without manual intervention
Toast is a comprehensive cloud-based POS and restaurant management platform with robust menu software capabilities, enabling restaurants to build, customize, and manage digital menus with ease. It supports complex menu structures including modifiers, allergens, pricing variations, and upsell prompts, while integrating seamlessly with online ordering, kiosks, and kitchen displays. Real-time updates ensure menus stay current across all channels, with analytics to optimize sales and performance.
Pros
- Highly customizable menu builder with modifiers, allergens, and dynamic pricing
- Seamless real-time syncing across POS, online ordering, kiosks, and apps
- Advanced menu analytics for performance insights and optimization
Cons
- Pricing can be steep for small or single-location restaurants
- Requires reliable high-speed internet for full functionality
- Initial setup and advanced customizations have a learning curve
Best For
Mid-sized to enterprise-level restaurants needing an integrated menu management system within a full POS ecosystem.
Pricing
Custom plans starting at $69 per terminal/month (Pay-As-You-Go) or $165+ per location/month for full bundles, plus hardware (~$500-$1,500) and 2.99% + $0.15 processing fees.
Lightspeed Restaurant
enterpriseComprehensive restaurant POS offering menu engineering, inventory integration, and multi-location menu synchronization.
Menu engineering analytics that track item performance, profitability, and sales data to optimize menus dynamically
Lightspeed Restaurant is a cloud-based POS system with robust menu management capabilities designed for restaurants of all sizes. It enables easy creation and editing of digital menus, including modifiers, allergens, pricing, and promotions, with real-time updates across online ordering, kiosks, tableside ordering, and kitchen displays. The software integrates menu data with inventory, sales reporting, and third-party delivery apps for streamlined operations.
Pros
- Highly customizable menu builder with unlimited items and modifiers
- Real-time menu syncing across all devices and channels
- Seamless integration with POS, inventory, and delivery platforms
Cons
- Pricing can be steep for small restaurants
- Requires reliable internet for full functionality
- Initial setup may involve a learning curve for complex menus
Best For
Mid-sized to large restaurants needing integrated menu management within a full POS ecosystem.
Pricing
Starts at $69/month per location (Restaurant Basic), up to $199/month (Restaurant Enterprise); hardware and add-ons extra, custom quotes available.
TouchBistro
enterpriseiPad-based POS with intuitive menu building, course management, and real-time updates for full-service restaurants.
Menu engineering tools that use sales data to suggest optimizations like pricing adjustments and item placements
TouchBistro is an all-in-one iPad-based POS system designed specifically for restaurants, with robust menu management at its core. It enables users to build dynamic digital menus with unlimited items, modifiers, pricing tiers, and images, supporting real-time updates across front-of-house, kitchen displays, and online ordering. The platform integrates menu data seamlessly with order taking, inventory tracking, and reporting for efficient operations.
Pros
- Highly customizable menu builder with unlimited modifiers and combos
- Real-time menu syncing across devices and integrations
- Advanced analytics for menu performance and optimization
Cons
- Requires Apple iPads and compatible hardware
- Pricing can escalate with additional terminals and features
- Steeper learning curve for non-tech-savvy staff
Best For
Mid-sized full-service restaurants needing integrated menu management with POS and kitchen operations.
Pricing
Starts at $69/month per terminal (Essentials plan); higher tiers up to $165+/month, plus one-time hardware costs and custom quotes.
Square for Restaurants
specializedAffordable POS with simple drag-and-drop menu creation, modifiers, and seamless integration for quick-service spots.
Unified menu syncing across in-store POS, online ordering, and delivery apps for real-time updates without manual adjustments
Square for Restaurants is a versatile POS and menu management solution designed for quick-service and full-service eateries, enabling customizable digital menus, online ordering, and seamless table management. It supports item variations, modifiers, and promotions to streamline operations from front-of-house to kitchen display systems. Integrated with Square's payment processing, it offers a unified platform for handling orders, inventory, and customer data in real-time.
Pros
- Intuitive interface with drag-and-drop menu builder
- No monthly software fees, only transaction-based pricing
- Strong online ordering and loyalty program integrations
Cons
- Transaction fees (2.6% + 10¢) can accumulate for high-volume restaurants
- Limited advanced reporting and analytics compared to enterprise tools
- Hardware costs add up for full setup
Best For
Small to medium restaurants needing an affordable, easy-to-deploy menu and POS system without subscription commitments.
Pricing
Free POS software; 2.6% + 10¢ per in-person transaction, 2.9% + 30¢ online; custom plans for high-volume restaurants starting at $60/month/location.
Revel Systems
enterpriseScalable POS platform featuring flexible menu structures, kiosk support, and detailed sales reporting.
Advanced menu engineering tools with sales analytics and A/B testing capabilities
Revel Systems is a cloud-based iPad POS platform designed for restaurants, featuring advanced menu management tools for creating, customizing, and dynamically updating digital menus with modifiers, pricing, and promotions. It integrates menu data with ordering, inventory tracking, kitchen displays, and online ordering systems for seamless operations. The system supports multi-location setups and provides real-time analytics to optimize menu performance.
Pros
- Robust menu customization with modifiers and combos
- Seamless integration with POS, inventory, and online ordering
- Real-time reporting and menu analytics for optimization
Cons
- High upfront hardware costs for iPads and peripherals
- Steep learning curve for advanced features
- Subscription pricing can add up for multiple terminals
Best For
Mid-to-large restaurants or chains needing scalable, feature-rich menu management integrated with full POS operations.
Pricing
Core plan starts at $99/month per terminal + hardware (~$1,000+ initial) and 2.3%+ processing fees; enterprise tiers custom.
Clover
specializedVersatile POS with customizable digital menus, table-side ordering, and hardware flexibility.
The Clover App Market with over 400 apps for menu extensions, delivery integrations, and loyalty programs.
Clover is a versatile point-of-sale (POS) system with integrated menu management software designed for restaurants, enabling digital menu creation, customization, and real-time updates across devices. It supports features like menu modifiers, promotions, online ordering integrations, and kitchen display systems for streamlined operations. The cloud-based platform connects seamlessly with Clover's hardware ecosystem, making it suitable for quick-service and full-service dining.
Pros
- Seamless integration with POS and payment processing
- Customizable menus with modifiers and promotions
- Extensive App Market for third-party integrations
Cons
- High upfront hardware costs
- Monthly subscriptions can accumulate for full features
- Steeper learning curve for advanced configurations
Best For
Small to medium restaurants needing an all-in-one POS with reliable menu management and hardware flexibility.
Pricing
Hardware starts at $499 (Mini, Flex); software plans from $14.95/month (Register Lite) to $99+/month (advanced), plus 2.3% + $0.10 per transaction.
Lavu
specializedMobile-first POS with easy menu setup, family-style sharing, and loyalty program integration.
Offline menu and order processing with automatic cloud sync upon reconnection
Lavu is a cloud-based POS system tailored for restaurants, with strong menu management features that enable easy creation, customization, and real-time updates to digital menus across multiple locations. It integrates menu data with order processing, table management, inventory tracking, and payment handling to streamline front-of-house and back-of-house operations. Lavu supports iPad, Android, and web interfaces, making it versatile for quick-service restaurants, bars, and food trucks seeking efficient menu-driven workflows.
Pros
- Robust menu customization with modifiers, allergens, and pricing tiers
- Offline mode ensures uninterrupted service during connectivity issues
- Strong inventory and multi-location reporting tied to menu data
Cons
- Pricing scales quickly with additional devices and features
- Limited third-party integrations compared to larger POS competitors
- Interface can feel dated on larger screens despite mobile optimization
Best For
Small to mid-sized restaurants and bars needing reliable mobile POS with advanced menu management for quick service environments.
Pricing
Starts at $69/month per device for Starter plan; Standard ($99/month) and Ultimate ($159/month) add advanced features; hardware sold separately.
MustHaveMenus
creative_suiteOnline menu design tool for creating professional digital and print menus with templates and branding options.
One-click QR code publishing that generates scannable menus directly from designs, perfect for quick contactless deployment
MustHaveMenus is a user-friendly digital menu platform tailored for restaurants, enabling the creation of professional, interactive menus accessible via QR codes, websites, and mobile devices. It supports features like drag-and-drop design, online ordering integration, menu analytics, and customer loyalty tools to streamline operations and enhance dine-in experiences. The software helps restaurants transition to contactless menus, reducing printing costs while providing real-time updates and customization options.
Pros
- Intuitive drag-and-drop menu builder with hundreds of templates
- Seamless QR code generation for instant digital menus
- Strong integration with popular online ordering systems
Cons
- Advanced analytics and reporting limited to higher tiers
- Customization options can feel restrictive on basic plans
- POS integrations are not as robust as some competitors
Best For
Small to medium-sized restaurants seeking an affordable, easy-to-implement digital menu solution for QR code and contactless dining.
Pricing
Starts at $59/month (Basic), $99/month (Pro), $199/month (Enterprise), with annual discounts available.
MenuDrive
specializedOnline ordering platform with centralized menu management for websites, apps, and delivery integrations.
White-label branded ordering platform that captures first-party customer data without commissions
MenuDrive is a restaurant-focused online ordering platform that enables businesses to create customizable digital menus, accept direct orders for pickup and delivery, and integrate with POS systems and third-party services like DoorDash. It emphasizes commission-free ordering to help restaurants retain customer data and revenue while offering tools for promotions, loyalty programs, and email marketing. The software supports multi-location management and branded ordering pages for a seamless customer experience.
Pros
- Commission-free direct online ordering retains full revenue and customer data
- Extensive menu customization and multi-location support
- Solid integrations with POS systems and delivery aggregators
Cons
- Dated user interface that may feel clunky for non-tech-savvy users
- Pricing can be steep for small independent restaurants
- Limited built-in advanced analytics and reporting compared to newer competitors
Best For
Mid-sized restaurant chains seeking a white-label online ordering solution to own their customer relationships without aggregator fees.
Pricing
Starts at $119/month for Starter plan (up to 1 location), $199/month for Pro, with Enterprise custom pricing; includes setup fees.
GloriaFood
otherFree online ordering system with customizable menus, website builder, and commission-free orders.
Commission-free online ordering system with a fully branded, mobile-responsive restaurant website
GloriaFood is a free online ordering platform designed for restaurants, providing customizable websites with digital menus, order management, and customer-facing mobile ordering apps. It supports pickup and delivery orders without transaction fees or commissions, integrating seamlessly with social media and Google services. The tool simplifies menu updates and order tracking, making it accessible for small eateries transitioning to online sales.
Pros
- Completely free core platform with no commissions on orders
- Quick and intuitive setup with drag-and-drop menu builder
- Strong integrations with Facebook, Google, and delivery apps
Cons
- Limited advanced customization and design templates
- Basic analytics and reporting capabilities
- Occasional support delays and scalability limits for high-volume restaurants
Best For
Small independent restaurants and cafes seeking a no-cost entry into online ordering without commissions.
Pricing
Free forever for core features; premium plugins and themes start at $9/month.
Conclusion
After reviewing the top tools, Toast solidifies its position as the top choice, boasting advanced menu management, customization, and analytics for diverse restaurant needs. Lightspeed Restaurant and TouchBistro follow closely, offering unique strengths—Lightspeed’s comprehensive suite and multi-location sync, TouchBistro’s intuitive iPad interface—making them strong alternatives based on specific operational demands. The best option depends on priorities, but these top three deliver exceptional solutions to elevate menu operations.
Begin with Toast to unlock its robust features, designed to streamline workflows and optimize menu management, whether running a busy quick-service spot or a full-service establishment.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison