Quick Overview
- 1#1: Toast - Comprehensive cloud-based POS and online ordering platform with menu management, payments, and delivery integrations for restaurants.
- 2#2: Olo - Enterprise-grade online ordering solution that integrates with POS systems for seamless guest ordering across web, app, and third-party channels.
- 3#3: ChowNow - Commission-free online ordering and marketing platform designed for independent restaurants to own their customer data.
- 4#4: Square for Restaurants - Affordable POS and online ordering system with instant setup, payments, and team management for small to medium restaurants.
- 5#5: Lightspeed Restaurant - Cloud POS platform with online ordering, inventory tracking, and multi-location support for efficient restaurant operations.
- 6#6: Revel Systems - iPad-based POS with integrated online ordering, loyalty programs, and reporting for quick-service and full-service restaurants.
- 7#7: TouchBistro - Mobile POS system for restaurants featuring online ordering, table management, and real-time analytics.
- 8#8: SpotOn - All-in-one restaurant platform with online ordering, payments, and marketing tools to boost direct sales.
- 9#9: BentoBox - Website builder with built-in online ordering and SEO tools to drive direct restaurant reservations and sales.
- 10#10: GloriaFood - Free online ordering system with customizable menus, widgets, and delivery app integration for small restaurants.
We ranked these tools based on key factors including integration flexibility with POS systems, ease of setup and use, feature depth (such as menu management, analytics, and multi-channel support), and overall value, ensuring a balanced list that suits diverse restaurant sizes and operational needs.
Comparison Table
In the modern hospitality industry, reliable online ordering software is essential for restaurants to enhance customer convenience and increase revenue. This comparison table evaluates leading tools such as Toast, Olo, ChowNow, Square for Restaurants, and Lightspeed Restaurant, examining their key features, pricing structures, and user experience. Readers will discover which platform aligns best with their operational needs, from delivery management to menu flexibility.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Toast Comprehensive cloud-based POS and online ordering platform with menu management, payments, and delivery integrations for restaurants. | enterprise | 9.5/10 | 9.8/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.7/10 |
| 2 | Olo Enterprise-grade online ordering solution that integrates with POS systems for seamless guest ordering across web, app, and third-party channels. | enterprise | 9.2/10 | 9.6/10 | 8.4/10 | 8.7/10 |
| 3 | ChowNow Commission-free online ordering and marketing platform designed for independent restaurants to own their customer data. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.5/10 | 8.8/10 |
| 4 | Square for Restaurants Affordable POS and online ordering system with instant setup, payments, and team management for small to medium restaurants. | specialized | 8.6/10 | 8.4/10 | 9.3/10 | 9.1/10 |
| 5 | Lightspeed Restaurant Cloud POS platform with online ordering, inventory tracking, and multi-location support for efficient restaurant operations. | enterprise | 8.4/10 | 8.7/10 | 8.0/10 | 7.9/10 |
| 6 | Revel Systems iPad-based POS with integrated online ordering, loyalty programs, and reporting for quick-service and full-service restaurants. | specialized | 8.2/10 | 8.8/10 | 7.9/10 | 7.5/10 |
| 7 | TouchBistro Mobile POS system for restaurants featuring online ordering, table management, and real-time analytics. | specialized | 8.1/10 | 8.5/10 | 7.8/10 | 7.5/10 |
| 8 | SpotOn All-in-one restaurant platform with online ordering, payments, and marketing tools to boost direct sales. | enterprise | 8.4/10 | 8.7/10 | 8.0/10 | 8.2/10 |
| 9 | BentoBox Website builder with built-in online ordering and SEO tools to drive direct restaurant reservations and sales. | specialized | 8.3/10 | 8.5/10 | 7.8/10 | 7.9/10 |
| 10 | GloriaFood Free online ordering system with customizable menus, widgets, and delivery app integration for small restaurants. | other | 8.2/10 | 7.8/10 | 9.1/10 | 9.5/10 |
Comprehensive cloud-based POS and online ordering platform with menu management, payments, and delivery integrations for restaurants.
Enterprise-grade online ordering solution that integrates with POS systems for seamless guest ordering across web, app, and third-party channels.
Commission-free online ordering and marketing platform designed for independent restaurants to own their customer data.
Affordable POS and online ordering system with instant setup, payments, and team management for small to medium restaurants.
Cloud POS platform with online ordering, inventory tracking, and multi-location support for efficient restaurant operations.
iPad-based POS with integrated online ordering, loyalty programs, and reporting for quick-service and full-service restaurants.
Mobile POS system for restaurants featuring online ordering, table management, and real-time analytics.
All-in-one restaurant platform with online ordering, payments, and marketing tools to boost direct sales.
Website builder with built-in online ordering and SEO tools to drive direct restaurant reservations and sales.
Free online ordering system with customizable menus, widgets, and delivery app integration for small restaurants.
Toast
enterpriseComprehensive cloud-based POS and online ordering platform with menu management, payments, and delivery integrations for restaurants.
Seamless real-time POS integration for online orders, automatically routing them to kitchen displays without manual entry
Toast is a comprehensive cloud-based POS and restaurant management platform with robust online ordering capabilities tailored for restaurants. It enables commission-free branded online ordering via customizable websites and mobile apps, supporting pickup, delivery, and dine-in with real-time menu syncing from the POS. The system integrates seamlessly with kitchen displays, inventory, loyalty programs, and third-party delivery services like DoorDash and Uber Eats for streamlined operations.
Pros
- Commission-free online ordering with full POS integration
- Extensive customization for menus, promotions, and guest profiles
- Strong analytics and reporting for order trends and revenue insights
Cons
- Higher upfront costs for hardware and setup
- Pricing can be opaque and customized via quotes
- Steeper learning curve for advanced features
Best For
Mid-to-large restaurants seeking an all-in-one POS and online ordering solution with enterprise-level scalability.
Pricing
Custom quote-based pricing starting at ~$165/month per location for core POS and online ordering, plus hardware (~$1,000+ upfront), 2.49%-3.69% + $0.15 processing fees, and add-ons.
Olo
enterpriseEnterprise-grade online ordering solution that integrates with POS systems for seamless guest ordering across web, app, and third-party channels.
Vision platform for real-time guest data capture and AI-powered personalization across all order channels
Olo is a robust enterprise-grade online ordering platform tailored for restaurants, enabling seamless web, mobile, and kiosk-based ordering with deep integrations to POS systems like Toast and Square. It excels in guest data management, marketing automation, and order routing to optimize fulfillment across dine-in, pickup, and delivery. Designed for scalability, Olo powers major chains by providing actionable insights from vast order data to drive loyalty and revenue.
Pros
- Enterprise-level integrations with 100+ POS, delivery, and loyalty partners
- Advanced guest analytics and personalized marketing tools for revenue growth
- Highly scalable for high-volume chains with 99.99% uptime
Cons
- Premium pricing inaccessible for small independent restaurants
- Steep learning curve and setup time for non-technical teams
- Limited out-of-box customization for front-end branding
Best For
Mid-to-large restaurant chains and multi-location operators needing scalable, data-driven online ordering.
Pricing
Custom enterprise pricing, typically $5,000+ per month based on order volume, locations, and features; no public tiers.
ChowNow
specializedCommission-free online ordering and marketing platform designed for independent restaurants to own their customer data.
100% commission-free online ordering with complete white-label branding and exclusive customer data ownership
ChowNow is a commission-free online ordering platform that enables restaurants to create branded ordering experiences directly on their websites or apps, avoiding third-party marketplaces like DoorDash or Uber Eats. It offers robust menu management, POS integrations, automated marketing tools, and full ownership of customer data to foster loyalty. The platform supports pickup, delivery, and dine-in options through partnerships, making it ideal for direct-to-consumer sales.
Pros
- Commission-free model saves on fees long-term
- Full branding and customer data ownership
- Seamless POS integrations and marketing automation
Cons
- Higher monthly fees compared to free third-party apps
- Requires website setup or custom integration
- Limited built-in delivery network
Best For
Independent restaurants and chains seeking direct customer relationships without marketplace commissions.
Pricing
Starts at $149/month per location (Basic plan), plus payment processing fees of 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction; higher tiers up to $299+/month with advanced features.
Square for Restaurants
specializedAffordable POS and online ordering system with instant setup, payments, and team management for small to medium restaurants.
Commission-free online ordering with automatic POS integration for unified order flow and inventory tracking
Square for Restaurants offers an integrated online ordering solution as part of its POS ecosystem, enabling restaurants to set up commission-free ordering pages quickly. It supports customizable menus, direct website/app orders, delivery integrations with partners like DoorDash, and seamless synchronization with in-house operations. The platform emphasizes simplicity, allowing owners to manage orders, payments, and inventory from a single dashboard without monthly subscriptions for core features.
Pros
- Seamless integration with Square POS for real-time inventory and order management
- Commission-free online ordering, reducing costs compared to third-party platforms
- Quick setup and intuitive interface suitable for non-technical users
Cons
- Limited advanced customization for highly complex menus or multi-location chains
- Transaction fees (2.9% + 30¢) can accumulate for high-volume operations
- Reporting and analytics are basic, lacking depth for data-heavy enterprises
Best For
Small to medium restaurants wanting an affordable, easy-to-use online ordering system tightly integrated with POS without commissions.
Pricing
Free core plan (2.9% + 30¢ per online transaction); Plus $29/mo; Premium $79/mo; no setup fees or contracts.
Lightspeed Restaurant
enterpriseCloud POS platform with online ordering, inventory tracking, and multi-location support for efficient restaurant operations.
Lightspeed Order Anywhere for fully branded, POS-integrated online storefronts with automated order routing to kitchen displays
Lightspeed Restaurant is a cloud-based POS system with integrated online ordering via Lightspeed Order Anywhere, enabling restaurants to offer branded websites for pickup and delivery orders. It seamlessly syncs online orders with the POS, kitchen displays, and inventory management, reducing errors and streamlining operations. The platform supports third-party delivery integrations like Uber Eats and DoorDash, along with customizable menus and loyalty programs.
Pros
- Seamless POS integration eliminates double-entry for online orders
- Robust multi-location support and real-time inventory syncing
- Advanced analytics and reporting for order trends
Cons
- Higher pricing may not suit very small restaurants
- Initial setup and customization can be complex
- Limited native features compared to dedicated online ordering platforms
Best For
Mid-sized to large restaurants or chains needing integrated POS and online ordering with strong backend management.
Pricing
Starts at $69/month per location (Essentials), $109/month (Pro), custom Enterprise; online ordering included in Pro and above.
Revel Systems
specializediPad-based POS with integrated online ordering, loyalty programs, and reporting for quick-service and full-service restaurants.
Real-time bidirectional sync between online orders, POS, and kitchen display system
Revel Systems is a cloud-based POS platform with integrated online ordering for restaurants, enabling branded websites and mobile ordering that syncs directly with the POS for real-time inventory and order management. It supports features like customizable menus, delivery integrations (e.g., DoorDash, Uber Eats), and loyalty programs to streamline operations. Designed primarily for iPad hardware, it offers scalability for single or multi-location businesses seeking an all-in-one solution.
Pros
- Seamless POS-online ordering integration with real-time inventory sync
- Strong multi-location support and advanced reporting tools
- Robust third-party delivery and payment integrations
Cons
- High pricing with additional fees for online ordering add-ons
- Relies heavily on Apple iPad hardware, limiting flexibility
- Steep learning curve for setup and customization
Best For
Multi-location restaurants needing an integrated POS and online ordering system with strong scalability.
Pricing
POS starts at $99/month per terminal + hardware; online ordering add-on ~$50-$150/month per location; custom enterprise quotes required.
TouchBistro
specializedMobile POS system for restaurants featuring online ordering, table management, and real-time analytics.
Direct POS integration for real-time order syncing without manual input
TouchBistro is an all-in-one iPad-based POS system designed for restaurants, featuring integrated online ordering that enables commission-free branded storefronts for takeout and delivery. Orders seamlessly flow into the POS for real-time kitchen management, inventory tracking, and staff coordination. It supports full-service operations with additional tools like reservations, loyalty programs, and analytics, making it a robust solution beyond just online ordering.
Pros
- Seamless POS integration eliminates order entry errors
- Commission-free online ordering saves on third-party fees
- Comprehensive restaurant management tools including inventory and reports
Cons
- Higher pricing compared to standalone ordering platforms
- iPad-only hardware requirement limits flexibility
- Steeper learning curve for non-tech-savvy staff
Best For
Full-service restaurants needing an integrated POS with reliable online ordering capabilities.
Pricing
POS starts at $69/month per license + hardware; Online Ordering add-on ~$145/month per location (billed annually).
SpotOn
enterpriseAll-in-one restaurant platform with online ordering, payments, and marketing tools to boost direct sales.
Fully branded, 100% commission-free online ordering with direct POS integration
SpotOn is a comprehensive restaurant POS and management platform that includes a robust online ordering solution, enabling restaurants to offer commission-free, branded ordering via websites and apps. It integrates seamlessly with SpotOn's POS system for real-time inventory, order management, and customer data syncing. The software supports menu customization, promotions, loyalty programs, and integrations with third-party delivery services like DoorDash and Uber Eats.
Pros
- Commission-free online ordering retains full revenue
- Seamless integration with POS for unified operations
- Advanced marketing tools and customer loyalty programs
Cons
- Pricing is custom and can feel opaque without quotes
- Hardware commitment often required for full features
- Setup and training may take time for complex menus
Best For
Mid-sized restaurants wanting an all-in-one POS with strong, integrated online ordering to maximize direct customer sales.
Pricing
Custom quotes starting at ~$135/month per terminal plus 2.6% + $0.10 processing; hardware leased separately.
BentoBox
specializedWebsite builder with built-in online ordering and SEO tools to drive direct restaurant reservations and sales.
AI-powered website builder that creates fully customized, restaurant-branded sites with native online ordering
BentoBox is a comprehensive website builder and online ordering platform tailored for restaurants, enabling them to create branded, mobile-optimized websites with integrated commission-free ordering, reservations, and marketing tools. It streamlines digital operations by combining e-commerce, SEO optimization, and customer engagement features into one solution, reducing reliance on third-party platforms. Ideal for hospitality businesses aiming to enhance their online presence without coding expertise.
Pros
- Stunning, customizable templates for branded websites
- Commission-free online ordering with POS integrations
- Built-in marketing automation and email tools
Cons
- Higher pricing compared to basic ordering solutions
- Customization can have a learning curve
- Limited advanced delivery marketplace integrations
Best For
Independent restaurants and small chains prioritizing a premium, design-focused online presence with seamless ordering.
Pricing
Starts at $59/month (Essential) up to $289/month (Elite), billed annually; no order commissions.
GloriaFood
otherFree online ordering system with customizable menus, widgets, and delivery app integration for small restaurants.
100% free online ordering with zero commissions, enabling unlimited revenue without platform cuts
GloriaFood is a free online ordering platform that allows restaurants to create a customizable website for direct customer orders without commissions or transaction fees. It supports menu management, real-time order notifications via email and SMS, and integration with popular payment gateways like Stripe and PayPal. Ideal for small businesses, it offers unlimited orders and customers on the free plan, with premium upgrades for advanced branding removal.
Pros
- Completely free core platform with no commissions or transaction fees
- Quick setup with drag-and-drop menu builder and mobile-responsive design
- Unlimited orders, customers, and menu items even on free plan
Cons
- Limited advanced analytics and reporting compared to premium competitors
- Customization options are basic without premium upgrade
- No native POS integration, relying on manual order relay
Best For
Small independent restaurants and cafes seeking a simple, cost-free online ordering system to start digital sales quickly.
Pricing
Free plan available forever; Premium ($9+/month) removes branding; Enterprise ($29+/month) adds custom domains and priority support.
Conclusion
Among the reviewed tools, Toast reigns as the top choice, offering a robust, comprehensive cloud-based solution that unifies POS, ordering, and payments. Olo stands out for its enterprise-grade cross-channel integration, while ChowNow excels for independent restaurants seeking control over customer data and commission-free operations. Together, these top options demonstrate the best ways to enhance order management, and Toast remains the go-to for most restaurants.
Ready to elevate your online ordering? Start with Toast—its all-in-one platform can transform how you manage, grow, and connect with your customers, driving smoother operations and stronger business results.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison
Referenced in the comparison table and product reviews above.