Quick Overview
- 1#1: Toast - Comprehensive cloud-based POS system with integrated online ordering, payments, and delivery for restaurants.
- 2#2: Square for Restaurants - Affordable POS solution offering seamless online ordering, contactless payments, and inventory management for restaurants.
- 3#3: Lightspeed Restaurant - Cloud POS platform with online ordering, table management, and multi-location support for restaurants.
- 4#4: TouchBistro - iPad-based POS designed for full-service restaurants with advanced ordering, reservations, and reporting features.
- 5#5: Revel Systems - Cloud-native POS for restaurants featuring online ordering, loyalty programs, and kitchen display integration.
- 6#6: Clover - Flexible POS hardware and software enabling custom online ordering apps and payments for various restaurant types.
- 7#7: SpotOn - Restaurant management platform with POS, online ordering, marketing automation, and customer loyalty tools.
- 8#8: Olo - Enterprise-grade online ordering platform integrating with POS for high-volume restaurant chains.
- 9#9: ChowNow - Commission-free online ordering and delivery solution helping independent restaurants own their customer data.
- 10#10: GloriaFood - Free online ordering system with website builder, menu management, and delivery integrations for small restaurants.
We evaluated these tools based on core features (like integration and scalability), user experience (including ease of onboarding and interface design), technical reliability, and value, ensuring they cater to diverse restaurant needs from small shops to large chains.
Comparison Table
Navigating the variety of restaurant ordering software? This comparison table explores top tools like Toast, Square for Restaurants, Lightspeed, TouchBistro, and Revel, helping readers understand features, pricing, and usability to select the ideal solution. Whether for small cafes or large chains, learn how each platform streamlines operations and boosts customer experiences.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Toast Comprehensive cloud-based POS system with integrated online ordering, payments, and delivery for restaurants. | enterprise | 9.5/10 | 9.8/10 | 8.9/10 | |
| 2 | Square for Restaurants Affordable POS solution offering seamless online ordering, contactless payments, and inventory management for restaurants. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 8.5/10 | 9.2/10 | 9.0/10 |
| 3 | Lightspeed Restaurant Cloud POS platform with online ordering, table management, and multi-location support for restaurants. | enterprise | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.4/10 | 8.1/10 |
| 4 | TouchBistro iPad-based POS designed for full-service restaurants with advanced ordering, reservations, and reporting features. | specialized | 8.5/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.0/10 | 7.8/10 |
| 5 | Revel Systems Cloud-native POS for restaurants featuring online ordering, loyalty programs, and kitchen display integration. | enterprise | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.1/10 | 7.9/10 |
| 6 | Clover Flexible POS hardware and software enabling custom online ordering apps and payments for various restaurant types. | specialized | 8.1/10 | 8.3/10 | 8.4/10 | 7.8/10 |
| 7 | SpotOn Restaurant management platform with POS, online ordering, marketing automation, and customer loyalty tools. | specialized | 8.2/10 | 8.5/10 | 8.0/10 | 8.7/10 |
| 8 | Olo Enterprise-grade online ordering platform integrating with POS for high-volume restaurant chains. | enterprise | 8.4/10 | 9.2/10 | 7.8/10 | 7.5/10 |
| 9 | ChowNow Commission-free online ordering and delivery solution helping independent restaurants own their customer data. | specialized | 8.2/10 | 8.0/10 | 8.5/10 | 8.7/10 |
| 10 | GloriaFood Free online ordering system with website builder, menu management, and delivery integrations for small restaurants. | other | 7.8/10 | 7.2/10 | 8.5/10 | 9.2/10 |
Comprehensive cloud-based POS system with integrated online ordering, payments, and delivery for restaurants.
Affordable POS solution offering seamless online ordering, contactless payments, and inventory management for restaurants.
Cloud POS platform with online ordering, table management, and multi-location support for restaurants.
iPad-based POS designed for full-service restaurants with advanced ordering, reservations, and reporting features.
Cloud-native POS for restaurants featuring online ordering, loyalty programs, and kitchen display integration.
Flexible POS hardware and software enabling custom online ordering apps and payments for various restaurant types.
Restaurant management platform with POS, online ordering, marketing automation, and customer loyalty tools.
Enterprise-grade online ordering platform integrating with POS for high-volume restaurant chains.
Commission-free online ordering and delivery solution helping independent restaurants own their customer data.
Free online ordering system with website builder, menu management, and delivery integrations for small restaurants.
Toast
enterpriseComprehensive cloud-based POS system with integrated online ordering, payments, and delivery for restaurants.
Toast Online Ordering, which integrates directly with the POS to enable commission-free digital ordering, real-time menu syncing, and automated fulfillment across dine-in, takeout, and delivery.
Toast is a comprehensive cloud-based POS and restaurant management platform designed specifically for the foodservice industry, offering seamless online ordering, in-person payments, kitchen display systems, and delivery integrations. It streamlines operations from front-of-house to back-of-house with features like inventory management, employee scheduling, loyalty programs, and advanced analytics. Toast's all-in-one solution helps restaurants boost efficiency, increase revenue through online channels, and gain actionable insights into their business performance.
Pros
- All-in-one platform with deep restaurant-specific features like online ordering and delivery integrations
- Robust analytics and reporting for data-driven decisions
- Scalable for single locations to enterprise chains with reliable uptime
Cons
- Higher pricing requires long-term contracts for best rates
- Hardware is proprietary and adds to upfront costs
- Initial setup and training can be time-intensive for complex operations
Best For
Full-service restaurants, quick-service spots, and chains needing an integrated POS, online ordering, and management suite.
Pricing
Custom pricing starts at ~$165/month per location for core POS + online ordering, plus 2.99% + $0.15 per transaction processing fees and required hardware bundles (~$1,000+ upfront).
Square for Restaurants
specializedAffordable POS solution offering seamless online ordering, contactless payments, and inventory management for restaurants.
Seamless unification of online, delivery, and in-house orders into a single POS dashboard for real-time management.
Square for Restaurants is a versatile POS and online ordering platform tailored for small to medium-sized eateries, enabling seamless management of in-store, online, and delivery orders. It integrates payment processing, kitchen display systems, inventory tracking, and third-party delivery apps like DoorDash and Uber Eats into a unified dashboard. The software supports customizable online ordering sites and loyalty programs, helping restaurants streamline operations and boost customer engagement.
Pros
- Intuitive setup and user-friendly interface requiring minimal training
- No monthly software fees, only pay-per-transaction model
- Strong integrations with popular delivery services and payments
Cons
- Transaction fees can add up for high-volume restaurants
- Advanced reporting and analytics are somewhat limited compared to enterprise solutions
- Hardware purchases required for full POS functionality
Best For
Small to medium restaurants seeking an affordable, easy-to-implement solution for online ordering and POS without contracts.
Pricing
Free POS and online ordering software; transaction fees 2.6% + 10¢ (in-person), 2.9% + 30¢ (online/CNP); hardware from $0-$799 upfront.
Lightspeed Restaurant
enterpriseCloud POS platform with online ordering, table management, and multi-location support for restaurants.
Order Anywhere: Enables servers to take orders directly at tables using iPad handhelds, reducing errors and speeding up service.
Lightspeed Restaurant is a comprehensive cloud-based POS system tailored for restaurants, enabling efficient order management across in-house dining, online ordering, and delivery integrations. It supports table-side ordering via handheld devices, kitchen display systems (KDS), and customizable menus with modifiers for accurate order fulfillment. The platform also includes inventory tracking, loyalty programs, and analytics to streamline restaurant operations and boost revenue.
Pros
- Robust online and delivery ordering with seamless integrations to DoorDash, Uber Eats, and more
- Order Anywhere feature for flexible table-side and mobile ordering
- Advanced inventory and reporting tools tied directly to ordering data
Cons
- Higher pricing can be steep for small or single-location restaurants
- Steeper learning curve for full customization and advanced features
- Occasional sync issues reported during peak hours
Best For
Mid-sized to large restaurants needing scalable ordering across dine-in, takeout, and delivery with strong POS integration.
Pricing
Starts at $69/month per terminal (Essential plan), up to $159+/month (Premium); plus 2.6% + $0.30 payment processing and hardware costs.
TouchBistro
specializediPad-based POS designed for full-service restaurants with advanced ordering, reservations, and reporting features.
Interactive digital floor plans for real-time table management and server handoffs
TouchBistro is an all-in-one iPad-based POS system tailored for restaurants, enabling seamless order management, table service, payment processing, and inventory tracking. It supports online ordering, kitchen display systems, loyalty programs, and advanced reporting to optimize restaurant operations. Designed for full-service establishments, it provides tools for reservations, staff management, and customer engagement directly from mobile devices.
Pros
- Comprehensive restaurant-specific features like floor plans and KDS
- Reliable offline functionality and strong analytics
- Excellent 24/7 customer support
Cons
- High pricing with additional hardware costs
- Limited to iOS/iPad ecosystem
- Steeper learning curve for advanced features
Best For
Full-service restaurants needing a robust, mobile-first POS for in-house and online ordering.
Pricing
Starts at $69 per terminal/month (billed annually), plus hardware and add-ons; custom enterprise quotes.
Revel Systems
enterpriseCloud-native POS for restaurants featuring online ordering, loyalty programs, and kitchen display integration.
Seamless built-in online ordering and delivery marketplace integrations directly from the POS interface
Revel Systems is a cloud-based iPad POS system tailored for restaurants, providing robust tools for order taking, menu management, payments, inventory tracking, and kitchen operations. It supports online ordering, delivery integrations, and real-time analytics to streamline restaurant workflows. With features like loyalty programs and customizable reporting, it's built for scalability across quick-service and full-service establishments.
Pros
- Extensive integrations with delivery apps like DoorDash and Uber Eats
- Powerful inventory and reporting tools for data-driven decisions
- Reliable offline mode with automatic cloud sync
Cons
- High pricing with additional hardware costs
- iOS-only hardware requirement limits flexibility
- Steep learning curve for advanced features
Best For
Mid-sized restaurants and chains seeking a scalable POS with strong delivery and online ordering integrations.
Pricing
Starts at $99/month per location (Starter plan), up to $599+/month for Enterprise; hardware like iPads sold separately.
Clover
specializedFlexible POS hardware and software enabling custom online ordering apps and payments for various restaurant types.
Clover App Market with over 500 third-party apps for tailored restaurant ordering and operations
Clover is a versatile point-of-sale (POS) system from clover.com that provides comprehensive restaurant ordering solutions, including table-side ordering, online ordering, kitchen display systems, and integrations with delivery platforms like DoorDash and Uber Eats. It combines payment processing, inventory management, and customer loyalty tools into a single platform, supported by customizable hardware like handheld devices and countertop terminals. With a vast app marketplace, Clover allows restaurants to tailor ordering workflows to their specific needs.
Pros
- Extensive app marketplace for custom integrations and restaurant-specific tools
- Flexible hardware options including mobile ordering devices
- Seamless integration of payments, ordering, and delivery services
Cons
- Upfront hardware costs can be high for smaller operations
- Transaction fees and add-on apps increase ongoing expenses
- Customer support quality varies depending on the plan selected
Best For
Small to medium-sized restaurants needing a customizable all-in-one POS with strong ordering and payment capabilities.
Pricing
Hardware from $499+; software plans $14.95-$114.85/month per device; 2.3%-3.5% + $0.10 per transaction.
SpotOn
specializedRestaurant management platform with POS, online ordering, marketing automation, and customer loyalty tools.
Commission-free branded online ordering with direct POS sync
SpotOn is a comprehensive POS and restaurant management platform with robust online ordering capabilities designed for restaurants of all sizes. It enables commission-free online ordering through a branded website or app, seamless integrations with delivery services like DoorDash and Uber Eats, and tableside ordering via handheld devices. The system unifies front-of-house, back-of-house, and online operations to streamline order management and boost revenue.
Pros
- Commission-free online ordering reduces costs compared to third-party platforms
- Strong POS integration with delivery apps and loyalty programs
- Flexible pricing with no long-term contracts
Cons
- Hardware bundles can be expensive upfront
- Reporting and analytics lack depth for enterprise-level needs
- Occasional software glitches reported during peak hours
Best For
Independent restaurants and mid-sized chains seeking an affordable, all-in-one POS with integrated online ordering.
Pricing
Software from $69/month per location; payment processing at 2.6% + $0.10 per transaction; hardware leasing available with no contracts.
Olo
enterpriseEnterprise-grade online ordering platform integrating with POS for high-volume restaurant chains.
Vision platform for unified guest data and insights across all ordering channels to boost loyalty and direct orders
Olo is a comprehensive enterprise-grade online ordering platform tailored for restaurants, enabling seamless management of digital orders from websites, mobile apps, kiosks, and third-party delivery services like DoorDash and Uber Eats. It integrates deeply with over 100 POS systems for real-time menu updates, inventory management, and order fulfillment. The platform also provides advanced analytics, guest engagement tools, and loyalty programs to drive direct orders and reduce reliance on high-commission marketplaces.
Pros
- Deep integrations with 100+ POS systems and major delivery marketplaces
- Powerful analytics and guest data platform for personalized marketing
- Scalable for high-volume, multi-location restaurant chains
Cons
- High cost prohibitive for small independent restaurants
- Complex initial setup and customization process
- Limited flexibility for highly unique menu configurations
Best For
Large restaurant chains and multi-location operators needing robust, scalable online ordering with enterprise integrations.
Pricing
Custom quote-based pricing, typically starting at $2,000+ per month for mid-sized operations, scaling with locations and features.
ChowNow
specializedCommission-free online ordering and delivery solution helping independent restaurants own their customer data.
Commission-free direct ordering with 100% customer data ownership
ChowNow is a commission-free online ordering platform tailored for restaurants, allowing them to create branded ordering experiences directly on their websites or through white-label apps. It streamlines menu management, order fulfillment, payment processing, and customer communications without sharing revenue with third-party delivery services. The platform emphasizes data ownership, marketing tools, and integrations with popular POS systems to help restaurants build loyal customer bases.
Pros
- No commissions on orders, maximizing restaurant revenue
- Full ownership of customer data for targeted marketing
- Seamless website integration and user-friendly dashboard
Cons
- Monthly fees can be high for very small operations
- Limited native delivery logistics (relies on partnerships)
- Setup requires some customization for optimal branding
Best For
Independent restaurants and small chains seeking direct online ordering to avoid third-party fees and retain customer relationships.
Pricing
Starts at $150/month per location (tiered plans up to $300+), plus standard payment processing fees (around 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction); no order commissions.
GloriaFood
otherFree online ordering system with website builder, menu management, and delivery integrations for small restaurants.
Fully free online ordering system with an integrated website builder and no order commissions
GloriaFood is a free online ordering platform designed for restaurants, enabling them to create a customizable website, manage menus, and accept orders for delivery or pickup directly from customers. It includes a mobile app for order management, real-time notifications, and integrations with social media like Facebook and Instagram for promotion. The service emphasizes simplicity and zero upfront costs, making it accessible for small businesses entering the online ordering space.
Pros
- Completely free core platform with no monthly fees or commissions
- Quick setup and intuitive interface for non-technical users
- Mobile app for real-time order tracking and management
Cons
- GloriaFood branding visible on free websites
- Limited advanced features like POS integrations or loyalty programs
- Customer support primarily email-based and can be slow
Best For
Small independent restaurants or cafes seeking a no-cost solution to launch online ordering quickly.
Pricing
Free forever for basic features; premium add-ons from $9/month for white-label sites, SMS, and advanced tools.
Conclusion
After evaluating a range of restaurant ordering tools, Toast rises as the top pick, offering a robust all-in-one solution that integrates POS, online ordering, payments, and delivery seamlessly. Square for Restaurants and Lightspeed Restaurant follow closely, with Square impressing for affordability and contactless capabilities, and Lightspeed standing out for its flexible cloud platform and multi-location support—each a strong alternative tailored to specific needs.
Don’t miss out on optimizing your restaurant’s operations: start with Toast today to unlock its comprehensive features and boost your customer experience and efficiency.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison
Referenced in the comparison table and product reviews above.