Choosing between TouchBistro and Lavu for your business? Both are popular restaurant solutions, but they serve different needs. TouchBistro starts at $69/month and is iPad-based restaurant POS with tableside ordering, while Lavu starts at $99/month (Starter) and is iPad-based restaurant POS with easy 15-minute staff training.. This comprehensive comparison will help you decide which POS system is the right fit for your operation.
Quick Comparison: TouchBistro vs Lavu
| Feature | TouchBistro | Lavu |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Restaurant | Restaurant |
| Starting Price | $69/month | $99/month (Starter) |
| Rating | 4.4/5 | 4.3/5 |
| Target Business | Small Business | Small Business |
| Pricing Model | Subscription | Subscription |
| Free Trial | Yes | Yes |
| Free Version | No | No |
| Best For | Independent restaurants, bars, and food service businesses using iPads | Quick-service restaurants, cafes, food trucks using Apple devices |
TouchBistro Overview
TouchBistro is an iPad-based restaurant POS system designed specifically for food service businesses. It offers tableside ordering, menu management, and comprehensive restaurant management features.
TouchBistro is offered by TouchBistro Inc. (founded 2010) based in Toronto, Canada. The system focuses on Full-service restaurants, Quick service, Bars, Cafes, Food trucks, Breweries.
Key Features:
- Tableside ordering
- Floor plan management
- Menu management
- Staff scheduling
- Inventory tracking
- CRM
Lavu Overview
Lavu POS is an iPad-based point-of-sale system designed for restaurants, bars, cafes, and food trucks. Features customizable menus, dual pricing options, kitchen display systems, and offline capabilities. Staff can master the system in under 15 minutes.
Lavu is offered by Lavu Inc. (founded 2010) based in Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA. The system focuses on Restaurants, Bars, Cafes, Food Trucks, Quick Service.
Key Features:
- Customizable iPad interface
- Dual pricing (cash/card)
- Kitchen display system
- Online ordering
- Self-ordering kiosks
- Inventory management
Feature Comparison
TouchBistro Features:
- Tableside ordering
- Floor plan management
- Menu management
- Staff scheduling
- Inventory tracking
Lavu Features:
- Customizable iPad interface
- Dual pricing (cash/card)
- Kitchen display system
- Online ordering
- Self-ordering kiosks
When comparing features, TouchBistro stands out with Offline functionality, while Lavu differentiates itself with 15-minute staff training. Your choice should depend on which features align better with your specific business requirements.
Pricing Comparison
| Pricing Aspect | TouchBistro | Lavu |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | $69/month | $99/month (Starter) |
| Pricing Model | Subscription | Subscription |
| Price Range | Mid-range | Mid-range |
| Free Trial | Available | Available |
| Free Version | No | No |
Both systems offer competitive pricing for their respective feature sets. Consider the total cost of ownership including hardware, processing fees, and add-on modules when making your decision.
Pros and Cons
TouchBistro
Pros:
- Restaurant-focused design
- Works offline
- Intuitive interface
- Good customer support
- Flexible menu management
Cons:
- iPad/Apple only
- Add-ons increase costs
- Limited integrations
- Reservation system separate
Lavu
Pros:
- Easy to learn (15 minutes)
- iOS/Apple integration
- Highly customizable
- Offline capabilities
- Dual pricing saves on processing
Cons:
- No free plan
- Cannot cancel before term
- Hardware dependent on Apple
- Price increases reported
Who Should Choose TouchBistro?
TouchBistro is ideal for Independent restaurants, bars, and food service businesses using iPads. The system is particularly well-suited for Full-service restaurants, Quick service, Bars, Cafes, Food trucks, Breweries.
However, TouchBistro may not be the best fit for Non-restaurant businesses or those preferring Android/Windows.
Who Should Choose Lavu?
Lavu is ideal for Quick-service restaurants, cafes, food trucks using Apple devices. The system is particularly well-suited for Restaurants, Bars, Cafes, Food Trucks, Quick Service.
However, Lavu may not be the best fit for Businesses without Apple hardware, those needing free options.
Our Recommendation
Both TouchBistro and Lavu are solid POS solutions, but they excel in different areas. Choose TouchBistro if you’re Independent restaurants, bars, and food service businesses using iPads. Choose Lavu if you’re Quick-service restaurants, cafes, food trucks using Apple devices. TouchBistro has a higher user rating (4.4 vs 4.3). We recommend trying demos or free trials of both systems before making your final decision.