Choosing between TouchBistro and Ritual 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 Ritual starts at Commission per order and is Mobile ordering platform for restaurants. This comprehensive comparison will help you decide which POS system is the right fit for your operation.
Quick Comparison: TouchBistro vs Ritual
| Feature | TouchBistro | Ritual |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Restaurant | Software |
| Starting Price | $69/month | Commission per order |
| Rating | 4.4/5 | 4.0/5 |
| Target Business | Small Business | Small Business to Mid-Market |
| Pricing Model | Subscription | Commission-based |
| Free Trial | Yes | No |
| Free Version | No | No |
| Best For | Independent restaurants, bars, and food service businesses using iPads | Urban restaurants serving office workers |
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
Ritual Overview
Ritual is a mobile ordering platform for restaurants and cafes. Allows customers to order ahead and skip the line. Features social ordering and office-focused features.
Ritual is offered by Ritual (founded 2014) based in Toronto, Canada. The system focuses on Restaurants, Cafes, Quick Service.
Key Features:
- Mobile Ordering
- Skip-the-line
- Social Ordering
- Marketing
- Analytics
- POS Integration
Feature Comparison
TouchBistro Features:
- Tableside ordering
- Floor plan management
- Menu management
- Staff scheduling
- Inventory tracking
Ritual Features:
- Mobile Ordering
- Skip-the-line
- Social Ordering
- Marketing
- Analytics
When comparing features, TouchBistro stands out with Offline functionality, while Ritual differentiates itself with Social ordering. Your choice should depend on which features align better with your specific business requirements.
Pricing Comparison
| Pricing Aspect | TouchBistro | Ritual |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | $69/month | Commission per order |
| Pricing Model | Subscription | Commission-based |
| Price Range | Mid-range | Mid-range |
| Free Trial | Available | Not 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
Ritual
Pros:
- Order-ahead convenience
- Social features
- Office market focus
- Customer acquisition
Cons:
- Commission fees
- App required
- Urban market focus
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 Ritual?
Ritual is ideal for Urban restaurants serving office workers. The system is particularly well-suited for Restaurants, Cafes, Quick Service.
However, Ritual may not be the best fit for Full-service restaurants or rural locations.
Our Recommendation
Both TouchBistro and Ritual 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 Ritual if you’re Urban restaurants serving office workers. TouchBistro has a higher user rating (4.4 vs 4.0). We recommend trying demos or free trials of both systems before making your final decision.