Choosing between Lavu and Payanywhere for your business? Both are popular restaurant solutions, but they serve different needs. Lavu starts at $99/month (Starter) and is iPad-based restaurant POS with easy 15-minute staff training., while Payanywhere starts at $49.95 (terminal) + 2.69% per transaction and is Mobile payments and POS for small businesses. This comprehensive comparison will help you decide which POS system is the right fit for your operation.
Quick Comparison: Lavu vs Payanywhere
| Feature | Lavu | Payanywhere |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Restaurant | Multi-Industry |
| Starting Price | $99/month (Starter) | $49.95 (terminal) + 2.69% per transaction |
| Rating | 4.3/5 | 3.9/5 |
| Target Business | Small Business | Small Business |
| Pricing Model | Subscription | Transaction-based |
| Free Trial | Yes | No |
| Free Version | No | No |
| Best For | Quick-service restaurants, cafes, food trucks using Apple devices | Small businesses wanting fast funding |
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
Payanywhere Overview
Payanywhere offers mobile payment solutions with card readers and POS apps. Features next-day funding, invoicing, and business management tools for small businesses.
Payanywhere is offered by North American Bancard (founded 2011) based in Troy, MI. The system focuses on Retail, Service, Mobile.
Key Features:
- Mobile POS
- Card Readers
- Invoicing
- Next-day Funding
- Inventory
- Analytics
Feature Comparison
Lavu Features:
- Customizable iPad interface
- Dual pricing (cash/card)
- Kitchen display system
- Online ordering
- Self-ordering kiosks
Payanywhere Features:
- Mobile POS
- Card Readers
- Invoicing
- Next-day Funding
- Inventory
When comparing features, Lavu stands out with 15-minute staff training, while Payanywhere differentiates itself with Next-day funding. Your choice should depend on which features align better with your specific business requirements.
Pricing Comparison
| Pricing Aspect | Lavu | Payanywhere |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | $99/month (Starter) | $49.95 (terminal) + 2.69% per transaction |
| Pricing Model | Subscription | Transaction-based |
| Price Range | Mid-range | Budget |
| Free Trial | Available | Not available |
| Free Version | No | No |
Payanywhere is more budget-friendly, making it a better choice for cost-conscious businesses. Consider the total cost of ownership including hardware, processing fees, and add-on modules when making your decision.
Pros and Cons
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
Payanywhere
Pros:
- Next-day funding
- Free mobile app
- Multiple hardware options
- Invoicing included
Cons:
- Mixed customer reviews
- Transaction fees vary
- Contract requirements possible
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.
Who Should Choose Payanywhere?
Payanywhere is ideal for Small businesses wanting fast funding. The system is particularly well-suited for Retail, Service, Mobile.
However, Payanywhere may not be the best fit for Large operations needing advanced POS.
Our Recommendation
Both Lavu and Payanywhere are solid POS solutions, but they excel in different areas. Choose Lavu if you’re Quick-service restaurants, cafes, food trucks using Apple devices. Choose Payanywhere if you’re Small businesses wanting fast funding. Lavu has a higher user rating (4.3 vs 3.9). We recommend trying demos or free trials of both systems before making your final decision.