Choosing between Chowbus and Olo for your business? Both are popular restaurant solutions, but they serve different needs. Chowbus starts at Contact for pricing and is POS system specialized for Asian restaurants, while Olo starts at Enterprise pricing (contact) and is Enterprise digital ordering platform for restaurant brands. This comprehensive comparison will help you decide which POS system is the right fit for your operation.
Quick Comparison: Chowbus vs Olo
| Feature | Chowbus | Olo |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Restaurant | Software |
| Starting Price | Contact for pricing | Enterprise pricing (contact) |
| Rating | 4.2/5 | 4.3/5 |
| Target Business | Small Business to Mid-Market | Mid-Market to Enterprise |
| Pricing Model | Subscription | Subscription |
| Free Trial | No | No |
| Free Version | No | No |
| Best For | Asian restaurants needing specialized POS | Multi-location chains wanting unified digital ordering |
Chowbus Overview
Chowbus POS is a restaurant management platform designed specifically for Asian restaurants. Features include multilingual support, online ordering integration, and specialized menu management for Asian cuisine.
Chowbus is offered by Chowbus Inc. (founded 2016) based in Chicago, IL. The system focuses on Asian Cuisine Restaurants.
Key Features:
- POS System
- Online Ordering
- Multilingual Support
- Menu Management
- Kitchen Display
- Payment Processing
Olo Overview
Olo is a leading restaurant ordering and delivery platform powering digital transformation for 700+ brands including Shake Shack, Wingstop, and Denny’s. Provides ordering, dispatch, rails integrations, and guest engagement tools.
Olo is offered by Olo Inc. (founded 2005) based in New York, NY. The system focuses on Quick Service, Fast Casual, Enterprise Chains.
Key Features:
- Digital Ordering
- Delivery Dispatch
- Rails Integration
- Guest Data Platform
- Payment Processing
- Catering
Feature Comparison
Chowbus Features:
- POS System
- Online Ordering
- Multilingual Support
- Menu Management
- Kitchen Display
Olo Features:
- Digital Ordering
- Delivery Dispatch
- Rails Integration
- Guest Data Platform
- Payment Processing
When comparing features, Chowbus stands out with Asian restaurant expertise, while Olo differentiates itself with Powers 700+ restaurant brands. Your choice should depend on which features align better with your specific business requirements.
Pricing Comparison
| Pricing Aspect | Chowbus | Olo |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | Contact for pricing | Enterprise pricing (contact) |
| Pricing Model | Subscription | Subscription |
| Price Range | Mid-range | Premium |
| Free Trial | Not 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
Chowbus
Pros:
- Asian restaurant specialization
- Multilingual interface
- Online ordering integration
- Cultural understanding
Cons:
- Niche market focus
- Limited to certain cuisines
- Less mainstream support
Olo
Pros:
- Powers major restaurant brands
- Comprehensive digital platform
- Strong delivery integrations
- Public company stability
Cons:
- Enterprise-focused pricing
- Complex implementation
- Not for small operations
Who Should Choose Chowbus?
Chowbus is ideal for Asian restaurants needing specialized POS. The system is particularly well-suited for Asian Cuisine Restaurants.
However, Chowbus may not be the best fit for Western cuisine restaurants.
Who Should Choose Olo?
Olo is ideal for Multi-location chains wanting unified digital ordering. The system is particularly well-suited for Quick Service, Fast Casual, Enterprise Chains.
However, Olo may not be the best fit for Single-location independent restaurants.
Our Recommendation
Both Chowbus and Olo are solid POS solutions, but they excel in different areas. Choose Chowbus if you’re Asian restaurants needing specialized POS. Choose Olo if you’re Multi-location chains wanting unified digital ordering. Olo has a higher user rating (4.3 vs 4.2). We recommend trying demos or free trials of both systems before making your final decision.