POS Comparisons

Chowbus vs SumUp: Which POS Is Better? (2025)

By Mauricio Nov 13, 2025 3 min read

In the battle of Chowbus versus SumUp, both systems bring unique strengths to the table. Chowbus is particularly strong for Asian restaurants needing specialized POS, while SumUp excels at Small businesses and mobile sellers. Whether you prioritize Asian restaurant expertise or No monthly fees, this comparison covers everything you need to know.

Quick Comparison: Chowbus vs SumUp

FeatureChowbusSumUp
CategoryRestaurantMulti-Industry
Starting PriceContact for pricing$39 (reader) + 2.75% per transaction
Rating4.2/54.3/5
Target BusinessSmall Business to Mid-MarketSmall Business
Pricing ModelSubscriptionTransaction-based
Free TrialNoNo
Free VersionNoNo
Best ForAsian restaurants needing specialized POSSmall businesses and mobile sellers

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.

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Key Features:

  • POS System
  • Online Ordering
  • Multilingual Support
  • Menu Management
  • Kitchen Display
  • Payment Processing

SumUp Overview

SumUp provides mobile payment solutions and card readers for small businesses. Features simple pricing, no monthly fees, and easy setup for accepting card payments on the go.

SumUp is offered by SumUp (founded 2012) based in London, UK. The system focuses on Retail, Service, Mobile Businesses.

Key Features:

  • Card Reader
  • Mobile Payments
  • Invoicing
  • Payment Links
  • Reporting
  • No Monthly Fees

Feature Comparison

Chowbus Features:

  • POS System
  • Online Ordering
  • Multilingual Support
  • Menu Management
  • Kitchen Display

SumUp Features:

  • Card Reader
  • Mobile Payments
  • Invoicing
  • Payment Links
  • Reporting

When comparing features, Chowbus stands out with Asian restaurant expertise, while SumUp differentiates itself with No monthly fees. Your choice should depend on which features align better with your specific business requirements.

Pricing Comparison

Pricing AspectChowbusSumUp
Starting PriceContact for pricing$39 (reader) + 2.75% per transaction
Pricing ModelSubscriptionTransaction-based
Price RangeMid-rangeBudget
Free TrialNot availableNot available
Free VersionNoNo

SumUp 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

Chowbus

Pros:

  • Asian restaurant specialization
  • Multilingual interface
  • Online ordering integration
  • Cultural understanding

Cons:

  • Niche market focus
  • Limited to certain cuisines
  • Less mainstream support

SumUp

Pros:

  • No monthly fees
  • Simple flat-rate pricing
  • Easy setup
  • Portable

Cons:

  • Higher per-transaction rate
  • Limited POS features
  • Basic reporting

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 SumUp?

SumUp is ideal for Small businesses and mobile sellers. The system is particularly well-suited for Retail, Service, Mobile Businesses.

However, SumUp may not be the best fit for High-volume businesses where percentage fees add up.

Our Recommendation

Both Chowbus and SumUp are solid POS solutions, but they excel in different areas. Choose Chowbus if you’re Asian restaurants needing specialized POS. Choose SumUp if you’re Small businesses and mobile sellers. SumUp 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.