When comparing Chowbus vs Upserve, you’re looking at two distinct approaches to restaurant point-of-sale technology. Chowbus, rated 4.2/5, offers Asian restaurants needing specialized POS. Meanwhile, Upserve, rated 4.3/5, provides Restaurants, bars, and cafes wanting comprehensive analytics. Let’s dive into the details to help you make an informed decision.
Quick Comparison: Chowbus vs Upserve
| Feature | Chowbus | Upserve |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Restaurant | Restaurant |
| Starting Price | Contact for pricing | $89/month |
| Rating | 4.2/5 | 4.3/5 |
| Target Business | Small Business to Mid-Market | Small Business |
| Pricing Model | Subscription | Subscription |
| Free Trial | No | Yes |
| Free Version | No | No |
| Best For | Asian restaurants needing specialized POS | Restaurants, bars, and cafes wanting comprehensive analytics |
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
Upserve Overview
Upserve, now Lightspeed Restaurant U-Series, is a restaurant POS offering offline mode, employee management, and real-time insights. Consolidates menu performance, staff productivity, and customer behavior data into one platform.
Upserve is offered by Lightspeed Commerce (founded 2009) based in Providence, Rhode Island, USA. The system focuses on Restaurants, Bars, Cafes, Bakeries.
Key Features:
- Order management
- Payment processing
- Inventory management
- Staff management
- Customer loyalty
- Analytics/reporting
Feature Comparison
Chowbus Features:
- POS System
- Online Ordering
- Multilingual Support
- Menu Management
- Kitchen Display
Upserve Features:
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- Payment processing
- Inventory management
- Staff management
- Customer loyalty
When comparing features, Chowbus stands out with Asian restaurant expertise, while Upserve differentiates itself with Offline mode for outages. Your choice should depend on which features align better with your specific business requirements.
Pricing Comparison
| Pricing Aspect | Chowbus | Upserve |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | Contact for pricing | $89/month |
| Pricing Model | Subscription | Subscription |
| Price Range | Mid-range | Mid-range |
| Free Trial | Not 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
Chowbus
Pros:
- Asian restaurant specialization
- Multilingual interface
- Online ordering integration
- Cultural understanding
Cons:
- Niche market focus
- Limited to certain cuisines
- Less mainstream support
Upserve
Pros:
- Easy setup
- 24-hour phone support
- Offline mode
- Real-time insights
- Employee success tracking
Cons:
- System crashes reported
- Learning curve for customization
- Customer service issues
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 Upserve?
Upserve is ideal for Restaurants, bars, and cafes wanting comprehensive analytics. The system is particularly well-suited for Restaurants, Bars, Cafes, Bakeries.
However, Upserve may not be the best fit for Retail businesses, those needing simple basic POS.
Our Recommendation
Both Chowbus and Upserve are solid POS solutions, but they excel in different areas. Choose Chowbus if you’re Asian restaurants needing specialized POS. Choose Upserve if you’re Restaurants, bars, and cafes wanting comprehensive analytics. Upserve 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.
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