Choosing between Lavu and Focus POS 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 Focus POS starts at Quote-based and is Enterprise restaurant POS with advanced analytics.. This comprehensive comparison will help you decide which POS system is the right fit for your operation.
Quick Comparison: Lavu vs Focus POS
| Feature | Lavu | Focus POS |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Restaurant | Restaurant |
| Starting Price | $99/month (Starter) | Quote-based |
| Rating | 4.3/5 | 4.0/5 |
| Target Business | Small Business | Mid-Market |
| Pricing Model | Subscription | Quote-based |
| Free Trial | Yes | No |
| Free Version | No | No |
| Best For | Quick-service restaurants, cafes, food trucks using Apple devices | Restaurant groups, multi-location operations, enterprises |
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
Focus POS Overview
Focus POS is a restaurant management system with enterprise-grade features including advanced reporting, labor management, and multi-location support. Known for detailed analytics and customization.
Focus POS is offered by Focus POS Systems (founded 1990) based in Dallas, Texas, USA. The system focuses on Restaurants, Restaurant Groups, Enterprise.
Key Features:
- Advanced reporting
- Labor management
- Multi-location
- Enterprise dashboards
- Inventory management
- Kitchen display
Feature Comparison
Lavu Features:
- Customizable iPad interface
- Dual pricing (cash/card)
- Kitchen display system
- Online ordering
- Self-ordering kiosks
Focus POS Features:
- Advanced reporting
- Labor management
- Multi-location
- Enterprise dashboards
- Inventory management
When comparing features, Lavu stands out with 15-minute staff training, while Focus POS differentiates itself with Advanced analytics. Your choice should depend on which features align better with your specific business requirements.
Pricing Comparison
| Pricing Aspect | Lavu | Focus POS |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | $99/month (Starter) | Quote-based |
| Pricing Model | Subscription | Quote-based |
| Price Range | Mid-range | Premium |
| 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
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
Focus POS
Pros:
- Detailed analytics
- Enterprise scalability
- Customization options
- Multi-location support
Cons:
- Higher cost
- Complex setup
- Quote-based pricing
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 Focus POS?
Focus POS is ideal for Restaurant groups, multi-location operations, enterprises. The system is particularly well-suited for Restaurants, Restaurant Groups, Enterprise.
However, Focus POS may not be the best fit for Single small restaurants, budget-conscious operators.
Our Recommendation
Both Lavu and Focus POS 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 Focus POS if you’re Restaurant groups, multi-location operations, enterprises. Lavu has a higher user rating (4.3 vs 4.0). We recommend trying demos or free trials of both systems before making your final decision.