Choosing between Lavu and Simphony 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 Simphony starts at $1/month per workstation and is Oracle cloud POS for global hospitality. This comprehensive comparison will help you decide which POS system is the right fit for your operation.
Quick Comparison: Lavu vs Simphony
| Feature | Lavu | Simphony |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Restaurant | Restaurant |
| Starting Price | $99/month (Starter) | $1/month per workstation |
| Rating | 4.3/5 | 4.2/5 |
| Target Business | Small Business | Small Business to Enterprise |
| Pricing Model | Subscription | Subscription |
| Free Trial | Yes | No |
| Free Version | No | No |
| Best For | Quick-service restaurants, cafes, food trucks using Apple devices | Global brands and multi-location operators |
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
Simphony Overview
Oracle Simphony is a cloud-based POS platform serving restaurants, hotels, and stadiums in 180 countries. Features 200+ integrations, offline mode, and scalable architecture from single locations to global chains.
Simphony is offered by Oracle (founded 2010) based in Austin, TX. The system focuses on Full Service, Quick Service, Hotels, Stadiums.
Key Features:
- Cloud POS
- Offline Mode
- 200+ Integrations
- Multi-language
- Online Ordering
- Kitchen Display
Feature Comparison
Lavu Features:
- Customizable iPad interface
- Dual pricing (cash/card)
- Kitchen display system
- Online ordering
- Self-ordering kiosks
Simphony Features:
- Cloud POS
- Offline Mode
- 200+ Integrations
- Multi-language
- Online Ordering
When comparing features, Lavu stands out with 15-minute staff training, while Simphony differentiates itself with $1/month entry pricing. Your choice should depend on which features align better with your specific business requirements.
Pricing Comparison
| Pricing Aspect | Lavu | Simphony |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | $99/month (Starter) | $1/month per workstation |
| Pricing Model | Subscription | Subscription |
| Price Range | Mid-range | Budget to 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
Simphony
Pros:
- Affordable $1/month entry
- 180 country presence
- 200+ integrations
- Enterprise scalability
Cons:
- Complex for small operations
- Advanced features cost more
- Implementation required
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 Simphony?
Simphony is ideal for Global brands and multi-location operators. The system is particularly well-suited for Full Service, Quick Service, Hotels, Stadiums.
However, Simphony may not be the best fit for Very small restaurants wanting simplicity.
Our Recommendation
Both Lavu and Simphony 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 Simphony if you’re Global brands and multi-location operators. Lavu 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.