Choosing between Lavu and Shift4 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 Shift4 starts at Contact for pricing and is Payment processing and POS technology company. This comprehensive comparison will help you decide which POS system is the right fit for your operation.
Quick Comparison: Lavu vs Shift4
| Feature | Lavu | Shift4 |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Restaurant | Multi-Industry |
| Starting Price | $99/month (Starter) | Contact for pricing |
| Rating | 4.3/5 | 4.1/5 |
| Target Business | Small Business | Small Business to Enterprise |
| Pricing Model | Subscription | Quote-based |
| Free Trial | Yes | No |
| Free Version | No | No |
| Best For | Quick-service restaurants, cafes, food trucks using Apple devices | Businesses wanting integrated payment solutions |
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
Shift4 Overview
Shift4 is a payment processing and POS technology company serving hospitality, retail, and other industries. Owns POSitouch, Harbortouch, and other POS brands. Offers integrated payments and software.
Shift4 is offered by Shift4 (founded 1994) based in Allentown, PA. The system focuses on Hospitality, Retail, Entertainment.
Key Features:
- Payment Processing
- POS Systems
- Gift Cards
- Loyalty
- Analytics
- Enterprise Solutions
Feature Comparison
Lavu Features:
- Customizable iPad interface
- Dual pricing (cash/card)
- Kitchen display system
- Online ordering
- Self-ordering kiosks
Shift4 Features:
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- POS Systems
- Gift Cards
- Loyalty
- Analytics
When comparing features, Lavu stands out with 15-minute staff training, while Shift4 differentiates itself with End-to-end payments. Your choice should depend on which features align better with your specific business requirements.
Pricing Comparison
| Pricing Aspect | Lavu | Shift4 |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | $99/month (Starter) | Contact for pricing |
| Pricing Model | Subscription | Quote-based |
| Price Range | Mid-range | Mid-range 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
Shift4
Pros:
- Integrated payments
- Multiple POS brands
- Enterprise scale
- Payment innovation
Cons:
- Complex product lineup
- Custom pricing
- May be overkill for small businesses
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 Shift4?
Shift4 is ideal for Businesses wanting integrated payment solutions. The system is particularly well-suited for Hospitality, Retail, Entertainment.
However, Shift4 may not be the best fit for Very small businesses wanting simple solutions.
Our Recommendation
Both Lavu and Shift4 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 Shift4 if you’re Businesses wanting integrated payment solutions. Lavu has a higher user rating (4.3 vs 4.1). We recommend trying demos or free trials of both systems before making your final decision.
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