Choosing between Lavu and SumUp 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 SumUp starts at $39 (reader) + 2.75% per transaction and is Mobile card reader with simple pricing. This comprehensive comparison will help you decide which POS system is the right fit for your operation.
Quick Comparison: Lavu vs SumUp
| Feature | Lavu | SumUp |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Restaurant | Multi-Industry |
| Starting Price | $99/month (Starter) | $39 (reader) + 2.75% per transaction |
| Rating | 4.3/5 | 4.3/5 |
| Target Business | Small Business | Small Business |
| Pricing Model | Subscription | Transaction-based |
| Free Trial | Yes | No |
| Free Version | No | No |
| Best For | Quick-service restaurants, cafes, food trucks using Apple devices | Small businesses and mobile sellers |
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
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
Lavu Features:
- Customizable iPad interface
- Dual pricing (cash/card)
- Kitchen display system
- Online ordering
- Self-ordering kiosks
SumUp Features:
- Card Reader
- Mobile Payments
- Invoicing
- Payment Links
- Reporting
When comparing features, Lavu stands out with 15-minute staff training, 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 Aspect | Lavu | SumUp |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | $99/month (Starter) | $39 (reader) + 2.75% per transaction |
| Pricing Model | Subscription | Transaction-based |
| Price Range | Mid-range | Budget |
| Free Trial | Available | Not available |
| Free Version | No | No |
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
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
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 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 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 Lavu and SumUp 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 SumUp if you’re Small businesses and mobile sellers. We recommend trying demos or free trials of both systems before making your final decision.