Choosing between TouchBistro and NCR Aloha for your business? Both are popular restaurant solutions, but they serve different needs. TouchBistro starts at $69/month and is iPad-based restaurant POS with tableside ordering, while NCR Aloha starts at $175/month and is Industry-leading restaurant POS serving 75,000+ restaurants worldwide.. This comprehensive comparison will help you decide which POS system is the right fit for your operation.
Quick Comparison: TouchBistro vs NCR Aloha
| Feature | TouchBistro | NCR Aloha |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Restaurant | Restaurant |
| Starting Price | $69/month | $175/month |
| Rating | 4.4/5 | 4.1/5 |
| Target Business | Small Business | All Sizes |
| Pricing Model | Subscription | Subscription |
| Free Trial | Yes | No |
| Free Version | No | No |
| Best For | Independent restaurants, bars, and food service businesses using iPads | Full-service restaurants, growing chains, and enterprises needing robust features |
TouchBistro Overview
TouchBistro is an iPad-based restaurant POS system designed specifically for food service businesses. It offers tableside ordering, menu management, and comprehensive restaurant management features.
TouchBistro is offered by TouchBistro Inc. (founded 2010) based in Toronto, Canada. The system focuses on Full-service restaurants, Quick service, Bars, Cafes, Food trucks, Breweries.
Key Features:
- Tableside ordering
- Floor plan management
- Menu management
- Staff scheduling
- Inventory tracking
- CRM
NCR Aloha Overview
NCR Aloha is a leading restaurant POS system backed by NCR Voyix with over 130 years of experience. It offers both cloud-based (Aloha Cloud) and Windows-based (Aloha Essentials) solutions serving over 75,000 restaurants worldwide, from major chains like Chipotle to independent restaurants.
NCR Aloha is offered by NCR Voyix (founded 1884) based in Atlanta, Georgia, USA. The system focuses on Restaurants, Quick Service, Full Service, Bars.
Key Features:
- Cloud-based deployment
- Mobile ordering
- Kitchen display system
- Online ordering
- Loyalty programs
- Inventory management
Feature Comparison
TouchBistro Features:
- Tableside ordering
- Floor plan management
- Menu management
- Staff scheduling
- Inventory tracking
NCR Aloha Features:
- Cloud-based deployment
- Mobile ordering
- Kitchen display system
- Online ordering
- Loyalty programs
When comparing features, TouchBistro stands out with Offline functionality, while NCR Aloha differentiates itself with 130+ years of NCR experience. Your choice should depend on which features align better with your specific business requirements.
Pricing Comparison
| Pricing Aspect | TouchBistro | NCR Aloha |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | $69/month | $175/month |
| Pricing Model | Subscription | Subscription |
| 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
TouchBistro
Pros:
- Restaurant-focused design
- Works offline
- Intuitive interface
- Good customer support
- Flexible menu management
Cons:
- iPad/Apple only
- Add-ons increase costs
- Limited integrations
- Reservation system separate
NCR Aloha
Pros:
- Trusted by major restaurant chains
- 250+ integrations available
- Comprehensive feature set
- Both cloud and on-premise options
- 24/7 customer support included
Cons:
- Higher price point
- Can be complex to program
- Recent fee increases (April 2025)
- Not as user-friendly as newer systems
Who Should Choose TouchBistro?
TouchBistro is ideal for Independent restaurants, bars, and food service businesses using iPads. The system is particularly well-suited for Full-service restaurants, Quick service, Bars, Cafes, Food trucks, Breweries.
However, TouchBistro may not be the best fit for Non-restaurant businesses or those preferring Android/Windows.
Who Should Choose NCR Aloha?
NCR Aloha is ideal for Full-service restaurants, growing chains, and enterprises needing robust features. The system is particularly well-suited for Restaurants, Quick Service, Full Service, Bars.
However, NCR Aloha may not be the best fit for Budget-conscious small restaurants, businesses wanting simple setup.
Our Recommendation
Both TouchBistro and NCR Aloha are solid POS solutions, but they excel in different areas. Choose TouchBistro if you’re Independent restaurants, bars, and food service businesses using iPads. Choose NCR Aloha if you’re Full-service restaurants, growing chains, and enterprises needing robust features. TouchBistro has a higher user rating (4.4 vs 4.1). We recommend trying demos or free trials of both systems before making your final decision.