Choosing between TouchBistro and PayPal Zettle 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 PayPal Zettle starts at $29 (card reader) + 2.29% per transaction and is PayPal mobile POS with no monthly fees. This comprehensive comparison will help you decide which POS system is the right fit for your operation.
Quick Comparison: TouchBistro vs PayPal Zettle
| Feature | TouchBistro | PayPal Zettle |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Restaurant | Multi-Industry |
| Starting Price | $69/month | $29 (card reader) + 2.29% per transaction |
| Rating | 4.4/5 | 4.2/5 |
| Target Business | Small Business | Small Business |
| Pricing Model | Subscription | Transaction-based |
| Free Trial | Yes | No |
| Free Version | No | Yes |
| Best For | Independent restaurants, bars, and food service businesses using iPads | Small businesses wanting pay-per-transaction model |
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
PayPal Zettle Overview
PayPal Zettle is a mobile POS system with card readers and simple POS software. Features no monthly fees on the basic plan, integration with PayPal, and affordable hardware options.
PayPal Zettle is offered by PayPal (founded 2010) based in Stockholm, Sweden. The system focuses on Retail, Service, Mobile Businesses.
Key Features:
- Mobile POS
- Card Reader
- Inventory Management
- Reporting
- Digital Receipts
- PayPal Integration
Feature Comparison
TouchBistro Features:
- Tableside ordering
- Floor plan management
- Menu management
- Staff scheduling
- Inventory tracking
PayPal Zettle Features:
- Mobile POS
- Card Reader
- Inventory Management
- Reporting
- Digital Receipts
When comparing features, TouchBistro stands out with Offline functionality, while PayPal Zettle differentiates itself with No monthly fees. Your choice should depend on which features align better with your specific business requirements.
Pricing Comparison
| Pricing Aspect | TouchBistro | PayPal Zettle |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | $69/month | $29 (card reader) + 2.29% per transaction |
| Pricing Model | Subscription | Transaction-based |
| Price Range | Mid-range | Budget |
| Free Trial | Available | Not available |
| Free Version | No | Yes |
PayPal Zettle 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
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
PayPal Zettle
Pros:
- No monthly fees
- PayPal integration
- Affordable hardware
- Easy setup
Cons:
- Processing fees on every transaction
- Limited advanced features
- Basic reporting
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 PayPal Zettle?
PayPal Zettle is ideal for Small businesses wanting pay-per-transaction model. The system is particularly well-suited for Retail, Service, Mobile Businesses.
However, PayPal Zettle may not be the best fit for High-volume operations where processing fees add up.
Our Recommendation
Both TouchBistro and PayPal Zettle 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 PayPal Zettle if you’re Small businesses wanting pay-per-transaction model. TouchBistro has a higher user rating (4.4 vs 4.2). Also, choose PayPal Zettle if you want to start with a free version. We recommend trying demos or free trials of both systems before making your final decision.