Choosing between Revel Systems and Shift4 for your business? Both are popular multi-industry solutions, but they serve different needs. Revel Systems starts at $99/month/terminal (estimated) and is Enterprise iPad POS for restaurants and retail chains, 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: Revel Systems vs Shift4
| Feature | Revel Systems | Shift4 |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Multi-Industry | Multi-Industry |
| Starting Price | $99/month/terminal (estimated) | Contact for pricing |
| Rating | 4.1/5 | 4.1/5 |
| Target Business | Mid-Market | Small Business to Enterprise |
| Pricing Model | Quote-based | Quote-based |
| Free Trial | Yes | No |
| Free Version | No | No |
| Best For | Multi-location restaurants, franchises, and growing retail chains | Businesses wanting integrated payment solutions |
Revel Systems Overview
Revel Systems is an enterprise-grade iPad POS platform for restaurants and retail businesses. It offers advanced features, API access, and scalability for growing multi-location operations.
Revel Systems is offered by Revel Systems, Inc. (founded 2010) based in Atlanta, GA. The system focuses on Quick service restaurants, Retail chains, Franchises, Enterprise.
Key Features:
- iPad-based POS
- Open API
- Inventory management
- CRM
- Employee management
- Reporting
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
Revel Systems Features:
- iPad-based POS
- Open API
- Inventory management
- CRM
- Employee management
Shift4 Features:
- Payment Processing
- POS Systems
- Gift Cards
- Loyalty
- Analytics
When comparing features, Revel Systems stands out with Open API platform, 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 | Revel Systems | Shift4 |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | $99/month/terminal (estimated) | Contact for pricing |
| Pricing Model | Quote-based | Quote-based |
| Price Range | Premium | 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
Revel Systems
Pros:
- Highly customizable
- Strong API for integrations
- Good for franchises
- Robust reporting
- Multi-location capable
Cons:
- Higher price point
- Steeper learning curve
- Implementation can be complex
- 3-year contracts typical
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 Revel Systems?
Revel Systems is ideal for Multi-location restaurants, franchises, and growing retail chains. The system is particularly well-suited for Quick service restaurants, Retail chains, Franchises, Enterprise.
However, Revel Systems may not be the best fit for Small single-location businesses on tight budgets.
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 Revel Systems and Shift4 are solid POS solutions, but they excel in different areas. Choose Revel Systems if you’re Multi-location restaurants, franchises, and growing retail chains. Choose Shift4 if you’re Businesses wanting integrated payment solutions. We recommend trying demos or free trials of both systems before making your final decision.