Choosing between Chowbus and Lavu for your business? Both are popular restaurant solutions, but they serve different needs. Chowbus starts at Contact for pricing and is POS system specialized for Asian restaurants, while Lavu starts at $99/month (Starter) and is iPad-based restaurant POS with easy 15-minute staff training.. This comprehensive comparison will help you decide which POS system is the right fit for your operation.
Quick Comparison: Chowbus vs Lavu
| Feature | Chowbus | Lavu |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Restaurant | Restaurant |
| Starting Price | Contact for pricing | $99/month (Starter) |
| Rating | 4.2/5 | 4.3/5 |
| Target Business | Small Business to Mid-Market | Small Business |
| Pricing Model | Subscription | Subscription |
| Free Trial | No | Yes |
| Free Version | No | No |
| Best For | Asian restaurants needing specialized POS | Quick-service restaurants, cafes, food trucks using Apple devices |
Chowbus Overview
Chowbus POS is a restaurant management platform designed specifically for Asian restaurants. Features include multilingual support, online ordering integration, and specialized menu management for Asian cuisine.
Chowbus is offered by Chowbus Inc. (founded 2016) based in Chicago, IL. The system focuses on Asian Cuisine Restaurants.
Key Features:
- POS System
- Online Ordering
- Multilingual Support
- Menu Management
- Kitchen Display
- Payment Processing
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
Feature Comparison
Chowbus Features:
- POS System
- Online Ordering
- Multilingual Support
- Menu Management
- Kitchen Display
Lavu Features:
- Customizable iPad interface
- Dual pricing (cash/card)
- Kitchen display system
- Online ordering
- Self-ordering kiosks
When comparing features, Chowbus stands out with Asian restaurant expertise, while Lavu differentiates itself with 15-minute staff training. Your choice should depend on which features align better with your specific business requirements.
Pricing Comparison
| Pricing Aspect | Chowbus | Lavu |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | Contact for pricing | $99/month (Starter) |
| Pricing Model | Subscription | Subscription |
| Price Range | Mid-range | Mid-range |
| Free Trial | Not available | 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
Chowbus
Pros:
- Asian restaurant specialization
- Multilingual interface
- Online ordering integration
- Cultural understanding
Cons:
- Niche market focus
- Limited to certain cuisines
- Less mainstream support
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
Who Should Choose Chowbus?
Chowbus is ideal for Asian restaurants needing specialized POS. The system is particularly well-suited for Asian Cuisine Restaurants.
However, Chowbus may not be the best fit for Western cuisine restaurants.
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.
Our Recommendation
Both Chowbus and Lavu are solid POS solutions, but they excel in different areas. Choose Chowbus if you’re Asian restaurants needing specialized POS. Choose Lavu if you’re Quick-service restaurants, cafes, food trucks using Apple devices. Lavu has a higher user rating (4.3 vs 4.2). We recommend trying demos or free trials of both systems before making your final decision.