When comparing TouchBistro vs Revel Systems, you’re looking at two distinct approaches to restaurant point-of-sale technology. TouchBistro, rated 4.4/5, offers Independent restaurants, bars, and food service businesses using iPads. Meanwhile, Revel Systems, rated 4.1/5, provides Multi-location restaurants, franchises, and growing retail chains. Let’s dive into the details to help you make an informed decision.
Quick Comparison: TouchBistro vs Revel Systems
| Feature | TouchBistro | Revel Systems |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Restaurant | Multi-Industry |
| Starting Price | $69/month | $99/month/terminal (estimated) |
| Rating | 4.4/5 | 4.1/5 |
| Target Business | Small Business | Mid-Market |
| Pricing Model | Subscription | Quote-based |
| Free Trial | Yes | Yes |
| Free Version | No | No |
| Best For | Independent restaurants, bars, and food service businesses using iPads | Multi-location restaurants, franchises, and growing retail chains |
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
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
Feature Comparison
TouchBistro Features:
- Tableside ordering
- Floor plan management
- Menu management
- Staff scheduling
- Inventory tracking
Revel Systems Features:
- iPad-based POS
- Open API
- Inventory management
- CRM
- Employee management
When comparing features, TouchBistro stands out with Offline functionality, while Revel Systems differentiates itself with Open API platform. Your choice should depend on which features align better with your specific business requirements.
Pricing Comparison
| Pricing Aspect | TouchBistro | Revel Systems |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | $69/month | $99/month/terminal (estimated) |
| Pricing Model | Subscription | Quote-based |
| Price Range | Mid-range | Premium |
| Free Trial | 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
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
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
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 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.
Our Recommendation
Both TouchBistro and Revel Systems 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 Revel Systems if you’re Multi-location restaurants, franchises, and growing retail chains. 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.