When comparing TouchBistro vs Shift4, 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, Shift4, rated 4.1/5, provides Businesses wanting integrated payment solutions. Let’s dive into the details to help you make an informed decision.
Quick Comparison: TouchBistro vs Shift4
| Feature | TouchBistro | Shift4 |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Restaurant | Multi-Industry |
| Starting Price | $69/month | Contact for pricing |
| Rating | 4.4/5 | 4.1/5 |
| Target Business | Small Business | Small Business to Enterprise |
| Pricing Model | Subscription | Quote-based |
| Free Trial | Yes | No |
| Free Version | No | No |
| Best For | Independent restaurants, bars, and food service businesses using iPads | Businesses wanting integrated payment solutions |
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
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
TouchBistro Features:
- Tableside ordering
- Floor plan management
- Menu management
- Staff scheduling
- Inventory tracking
Shift4 Features:
- Payment Processing
- POS Systems
- Gift Cards
- Loyalty
- Analytics
When comparing features, TouchBistro stands out with Offline functionality, 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 | TouchBistro | Shift4 |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | $69/month | Contact for pricing |
| Pricing Model | Subscription | Quote-based |
| Price Range | Mid-range | 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
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
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 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 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 TouchBistro and Shift4 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 Shift4 if you’re Businesses wanting integrated payment solutions. 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.