When comparing Upserve vs ChowNow, you’re looking at two distinct approaches to restaurant point-of-sale technology. Upserve, rated 4.3/5, offers Restaurants, bars, and cafes wanting comprehensive analytics. Meanwhile, ChowNow, rated 4.3/5, provides Restaurants wanting commission-free ordering. Let’s dive into the details to help you make an informed decision.
Quick Comparison: Upserve vs ChowNow
| Feature | Upserve | ChowNow |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Restaurant | Software |
| Starting Price | $89/month | $149/month |
| Rating | 4.3/5 | 4.3/5 |
| Target Business | Small Business | Small Business to Mid-Market |
| Pricing Model | Subscription | Subscription |
| Free Trial | Yes | No |
| Free Version | No | No |
| Best For | Restaurants, bars, and cafes wanting comprehensive analytics | Restaurants wanting commission-free ordering |
Upserve Overview
Upserve, now Lightspeed Restaurant U-Series, is a restaurant POS offering offline mode, employee management, and real-time insights. Consolidates menu performance, staff productivity, and customer behavior data into one platform.
Upserve is offered by Lightspeed Commerce (founded 2009) based in Providence, Rhode Island, USA. The system focuses on Restaurants, Bars, Cafes, Bakeries.
Key Features:
- Order management
- Payment processing
- Inventory management
- Staff management
- Customer loyalty
- Analytics/reporting
ChowNow Overview
ChowNow is a commission-free online ordering platform for restaurants. Provides branded apps, website ordering, and marketing tools without per-order commissions like third-party delivery apps.
ChowNow is offered by ChowNow Inc. (founded 2010) based in Los Angeles, CA. The system focuses on Restaurants.
Key Features:
- Online Ordering
- Branded App
- Marketing Tools
- Customer Database
- POS Integration
- Loyalty Programs
Feature Comparison
Upserve Features:
- Order management
- Payment processing
- Inventory management
- Staff management
- Customer loyalty
ChowNow Features:
- Online Ordering
- Branded App
- Marketing Tools
- Customer Database
- POS Integration
When comparing features, Upserve stands out with Offline mode for outages, while ChowNow differentiates itself with Zero commissions. Your choice should depend on which features align better with your specific business requirements.
Pricing Comparison
| Pricing Aspect | Upserve | ChowNow |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | $89/month | $149/month |
| Pricing Model | Subscription | Subscription |
| Price Range | Mid-range | Mid-range |
| 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
Upserve
Pros:
- Easy setup
- 24-hour phone support
- Offline mode
- Real-time insights
- Employee success tracking
Cons:
- System crashes reported
- Learning curve for customization
- Customer service issues
ChowNow
Pros:
- No commission fees
- Branded experience
- Customer data ownership
- Marketing tools
Cons:
- Monthly subscription cost
- No delivery drivers
- Limited to online ordering
Who Should Choose Upserve?
Upserve is ideal for Restaurants, bars, and cafes wanting comprehensive analytics. The system is particularly well-suited for Restaurants, Bars, Cafes, Bakeries.
However, Upserve may not be the best fit for Retail businesses, those needing simple basic POS.
Who Should Choose ChowNow?
ChowNow is ideal for Restaurants wanting commission-free ordering. The system is particularly well-suited for Restaurants.
However, ChowNow may not be the best fit for Those needing full POS or delivery services.
Our Recommendation
Both Upserve and ChowNow are solid POS solutions, but they excel in different areas. Choose Upserve if you’re Restaurants, bars, and cafes wanting comprehensive analytics. Choose ChowNow if you’re Restaurants wanting commission-free ordering. We recommend trying demos or free trials of both systems before making your final decision.