If you’re in the process of comparing top restaurant point of sale (POS) systems, TouchBistro vs Lavu POS is bound to come up. Both TouchBistro and Lavu are modern POS providers that have been serving restaurateurs for over a decade. Having established solid reputations in the industry, these two restaurant management and payment processing solutions are used by a wide variety of venues – from coffee shops to full service restaurants.
But while TouchBistro and Lavu share many similarities, it’s important to know that these two systems are not one and the same. From features to customer support, there are a number of key differences between TouchBistro and Lavu. To help you spot all the differences, we’ve conducted a comprehensive, head-to-head TouchBistro vs Lavu POS review.
TouchBistro vs Lavu Key Takeaways:
- TouchBistro: TouchBistro is best for single and multi-location restaurants looking to run and grow their business.
- Lavu: Lavu is best for specific restaurant concepts like pizzerias, ice cream shops, and food trucks.
Quick Comparison of TouchBistro and Lavu
| TouchBistro | Lavu |
| Specifically designed for restaurants | Specifically designed for restaurants |
| Runs on iOS and Apple iPad tablets | Runs on iOS and Apple iPad tablets |
| Extensive native add-on solutions | Limited native add-ons available |
| Starts at $0-69 USD per month | Starts at $59 USD per month |
| Best for single and multi-location restaurants | Best for specialized concepts, such as pizzerias |
The information contained on this site is accurate as of the time of publication.
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Which Restaurant POS is Better, TouchBistro or Lavu? An Overview
TouchBistro and Lavu POS each have more than 10 years of experience behind them. In this time, both providers have developed a wide variety of products and services for restaurants.
But while there are many similarities between the two systems, there are also some important differences. Below, we’ll provide a brief overview of TouchBistro vs Lavu.
| Regional Availability | CAD, U.S., and more | CAD, U.S., MX, and more |
| POS System | Cloud-based | Cloud-based |
| Operating System | iOS | iOS |
| Hardware (Tablets) | Apple iPads | Apple iPads |
Are TouchBistro and Lavu Cloud-Based POS Systems?
Both Lavu and TouchBistro are cloud-based systems, which means your POS data is stored on remote servers and can be accessed anytime, from anywhere.
Offline mode is available for both POS systems, which means that even when you lose internet connection, staff members can continue to use the POS to update orders, process orders offline, as well as process payments offline. In other words, offline mode ensures that service never comes to a standstill, even if you lose your internet connection – all for no extra cost.
What Software Operating Systems Do TouchBistro and Lavu Use?
Both TouchBistro and Lavu run on Apple’s iOS operating system and use Apple’s iPad tablets. iOS is generally considered to be the more reliable and user-friendly operating system for restaurants because Apple owns both the hardware (the iPad) and the software (iOS). This allows for a seamless integration between POS software and tablets, and the automatic rollout of updates across devices.
Regional Availability
Where TouchBistro and Lavu start to differ is when it comes to regional availability.
TouchBistro and Lavu both operate in the U.S. and Canada, along with a few other markets.
Lavu is headquartered in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and its primary markets are the U.S. and Mexico. Beyond these target markets, Lavu is also used in 75+ other countries, including Canada.
Like Lavu, TouchBistro also has a global reach and is used in more than 100 countries around the world. However, TouchBistro’s primary markets are Canada and the U.S.
A POS Feature Comparison of Lavu vs TouchBistro
| Core POS Features | TouchBistro | Lavu |
| Menu Management | ✔ | ✔ |
| Staff Management | ✔ | ✔ (limited capabilities) |
| Floor Plan Management | ✔ | ✔ |
| Tableside Ordering | ✔ | ✔ |
| Reporting | ✔ | ✔ |
| 1:1 Onboarding | ✔ | ✘ |
| Customer Support | North America-based 24/7/365 | 24/7/365 |
TouchBistro and Lavu are equipped with most of the same core POS features, including menu management, floor plan management, and tableside ordering.
Though both TouchBistro and Lavu POS check all the boxes when it comes to core features, the depth of these features is not the same.
One of Lavu’s main selling points is that the platform can do it all, with 200+ features and counting. And the reason for all the extra features is because Lavu is designed to support several more niche restaurant concepts, such as pizzerias, delis, ice cream shops, and more.
However, the quality of Lavu’s core POS features is not consistent across the board. For instance, Lavu’s staff management feature is only equipped with basic capabilities like staff scheduling and the ability for employees to clock in and out. Moreover, Lavu’s floor plan management tool only allows you to edit a basic floor plan and does not feature additional design elements.
In contrast to Lavu’s “do it all” approach, TouchBistro takes more of a “do it well” approach. As a restaurant-specific POS provider, TouchBistro focuses on delivering best-in-class implementations of the core features that restaurateurs actually need and use. In other words, TouchBistro prioritizes robust, high-quality features, over quantity.
The quality of TouchBistro’s core POS is evident when looking at a tool like the menu management feature. With TouchBistro, you can create a custom menu for your restaurant, complete with detailed descriptions that can be displayed to customers. You can also carry out intricate functions such as hiding out of stock or time-specific menu items, running scheduled promotions, adding pop-up modifiers, accessing real-time analytics, and so much more.
What Hardware Does Lavu and TouchBistro POS Offer?
Lavu and TouchBistro both use Apple hardware (iPads) as the POS terminals.
| Hardware Options | TouchBistro | Lavu |
| Handheld Terminal | iPad | iPad |
| Baseline Countertop or Compact Terminal | iPad | iPad |
| Kitchen Display System (KDS) Screen | iPad, Samsung Galaxy Tab S6, Lenovo Tab P11 Pro, Kitchen Armor, Geekland, and Microtouch | Mounted iPads and MicroTouch screens |
Though there are some POS providers that use Android hardware, iPads are the tablet of choice for most of the top restaurant POS systems. This means that if you’re switching from another iPad-based POS to a system like TouchBistro or Lavu, you can usually reuse your existing iPads to save money on hardware costs (as long as the iPads you have are a compatible generation).
One of the biggest reasons TouchBistro and Lavu use Apple hardware instead of Android is the seamless integration between Apple’s iPads and the iOS operating system. This integration allows for security updates to roll out automatically across all Apple devices, which takes the burden off restaurateurs to continually update their devices.
Apple iPads are also great for restaurateurs because the devices are so user-friendly and intuitive. As anyone familiar with Apple devices like the iPhone will know, Apple products are easy to use and learn right out of the box – something that can make training new staff much easier.
Beyond the iPads themselves, TouchBistro and Lavu also offer additional hardware for the restaurant POS systems, including printers, payment terminals, stands, cash drawers, and more. Both TouchBistro and Lavu give customers the option to purchase individual hardware pieces, so you can pick and choose all the specific equipment you need for your restaurant.
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What Payment Options Do Lavu and TouchBistro Offer?
Lavu and TouchBistro both offer in-house payment processing solutions, LavuPay and TouchBistro Payments. However, one difference between Lavu vs TouchBistro POS is that Lavu also offers the option to use a third-party payment processor.
| Payment Processing Solutions | TouchBistro | Lavu |
| Payment Types Accepted | Credit, debit, check, and mobile wallets | Credit, debit, check, and mobile wallets |
| Payment Processing rates | Custom-quoted | Interchange + 0.35% + $0.10 per transaction |
| Pre-Authorized Bar Tabs | ✔ | ✔ |
| Quick Response (QR) Codes | ✔ | ✔ |
| Invoices | ✔ | ✔ |
| Offline Payments | ✔ | ✔ |
LavuPay was designed specifically for restaurants to create an all-in-one POS and payments solution where everything you need falls under the same umbrella. Lavu also promises top-notch security and 24/7 support for its payment processing solution.
If you chose to use a third-party processor instead of LavuPay, keep in mind that this is considered an “add-on” in Lavu’s pricing structure, which means you’ll pay an additional fee to use the payment processor of your choice – a fee that could make using a third-party processor more expensive than using LavuPay.
TouchBistro’s in-house payment processing solution, TouchBistro Payments, is directly integrated with the TouchBistro POS, which means the POS speaks directly to the payment terminals and you enjoy a seamless flow of data. This direct integration reduces the risk of order errors (and subsequent chargebacks), while also ensuring a quick and easy payment process for customers.
Not only does TouchBistro Payments offer a seamless payment processing solution with multiple use cases, you also enjoy some of the most competitive rates on the market. This means you can rest easy knowing you won’t face any surprises on your monthly bill.
Lavu’s Payment Processing Fees
According to Merchant Service, Lavu’s payment processing rates start around 0.35% + $0.10 per transaction. To reduce restaurants processing bills, operators offered dual pricing which is the ability to pass along a 3.85% processing surcharge to customers who choose to pay via credit card.
TouchBistro’s Payment Processing Fees
On the other hand, TouchBistro’s payment processing rates are custom-quoted, with discounts for businesses that process a higher volume. Once your rate has been locked in, TouchBistro is transparent and upfront about its terms, so you always know exactly what you’re paying for, without any hidden fees.
Comparing TouchBistro vs Lavu Add-On Solutions
TouchBistro and Lavu POS offer some of the same add-on solutions, however TouchBistro offers more native, in-house add-ons than Lavu.
| Add-On Solutions | TouchBistro | Lavu |
| Integrated Payments | ✔ | ✔ |
| Inventory | ✔ | ✔ (only basic inventory management features) |
| Labor Management and Staff Scheduling | ✔ | ✔ (only basic labor management features) |
| Online Ordering | ✔ | ✔ |
| Integrated Delivery | ✔ | ✘ |
| Reservations | ✔ | ✘ |
| Gift Cards | ✔ | ✔ |
| Loyalty and Customer Relationship Management | ✔ | ✔ |
| Marketing | ✔ | ✔ (mix of built-in native features and third-party integrations) |
| Back Office Management | ✔ | ✔ |
| Self-Serve Kiosks | ✘ | ✔ |
| Kitchen Display System | ✔ | ✔ |
| Customer Facing Display | ✔ | ✔ |
| Digital Menu Board | ✘ | ✔ |
Lavu is missing a few very essential native add-on solutions, including reservations, loyalty, and marketing. And while Lavu does have inventory and labor management solutions, the features offered are very basic. For example, Lavu’s inventory management can track inventory counts, but lacks automated waste tracking and theoretical vs. actual usage variance breakdowns, which can be a limitation for restaurants that require more in-depth tracking and reporting. Similarly, Lavu’s labor management tool includes a basic time-clock, but lacks advanced workforce features like built-in automated employee scheduling and advanced labor optimization tools.
Unlike Lavu, TouchBistro’s native add-ons are incredibly robust, which means you do not need to rely on a complicated web of third-party integrations to carry out advanced functions. For instance, TouchBistro Inventory Management is a robust inventory and recipe management platform that helps operators keep track of stock, forecast future prep and purchase orders, and keep expenses in check – no spreadsheets required. Plus, advanced features like recipe costing tools and data-driven forecasting help operators dramatically reduce their food costs.
TouchBistro also offers an advanced solution for team management that simplifies scheduling and tracking employee hours. TouchBistro Labor Management leverages POS data to help operators reduce labor costs, schedule staff with ease, improve team communication, and forecast for the future – all from one centralized platform. For any restaurants still creating staff schedules by hand, TouchBistro’s pre-built scheduling templates and cost-saving staffing suggestions are a game-changer when it comes to saving time and money.
Lastly, one of the biggest differentiators between Lavu vs TouchBistro is that TouchBistro offers a complete reservation and guest management platform. With TouchBistro Reservations, operators can create digital waitlists, manage and accept bookings, as well as sync directly with your POS so there is seamless communication between your front and back of house staff. Restaurants are also automatically listed on the TouchBistro Dine discovery platform, which gives operators greater public exposure.
What Integrations Do TouchBistro and Lavu Offer?
TouchBistro and Lavu integrate with many leading third-party integrations, including 7shifts for staff management, Quickbooks for accounting, and Deliverect for online ordering.
| Integration Partners | TouchBistro | Lavu |
| Online Ordering and Delivery | ✔ | ✔ |
| Reservations | ✘ (native solution, TouchBistro Reservations) | ✔ |
| Loyalty | ✘ (native solution, TouchBistro Loyalty) | ✔ |
| Marketing | ✘ (native solution, TouchBistro Marketing) | ✔ |
| Staff Management, HR, and Payroll | ✔ | ✔ |
| Inventory Management | ✔ | ✔ |
| Accounting | ✔ | ✔ |
| Reporting and Analytics | ✔ | ✔ |
| Ecommerce | ✘ | ✘ |
Lavu POS also offers third-party integrations for a number of other services, including account and payroll, payments, inventory management, online ordering, delivery, and guest engagement.
For instance, Lavu is compatible with inventory integrations like Digital Pour and Cheddar Suite, loyalty integrations like LoyaltyMatch and Pepper, and order and pay integrations like Up’n Go and CheckPlease.
In contrast, TouchBistro supports a fewer number of third-party integrations than Lavu. However, TouchBistro’s more curated list of integration partners primarily consists of industry-leading solutions that are already used by most restaurateurs anyway. For instance, TouchBistro supports best-in-class solutions like 7shifts for employee scheduling, MarginEdge for advanced inventory management, and Avero for reporting – all of which are leading third-party solutions in their category.
Another reason that TouchBistro offers fewer third-party integrations is because TouchBistro already offers native solutions for most essential tools. For instance, TouchBistro has developed its own solutions for reservations management, online ordering, loyalty, and more. This means that while TouchBistro may offer fewer integrations overall, most restaurants will be able to use their preferred third-party partner or use one of TouchBistro’s many in-house solutions.
Compare the top restaurant POS systems on features, pricing, payments, and more.
How Much Do Lavu and TouchBistro Cost?
TouchBistro’s POS starts at $69 USD per month, while Lavu starts at $59 USD per month.
| Pricing | TouchBistro | Lavu |
| Software Pricing | Point of Sale: starting at $69 USD / month Essentials: starting at $119 USD / month Custom Setup: custom pricing | Starter: $59 USD / month Growth: $129 USD / month Optimize: $279 USD / month |
Lavu’s software starts at $59 USD per month for a single POS terminal. For this price, you get most of Lavu’s core POS features, including 24/7 support, and real-time sales and labor reporting. Lavu also offers a $129 USD per month package that includes add-ons like loyalty and online ordering, and a $279 USD per month package that includes all add-ons and certain integrations like Quickbooks/Xero.
Similarly, TouchBistro’s plans also start at $69 USD per month for one license. TouchBistro also offers different pricing bundles. For example, the Essentials bundle starts at $119 USD per month with $0 hardware upfront, which can significantly reduce upfront costs.
Regardless of which package operators choose to go with, all of TouchBistro’s plans include the core POS features, unlimited users, free updates, and 24/7/365 North America-based support.
Comparing TouchBistro vs Lavu Customer Support Quality
When comparing TouchBistro’s and Lavu’s customer support quality, TouchBistro is generally considered the better option due to its team of in-house experts, many of whom are former restaurant staff or owners.
TouchBistro offers 24/7/365 North America-based customer service and technical support and can be reached by phone or email. This means you can call in during a Saturday lunch service or late on Christmas Eve and you’ll get connected to someone who knows the industry inside and out and has a deep understanding of the issues you’re experiencing.
However, if you’re experiencing minor issues, TouchBistro also has an extensive online resource library, complete with step-by-step guides and video tutorials that can be used to troubleshoot virtually any issue on your own.
On the other hand, Lavu offers free 24/7 support with all of its monthly and annual subscriptions. Lavu’s support can be accessed via phone, email, or live chat. Lavu also has a wide variety of online resources for less pressing issues, including a support page with FAQs and how-to articles, a community forum, and a well-developed YouTube channel.
While Lavu has 24/7 support like TouchBistro, it’s important to note that Lavu’s customer support has mixed reviews on several third-party review sites, such as TrustRadius. Some of these Lavu POS reviews note disappointing experiences when it comes to Lavu’s responsiveness and its ability to solve technical problems.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is better for restaurants, Lavu or TouchBistro?
TouchBistro is overall the better POS choice for most restaurants because of its more robust set of features and add-ons for full service and quick service venues.While Lavu offers deep back of house tracking and unique features for niche concepts like pizzerias, TouchBistro is best for all-in-one restaurant management providing the ideal balance of powerful restaurant technology, reliable hardware, and effortless everyday usability for front of house staff.
Which POS handles restaurant modifiers better, Lavu or TouchBistro?
TouchBistro handles restaurant modifiers better for daily operations because of its seamless, visual order-flow design. While Lavu allows deep custom nesting, these kinds of complex conditional paths can slow down the order-taking process and impact table turn times.
Is TouchBistro or Lavu better for wine bars?
When you compare TouchBistro vs Lavu, TouchBistro is generally better for wine bars because its clean layout allows servers to quickly navigate extensive wine lists, manage tab transfers between the bar and dining room, and split checks seamlessly for groups. However, Lavu can be better if your wine bar doubles as a retail bottle shop or features a massive, rapidly rotating cellar, thanks to its advanced inventory tracking that measures open bottles down to the exact ounce and its ability to construct multi-tiered, nested modifiers for customized wine flights.
Is Lavu POS good for multi-location restaurant groups?
TouchBistro is best for full and quick service multi-location restaurant groups because it allows operators to streamline operations and unify multi-menu management, all from one system. On the other hand, Lavu is best for multi-location pizzerias thanks to niche features like its Pizza Creator tool.
What are the differences between Lavu and TouchBistro for busy bars?
TouchBistro is better for bars because it’s built to maximize bartender speed and simplify bar management with several unique features:
- Intuitive Tab Handling: TouchBistro makes opening, pre-authorizing, and splitting bar tabs fast and effortless, keeping drink orders moving without administrative friction.
- Staff Onboarding: Bartenders can learn TouchBistro in minutes, reducing the onboarding burden in high-turnover bar environments compared to Lavu’s steeper setup curve.
- Reliable Local Sync: TouchBistro uses a local network connection, ensuring fast, crash-free order processing during peak weekend rushes, even if the internet drops out.
TouchBistro vs Lavu: The Bottom Line
In summary, Lavu is best suited to highly-specific restaurant concepts like pizzerias, ice cream shops, breweries, and wineries. For instance, Lavu offers a tool specifically for pizzerias called Pizza Creator, equipped with custom pizza ordering options (i.e. half-half toppings), ingredient level tracking, and tools to track pizza deliveries in real-time. In fact, Forbes specifically rates Lavu as the “Best for pizzerias” due to these kinds of features.
In contrast, TouchBistro is the best POS option for the majority of single and multi-location full and quick service restaurants thanks to its robust set of core POS features, extensive add-on solutions, and transparent pricing structure.
When it comes down to it, every restaurant is different and your list of must-haves may look a whole lot different from that of the restaurant down the street. This restaurant POS system comparison of TouchBistro vs Lavu is designed to help you hone in on those must-haves, and make sure that you end up with the best POS system and payment processing solution for your specific restaurant.
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Katherine is the Content Marketing Manager at TouchBistro, where she writes about trending topics in food and restaurants. The opposite of a picky eater, she’ll try (almost) anything at least once. Whether it’s chowing down on camel burgers in Morocco or snacking on octopus dumplings in Japan, she’s always up for new food experiences.
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The right POS should help you increase sales
The right POS should help you increase sales.
