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Best Systems With Online Ordering For Restaurants In 2023

If your restaurant doesn't offer online ordering, it could miss out on major profits. Find out which POS system is best for online ordering.

    Kate Hoots
  • UPDATED

Advertiser Disclosure: Our unbiased reviews and content are supported in part by affiliate partnerships, and we adhere to strict guidelines to preserve editorial integrity.

Online ordering for restaurants spiked during the pandemic and is showing no signs of slowing down. In 2020, 111 million US consumers placed online restaurant orders worth more than $26 billion, and that’s predicted to rise to more than $43 billion by 2025.

If your restaurant is not already on top of this online ordering trend, you need to jump on it — and soon. This post will help you understand online ordering options so you can pick the best online ordering system for your restaurant.

Learn More About Our Top Picks

CompanyBest ForNext StepsBest For
Square For Restaurants POS

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  • $0-$60/month
  • Numerous delivery integrations
  • Basic inventory management
  • $0-$60/month
  • Numerous delivery integrations
  • Basic inventory management

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Lightspeed Restaurant POS

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  • $90-$519/month
  • Numerous delivery integrations
  • Limited inventory management
  • $90-$519/month
  • Numerous delivery integrations
  • Limited inventory management

Visit Site

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Toast POS

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  • $0-$165+/month
  • Native and third-party ordering
  • Advanced reporting
  • $0-$165+/month
  • Native and third-party ordering
  • Advanced reporting

Visit Site

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TouchBistro

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  • $69/month
  • Third-party delivery integrations
  • Add-ons required for online ordering
  • $69/month
  • Third-party delivery integrations
  • Add-ons required for online ordering

Visit Site

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Clover POS

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  • $0-$95/month
  • Native Grubhub integration
  • Advanced inventory tools
  • $0-$95/month
  • Native Grubhub integration
  • Advanced inventory tools

Visit Site

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Revel POS Systems

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  • $99/month/terminal
  • Delivery integrations
  • Advanced inventory & reporting
  • $99/month/terminal
  • Delivery integrations
  • Advanced inventory & reporting

Visit Site

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Lavu POS

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  • $129-$279/month
  • Multiple delivery integrations
  • Customer loyalty and relationship tools
  • $129-$279/month
  • Multiple delivery integrations
  • Customer loyalty and relationship tools

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Show Fewer Options

Read more below to learn why we chose these options.

Table of Contents

What Is An Online Ordering System For Restaurants?

Online ordering for restaurants is a system that allows consumers to order food from their homes — or anywhere offsite — for delivery or pickup. Using an online app, customers can access your restaurant’s menu, place their orders, and specify their delivery choices.

From the restaurant owner or manager’s point of view, restaurant online ordering systems allow you to increase sales by feeding more people than your facility can seat at one time. If you’re interested in increasing your restaurant sales without enlarging your physical space, you definitely want to add online ordering for your restaurant.

What We Looked For In Online Ordering Systems

The best restaurant online ordering systems will sync with your restaurant’s existing software.

In most cases, that means your restaurant POS system.

Additionally, we looked for features like these in online ordering systems for restaurants:

  • Customer accounts
  • Loyalty program
  • Easy, convenient ordering
  • Accurate menu information
  • Out-of-stock management
  • Allergen information
  • Order modifications
  • Easy-to-use interface for staff
  • Reports on sales and profitability
  • Customer and order data collection

You’ll find many of these features already built into the best POS systems.

Below, we’ll dig deeper into our top picks for the best systems for online ordering.

Best POS Systems With Online Ordering For Restaurants

The best systems with online ordering for restaurants will sync with the software your restaurant already uses. We think Square, Lightspeed Restaurant, Toast, TouchBistro, Clover, Revel, and Lavu are at the top of the pack. Read on to find the best match for your restaurant.

1. Square: Best Free Online Ordering System For Restaurants

Square For Restaurants POS


Visit Site

Pricing

$0-$60/month/location + custom option

Online Ordering

Yes

Equipment Cost

$0-$799

Get a free card swiper from Square at no cost when you create a free account. Claim your card reader.

Pros

  • Free plan available
  • Multiple payment options
  • Month-to-month agreement
  • Delivery integrations

Cons

  • Occasional hold on funds
  • Limited inventory management

Screengrab of a restaurant menu posted on a Square Online web store

Screengrab of Square webpage, captured 2/16/2022

Why We Chose Square For The Best Online Ordering Systems

Square for Restaurants is easy to use, includes a free online ordering website, integrates with top third-party delivery services, includes payment processing, and comes with a no-strings-attached free plan.

Square For Restaurants Rates & Fees

Square For Restaurants POS Plans Price  When To Use
Free $0/month Use if you need the basics in restaurant POS software plus simple processing
Plus $60/month/location Use if you need advanced inventory and 24/7 customer service
Premium Custom Use if you process more than $250,000 a year

If you use Square for Restaurants, you’ll be locked into using Square for all your payment processing. The good news is that Square rates are competitive at 2.6% + $0.10 per in-person payment (tap, dip, or swipe). Online payments cost 2.9% + $0.30.

Square For Restaurants Features For Online Ordering

Square For Restaurants POS Features Availability
Multi-Store Support
Contactless Payments
Multi-Channel Selling
Gift Cards
Customer Loyalty Add-on
Marketing Tools Add-on
Online Ordering
Inventory Management
Reporting
Menu Management
Delivery Management
EBT Acceptance
Employee Management
Text Messaging

Square for Restaurants includes all the features essential to a restaurant POS, even on the free plan. Here’s a rundown:

  • Free online ordering website
  • Multiple location management
  • Loyalty program available as add-on
  • Delivery orders automatically sent to your POS and routed to the kitchen
  • Direct integrations with Caviar, Doordash, and Postmates
  • Additional delivery options include Uber Eats and Grubhub
  • Square KDS available as an add-on or included in Plus plan
  • Menu management
  • Basic inventory management
  • QR code ordering and QR code payments
  • Basic reporting (advanced reports on paid plans)

square kds tickets on ipad

Square For Restaurants Hardware Costs & Options

You have options with Square hardware. You can spend $0 for a Square magstripe card reader or up to $1,459+ for the Square Stand Restaurant Station with Square Terminal hardware.

Square hardware

Contract Requirements/Warnings

You don’t need to sign any contracts to use Square for Restaurants. Payment processing with Square is also pay-as-you-go.

Get Started With Square For Restaurants POS

Read our in-depth review

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2. Lightspeed Restaurant: Best Delivery Integrations For Online Ordering

Lightspeed Restaurant POS


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Pricing

$69-$399/month

Online Ordering

Yes

Equipment Cost

Contact Lightspeed to receive a quote

Pros

  • Numerous delivery integrations
  • Discounts on annual plans
  • Delivery-specific menu options
  • Modifications and allergen information supported

Cons

  • Expensive monthly cost
  • Hardware pricing by custom quote only

Lightspeed Restaurant POS third-party delivery integrations.

Why We Chose Lightspeed Restaurant For The Best Online Ordering Systems

Lightspeed Restaurant is a quick-serve POS interface the integrates with Lightspeed eCommerce, a self-contained website builder that includes beautiful customizable templates, online menu and third-party delivery apps, and pickup options. Plus, Lightspeed Restaurant integrates with numerous ordering and delivery systems, including Uber Eats and DoorDash.

Lightspeed Restaurant Rates & Fees

Lightspeed Restaurant POS Plans Price  When To Use
Starter $69/month Single-location restaurants looking to start a loyalty program
Essential $189/month Restaurants with one or more locations looking for online ordering capabilities
Premium $399/month Larger restaurants & hotels looking for custom payment processing rates

Significant discounts are available on annual plans vs. month-to-month.

Lightspeed Restaurant uses its own payment processor, Lightspeed Payments. Fees are 2.6% + $0.10 for in-person transactions and 2.6% + $0.30 for card-not-present transactions. If you sign up for the Pro plan, you will receive a custom rate that should be lower than these rates.

Lightspeed Restaurant Features For Online Ordering

Lightspeed Restaurant POS Features Availability
Multi-Store Support
Contactless Payments
Multi-Channel Selling
Gift Cards
Customer Loyalty
Marketing Tools
Online Ordering
Inventory Management
Reporting
Menu Management
Delivery Management
EBT Acceptance
Employee Management
Text Messaging

Lightspeed Restaurant is a complete POS system that includes all the essential features in addition to these elements that are specific to online ordering:

  • Delivery-specific menus
  • Easy integrations with third-party delivery options like SkipTheDishes, Uber Eats, and DoorDash
  • Online ordering integratins with BPL, Chowly, Mobi2Go, and Zuppler
  • QR Code ordering
  • Loyalty program
  • Modifiers and allergy restrictions
  • Timed events and promotions
  • Discounts, service fees, and combos
  • Raw ingredient tracking and notifications
  • Menu building

Lightsepped Restaurant menu screen

Screenshot of Lightspeed Restaurant webpage, captured 3/27/2023

Hardware Costs & Options

Lightspeed Restaurant uses iPads, which you can purchase from Lightspeed or use your own. Lightspeed sells POS hardware bundles and accessories. These are available by custom quote only.

Lightspeed Restaurant hardware

Contract Requirements/Warnings

You can choose a month-to-month or annual contract, or set custom terms. You’ll receive the lowest fees on an annual or longer contract.

Early termination fees apply if you cancel your contract early. Be sure to consider this when you’re choosing your Lightspeed subscription.

Get Started With Lightspeed Restaurant POS

Read our in-depth review

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3. Toast: Best Android Ordering System For Restaurants

Toast POS


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Pricing

$0-$165 plus custom plan

Online Ordering

Yes

Equipment Cost

$0-$847

Pros

  • Android-based
  • Advanced inventory management
  • Native mobile ordering app
  • eCommerce integration

Cons

  • 2+ year contract required
  • Not suitable for smaller restaurants
  • Delivery requires paid plan

Toast POS

Screenshot of Toast webpage, captured 4/28/2022

Why We Chose Toast For The Best Online Ordering Systems

Toast is extremely intuitive and built for the restaurant industry. Its online ordering system features full menu visibility, and offers prompted modifiers to help customers walk through their options. You can also use Toast to support order pickup or dispatch your own drivers to pre-set delivery zones.

Toast Rates & Fees

Toast POS Plans Price  When To Use
Starter Kit $0/month You have a small, single-location restaurant with basic feature needs
Point of Sale $69/month You need a full point of sale suite with processing and custom hardware
Essentials $165/month You need advanced features and are looking to bundle with digital ordering
Custom Custom Larger businesses looking to access the entirety of Toast’s features

If you want to enable online ordering, you’ll likely need the Toast Now add-on. For an additional $75+/month, you can add online ordering, Toast TakeOut, contactless delivery, and delivery services to your plan. Toast Now Plus and Premium levels add additional features for additional costs.

Payment processing is included at a flat rate of 2.49% + $0.15 for in-person on the Standard plan but the $0/month Starter. The hidden costs of using the free plan include higher processing fees, at 3.49% + $0.15 per online and in-person transaction. Rates on other plans are customized.

Toast Features For Online Ordering

Toast POS Features Availability
Multi-Store Support
Contactless Payments
Multi-Channel Selling
Gift Cards
Customer Loyalty
Marketing Tools
Online Ordering
Inventory Management
Reporting
Menu Management
Delivery Management
EBT Acceptance
Employee Management
Text Messaging

Unlike other POS systems, Toast was designed specifically for restaurants, and its features are focused on that audience. Here are some examples of what you’ll find with Toast:

  • Online ordering add-on
  • Toast Delivery Services add-on, with DoorDash integration
  • Mobile ordering app add-on
  • Menu management, including time of day and seasonal menus
  • Timed discounts
  • Loyalty program
  • Inventory management
  • Reports
  • Kitchen display system
  • Multi-location support

Toast POS

Screenshot of Toast webpage, captured 3/28/2023

Hardware Costs & Options

Toast hardware costs vary significantly according to your needs and your plan level. For example, the Toast Starter Kit is free if you’re using the free Starter plan but costs $799 on other plans. Your best bet is to contact Toast for a custom quote.

Toast hardware

Screenshot of Toast webpage, captured 3/7/2023

Contract Requirements/Warnings

You’ll want to be certain about using Toast before you sign up for a plan. A minimum of two years is required, with hefty early termination fees. Read your service agreement carefully before you sign.

Get Started With Toast POS

Read our in-depth review

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4. TouchBistro: Best Online Ordering For Offline Sales

TouchBistro


Visit Site

Pricing

$69/month

Online Ordering

Add-on

Equipment Cost

Call for quote

Pros

  • Locally installed system doesn’t require wifi
  • Multiple payment processing options
  • Easy to use

Cons

  • Required add-ons add to cost
  • Basic inventory management


Why We Chose TouchBistro For The Best Online Ordering Systems

TouchBistro allows you to connect to third-party delivery services, create an online ordering website, and build a loyalty program. TouchBistro is competitively priced and locally installed, meaning it can be a good option for selling online and offline too. If you’re selling from a food cart, for example, and want to enable online ordering, TouchBistro definitely is worth a look.

TouchBistro Rates & Fees

TouchBistro Plans Price  When To Use
TouchBistro Plan $69/month If you have basic restaurant needs and are interested in purchasing add-ons

If you want to add online ordering and delivery, you’ll need some basic add-ons. Here’s a list to get you started:

  • Online Ordering: $50/month
  • Gift Cards: $25/month
  • Loyalty: $50-$189/month

TouchBistro has its own payment processing service, called TouchBistro Payments. It’s also compatible with other processors, including Square, Worldpay, EVO, Moneris, and TSYS. Contact TouchBistro to learn more about pricing.

TouchBistro Features For Online Ordering

TouchBistro Features Availability
Multi-Store Support
Contactless Payments
Multi-Channel Selling
Gift Cards Add-on
Customer Loyalty Add-on
Marketing Tools Add-on
Online Ordering Add-on
Inventory Management
Reporting
Menu Management
Delivery Management
EBT Acceptance
Employee Management
Text Messaging

Here are some of the standout features TouchBistro offers for online ordering. Keep in mind that you may be required to purchase an add-on subscription to access these features:

  • Locally installed software means no internet or wifi required for use
  • Online ordering website
  • Loyalty program
  • Basic inventory management
  • Connections to third-party delivery services (Deliverect, Checkmate, and Ordermark)
  • Kitchen display system
  • Menu controls
  • Reports
  • Inventory management

TouchBistro Food Truck POS System

Hardware Costs & Options

TouchBistro works with a variety of Apple products, and custom bundles are available in addition to individual pieces. Unfortunately, hardware prices are not listed, so you will have to contact TouchBistro to get a quote.

Contract Requirements/Warnings

You can choose a monthly or annual contract with TouchBistro. Early termination fees do apply, and you’ll need to provide 30 days written notice at the end of your subscription term, or you’ll automatically be signed up for another term.

Get Started With TouchBistro

Read our in-depth review

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5. Clover: Best Overall For Online Ordering

Clover POS


Visit Site

Pricing

Starts at $0/month

Contract

Depends on merchant services provider

Equipment Cost

$49-$1,799 per device

Pros

  • Affordable monthly cost
  • Free online ordering module
  • Customer engagement features
  • Easy to set up and use

Cons

  • Fiserv merchant account required
  • Hardware is costly

Clover coffee POS system

Why We Chose Clover For The Best Online Ordering Systems

Clover is a complete package for restaurants, with an easy to use plug-and-play design that’s easy to use. Add in-house delivery or a third-party delivery integration, a large app store with tons of integrations, a simple UI, and a useful loyalty program, and you’ve got everything your restaurant needs.

Clover Rates & Fees

Clover POS Plans Price  When To Use
Clover Payments $0/month If you only need to process payments and don’t need any POS hardware
Clover Essentials $14.95/month If you have a small retail/service-based business and don’t take returns
Clover Register $49.95/month If you have a small to mid-size retail/service-based business and need more POS features
Clover Counter Service Restaurant $54.95/month If you have a quick-serve restaurant, cafeteria, or mobile food service business
Clover Table Service Restaurant $84.95/month If you have a full-service restaurant or bar

Clover offers 2.3% + $0.10 payment processing fees for in-person transactions and 3.5% + $0.10 for online transactions, if you purchase your hardware and software plans directly from Clover.

Clover Features For Online Ordering

Clover POS Features Availability
Multi-Store Support
Contactless Payments Depends on hardware choice
Multi-Channel Selling
Gift Cards
Customer Loyalty
Marketing Tools
Online Ordering Depends on software plan
Inventory Management
Reporting
Menu Management
Delivery Management
EBT Acceptance Add-on app
Employee Management
Text Messaging

Clover includes a built-in, free online ordering site and an easy connection to your Google Business Profile. That’s a key asset when potential customers search online for “restaurants near me,” so be sure to claim your Google Business Profile.

Here are some other key features Clover delivers:

  • In-house delivery options
  • Unique loyalty rewards program
  • Customer profiles with order preferences, payment history, and recent orders
  • Menu management
  • Direct Grubhub integration
  • QR codes for ordering and paying
  • Advanced inventory tools
  • Reports

Clvoer online ordering

Screenshot of Clover webpage, captured 3/29/2023

Hardware Costs & Options

Clover offers POS hardware from $49 for Clover Go, a small bluetooth reader that connects to a smartphone, all the way to Clover Station, a full-size countertop POS system costing $1,349-$1,799.

Clover offers a variety of hardware accessories, with pricing that varies depending on your software plan and what hardware you already have. Clover also offers leasing options for hardware.

Clover POS hardware

Contract Requirements/Warnings

Clover is sold in conjunction with a Fiserv merchant account (although you can set up your own merchant account if you prefer). These Fiserv accounts are available from numerous merchant services companies and banks, and they are not all highly rated. That’s why we recommend using a recommended Clover reseller instead.

Additionally, because so many merchant service providers offer Clover hardware and merchant accounts, be aware that contract lengths and early termination fees can vary dramatically. If you’re not familiar with the ins and outs of choosing a merchant service provider, exercise special care with Clover, and don’t rush into any contracts until you’re certain.

Get Started With Clover POS

Read our in-depth review

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6. Revel: Best Online Ordering System For Large Restaurants

Revel POS Systems


Visit Site

Pricing

$99/month

Contract

Three-year commitment for lowest rate

Equipment Cost

$20-$1,500

Pros

  • Suitable for large & multi-location restaurants
  • Advanced delivery tools
  • Drive-through pickup supported
  • Advanced reporting & inventory tools

Cons

  • 3-year contract requirement
  • Steep learning curve

Revel POS

Why We Chose Revel For The Best Online Ordering Systems

Revel is a feature-rich system best suited for larger restaurants and those with multiple locations. Along with its deep reporting and analytics comes a moderate to steep learning curve that means this definitely isn’t the right choice for smaller restaurants. However, those who are willing to put in the time will be rewarded.

Revel Rates & Fees

Revel POS Systems Plans Price  When To Use
Revel plan $99/month with three-year commitment Use if you are committed to the product and have a need for high-end features.

To get this rate, you’ll be billed annually and have to sign a three-year contract. You’ll also be required to use Revel’s in-house payment processor, Revel Advantage, for the length of your contract term. It’s best to talk to a Revel representative to get an official quote and make sure Revel is a good fit for your restaurant.

Revel’s payment processing is fairly standard, at 2.49% + $0.15 per transaction. If you prefer to use another payment processor, such as Adyen or FreedomPay, you can arrange that. Be aware that you may have to pay an extra monthly fee.

Revel Features For Online Ordering

Revel POS Systems Features Availability
Multi-Store Support
Contactless Payments
Multi-Channel Selling
Gift Cards
Customer Loyalty
Marketing Tools
Online Ordering
Inventory Management
Reporting
Menu Management
Delivery Management
EBT Acceptance
Employee Management
Text Messaging

Revel has some outstanding features for online ordering, including a native application called Online Ordering XT. Here’s a roundup of what you’ll find with Revel:

  • Responsive, fully brandable site with your logo and images
  • Location-detecting store picker
  • Delivery management with Google Maps integration and driver tracking
  • Delivery integrations with Grubhub, CheckMate, Deliverect, and Chowly
  • Pick-up via drive-through supported
  • Menu management, including real-time updates
  • Loyalty program
  • Full integration with POS and KDS
  • Estimated delivery times
  • Order notes and special instructions
  • Delivery address verification
  • Future order scheduling
  • Cash-on-delivery payment option
  • Suggested tips and automatic cart update with tip amount
  • Gift cards

Revel online ordering

Sceenshot of Revel webpage, captured 3/29/2023

Hardware Costs & Options

Revel’s iPad-based POS is priced by personalized quote. You can also purchase hardware yourself, but you’ll need written permission from Revel before you do so.

Revel offers individual pieces, such as iPads, stands, and cash drawers, as well as bundles. Contact Revel Systems for details.

Revel hardware

Revel Systems POS register, customer-facing display, receipt printer, and card reader.

Contract Requirements/Warnings

You’ll be required to sign a three-year contract, if you want the best pricing and the ability to use Revel Advantage payment processing. Because Revel charges substantial early termination fees, you may want to negotiate a shorter-term plan while you make sure Revel is the right choice for your restaurant.

Get Started With Revel POS Systems

Read our in-depth review

Jump back to comparison chart

7. Lavu: Best Online Ordering For Small Restaurants

Lavu POS


Visit Site

Pricing

Starts at $59/month

Online Ordering

Yes

Equipment Cost

$55-$2,500

Pros

  • Competitive cost
  • Advanced reporting
  • Numerous delivery integrations

Cons

  • Can be costly for low-volume merchants

lavu ipad kiosk

Lavu self-ordering kiosk enclosure for iPad.

Why We Chose Lavu For The Best Online Ordering Systems

If you’re looking for an easy way to add online ordering to your small restaurant, Lavu may be just what you need. It’s priced competitively and easy to use, with no contract required. Lavu also offers targeted support for niche restaurants, such as pizzerias, cafes, delis, and coffee shops.

Lavu Rates & Fees

Lavu POS Plans Price  When To Use
Lavu POS Starter Plan Starts at $59/month If you have a small fast casual eatery and don’t want to take online orders
Lavu POS Growth Plan Starts at $129/month If you want to take online orders and offer delivery services
Lavu POS Optimize Plan Starts at $279/month If you have a full-service establishment or a very busy fast casual foodservice

Lavu’s starter plan does not support online orders.

Additional fees apply for added features, such as gift cards ($50/month), MenuDrive Online Ordering ($99/month), and loyalty tools ($50/month).

Lavu has an in-house payment processing service, Lavu Pay, with customized pricing. You can also integrate with third-party processors, including Square, PayPal, Moneris, Heartland, and BridgePay. You may be charged an additional fee for using a third-party provider.

Lavu Features For Online Ordering

Lavu POS Features Availability
Multi-Store Support
Contactless Payments
Multi-Channel Selling
Gift Cards
Customer Loyalty
Marketing Tools
Online Ordering
Inventory Management
Reporting
Menu Management
Delivery Management
EBT Acceptance
Employee Management
Text Messaging

You’ll find everything you need to set up online ordering from your restaurant with Lavu’s tools and features, including these:

  • In-house delivery through MenuDrive Online Ordering
  • Additional delivery service integrations available
  • Online menu prepared for you by Lavu
  • 100+ customizable templates
  • Upsell and add-on marketing toools
  • Customer loyalty
  • Customer relationship tools
  • QR code and coupon generator
  • QR code ordering
  • DoorDash delivery

Hardware Costs & Options

Lavu offers hardware and hardware packages at multiple price points. A basic card reader starts at $75. You can also access a list of supported devices if you wish to purchase elsewhere.

Lavu hardware

Contract Requirements/Warnings

You won’t have to sign a contract to use Lavu. Be aware that some users say sales reps have tried to talk them into long-term contracts or equipment leases. Make sure you fully understand before you sign anything.

Get Started With Lavu POS

Read our in-depth review

Jump back to comparison chart

Our Methodology For Choosing The Best Online Ordering Systems For Restaurants

To find the best online ordering systems for restaurants, Merchant Maverick editors evaluated 20+ POS systems based on their specific online ordering functionality, including delivery options. In general, we consider monthly pricing, hardware costs, features, contract requirements, and available integrations when evaluating any POS system.

We look especially for software that offers a range of subscription levels and price points, so that users aren’t paying for features and hardware they don’t really need.

We also consider non-incentivized, current user review written on review platforms online to make sure we are considering the most up-to-date descriptions of the user experience.

We are fully transparent about how we rate POS systems at Merchant Maverick.

Should You Use Third-Party Ordering & Delivery Apps

Pros

  • Easy to use
  • Include restaurant-specific features
  • Familiar to customers
  • Can help build your website
  • Can use multiple apps to match customers’ preferences

Cons

  • Can be expensive
  • May not be compatible with your existing POS
  • Delivery apps do not share customer data

Before you put your restaurant’s menu online, you’ll need to decide if you want to stick with curbside (and host station) pickup or offer delivery services.

Keep in mind that diners have come to expect delivery options. And if you offer pickup only, they may order from a competitor that will bring food to their doorstep.

If you don’t have the capacity or the staff to deliver food orders, or if you’re just not interested in doing so, you’re in luck. You can choose from a plethora of third-party delivery options that will take the delivery burden off your

You can read more about our top picks for the best third-party delivery services for details that can help you pick the best one for your restaurant. Here’s a brief rundown:

  • DoorDash: A major player in the food delivery game, DoorDash partners with large chain restaurants as well as with small restaurants. You can also integrate white-label DoorDash services into your own website.
  • GrubHub: GrubHub has a convenient re-order feature for users that can help keep your restaurant at the front of a customer’s mind. While it may not specifically benefit your business, GrubHub also offers loyalty perks to its customers, rewarding them for repeat business.
  • UberEats: The UberEats massive driver team can virtually guarantee speedy delivery. And it’s simple for restaurants and cafes of all types to utilize. However, UberEats does charge one of the largest commission fees in the industry.
  • Postmates: Postmates claims to have the largest on-demand network in the industry and is extremely popular in large, urban areas. It also has a Postmates API if you or anyone in your restaurant is into coding and software development.

What Online Ordering Systems Is Right For Your Restaurant?

Online ordering can increase your restaurant’s visibility and meet customer expectations for take-out food service. For most restaurants, online ordering is a necessity. And that just leaves the question of which online ordering system you should use.

We suggest you start by looking into the options available from your current restaurant POS system. That could be the easiest and least expensive way to jump into online ordering.

Remember, not all POS systems are equal. Some are particularly well suited for specific types of restaurants, such as pizza POS, pub POS, or bakery POS, for example.

Whichever POS seems right for your restaurant, test it out before you commit. Ask for a free trial or a demo, at least. Before you sign a contract, read up on how to negotiate a merchant agreement to make sure you get the best POS contract terms.

FAQs: Online Ordering Systems For Restaurants

What is the best online ordering system for restaurants?

Square, Lightspeed Restaurant, Toast, TouchBistro, Clover, Revel, and Lavu all offer strong features for online ordering. The best one for your restaurant will depend on a variety of factors, including how much you’re able to pay to add online ordering to your restaurant.

What online ordering system is easiest for restaurants to use?

Square and Lavu both make it easy to add online ordering to your restaurant. Each is competitively priced and easy to use, with no contract required.

How much does it cost to add online ordering for restaurants?

The cost of adding online ordering to your restaurant depends on which software you use. You can sign up for a free plan from Square, Toast, or Clover, or pay as much as $279 for Lavu or $519 for Lightspeed. Most offer a range of subscription levels, so you can choose the right level, with the right features, for your restaurant.

What features should I look for in an online ordering system for my restaurant?

The best online ordering systems for restaurants include easy, convenient ordering from the customers’ point of view. On the back end, it’s important to have customer accounts, a loyalty program, accurate menu information that you can update, useful reports, and data collection.

In Summary: Best POS Systems With Online Ordering For Restaurants

  1. Square For Restaurants POS:
    • $0-$60/month
    • Numerous delivery integrations
    • Basic inventory management
  2. Lightspeed Restaurant POS:
    • $90-$519/month
    • Numerous delivery integrations
    • Limited inventory management
  3. Toast POS:
    • $0-$165+/month
    • Native and third-party ordering
    • Advanced reporting
  4. TouchBistro:
    • $69/month
    • Third-party delivery integrations
    • Add-ons required for online ordering
  5. Clover POS:
    • $0-$95/month
    • Native Grubhub integration
    • Advanced inventory tools
  6. Revel POS Systems:
    • $99/month/terminal
    • Delivery integrations
    • Advanced inventory & reporting
  7. Lavu POS:
    • $129-$279/month
    • Multiple delivery integrations
    • Customer loyalty and relationship tools
Kate Hoots

Kate Hoots

Senior Staff Writer at Merchant Maverick
Kate started writing on business topics in 1996, working for groundbreaking B2B newsletters Communication Briefings and The Competitive Advantage. She joined Merchant Maverick in 2020 and is an expert in business banking, insurance, and eCommerce. She has been featured on NBC TODAY, Yahoo News, GoBankingRates, Scripps News Syndicate, and CBS Radio. She has a bachelor's degree in English literature from Lewis & Clark College and lives in Canby, Oregon.
Kate Hoots
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