Best Systems With Online Ordering For Restaurants In 2023

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.

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 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)

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.

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

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.

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 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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

Screenshot of Toast webpage, captured 3/28/2023

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.

Screenshot of Toast webpage, captured 3/7/2023

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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 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 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

Screenshot of Clover webpage, captured 3/29/2023

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 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.

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.

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 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

Sceenshot of Revel webpage, captured 3/29/2023

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

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.

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’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.

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

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.

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.