Lavu
Lavu is a mobile point-of-sale software designed specifically for restaurants and bars to streamline ordering, manage inventory, and process payments through an intuitive iPad-based interface.
Toast
Toast is an all-in-one point of sale and restaurant management platform designed to help you streamline operations, increase sales, and create better guest experiences through integrated technology.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Lavu | Toast |
|---|---|---|
| Website | lavu.com | toasttab.com |
| Pricing Model | Subscription | Freemium |
| Starting Price | $59/month | Free |
| FREE Trial | ✘ No free trial | ✘ No free trial |
| Free Plan | ✘ No free plan | ✓ Has free plan |
| Product Demo | ✓ Request demo here | ✓ Request demo here |
| Deployment | ||
| Integrations | ||
| Target Users | ||
| Target Industries | ||
| Customer Count | 0 | 0 |
| Founded Year | 2010 | 2011 |
| Headquarters | Albuquerque, USA | Boston, USA |
Overview
Lavu
Lavu provides you with a comprehensive iPad POS system built specifically for the unique demands of the food and beverage industry. Whether you run a high-volume nightclub, a cozy coffee shop, or a full-service restaurant, you can manage your entire front-of-house and back-of-house operations from a single platform. The software replaces bulky traditional registers with sleek tablets that allow your staff to take orders tableside and send them instantly to the kitchen.
You can track your inventory levels in real-time, manage employee schedules, and access detailed sales reports from any device with an internet connection. By integrating payment processing directly into the workflow, you reduce manual entry errors and speed up the checkout process for your customers. It is designed to scale with your business, supporting everything from single-location startups to multi-unit franchises with centralized management tools.
Toast
Toast is a comprehensive restaurant management platform that centralizes your entire operation into one system. You can handle everything from front-of-house point of sale transactions to back-of-house kitchen displays and inventory tracking. Whether you run a small cafe, a busy full-service restaurant, or a multi-location franchise, you can customize the hardware and software to fit your specific service model and workflow.
You can manage your staff with integrated payroll and scheduling tools while building guest loyalty through built-in marketing and rewards programs. The platform also enables you to expand your reach with online ordering and delivery integration, ensuring you never miss a sale. By putting all your data in one place, you can make faster, more informed decisions to grow your business and improve your bottom line.
Overview
Lavu Features
- Mobile Tableside Ordering Take orders directly at the table using iPads to increase accuracy and get food to your customers faster.
- Real-Time Inventory Tracking Monitor your stock levels down to the ingredient level so you never run out of best-selling items unexpectedly.
- Customizable Menu Management Update your prices, add seasonal specials, and configure complex modifiers across all your devices in seconds.
- Integrated Credit Card Processing Accept all major payment types securely with flat-rate processing that eliminates hidden fees and simplifies reconciliation.
- Advanced Reporting Suite Access over 50 different reports to analyze labor costs, sales trends, and top-performing menu items from anywhere.
- Employee Management Tools Track staff hours with a built-in clock-in system and manage shift schedules to keep your labor costs under control.
Toast Features
- Point of Sale. Process orders and payments quickly with durable hardware designed to withstand the heat and spills of a busy kitchen.
- Kitchen Display System. Connect your front and back of house instantly so your kitchen staff can manage tickets and prep times efficiently.
- Online Ordering. Take orders directly through your own website and skip the high commissions of third-party delivery apps.
- Inventory Management. Track your food costs in real-time and manage your stock levels to reduce waste and improve your margins.
- Payroll & Team Management. Simplify your administrative work by syncing timesheets directly with payroll and managing employee benefits in one place.
- Guest Loyalty Programs. Create custom rewards and email marketing campaigns to keep your customers coming back and increase their lifetime value.
Pricing Comparison
Lavu Pricing
- Single terminal access
- Full POS functionality
- Standard reporting
- 24/7 customer support
- Menu management
- Employee management
- Everything in Starter, plus:
- Multiple terminal support
- Advanced inventory tracking
- Cash management tools
- Gift card integration
- Loyalty program access
Toast Pricing
- 1 terminal included
- Cloud-based POS software
- Payment processing integration
- Customer engagement tools
- Real-time reporting
- Standard support
- Everything in Quick Start, plus:
- Advanced POS functionality
- Table management
- Menu management
- Kitchen display system access
- Multi-location management
Pros & Cons
Lavu
Pros
- Intuitive interface makes staff training quick and easy
- Extensive customization options for complex restaurant menus
- Reliable offline mode keeps you taking orders during outages
- Strong reporting tools provide deep insights into profitability
Cons
- Customer support response times can be inconsistent
- Software updates occasionally cause temporary stability issues
- Proprietary hardware requirements can increase initial setup costs
Toast
Pros
- Intuitive interface makes training new staff quick and easy
- Reliable offline mode keeps you taking orders during internet outages
- Hardware is specifically built for heavy restaurant use
- Seamless integration between online ordering and the kitchen
Cons
- Requires use of Toast for payment processing
- Contract terms can be long and difficult to exit
- Customer support response times vary during peak hours