ChowNow
ChowNow is an online ordering and marketing platform that helps independent restaurants build their own branded digital storefronts to take commission-free orders directly from their customers.
ManyChat
ManyChat is a chat marketing platform that helps you automate interactive conversations across Instagram, Facebook Messenger, and WhatsApp to drive more sales and engage your customers instantly.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | ChowNow | ManyChat |
|---|---|---|
| Website | chownow.com | manychat.com |
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Freemium |
| Starting Price | Free | Free |
| FREE Trial | ✘ No free trial | ✘ No free trial |
| Free Plan | ✓ Has 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 | 2011 | 2015 |
| Headquarters | Los Angeles, USA | New York, USA |
Overview
ChowNow
ChowNow provides you with the tools to take control of your restaurant's digital presence and eliminate high third-party delivery fees. You can launch your own branded ordering system across your website, social media profiles, and a custom-built mobile app. This allows you to keep 100% of your profits on every order while capturing valuable customer data that third-party apps usually keep for themselves.
The platform focuses on sustainable growth by providing you with automated marketing tools and a dedicated success manager to help increase your order volume. Whether you run a single local eatery or a growing regional chain, you can manage your entire digital menu and track sales performance through a centralized dashboard. It integrates directly with your existing POS system to keep your kitchen operations running smoothly without manual data entry.
ManyChat
ManyChat helps you transform your social media interactions into automated sales machines. Instead of manually replying to every comment or DM, you can build automated chat flows that qualify leads, answer common questions, and deliver coupon codes instantly. It integrates directly with Instagram, Facebook Messenger, and WhatsApp, allowing you to capture contact information and sync it with your existing CRM or email tools.
You can manage all your customer conversations from a single dashboard and use a visual drag-and-drop builder to create complex automation without writing any code. Whether you are running a small Shopify store or managing a large agency, the platform helps you scale your personalized communication. You can start with a free plan to learn the basics and upgrade as your contact list grows.
Overview
ChowNow Features
- Commission-Free Ordering Keep every dollar you earn from your online orders instead of paying 15-30% in fees to third-party delivery platforms.
- Branded Mobile Apps Launch your own custom-branded iOS and Android apps so your customers can order directly from their home screens.
- OrderBetter Network Get discovered by new diners through a network of high-traffic sites like Google, Yelp, and TripAdvisor with integrated ordering.
- Automated Marketing Send automated email campaigns and push notifications to your customers to drive repeat business and increase order frequency.
- POS Integrations Sync your online orders directly with your existing point-of-sale system to eliminate manual entry and reduce kitchen errors.
- Customer Data Ownership Access your own customer database including email addresses and order history to power your personalized marketing efforts.
ManyChat Features
- Visual Flow Builder. Create automated conversation paths using a simple drag-and-drop interface—no coding or technical skills required.
- Keyword Triggers. Set up specific words or phrases that automatically trigger helpful responses or start a sales sequence.
- Comment Automation. Automatically send a direct message to anyone who comments on your posts to boost engagement and sales.
- Live Chat Inbox. Jump into any automated conversation personally when a customer needs a human touch from your team.
- CRM Integrations. Sync your captured lead data directly to tools like HubSpot, Mailchimp, or Google Sheets automatically.
- Story Mention Triggers. Send an instant thank you or a special offer whenever someone mentions your brand in their Instagram Story.
Pricing Comparison
ChowNow Pricing
- Commission-free ordering
- Ordering on your website
- Google Search & Maps ordering
- Digital menu management
- Standard payment processing
- Everything in Free, plus:
- Custom-branded mobile app
- Automated email marketing
- Dedicated Success Manager
- Loyalty program tools
- Advanced data reporting
ManyChat Pricing
- Up to 1,000 contacts
- Instagram, Messenger, and WhatsApp
- Basic automation flows
- 10 customer tags
- Email support for 14 days
- Everything in Free, plus:
- Unlimited contacts (scaled pricing)
- Unlimited custom tags
- Advanced growth tools
- ManyChat branding removal
- Full analytics and reporting
Pros & Cons
ChowNow
Pros
- Eliminates expensive per-order commissions entirely
- Provides full ownership of customer contact data
- Responsive customer support and dedicated success managers
- Easy-to-use interface for updating menus quickly
Cons
- Initial setup fees can be high
- Requires your own staff for local delivery
- Limited customization options for the mobile app
ManyChat
Pros
- Visual builder makes complex automation easy to design
- Excellent integration with Instagram and Facebook ecosystems
- Generous free plan for starting your first bot
- Active community and plenty of educational tutorials
Cons
- Pricing increases quickly as your contact list grows
- Meta platform updates can occasionally disrupt bot flows
- Customer support response times vary on lower tiers