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.
ShortStack
ShortStack is a comprehensive marketing platform that helps you build interactive contests, landing pages, and automated email campaigns to generate leads and increase social media engagement.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | ChowNow | ShortStack |
|---|---|---|
| Website | chownow.com | shortstack.com |
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Subscription |
| Starting Price | Free | $99/month |
| FREE Trial | ✘ No free trial | ✓ 0 days free trial |
| Free Plan | ✓ Has free plan | ✘ No free plan |
| Product Demo | ✓ Request demo here | ✓ Request demo here |
| Deployment | ||
| Integrations | ||
| Target Users | ||
| Target Industries | ||
| Customer Count | 0 | 0 |
| Founded Year | 2011 | 2010 |
| Headquarters | Los Angeles, USA | Reno, 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.
ShortStack
ShortStack is an interactive marketing platform designed to help you capture leads and engage your audience through contests, giveaways, and landing pages. You can build everything from simple sweepstakes to complex photo contests and personality quizzes using a drag-and-drop builder that requires no coding skills. It centralizes your lead collection, allowing you to manage entries, pick winners, and send automated follow-up emails all from one dashboard.
The platform is built for brands and agencies of all sizes who need to boost their digital presence across social media and the web. You can embed your campaigns directly on your website or publish them as standalone landing pages. With built-in analytics and fraud detection, you can track your campaign performance in real-time while ensuring your contests remain fair and secure for all participants.
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.
ShortStack Features
- Drag-and-Drop Builder. Create custom landing pages and contest forms visually by moving elements exactly where you want them without writing code.
- Contest Management. Run sweepstakes, photo contests, and video competitions with automated winner selection and entry management tools.
- Email Automation. Send instant autoresponders to participants and schedule follow-up drip campaigns to nurture your newly acquired leads.
- Gamification Tools. Engage your visitors with interactive features like scratch-and-win games, personality quizzes, and digital spin-to-win wheels.
- Social Media Integration. Collect entries directly from Instagram and X comments or run hashtag contests to boost your social reach.
- Coupon Code Generator. Distribute unique or generic discount codes to your fans to drive sales and reward campaign participation.
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
ShortStack Pricing
- Up to 10,000 entries
- Unlimited campaigns
- Social media comment imports
- Random winner selection
- Email marketing tools
- Fraud protection
- Everything in Business, plus:
- Up to 50,000 entries
- Video upload contests
- Coupon code distribution
- White-label campaigns
- Priority support
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
ShortStack
Pros
- Highly flexible design customization for branded campaigns
- Excellent customer support team with fast response times
- Robust fraud detection prevents duplicate contest entries
- Easy integration with major email marketing platforms
Cons
- Steeper learning curve for advanced CSS styling
- Entry limits can feel restrictive on lower tiers
- Pricing is higher than basic form builders