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Software · head to head

Aloha POS vs Envision

Aloha POS logo

Aloha POS

Software

Industry-leading restaurant POS solution

From
$150/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Envision logo

Envision

Software

Salon management software with integrated POS

From
$79/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Aloha POS high upfront hardware costs ($1,000+ per terminal) make it expensive to deploy across multiple locations; Envision standard plan includes only 1 user and charges $20 per additional user up to a 5 seat cap
  • They diverge on capability: Aloha POS covers Table management, Envision covers Appointment scheduling.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Aloha POS and Envision actually diverge.

Attributes where Aloha POS and Envision differ
AttributeAloha POSEnvision
Starting price$150/month$79/month
PlatformsWindows, AndroidWeb
Founded19882008

Identical on both: pricing model (subscription), free tier (No), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Aloha POS

  • Table management
  • Order management
  • Labor scheduling
  • Inventory control
  • Enterprise reporting
  • Loyalty programs
  • NCR Back Office
  • Third-party delivery

Only in Envision

  • Appointment scheduling
  • Point of sale
  • Inventory management
  • Client database
  • Staff scheduling
  • SMS reminders
  • Reporting
  • Stripe

Both cover

  • Web support

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Aloha POS

  • Point of Salenot Envision
  • Order Managementnot Envision
  • Inventory Controlnot Envision
  • Staff Schedulingnot Envision

Envision

  • Salon and spa businesses managing bookings, marketing campaigns and payments in one platformnot Aloha POS

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Aloha POS

  • High upfront hardware costs ($1,000+ per terminal) make it expensive to deploy across multiple locations
  • User interface is dated with functionality from 2005-era design, requiring training for staff familiar with modern applications
  • Network connectivity issues cause terminals to lose access to central database when Wi-Fi drops, leading to transaction failures
  • Requires proprietary terminals unlike competitors that run on standard iPads or Android tablets
  • Complex customization requires expensive professional services and cannot be configured by restaurant staff

Envision

  • Standard plan includes only 1 user and charges $20 per additional user up to a 5 seat cap
  • No dollar amounts are shown for any plan; the page states pricing is tailored to your practice and requires contacting sales

Pricing, plan by plan

Aloha POS

$150/month
  • Essentials$150/month
    • POS
    • Basic reporting
  • Professional$250/month
    • Advanced features
    • Labor management
  • EnterpriseFree
    • Custom pricing
    • Full suite

Envision

$79/month
  • Starter$79/month
    • Scheduling
    • Basic POS
    • Client management
  • Professional$159/month
    • Everything in Starter
    • Advanced POS
    • Inventory

Which should you pick?

Choose Aloha POS if

  • You need table management.
  • You work on Windows, Android.
  • You also want order management.
Aloha POS review

Choose Envision if

  • You need appointment scheduling.
  • You also want point of sale.
Envision review

Questions people ask

Is Aloha POS or Envision better?
Neither clearly leads. Aloha POS starts at $150/month and Envision at $79/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Aloha POS or Envision?
Aloha POS starts at $150/month and Envision at $79/month.
Does Aloha POS or Envision run on more platforms?
Aloha POS runs on Windows, Android. Envision runs on Web.
What is Aloha POS best used for?
Aloha POS is most often used for point of sale, order management, inventory control, staff scheduling. Of those, point of sale and order management are not what Envision is typically brought in for.
What can Aloha POS do that Envision cannot?
Aloha POS covers Table management, Order management, Labor scheduling, Inventory control. Envision covers Appointment scheduling, Point of sale, Inventory management, Client database. Both handle Web support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Aloha POS: What are the hardware options for Aloha POS?

Aloha offers two main products: Aloha Essentials POS which runs on Windows servers at your location, and Aloha Cloud POS which operates on Android-based mobile terminals connected to cloud systems. Hardware costs approximately $1,000 per terminal or available through subscription.

Source
Aloha POS: What features does Aloha include for restaurant operations?

Aloha includes kitchen automation, table management, staff rosters, payment processing, inventory tracking, reporting, customer loyalty programs, and employee time tracking.

Source
Aloha POS: Is Aloha POS available as a subscription?

Yes. NCR Aloha offers an all-in-one monthly subscription model that includes software, hardware, payment processing, and 24/7 customer support. Upfront implementation costs vary based on specific needs.

Source
Aloha POS: What are the network requirements for Aloha POS?

Aloha Essentials requires a stable network connection between terminals and the Windows server. Network disruptions cause terminals to lose access to the central database, resulting in transaction failures and payment errors.

Source
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