Software · head to head
Aloha POS vs Heartland Restaurant
Heartland Restaurant
Software
Complete restaurant management ecosystem
- From
- $89/month
- Rated
- -
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; Heartland Restaurant high processing fees and early termination penalties increase total cost of ownership
- They diverge on capability: Aloha POS covers Table management, Heartland Restaurant covers POS system.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Aloha POS and Heartland Restaurant actually diverge.
| Attribute | Aloha POS | Heartland Restaurant |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $150/month | $89/month |
| Platforms | Windows, Android | Web, iPad, Android |
| Founded | 1988 | 2001 |
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 Heartland Restaurant
- POS system
- Payment processing
- Payroll
- Customer engagement
- Gift cards
- Reporting
- Heartland Payroll
- QuickBooks
Both cover
- Web support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Aloha POS
- Point of Sale
- Order Management
- Inventory Control
- Staff Scheduling
Heartland Restaurant
- Point of Sale
- Order Management
- Inventory Control
- Staff Scheduling
Both are used for point of sale, order management, inventory control, staff scheduling, on those jobs the choice comes down to price and fit rather than capability.
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
Heartland Restaurant
- High processing fees and early termination penalties increase total cost of ownership
- Lack of customization compared to open-source POS systems
- Data migration to Heartland has been reported as problematic by users
- Pricing details are not transparent, making budgeting difficult for prospective customers
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
Heartland Restaurant
$89/month- Basic$89/month
- POS
- Payment processing
- Professional$149/month
- Advanced features
- Payroll integration
Which should you pick?
Choose Aloha POS if
- You need table management.
- You work on Windows, Android.
- You also want order management.
Choose Heartland Restaurant if
- You need pos system.
- You work on Web, iPad, Android.
- You also want payment processing.
Questions people ask
- Is Aloha POS or Heartland Restaurant better?
- Neither clearly leads. Aloha POS starts at $150/month and Heartland Restaurant at $89/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Aloha POS or Heartland Restaurant?
- Aloha POS starts at $150/month and Heartland Restaurant at $89/month.
- Does Aloha POS or Heartland Restaurant run on more platforms?
- Aloha POS runs on Windows, Android. Heartland Restaurant runs on Web, iPad, Android.
- What is Aloha POS best used for?
- Aloha POS is most often used for point of sale, order management, inventory control, staff scheduling.
- What can Aloha POS do that Heartland Restaurant cannot?
- Aloha POS covers Table management, Order management, Labor scheduling, Inventory control. Heartland Restaurant covers POS system, Payment processing, Payroll, Customer engagement. 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.
SourceHeartland Restaurant: Does Heartland Restaurant work with multiple locations?
Yes, Heartland Restaurant is designed for multi-location operations with the Complete plan targeting restaurants with more complex requirements across multiple sites.
SourceAloha 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.
SourceHeartland Restaurant: What payment methods does Heartland accept?
Heartland includes integrated payment processing and accepts all popular payment methods, but specific details are available on their pricing and features pages.
SourceAloha 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.
SourceHeartland Restaurant: What hardware options does Heartland Restaurant offer?
Heartland provides touchscreen terminals ranging from $1,295 to $1,895, handheld devices at $695, and supporting equipment like printers ($275-$375) and cash drawers.
SourceAloha 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.
SourceHeartland Restaurant: Can Heartland Restaurant integrate with other business systems?
Yes, Heartland offers a developer-friendly API that enables custom integrations with various third-party systems.
Source