Softwr

Software · head to head

Aloha POS vs Kitomba

Aloha POS logo

Aloha POS

Software

Industry-leading restaurant POS solution

From
$150/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Kitomba logo

Kitomba

Software

Salon software from New Zealand

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; Kitomba no plan price is published; pricing depends on package, features and staff count and is only given after a demo and a discovery call with a Kitomba consultant
  • They diverge on capability: Aloha POS covers Table management, Kitomba covers Appointment booking.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where Aloha POS and Kitomba differ
AttributeAloha POSKitomba
Starting price$150/month79/month
PlatformsWindows, AndroidWeb, Ios, Android
Founded19882001

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 Kitomba

  • Appointment booking
  • Point of sale
  • Stock management
  • Client management
  • Marketing tools
  • Business analytics
  • Mobile apps
  • Online booking

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 Kitomba
  • Order Managementnot Kitomba
  • Inventory Controlnot Kitomba
  • Staff Schedulingnot Kitomba

Kitomba

  • Salon and spa appointment booking with staff rosteringnot Aloha POS
  • Salon point of sale and stock managementnot Aloha POS
  • Client marketing and reporting for hair and beauty businessesnot 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

Kitomba

  • No plan price is published; pricing depends on package, features and staff count and is only given after a demo and a discovery call with a Kitomba consultant
  • Advertised per user pricing is based on 3 staff, so the quoted figure does not apply at other headcounts
  • Xero, Mailchimp, REACH.ai, Salon Pay and Vish integrations all carry separate charges outside the software fee
  • Data migration and live education carry additional charges
  • Kitomba Pay EFTPOS terminal rental is available in Australia only

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

Kitomba

79/month
  • Starter$79/month
    • Appointment booking
    • Client management
    • Basic reporting
  • Business$149/month
    • All Starter features
    • POS system
    • Stock management

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 Kitomba if

  • You need appointment booking.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android.
  • You also want point of sale.
Kitomba review

Questions people ask

Is Aloha POS or Kitomba better?
Neither clearly leads. Aloha POS starts at $150/month and Kitomba at 79/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Aloha POS or Kitomba?
Aloha POS starts at $150/month and Kitomba at 79/month.
Does Aloha POS or Kitomba run on more platforms?
Aloha POS runs on Windows, Android. Kitomba runs on Web, Ios, Android.
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 Kitomba is typically brought in for.
What can Aloha POS do that Kitomba cannot?
Aloha POS covers Table management, Order management, Labor scheduling, Inventory control. Kitomba covers Appointment booking, Point of sale, Stock management, Client management. 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
ShareXLinkedInRedditWhatsAppEmail

Related pages

More on Aloha POS

More on Kitomba

Keep looking

Other head to heads