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Software · head to head

Aloha POS vs Postmates

Aloha POS logo

Aloha POS

Software

Industry-leading restaurant POS solution

From
$150/month
Rated
-
Postmates logo

Postmates

Software

On-demand delivery platform

From
$15/order
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; Postmates driver supply varies by location after consolidation with Uber Eats
  • They diverge on capability: Aloha POS covers Table management, Postmates covers On-demand delivery.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where Aloha POS and Postmates differ
AttributeAloha POSPostmates
Starting price$150/month$15/order
Pricing modelsubscriptiontransaction
PlatformsWindows, AndroidWeb, Ios, Android
Founded19882011

Identical on both: 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
  • Labor scheduling
  • Inventory control
  • Enterprise reporting
  • Loyalty programs
  • NCR Back Office
  • Third-party delivery
  • Accounting software

Only in Postmates

  • On-demand delivery
  • Customer access
  • Analytics
  • Menu management
  • Uber Eats
  • POS systems
  • Ios support
  • Android support

Both cover

  • Order management
  • 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

Postmates

  • 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

Postmates

  • Driver supply varies by location after consolidation with Uber Eats
  • Customer support is now handled through Uber's system rather than dedicated Postmates support
  • Limited delivery areas in less densely populated regions

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

Postmates

$15/order
  • Standard$20/percent
    • Delivery
    • Order management

Which should you pick?

Choose Aloha POS if

  • You need table management.
  • You work on Windows, Android.
  • You also want labor scheduling.

Choose Postmates if

  • You need on-demand delivery.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android.
  • You also want customer access.

Questions people ask

Is Aloha POS or Postmates better?
Neither clearly leads. Aloha POS starts at $150/month and Postmates at $15/order, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Aloha POS or Postmates?
Aloha POS starts at $150/month and Postmates at $15/order.
Does Aloha POS or Postmates run on more platforms?
Aloha POS runs on Windows, Android. Postmates 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.
What can Aloha POS do that Postmates cannot?
Aloha POS covers Table management, Labor scheduling, Inventory control, Enterprise reporting. Postmates covers On-demand delivery, Customer access, Analytics, Menu management. Both handle Order management, 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
Postmates: Is Postmates still operating after Uber's acquisition?

Yes, Postmates continues operating. Uber completed the acquisition in December 2020 and kept Postmates as a separate consumer-facing brand. Orders placed on Postmates are fulfilled by Uber Eats drivers tagged with Postmates order identifiers.

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
Postmates: How are Postmates orders delivered after the Uber acquisition?

Postmates orders are now delivered by Uber Eats drivers, but the Postmates app remains separate. Deliveries are tagged as Postmates OrderID within the unified driver network.

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
Postmates: Can I still use the Postmates app?

Yes, the Postmates app continues to be available on the App Store and Google Play. You can place orders through the Postmates app, though the driver network now operates through Uber Eats infrastructure.

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
Postmates: Did Postmates driver operations change?

Yes, Uber shut down the Postmates Fleet app for drivers. Postmates couriers were notified the Fleet app would go offline, consolidating driver operations into the Uber driver app. Postmates orders are now fulfilled by Uber Eats drivers.

Source

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