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Software · head to head

Aloha POS vs StyleSeat

Aloha POS logo

Aloha POS

Software

Industry-leading restaurant POS solution

From
$150/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
S

StyleSeat

Software

Book beauty appointments instantly

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only StyleSeat has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Aloha POS high upfront hardware costs ($1,000+ per terminal) make it expensive to deploy across multiple locations; StyleSeat introductory price of $19/month for the first 3 months rises to a standard $35/month afterward, per StyleSeat's own pricing page.
  • They diverge on capability: Aloha POS covers Table management, StyleSeat covers Online booking.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where Aloha POS and StyleSeat differ
AttributeAloha POSStyleSeat
Starting price$150/monthFree
Pricing modelsubscriptiontransaction
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWindows, AndroidWeb, Ios, Android
Founded19882011

Identical on both: 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 StyleSeat

  • Online booking
  • Professional profiles
  • Client management
  • Payment processing
  • Marketing tools
  • Reviews & ratings
  • Mobile app
  • Calendar management

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 StyleSeat
  • Order Managementnot StyleSeat
  • Inventory Controlnot StyleSeat
  • Staff Schedulingnot StyleSeat

StyleSeat

  • Client acquisitionnot Aloha POS
  • Online bookingnot Aloha POS
  • Personal brandingnot Aloha POS
  • Payment collectionnot Aloha POS
  • Client retentionnot 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

StyleSeat

  • Introductory price of $19/month for the first 3 months rises to a standard $35/month afterward, per StyleSeat's own pricing page.

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

StyleSeat

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Online booking
    • Client management
    • Professional profile
  • Pro$35/month
    • Everything in Free
    • Smart pricing
    • No-show protection

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 StyleSeat if

  • You need online booking.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android.
  • You also want professional profiles.
StyleSeat review

Questions people ask

Is Aloha POS or StyleSeat better?
Neither clearly leads. Aloha POS starts at $150/month and StyleSeat at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Aloha POS or StyleSeat?
StyleSeat has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $150/month for Aloha POS and Free for StyleSeat.
Does Aloha POS or StyleSeat run on more platforms?
Aloha POS runs on Windows, Android. StyleSeat runs on Web, Ios, Android.
Can I use StyleSeat for free?
Yes. StyleSeat has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Aloha POS starts at $150/month.
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 StyleSeat is typically brought in for.
What can Aloha POS do that StyleSeat cannot?
Aloha POS covers Table management, Order management, Labor scheduling, Inventory control. StyleSeat covers Online booking, Professional profiles, Client management, Payment processing. 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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Related pages

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