Softwr

Software · head to head

BentoBox vs ChowNow

B

BentoBox

Software

Restaurant websites and marketing platform

From
$99/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
ChowNow logo

ChowNow

Software

Commission-free online ordering

From
$249/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: BentoBox bentoBox is now Clover, and its own site states that BentoBox products and services are only available to Clover POS customers; ChowNow limited website customization with only pre-built Squarespace templates available
  • They diverge on capability: BentoBox covers Website builder, ChowNow covers Branded ordering.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which BentoBox and ChowNow actually diverge.

Attributes where BentoBox and ChowNow differ
AttributeBentoBoxChowNow
Starting price$99/month$249/month
Pricing modelsubscriptionUnknown
PlatformsWebWeb, iOS, Android
Founded20132010

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 BentoBox

  • Website builder
  • Online ordering
  • Email marketing
  • Gift cards
  • Catering
  • Event management
  • OpenTable
  • Resy

Only in ChowNow

  • Branded ordering
  • Website integration
  • Mobile app
  • Customer database
  • Marketing tools
  • Delivery integration
  • DoorDash Drive
  • Google

Both cover

  • Web support

What people use each for

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

BentoBox

  • Restaurant websites with integrated online orderingnot ChowNow
  • Gift cards, events and catering enquiries from a restaurant's own sitenot ChowNow
  • Marketing and customer data capture for restaurants on Clover POSnot ChowNow

ChowNow

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

Where each one falls short

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

BentoBox

  • BentoBox is now Clover, and its own site states that BentoBox products and services are only available to Clover POS customers
  • The pricing page publishes no plan price, setup fee, online ordering commission or contract length
  • Existing customers wanting to add services are directed to a customer success manager or an email address rather than a self serve price

ChowNow

  • Limited website customization with only pre-built Squarespace templates available
  • No multi-language support, limiting service to non-English speaking customer bases
  • Multi-location management requires separate dashboard for each location
  • Delivery reliability issues with reported order delays and non-arrivals
  • Limited customer support responsiveness with long phone wait times

Pricing, plan by plan

BentoBox

$99/month
  • Starter$99/month
    • Website
    • Basic features
  • Essential$199/month
    • Online ordering
    • Marketing
  • Pro$399/month
    • Full features
    • Catering

ChowNow

$249/month
  • Launch$249/month
    • Commission-free ordering
    • Website and mobile app
    • Basic POS integrations
  • Grow$349/month
    • All Launch features
    • Advanced marketing tools
    • Email and SMS campaigns
  • Elevate$449/month
    • All Grow features
    • Advanced reporting
    • Priority support

Which should you pick?

Choose BentoBox if

  • You need website builder.
  • You also want online ordering.
BentoBox review

Choose ChowNow if

  • You need branded ordering.
  • You work on Web, iOS, Android.
  • You also want website integration.
ChowNow review

Questions people ask

Is BentoBox or ChowNow better?
Neither clearly leads. BentoBox starts at $99/month and ChowNow at $249/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, BentoBox or ChowNow?
BentoBox starts at $99/month and ChowNow at $249/month.
Does BentoBox or ChowNow run on more platforms?
BentoBox runs on Web. ChowNow runs on Web, iOS, Android.
What is BentoBox best used for?
BentoBox is most often used for restaurant websites with integrated online ordering, gift cards, events and catering enquiries from a restaurant's own site, marketing and customer data capture for restaurants on clover pos. Of those, restaurant websites with integrated online ordering and gift cards, events and catering enquiries from a restaurant's own site are not what ChowNow is typically brought in for.
What can BentoBox do that ChowNow cannot?
BentoBox covers Website builder, Online ordering, Email marketing, Gift cards. ChowNow covers Branded ordering, Website integration, Mobile app, Customer database. Both handle Web support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

ChowNow: Is ChowNow truly commission-free?

Yes, ChowNow charges no commission on orders placed through your website, app, or marketplace channels. However, you pay a monthly subscription ($249-$449), payment processing fees (2.95% plus $0.29 per transaction), and optional delivery fees ($7.98 per order with Flex Delivery).

Source
ChowNow: Does ChowNow integrate with my POS system?

Yes. ChowNow integrates with over 45 POS systems including Toast, Square, Clover, and Revel. Orders are automatically synced to your POS and kitchen printers without manual entry.

Source
ChowNow: Can I use ChowNow with delivery platforms like DoorDash and Uber Eats?

ChowNow handles direct orders but also supports order aggregation from third-party delivery platforms including DoorDash, UberEats, and Grubhub through integrations.

Source
ChowNow: How much does ChowNow cost?

ChowNow plans start at $249/month (Launch), $349/month (Grow), and $449/month (Elevate) when billed monthly. Annual billing saves 8-9%. Additional fees include payment processing (2.95% plus $0.29 per transaction), setup fees ($119-$499), and optional delivery charges.

Source
ChowNow: What platforms are supported by ChowNow?

ChowNow is available on web, iOS, and Android. Restaurants get a website ordering interface and can offer a branded mobile app. Customers discover restaurants through Google Maps, Apple Maps, Yelp, and the ChowNow Marketplace.

Source
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