Restaurants · head to head
CAKE POS vs Lavu
The short version
- Each has a real cost: CAKE POS pricing model based on 'no bill ever' but actual merchant fees, commission rates, or payment processing costs not disclosed; Lavu iPad-only solution with no Android or Windows alternative
- They diverge on capability: CAKE POS covers Tableside ordering, Lavu covers iPad POS.
- Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which CAKE POS and Lavu actually diverge.
Identical on both: free tier (No), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Restaurants), founded (2010).
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 CAKE POS
- Tableside ordering
- Online ordering
- Guest management
- Menu management
- Reporting
- Grubhub
- 7shifts
- Android support
Only in Lavu
- iPad POS
- Split checks
- Tab management
- Happy hour pricing
- Inventory tracking
- Xero
- Uber Eats
Both cover
- Kitchen display
- DoorDash
- QuickBooks
- Ios support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
CAKE POS
- Point of Sale
- Order Management
- Inventory Control
- Staff Scheduling
Lavu
- 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.
CAKE POS
- Pricing model based on 'no bill ever' but actual merchant fees, commission rates, or payment processing costs not disclosed
- Website claims zero upfront cost but does not detail ongoing operational costs
- Customers must request quote to learn full cost of ownership
Lavu
- iPad-only solution with no Android or Windows alternative
- Hardware costs are significant with devices starting at $700
- Limited offline functionality compared to some competitors
Pricing, plan by plan
CAKE POS
$69/month- Essentials$69/month
- POS
- Online ordering
- Professional$125/month
- Guest management
- Advanced features
Lavu
$99/monthNo published plan breakdown. See the Lavu review.
Which should you pick?
Choose CAKE POS if
- You need tableside ordering.
- You work on Ios, Android.
- You also want online ordering.
Questions people ask
- Is CAKE POS or Lavu better?
- Neither clearly leads. CAKE POS starts at $69/month and Lavu at $99/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, CAKE POS or Lavu?
- CAKE POS starts at $69/month and Lavu at $99/month.
- Does CAKE POS or Lavu run on more platforms?
- CAKE POS runs on Ios, Android. Lavu runs on iPad.
- What is CAKE POS best used for?
- CAKE POS is most often used for point of sale, order management, inventory control, staff scheduling.
- What can CAKE POS do that Lavu cannot?
- CAKE POS covers Tableside ordering, Online ordering, Guest management, Menu management. Lavu covers iPad POS, Split checks, Tab management, Happy hour pricing. Both handle Kitchen display, DoorDash, QuickBooks, Ios support.
Answered from the vendors’ own pages
CAKE POS: Does CAKE POS have an upfront cost?
CAKE advertises 'no bill ever' and requires no down payment for POS terminals and payment processing. However, specific ongoing merchant fees or transaction costs are not disclosed.
SourceLavu: What devices does Lavu support?
Lavu is iPad-based and works with iPad Pro, Air, and Mini models. It is compatible with peripherals from Ingenico, Magtek, and supports various receipt printers, cash drawers, and barcode scanners.
SourceCAKE POS: What is included in CAKE's pricing plans?
CAKE offers three tiers (Core, Growth, Enterprise) where Core includes POS terminal with payment processing and reporting. Growth and Enterprise add features like white-glove installation, business insurance, and partner integrations, but exact pricing is not published.
SourceLavu: Does Lavu offer financing for hardware?
Yes. Lavu offers 0% no-interest financing on hardware for 3-year contracts, and supports both 1-year and 3-year contract terms.
SourceCAKE POS: How can I find out what CAKE POS actually costs?
CAKE does not publish pricing online. You must request a quote directly through the website to learn specific costs for your restaurant's needs.
SourceLavu: What is Lavu's pricing range?
Lavu monthly POS software costs range from $99 to $279 per month, with hardware starting at $700 and up to $1,500 for full systems.
SourceRelated pages
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