Software · head to head
ChowNow vs Compeat
The short version
- Each has a real cost: ChowNow limited website customization with only pre-built Squarespace templates available; Compeat the Internet Archive's capture of Compeat's homepage on 9 January 2020 confirmed the restaurant management suite is sold only via 'Request Demo', bundling distinct modules named Accounting, Inventory, Intelligence, Logbook, Labor, Schedule, Compeat Pay, Compeat Advantage and Ctuit Radar, with no price figure published for any.
- They diverge on capability: ChowNow covers Branded ordering, Compeat covers Accounting.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which ChowNow and Compeat actually diverge.
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 ChowNow
- Branded ordering
- Website integration
- Mobile app
- Customer database
- Marketing tools
- Delivery integration
- DoorDash Drive
Only in Compeat
- Accounting
- Inventory
- Recipe costing
- Labor scheduling
- AP/AR
- Financial reporting
- Major POS systems
- Payroll providers
Both cover
- Web support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
ChowNow
- Point of Sale
- Order Management
- Inventory Control
- Staff Scheduling
Compeat
- 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.
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
Compeat
- The Internet Archive's capture of Compeat's homepage on 9 January 2020 confirmed the restaurant management suite is sold only via 'Request Demo', bundling distinct modules named Accounting, Inventory, Intelligence, Logbook, Labor, Schedule, Compeat Pay, Compeat Advantage and Ctuit Radar, with no price figure published for any.
Pricing, plan by plan
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
Compeat
$350/month- Standard$350/month
- Accounting
- Inventory
- EnterpriseFree
- Custom pricing
- Full features
Which should you pick?
Choose ChowNow if
- You need branded ordering.
- You work on Web, iOS, Android.
- You also want website integration.
Questions people ask
- Is ChowNow or Compeat better?
- Neither clearly leads. ChowNow starts at $249/month and Compeat at $350/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, ChowNow or Compeat?
- ChowNow starts at $249/month and Compeat at $350/month.
- Does ChowNow or Compeat run on more platforms?
- ChowNow runs on Web, iOS, Android. Compeat runs on Web.
- What is ChowNow best used for?
- ChowNow is most often used for point of sale, order management, inventory control, staff scheduling.
- What can ChowNow do that Compeat cannot?
- ChowNow covers Branded ordering, Website integration, Mobile app, Customer database. Compeat covers Accounting, Inventory, Recipe costing, Labor scheduling. 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).
SourceChowNow: 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.
SourceChowNow: 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.
SourceChowNow: 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.
SourceChowNow: 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