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Restaurants · head to head

ChowNow vs Olo

ChowNow logo

ChowNow

Restaurants

Commission-free online ordering

From
$249/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Olo logo

Olo

Restaurants

Digital ordering and delivery platform

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: ChowNow limited website customization with only pre-built Squarespace templates available; Olo no pricing published on website; all pricing inquiries directed to request a demo
  • They diverge on capability: ChowNow covers Branded ordering, Olo covers Digital ordering.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which ChowNow and Olo actually diverge.

Attributes where ChowNow and Olo differ
AttributeChowNowOlo
Starting price$249/monthOn request
Pricing modelUnknownsubscription
Founded20102005

Identical on both: free tier (No), platforms (Web, iOS, Android), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Restaurants).

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
  • Google

Only in Olo

  • Digital ordering
  • Delivery management
  • Dispatch
  • Rails integration
  • Catering
  • Enterprise analytics
  • DoorDash
  • Uber Eats

Both cover

  • Web support
  • Ios support
  • Android 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

Olo

  • 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

Olo

  • No pricing published on website; all pricing inquiries directed to request a demo

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

Olo

On request
  • EnterpriseFree
    • Custom pricing
    • Full platform

Which should you pick?

Choose ChowNow if

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

Choose Olo if

  • You need digital ordering.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android.
  • You also want delivery management.
Olo review

Questions people ask

Is ChowNow or Olo better?
Neither clearly leads. ChowNow starts at $249/month and Olo at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, ChowNow or Olo?
ChowNow starts at $249/month and Olo at On request.
Does ChowNow or Olo run on more platforms?
ChowNow runs on Web, iOS, Android. Olo runs on Web, Ios, Android.
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 Olo cannot?
ChowNow covers Branded ordering, Website integration, Mobile app, Customer database. Olo covers Digital ordering, Delivery management, Dispatch, Rails integration. Both handle Web support, Ios support, Android 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
Olo: How much does Olo cost?

Olo pricing is not published online. The vendor directs customers to request a demo or contact their sales team for pricing and availability information.

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
Olo: Does Olo offer different pricing for restaurants of different sizes?

Specific tiered pricing based on restaurant size is not disclosed on Olo's website. Contact Olo's sales team to discuss pricing options tailored to your restaurant's needs.

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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