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Software · head to head

ChowNow vs Plate IQ

ChowNow logo

ChowNow

Software

Commission-free online ordering

From
$249/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Plate IQ logo

Plate IQ

Software

Invoice automation for restaurants

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; Plate IQ plate IQ has been rebranded to Ottimate, per the vendor: "Plate IQ, now Ottimate, began the journey to becoming the best AP automation AI"
  • They diverge on capability: ChowNow covers Branded ordering, Plate IQ covers Invoice capture.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which ChowNow and Plate IQ actually diverge.

Attributes where ChowNow and Plate IQ differ
AttributeChowNowPlate IQ
Starting price$249/monthOn request
Pricing modelUnknownsubscription
Founded20102014

Identical on both: free tier (No), platforms (Web, iOS, Android), 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
  • Google

Only in Plate IQ

  • Invoice capture
  • AP automation
  • Price tracking
  • Spend analytics
  • Vendor management
  • GL coding
  • QuickBooks
  • Xero

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 Salenot Plate IQ
  • Order Managementnot Plate IQ
  • Inventory Controlnot Plate IQ
  • Staff Schedulingnot Plate IQ

Plate IQ

  • Automating invoice processing and accounts payable for restaurantsnot ChowNow

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

Plate IQ

  • Plate IQ has been rebranded to Ottimate, per the vendor: "Plate IQ, now Ottimate, began the journey to becoming the best AP automation AI"

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

Plate IQ

On request
  • Pay per invoiceFree
    • Invoice processing
    • $0.99 per invoice
  • Unlimited$399/month
    • Unlimited invoices
    • Full features

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 Plate IQ if

  • You need invoice capture.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android.
  • You also want ap automation.
Plate IQ review

Questions people ask

Is ChowNow or Plate IQ better?
Neither clearly leads. ChowNow starts at $249/month and Plate IQ at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, ChowNow or Plate IQ?
ChowNow starts at $249/month and Plate IQ at On request.
Does ChowNow or Plate IQ run on more platforms?
ChowNow runs on Web, iOS, Android. Plate IQ 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. Of those, point of sale and order management are not what Plate IQ is typically brought in for.
What can ChowNow do that Plate IQ cannot?
ChowNow covers Branded ordering, Website integration, Mobile app, Customer database. Plate IQ covers Invoice capture, AP automation, Price tracking, Spend analytics. 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
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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Related pages

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