Softwr

Remote Work · head to head

Gather vs Lavu

Gather logo

Gather

Remote Work

Virtual spaces for remote collaboration

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Lavu logo

Lavu

Food & Restaurant

iPad POS for restaurants and bars

From
$99/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Gather has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Gather no native desktop or mobile app; browser-based only; Lavu iPad-only solution with no Android or Windows alternative
  • They diverge on capability: Gather covers Proximity video chat, Lavu covers iPad POS.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Gather and Lavu actually diverge.

Attributes where Gather and Lavu differ
AttributeGatherLavu
Starting priceFree$99/month
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWebiPad
CategoryRemote WorkFood & Restaurant
Founded20202010

Identical on both: pricing model (Unknown), user rating (Not yet rated).

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 Gather

  • Proximity video chat
  • Customizable spaces
  • Interactive objects
  • Screen sharing
  • Calendar
  • Slack
  • Google Workspace
  • Web support

Only in Lavu

  • iPad POS
  • Split checks
  • Tab management
  • Happy hour pricing
  • Inventory tracking
  • Kitchen display
  • QuickBooks
  • Xero

What people use each for

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

Gather

  • VR Gamingnot Lavu
  • AR Marketingnot Lavu
  • Virtual Trainingnot Lavu
  • 3D Visualizationnot Lavu
  • Immersive Experiencesnot Lavu

Lavu

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

Where each one falls short

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

Gather

  • No native desktop or mobile app; browser-based only
  • Limited API documentation compared to enterprise competitors
  • Scaling large virtual offices can impact performance

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

Gather

Free
  • 30-Day TrialFree
    • Up to 50 team members
    • All features included
    • Meetings and chat
  • Essential$12/month
    • All features
    • Meeting recordings starting at 20 hours
    • Meeting transcriptions starting at 30 hours

Lavu

$99/month

No published plan breakdown. See the Lavu review.

Which should you pick?

Choose Gather if

  • You need proximity video chat.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You also want customizable spaces.
Gather review

Choose Lavu if

  • You need ipad pos.
  • You work on iPad.
  • You also want split checks.
Lavu review

Questions people ask

Is Gather or Lavu better?
Neither clearly leads. Gather starts at Free and Lavu at $99/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Gather or Lavu?
Gather has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Gather and $99/month for Lavu.
Does Gather or Lavu run on more platforms?
Gather runs on Web. Lavu runs on iPad.
Can I use Gather for free?
Yes. Gather has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Lavu starts at $99/month.
What is Gather best used for?
Gather is most often used for vr gaming, ar marketing, virtual training, 3d visualization. Of those, vr gaming and ar marketing are not what Lavu is typically brought in for.
What can Gather do that Lavu cannot?
Gather covers Proximity video chat, Customizable spaces, Interactive objects, Screen sharing. Lavu covers iPad POS, Split checks, Tab management, Happy hour pricing.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Gather: What is a free trial of Gather like?

Gather offers a 30-day free trial with no credit card required that includes up to 50 team members and access to all features including meetings, chat, AI meeting notes, and full office customization.

Source
Lavu: 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.

Source
Gather: How does Gather reduce meeting load?

Gather recreates natural office dynamics through spatial audio and proximity-based interactions, allowing colleagues to bump into each other and have quick conversations without scheduled calls. Teams report shorter, more organic conversations that wrap up in under 10 minutes.

Source
Lavu: 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.

Source
Gather: What platforms and devices does Gather support?

Gather works on web browsers and integrates with Slack and Google Chat. The platform supports audio/video calls, screen sharing, and custom workspace design.

Source
Lavu: 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.

Source
Gather: Does Gather work offline?

Gather is a web-based platform that requires an internet connection to function, though it emphasizes quick connection and low bandwidth requirements compared to traditional video conferencing.

Source
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Related pages

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