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Software · head to head

Grain vs Lavu

Grain logo

Grain

Software

AI meeting highlights and clips

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Lavu logo

Lavu

Software

iPad POS for restaurants and bars

From
$99/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Grain has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Grain no concurrent recording - only one meeting per account at a time; Lavu iPad-only solution with no Android or Windows alternative
  • They diverge on capability: Grain covers Auto-recording, Lavu covers iPad POS.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Grain and Lavu actually diverge.

Attributes where Grain and Lavu differ
AttributeGrainLavu
Starting priceFree$99/month
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWeb, Chrome Extension, Desktop Audio CaptureiPad
Founded20182010

Identical on both: pricing model (Unknown), 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 Grain

  • Auto-recording
  • AI highlights
  • Video clips
  • Transcription
  • Zoom
  • Google Meet
  • Notion
  • Slack

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.

Grain

  • ai tools managementnot Lavu
  • Workflow automationnot Lavu
  • Reportingnot Lavu

Lavu

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

Where each one falls short

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

Grain

  • No concurrent recording - only one meeting per account at a time
  • No automatic slide capture for presentations
  • Limited video demo context - audio-focused with poor video file support
  • Cannot record in-person meetings
  • No native mobile app
  • Limited admin controls for company-wide automatic recording
  • Free plan limited to 20 recordings if using personal email
  • No automatic file uploads on free tier
  • Lacks advanced sales analytics features of enterprise competitors
  • Limited CRM integration compared to higher-end platforms

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

Grain

Free
  • Free ForeverFree
    • Unlimited meetings up to 45 minutes each
    • AI transcription and notes
    • 90-day history
  • Starter$15/month
    • Unlimited meeting length
    • Unlimited AI highlights
    • Video clip creation
  • Business$33/month
    • All Starter features
    • Advanced team coaching
    • Deeper analytics

Lavu

$99/month

No published plan breakdown. See the Lavu review.

Which should you pick?

Choose Grain if

  • You need auto-recording.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Chrome Extension, Desktop Audio Capture.
  • You also want ai highlights.
Grain review

Choose Lavu if

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

Questions people ask

Is Grain or Lavu better?
Neither clearly leads. Grain 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, Grain or Lavu?
Grain has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Grain and $99/month for Lavu.
Does Grain or Lavu run on more platforms?
Grain runs on Web, Chrome Extension, Desktop Audio Capture. Lavu runs on iPad.
Can I use Grain for free?
Yes. Grain has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Lavu starts at $99/month.
What is Grain best used for?
Grain is most often used for ai tools management, workflow automation, reporting. Of those, ai tools management and workflow automation are not what Lavu is typically brought in for.
What can Grain do that Lavu cannot?
Grain covers Auto-recording, AI highlights, Video clips, Transcription. Lavu covers iPad POS, Split checks, Tab management, Happy hour pricing.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Grain: Is Grain free?

Grain offers a Free Forever plan with unlimited meetings up to 45 minutes each and 90-day history. Paid plans start at $15/month per user for unlimited meeting length and advanced AI features.

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
Grain: Does Grain require a bot in meetings?

No. Grain uses bot-less transcription to capture meeting audio without requiring a bot participant, though video recording requires bot participation if you want recording visible.

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
Grain: What platforms does Grain work with?

Grain integrates with Zoom, Google Meet, Microsoft Teams, and supports desktop audio capture. It exports to Claude, ChatGPT, Slack, and CRM platforms like HubSpot and Salesforce.

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
Grain: Can Grain record multiple meetings at once?

No. Grain does not support concurrent meeting recordings, meaning only one meeting per account can be recorded at a time.

Source
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