Software · head to head
Lavu vs BentoBox
The short version
- Each has a real cost: Lavu iPad-only solution with no Android or Windows alternative; BentoBox bentoBox is now Clover, and its own site states that BentoBox products and services are only available to Clover POS customers
- They diverge on capability: Lavu covers iPad POS, BentoBox covers Website builder.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Lavu and BentoBox actually diverge.
Identical on both: starting price ($99/month), 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 Lavu
- iPad POS
- Split checks
- Tab management
- Happy hour pricing
- Inventory tracking
- Kitchen display
- QuickBooks
- Xero
Only in BentoBox
- Website builder
- Online ordering
- Email marketing
- Gift cards
- Catering
- Event management
- OpenTable
- Resy
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Lavu
- Point of Salenot BentoBox
- Order Managementnot BentoBox
- Inventory Controlnot BentoBox
- Staff Schedulingnot BentoBox
BentoBox
- Restaurant websites with integrated online orderingnot Lavu
- Gift cards, events and catering enquiries from a restaurant's own sitenot Lavu
- Marketing and customer data capture for restaurants on Clover POSnot Lavu
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
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
BentoBox
- BentoBox is now Clover, and its own site states that BentoBox products and services are only available to Clover POS customers
- The pricing page publishes no plan price, setup fee, online ordering commission or contract length
- Existing customers wanting to add services are directed to a customer success manager or an email address rather than a self serve price
Pricing, plan by plan
Lavu
$99/monthNo published plan breakdown. See the Lavu review.
BentoBox
$99/month- Starter$99/month
- Website
- Basic features
- Essential$199/month
- Online ordering
- Marketing
- Pro$399/month
- Full features
- Catering
Which should you pick?
Questions people ask
- Is Lavu or BentoBox better?
- Neither clearly leads. Lavu starts at $99/month and BentoBox at $99/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Lavu or BentoBox?
- Lavu starts at $99/month and BentoBox at $99/month.
- Does Lavu or BentoBox run on more platforms?
- Lavu runs on iPad. BentoBox runs on Web.
- What is Lavu best used for?
- Lavu 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 BentoBox is typically brought in for.
- What can Lavu do that BentoBox cannot?
- Lavu covers iPad POS, Split checks, Tab management, Happy hour pricing. BentoBox covers Website builder, Online ordering, Email marketing, Gift cards.
Answered from the vendors’ own pages
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.
SourceLavu: 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.
SourceLavu: 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