Software · head to head
Lavu vs Caviar
The short version
- Each has a real cost: Lavu iPad-only solution with no Android or Windows alternative; Caviar limited availability to 20 major metropolitan areas
- They diverge on capability: Lavu covers iPad POS, Caviar covers Premium delivery.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Lavu and Caviar actually diverge.
Identical on both: 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 Caviar
- Premium delivery
- Curated marketplace
- Order management
- Quality-focused
- Analytics
- Toast
- Square
- Web support
Both cover
- DoorDash
- Ios support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Lavu
- Point of Sale
- Order Management
- Inventory Control
- Staff Scheduling
Caviar
- 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.
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
Caviar
- Limited availability to 20 major metropolitan areas
- Service fee of 18 percent applied to all orders
- Not available in all regions as standalone service
Pricing, plan by plan
Lavu
$99/monthNo published plan breakdown. See the Lavu review.
Caviar
$20/order- Standard$25/percent
- Premium delivery
- Curated placement
Which should you pick?
Choose Caviar if
- You need premium delivery.
- You work on Web, iOS, Android.
- You also want curated marketplace.
Questions people ask
- Is Lavu or Caviar better?
- Neither clearly leads. Lavu starts at $99/month and Caviar at $20/order, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Lavu or Caviar?
- Lavu starts at $99/month and Caviar at $20/order.
- Does Lavu or Caviar run on more platforms?
- Lavu runs on iPad. Caviar runs on Web, iOS, Android.
- What is Lavu best used for?
- Lavu is most often used for point of sale, order management, inventory control, staff scheduling.
- What can Lavu do that Caviar cannot?
- Lavu covers iPad POS, Split checks, Tab management, Happy hour pricing. Caviar covers Premium delivery, Curated marketplace, Order management, Quality-focused. Both handle DoorDash, Ios support.
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.
SourceCaviar: What does Caviar charge for delivery?
A service fee of 18 percent is applied to each Caviar delivery order. The delivery fee ranges from $1.99 to $8.99 depending on distance and demand. Customers ordering for pickup pay no order minimums, service fee or delivery fee.
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.
SourceCaviar: Is Caviar available as a standalone service?
No. Caviar was acquired by DoorDash in October 2019 and now operates as part of the DoorDash platform. DoorDash members with DashPass enjoy waived delivery fees and reduced service charges on Caviar orders.
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