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Restaurants · head to head

Lavu vs Plate IQ

Lavu logo

Lavu

Restaurants

iPad POS for restaurants and bars

From
$99/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Plate IQ logo

Plate IQ

Restaurants

Invoice automation for restaurants

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Lavu iPad-only solution with no Android or Windows alternative; 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: Lavu covers iPad POS, Plate IQ covers Invoice capture.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where Lavu and Plate IQ differ
AttributeLavuPlate IQ
Starting price$99/monthOn request
Pricing modelUnknownsubscription
PlatformsiPadWeb, Ios, Android
Founded20102014

Identical on both: free tier (No), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Restaurants).

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
  • DoorDash
  • Uber Eats

Only in Plate IQ

  • Invoice capture
  • AP automation
  • Price tracking
  • Spend analytics
  • Vendor management
  • GL coding
  • NetSuite
  • Sage

Both cover

  • QuickBooks
  • Xero
  • Ios support

What people use each for

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

Lavu

  • 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 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

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

Lavu

$99/month

No published plan breakdown. See the Lavu review.

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 Lavu if

  • You need ipad pos.
  • You work on iPad.
  • You also want split checks.
Lavu 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 Lavu or Plate IQ better?
Neither clearly leads. Lavu starts at $99/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, Lavu or Plate IQ?
Lavu starts at $99/month and Plate IQ at On request.
Does Lavu or Plate IQ run on more platforms?
Lavu runs on iPad. Plate IQ 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. Of those, point of sale and order management are not what Plate IQ is typically brought in for.
What can Lavu do that Plate IQ cannot?
Lavu covers iPad POS, Split checks, Tab management, Happy hour pricing. Plate IQ covers Invoice capture, AP automation, Price tracking, Spend analytics. Both handle QuickBooks, Xero, 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.

Source
Plate IQ: Is pricing published for Ottimate?

No. Ottimate uses a sales-led model and directs visitors to 'Book a Demo' to discuss pricing based on customer needs.

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
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
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