Software · head to head
Plate IQ vs ChowNow
The short version
- Each has a real cost: 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"; ChowNow limited website customization with only pre-built Squarespace templates available
- They diverge on capability: Plate IQ covers Invoice capture, ChowNow covers Branded ordering.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Plate IQ and ChowNow actually diverge.
Identical on both: free tier (No), platforms (Web, Ios, Android), 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 Plate IQ
- Invoice capture
- AP automation
- Price tracking
- Spend analytics
- Vendor management
- GL coding
- QuickBooks
- Xero
Only in ChowNow
- Branded ordering
- Website integration
- Mobile app
- Customer database
- Marketing tools
- Delivery integration
- DoorDash Drive
Both cover
- Web support
- Ios support
- Android support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Plate IQ
- Automating invoice processing and accounts payable for restaurantsnot ChowNow
ChowNow
- Point of Salenot Plate IQ
- Order Managementnot Plate IQ
- Inventory Controlnot Plate IQ
- Staff Schedulingnot Plate IQ
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
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"
ChowNow
- Limited website customization with only pre-built Squarespace templates available
- No multi-language support, limiting service to non-English speaking customer bases
- Multi-location management requires separate dashboard for each location
- Delivery reliability issues with reported order delays and non-arrivals
- Limited customer support responsiveness with long phone wait times
Pricing, plan by plan
Plate IQ
On request- Pay per invoiceFree
- Invoice processing
- $0.99 per invoice
- Unlimited$399/month
- Unlimited invoices
- Full features
ChowNow
$249/month- Launch$249/month
- Commission-free ordering
- Website and mobile app
- Basic POS integrations
- Grow$349/month
- All Launch features
- Advanced marketing tools
- Email and SMS campaigns
- Elevate$449/month
- All Grow features
- Advanced reporting
- Priority support
Which should you pick?
Choose Plate IQ if
- You need invoice capture.
- You work on Web, Ios, Android.
- You also want ap automation.
Choose ChowNow if
- You need branded ordering.
- You work on Web, iOS, Android.
- You also want website integration.
Questions people ask
- Is Plate IQ or ChowNow better?
- Neither clearly leads. Plate IQ starts at On request and ChowNow at $249/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Plate IQ or ChowNow?
- Plate IQ starts at On request and ChowNow at $249/month.
- Does Plate IQ or ChowNow run on more platforms?
- Plate IQ runs on Web, Ios, Android. ChowNow runs on Web, iOS, Android.
- What is Plate IQ best used for?
- Plate IQ is most often used for automating invoice processing and accounts payable for restaurants. Of those, automating invoice processing and accounts payable for restaurants is not what ChowNow is typically brought in for.
- What can Plate IQ do that ChowNow cannot?
- Plate IQ covers Invoice capture, AP automation, Price tracking, Spend analytics. ChowNow covers Branded ordering, Website integration, Mobile app, Customer database. Both handle Web support, Ios support, Android support.
Answered from the vendors’ own pages
ChowNow: Is ChowNow truly commission-free?
Yes, ChowNow charges no commission on orders placed through your website, app, or marketplace channels. However, you pay a monthly subscription ($249-$449), payment processing fees (2.95% plus $0.29 per transaction), and optional delivery fees ($7.98 per order with Flex Delivery).
SourceChowNow: Does ChowNow integrate with my POS system?
Yes. ChowNow integrates with over 45 POS systems including Toast, Square, Clover, and Revel. Orders are automatically synced to your POS and kitchen printers without manual entry.
SourceChowNow: Can I use ChowNow with delivery platforms like DoorDash and Uber Eats?
ChowNow handles direct orders but also supports order aggregation from third-party delivery platforms including DoorDash, UberEats, and Grubhub through integrations.
SourceChowNow: How much does ChowNow cost?
ChowNow plans start at $249/month (Launch), $349/month (Grow), and $449/month (Elevate) when billed monthly. Annual billing saves 8-9%. Additional fees include payment processing (2.95% plus $0.29 per transaction), setup fees ($119-$499), and optional delivery charges.
SourceChowNow: What platforms are supported by ChowNow?
ChowNow is available on web, iOS, and Android. Restaurants get a website ordering interface and can offer a branded mobile app. Customers discover restaurants through Google Maps, Apple Maps, Yelp, and the ChowNow Marketplace.
Source