Software · head to head
Upserve vs ChowNow
The short version
- Each has a real cost: Upserve offline terminals can only store credit card payment data for 48 hours before requiring internet connection; ChowNow limited website customization with only pre-built Squarespace templates available
- They diverge on capability: Upserve covers Cloud POS, ChowNow covers Branded ordering.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Upserve and ChowNow actually diverge.
Identical on both: pricing model (Unknown), 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 Upserve
- Cloud POS
- Guest insights
- Menu intelligence
- Server performance
- Reputation management
- Inventory tracking
- 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.
Upserve
- Point of Sale
- Order Management
- Inventory Control
- Staff Scheduling
ChowNow
- 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.
Upserve
- Offline terminals can only store credit card payment data for 48 hours before requiring internet connection
- Customers cannot add tips when the system operates in offline mode
- $400 monthly penalty for using alternative payment processors instead of Lightspeed
- No global ability to change menu items across all locations at once, requiring per-location updates
- Mandatory 2.6% + $0.10 per transaction payment processing fee with Lightspeed
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
Upserve
$59/month- Core$59/month
- Cloud-based point of sale
- Basic reporting
- Guest insights
- Pro$199/month
- All Core features
- Inventory management
- Online ordering
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 Upserve if
- You need cloud pos.
- You work on Web, iPad, Android, Custom POS terminals.
- You also want guest insights.
Choose ChowNow if
- You need branded ordering.
- You work on Web, iOS, Android.
- You also want website integration.
Questions people ask
- Is Upserve or ChowNow better?
- Neither clearly leads. Upserve starts at $59/month and ChowNow at $249/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Upserve or ChowNow?
- Upserve starts at $59/month and ChowNow at $249/month.
- Does Upserve or ChowNow run on more platforms?
- Upserve runs on Web, iPad, Android, Custom POS terminals. ChowNow runs on Web, iOS, Android.
- What is Upserve best used for?
- Upserve is most often used for point of sale, order management, inventory control, staff scheduling.
- What can Upserve do that ChowNow cannot?
- Upserve covers Cloud POS, Guest insights, Menu intelligence, Server performance. ChowNow covers Branded ordering, Website integration, Mobile app, Customer database. Both handle Web support, Ios support, Android support.
Answered from the vendors’ own pages
Upserve: Does Upserve support offline mode?
Yes. Upserve is a hybrid cloud-based system where reporting data is stored in the cloud but offline mode allows the software to store important data locally on your device in case the internet goes down, allowing transactions to continue.
SourceChowNow: 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).
SourceUpserve: What is Upserve's pricing structure?
Upserve offers three plans: Core at $59/month, Pro at $199/month with advanced features like inventory management and loyalty programs, and Pro+ with custom pricing for enterprise customers. Hardware is sold separately.
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.
SourceUpserve: Does Upserve offer a free trial?
Yes, Upserve offers a 14-day free trial for new users to test the platform before committing to a paid plan.
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.
SourceUpserve: What delivery platforms does Upserve integrate with?
Upserve integrates with DoorDash, Uber Eats, and Grubhub through partner middleware services like Chowly and Deliverect, which provide real-time menu syncing and order management.
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.
SourceUpserve: What are the payment processing requirements?
Upserve requires using Lightspeed payment processing at 2.6% + $0.10 per transaction. Using alternative payment processors incurs a $400 monthly fee, making Lightspeed the mandatory choice for most restaurants.
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