Software · head to head
Upserve vs Lavu
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; Lavu iPad-only solution with no Android or Windows alternative
- They diverge on capability: Upserve covers Cloud POS, Lavu covers iPad POS.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Upserve and Lavu 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
- 7shifts
- Grubhub
- Web support
Only in Lavu
- iPad POS
- Split checks
- Tab management
- Happy hour pricing
- Kitchen display
- DoorDash
- Uber Eats
Both cover
- Inventory tracking
- QuickBooks
- Xero
- Ios 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
Lavu
- 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
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
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
Lavu
$99/monthNo published plan breakdown. See the Lavu review.
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.
Questions people ask
- Is Upserve or Lavu better?
- Neither clearly leads. Upserve starts at $59/month and Lavu at $99/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Upserve or Lavu?
- Upserve starts at $59/month and Lavu at $99/month.
- Does Upserve or Lavu run on more platforms?
- Upserve runs on Web, iPad, Android, Custom POS terminals. Lavu runs on iPad.
- 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 Lavu cannot?
- Upserve covers Cloud POS, Guest insights, Menu intelligence, Server performance. Lavu covers iPad POS, Split checks, Tab management, Happy hour pricing. Both handle Inventory tracking, QuickBooks, Xero, Ios 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.
SourceLavu: 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Source