Quick Answer for Lavu Vs Aloha: 

Choosing the right POS system can feel like a monumental decision for any restaurant owner. For Gladys McKinney, one of the operators of Willow Creek Winery, the decision to switch from Aloha to Lavu wasn’t made lightly—but it turned out to be transformative for her business.

Choosing between Lavu and Aloha depends on your business size, needs, and goals.

Here’s a quick breakdown:

• Lavu: Best for local small to mid-sized restaurants, food trucks, and coffee shops. It’s a cloud-based iPad POS system with a starting price of $39 a month, offering features like contactless payments, loyalty programs, and QuickBooks, Dual Pricing integration. Known for its ease of use, 99.99% uptime, and 24/7 support.
• Aloha: Designed for larger chains. It uses an on-premise server with advanced tools like inventory automation, multi-location management, and detailed reporting. Pricing is custom, with higher upfront costs and professional setup required.

Lavu vs Aloha: Comparison Table

Key takeaway: Choose Lavu for simplicity and affordability, or Aloha for enterprise-level tools and scalability. Read on for a detailed comparison of features, pricing, and real-world examples.

Overview of Lavu and Aloha

Overview of Lavu

Lavu is an iPad-based POS system designed with mobility in mind. Priced at $39 per month, it caters to local restaurants. It has been ranked #1 on Capterra for three years, highlighting its appeal to users.

Lavu offers a wide range of features, including payroll, dual pricing, contactless payment options, and integrations with platforms such as Uber Eats and QuickBooks. It also includes a Kitchen Display System (KDS) to help streamline order preparation and improve efficiency.

While Lavu focuses on small and mid-sized businesses, Aloha is designed to handle the needs of larger, more complex operations.

Overview of Aloha

Aloha, developed by NCR Corporation, takes a more traditional approach to POS systems. Unlike Lavu’s cloud-based design, Aloha uses on-premise servers, offering a infrastructure tailored to high-volume establishments and multi-location businesses.

Aloha stands out for its inventory management, order tracking, and advanced reporting features. These tools are ideal for large chains that require detailed oversight and efficient management of complex operations. Its table management capabilities and scalability make it a popular choice among larger businesses.

Feature Comparison: Lavu vs Aloha

Features of Lavu

Lavu’s iPad-based system allows businesses to set different price points for dine-in, takeout, or delivery, helping to maximize revenue. Its Kitchen Display System (KDS) improves communication between staff, reducing errors and speeding up food preparation. Lavu also integrates payroll tools for staff management and scheduling, while offering loyalty program features to simplify operations and boost customer retention.

Features of Aloha

Aloha stands out with its advanced inventory tracking and automated purchasing, saving time for businesses with high-volume needs. Its order management system easily handles complex requests, like split tickets and custom modifications. Aloha’s proprietary online ordering platform allows businesses to manage online orders directly, without third-party dependencies. Designed for busy, multi-location operations, Aloha provides detailed customer profiles, reservation tools, and enterprise-level solutions for chain restaurants.

Here’s a side-by-side breakdown to highlight how these two systems compare.

Side-by-Side Feature Comparison

The main distinction between Lavu and Aloha lies in their focus. Lavu prioritizes ease of use and mobility with its iPad-based setup, making it ideal for smaller or more flexible operations. On the other hand, Aloha is built for larger businesses, offering a more robust infrastructure and advanced management tools. This difference shapes how each system supports restaurant management and determines the best fit for specific business needs.

Ease of Use and Setup

Lavu’s User Experience

Lavu’s iPad-based system is designed to be straightforward, with an interface that’s easy to navigate. It allows for quick setup without needing extensive hardware. Staff can get up to speed on tasks like processing orders and updating menus in just a few hours. Managers can easily make changes using its drag-and-drop interface, whether it’s updating menu items or customizing workflows like kitchen order routing.

While Lavu focuses on simplicity and quick implementation, Aloha offers a more detailed setup to handle larger, more complex operations.

Aloha’s Setup and Learning Curve

Aloha’s system, on the other hand, requires professional installation due to its on-premise server setup and specific hardware needs. Installation usually takes 2-3 months, and staff training is more structured, covering advanced tools like inventory tracking and enterprise-level features. This makes it well-suited for businesses with more demanding operational needs.

User Feedback on Both Systems

Users on G2 rate Lavu higher for ease of use and setup compared to Aloha. Many highlight Lavu’s user-friendly design and quick deployment process. The system’s 91 Net Promoter Score (NPS) reflects high satisfaction, especially for its accessibility.

“Lavu’s interface design and efficient order management capabilities have made it significantly easier for our staff to adapt to the system. The learning curve is notably shorter compared to traditional POS systems”, shared a G2 reviewer who switched from a legacy system.

Aloha users, while acknowledging the initial complexity, appreciate its ability to handle intricate operations, making it a go-to choice for larger establishments willing to invest time in training and setup. The decision often boils down to balancing Lavu’s ease of use with Aloha’s more advanced features.

Integrations and Support

Third-Party Integrations

Lavu works with key restaurant management tools to simplify operations. For example, it integrates with Uber Eats for delivery management and QuickBooks for handling financial tasks. This allows restaurants to manage orders and accounting without jumping between platforms.

Aloha, on the other hand, is tailored for larger operations. It connects with advanced tools like inventory management systems, enterprise resource planning (ERP) software, and solutions for managing multiple locations.

While these integrations help streamline processes, reliable customer support ensures everything runs smoothly day-to-day.

Customer Support Options

Customer support differs greatly between the two systems. Lavu offers 24/7 support, backed by a 91 Net Promoter Score (NPS), showing their commitment to service quality.

With its cloud-based setup, Lavu provides quick remote troubleshooting and automatic updates, minimizing downtime. Aloha, however, relies on manual server updates, which require scheduled maintenance and could temporarily disrupt operations during implementation.

This table highlights Lavu’s focus on easy access and remote assistance, while Aloha emphasizes on-site services and structured training.

Ultimately, restaurants need to assess their current tools and future goals to decide which system fits best. Whether you lean toward Lavu’s cloud-based simplicity or Aloha’s in-depth on-premise solution depends on your specific business needs.

Pricing Comparison

Pricing Table

Lavu Pricing Plans

Lavu’s pricing starts at $99/month. They offer tiered plans to suit different business needs:

• Basic Plan: Includes features like order management, inventory tracking, and basic reporting.
• Advanced Plan: Adds delivery management, commission tracking, and more detailed reporting tools.
• Enterprise Plan: Designed for larger businesses, it provides multi-location support, advanced customization, and priority support.

Each plan builds on the previous one, offering more tools and flexibility as your business grows.

Aloha Pricing Details

Aloha takes a custom pricing approach, tailored to franchise restaurants and large chains. Their pricing involves:

• Initial Setup Fees: One-time costs for system installation.
• Monthly Subscriptions: Based on the features you choose.
• Hardware Costs: For their proprietary POS terminals.

This model is ideal for established restaurants needing extensive customization and on-premise solutions.

Lavu’s cloud-based system often results in lower infrastructure costs, while Aloha’s tailored setup may suit larger operations willing to invest more upfront. Evaluating how these systems perform in practice is key to finding the right fit for your business.

Lavu POS Review

Examples of Lavu and Aloha in Use

Here’s how restaurants are putting Lavu and Aloha to work, offering a glimpse into their practical benefits for different types of establishments.

How Restaurants Use Lavu

Lavu’s POS system streamlines operations in various restaurant settings. For instance, Gladys McKinney, Controller at Willow Creek Winery, shared his experience:

“All equipment arrived in a day, implementation was a breeze, and any questions were answered same day by the support team or our account manager.”

At O’Maddy’s, owner Joe Guenther noticed a measurable improvement in service speed:

“Lavu has decreased our order to table time by 5 minutes a ticket.”

For businesses with multiple locations, like Kavasutra, Lavu’s user-friendly interface ensures quick staff onboarding and consistent performance across branches.

How Restaurants Use Aloha

Aloha is a go-to for chain restaurants. Its Guest Manager feature helps reduce wait times by optimizing seating arrangements and automating tasks like future orders and dessert requests.

For delivery-focused restaurants, Aloha simplifies logistics with automated dispatch systems and route planning, making delivery services more efficient.

These examples show how both systems can address a variety of operational needs, helping you decide which one best fits your restaurant’s requirements.

Conclusion: Which POS System is Right for You?

Key Takeaways

When deciding between Lavu and Aloha, there are a few important factors to consider. Lavu offers a simple pricing model and an easy-to-use interface, making it a strong contender for smaller businesses or those looking for simplicity. On the other hand, Aloha is a trusted option for chain restaurants. Aloha is expensive and a legacy system, however.

Both platforms include essential tools like inventory management, order tracking, and customer management. However, their focus differs. Lavu emphasizes ease of setup and accessible customer support, while Aloha caters to businesses needing enterprise-level solutions and scalability.

How to Choose

Your decision should depend on your restaurant’s specific needs and where you see it heading in the future. Here’s a quick guide:

For restaurants that value quick setup and ease of use, Lavu is a great choice. Its high customer service score (91 NPS) and reliable uptime (99.99%) ensure smooth daily operations.

If your business requires extensive customization or enterprise-level features, Aloha might be the better fit. Its presence in the market shows it can handle complex operations and multi-location management effectively.

Think about your current needs and long-term goals when making your decision. The best POS system isn’t necessarily the one with the most features – it’s the one that fits your budget and supports your operational goals.

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