Complex catering events create bottlenecks. Varied menus, guest counts, and payment schedules often overwhelm your current POS. This slows service and reduces profits.
Top Alternatives to SpotOn
🏆 1. Lavu
Lavu handles high-volume, mobile operations and complex orders. It works well for event-based transactions and off-site catering.
Best for: Catering companies need better event management, mobile payments, and real-time analytics. This helps them increase profits.
Pricing: Custom quotes available, typically subscription-based with various hardware options.
2. Toast
Toast is a popular restaurant POS. It offers some catering order features and strong payment processing. Its strengths include kitchen management and loyalty programs.
Best for: Catering businesses that also run a restaurant can use one system. Toast integrates both dine-in and event management.
Pricing: Starter plans begin at $0/month (payment processing fees apply), higher tiers offer more features and dedicated support.
3. Lightspeed Restaurant
Lightspeed offers strong inventory and multi-location management. It supports advanced reports and integrates with other business tools.
Best for: Larger catering businesses need detailed tracking. Lightspeed suits intricate inventory, complex menus, or multiple kitchens.
Pricing: Plans start around $69/month, increasing with features, number of POS terminals, and additional integrations.
4. Square for Restaurants
Square sets up easily and has a friendly interface. It works for smaller catering businesses or those with simpler events.
Best for: New or smaller catering companies need a simple, affordable POS. Square helps with basic orders and mobile payments.
Pricing: Free plan available (transaction fees apply), Plus plan at $60/month per location for advanced features.
5. Revel Systems
Revel is a customizable iPad POS. It scales with your business. It offers extensive reports, inventory, and kitchen management.
Best for: Established catering businesses need a configurable system. Revel fits unique workflows, large teams, and advanced features.
Pricing: Custom quotes, generally a higher investment due to its enterprise focus and extensive customization options.
6. Clover
Clover devices are portable and simple. They work well for on-site event payments. Its app market offers more business tools.
Best for: Catering businesses need flexible mobile payments. Clover sets up easily for staff who process transactions fast.
Pricing: Plans start around $14.95/month plus hardware costs and transaction fees, varying by device type.
Why Lavu Is the Best Choice
Catering operators struggle with event-specific menus, deposits, and on-site payments. Lavu solves these challenges. It offers flexible order creation for events. Lavu handles deposits to final payments with ease. Our mobile POS lets staff take orders and process payments anywhere at the event.
Lavu gives deep insights into your catering business. Marty, our AI analytics tool, tracks profitability per event. It identifies popular menu items and helps improve staffing. This intelligence helps you make smarter business decisions. Increase your profit margins for every catering job.
Switching from SpotOn means gaining a system built for dynamic catering. Lavu helps you handle complex events. It manages inventory for each booking. It keeps sales and kitchen teams in clear communication. This ensures your catering operation runs smoothly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I easily transfer my existing customer data and menus from SpotOn to Lavu?
Yes, data migration is a key part of onboarding. Our team helps transfer your customer information and menu configurations.
Does Lavu support managing multiple catering events simultaneously?
Yes, Lavu lets you manage many catering orders and events at once. Each event gets its own menu, pricing, and staff assignments.
How does Lavu handle deposits, partial payments, and final invoicing for catering orders?
Yes, Lavu offers strong payment flexibility. Process deposits, schedule partial payments, and generate final invoices, maintaining full control over your billing cycles.
Is Lavu’s POS system truly mobile for off-site catering events?
Yes, Lavu is built for mobility. Our iPad system gives full POS functions for orders and payments at any event.
Can Lavu help me track inventory specific to each catering order or event?
Yes, Lavu offers detailed inventory management. Assign specific inventory to individual catering orders for accurate stock control and costing.
Does Lavu integrate with common accounting software to simplify bookkeeping for catering?
Yes, Lavu integrates with popular accounting platforms. This automates financial data transfer, reducing manual entry and errors.
How does Lavu’s reporting help me understand profitability for each catering job?
Yes, Lavu’s reporting, powered by Marty, shows profit and loss data for each event. You see what drives your margins and how to optimize.
What kind of support does Lavu offer if I need help after switching from SpotOn?
Yes, Lavu provides dedicated 24/7 customer support. Our team helps with any questions or issues, ensuring smooth operations.
Ready to see Lavu in action?
Book a free demo and see how Lavu helps operators like you.
