ChowNow vs Lightspeed Restaurant

A comprehensive head-to-head comparison of two leading food & restaurant solutions in 2026. Compare features, pricing, ratings, and more to find the right fit.

Quick Verdict

Choose ChowNow if you need Branded ordering and prefer comprehensive paid features. Choose Lightspeed Restaurant if you prioritize Floor plan management and want plans starting at $69/month. ChowNow has a higher user rating (4.3 vs 4.1).

ChowNow vs Lightspeed Restaurant: At a Glance

CriteriaChowNowLightspeed Restaurant
User Rating
4.3
4.1
Pricing$149/month$69/month
Pricing Modelsubscriptionsubscription
Free Plan
PlatformsWeb, Ios, AndroidWeb, Ios, Android
CategoryFood & RestaurantFood & Restaurant
Founded20112005

Feature Comparison: ChowNow vs Lightspeed Restaurant

FeatureChowNowLightspeed Restaurant
Branded ordering
Website integration
Mobile app
Customer database
Marketing tools
Delivery integration
DoorDash Drive
Google
Facebook
Instagram
Web support
Ios support
Android support
Floor plan management
Tableside ordering
Menu management
Staff management
Advanced reporting
Uber Eats
DoorDash
Skip the Dishes
QuickBooks
Xero

ChowNow vs Lightspeed Restaurant: Pricing Breakdown

ChowNow Pricing

Model: subscription

Starter$149/month
  • Online ordering
  • Basic features
Standard$199/month
  • Marketing tools
  • Analytics
Premium$399/month
  • Full features
  • Priority support

Lightspeed Restaurant Pricing

Model: subscription

Starter$69/month
  • POS
  • Menu management
  • Payments
Essential$189/month
  • Online ordering
  • Delivery
  • Advanced reporting
Premium$399/month
  • Multiple locations
  • API access

Pros and Cons

ChowNow

Pros

  • Highly rated by users (4.3/5)
  • Available on 3 platforms (Web, Ios, Android)
  • Rich feature set with 13+ capabilities
  • Strong Branded ordering functionality
  • Strong Website integration functionality

Cons

  • No free plan available
  • May require time to learn advanced features

Lightspeed Restaurant

Pros

  • Highly rated by users (4.1/5)
  • Available on 3 platforms (Web, Ios, Android)
  • Rich feature set with 14+ capabilities
  • Strong Floor plan management functionality
  • Strong Tableside ordering functionality

Cons

  • No free plan available
  • May require time to learn advanced features

Who Should Use ChowNow vs Lightspeed Restaurant?

Choose ChowNow if you:

  • Need Branded ordering
  • Have a budget of $149/month+
  • Work primarily on Web and Ios
  • Value Website integration
View ChowNow Details

Choose Lightspeed Restaurant if you:

  • Need Floor plan management
  • Have a budget of $69/month+
  • Work primarily on Web and Ios
  • Value Tableside ordering
View Lightspeed Restaurant Details

Frequently Asked Questions: ChowNow vs Lightspeed Restaurant

Is ChowNow better than Lightspeed Restaurant?

It depends on your needs. ChowNow has a 4.3/5 user rating while Lightspeed Restaurant has 4.1/5. ChowNow excels in Branded ordering and Website integration, while Lightspeed Restaurant stands out with Floor plan management and Tableside ordering. Consider your budget ($149/month vs $69/month), platform needs, and specific feature requirements.

Which is cheaper, ChowNow or Lightspeed Restaurant?

ChowNow starts at $149/month. Lightspeed Restaurant starts at $69/month. Compare the specific plan features to determine the best value for your use case.

Can I use ChowNow and Lightspeed Restaurant together?

While both are food & restaurant tools, some teams use complementary software together. Check each product's API and integration capabilities for compatibility. However, most users find that one solution covers their core food & restaurant needs.

What are the main differences between ChowNow and Lightspeed Restaurant?

The key differences include: pricing model (subscription vs subscription), platform support (Web, Ios, Android vs Web, Ios, Android), and feature focus. ChowNow emphasizes Branded ordering, Website integration, Mobile app while Lightspeed Restaurant focuses on Floor plan management, Tableside ordering, Menu management. User ratings differ slightly: 4.3 vs 4.1 out of 5.

Ready to choose?

Explore detailed reviews, user ratings, and pricing for both ChowNow and Lightspeed Restaurant.