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
| Criteria | ChowNow | Lightspeed Restaurant |
|---|---|---|
| User Rating | 4.3 | 4.1 |
| Pricing | $149/month | $69/month |
| Pricing Model | subscription | subscription |
| Free Plan | ||
| Platforms | Web, Ios, Android | Web, Ios, Android |
| Category | Food & Restaurant | Food & Restaurant |
| Founded | 2011 | 2005 |
Feature Comparison: ChowNow vs Lightspeed Restaurant
| Feature | ChowNow | Lightspeed Restaurant |
|---|---|---|
| Branded ordering | ||
| Website integration | ||
| Mobile app | ||
| Customer database | ||
| Marketing tools | ||
| Delivery integration | ||
| DoorDash Drive | ||
| 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
- Online ordering
- Basic features
- Marketing tools
- Analytics
- Full features
- Priority support
Lightspeed Restaurant Pricing
Model: subscription
- POS
- Menu management
- Payments
- Online ordering
- Delivery
- Advanced reporting
- 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
Choose Lightspeed Restaurant if you:
- Need Floor plan management
- Have a budget of $69/month+
- Work primarily on Web and Ios
- Value Tableside ordering
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.