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Our Verdict
Our Verdict
In our 2024 Revel POS review, we break down this popular POS system’s features, pricing plans, pros and cons. Is Revel the best POS for your needs?
Summary:
Revel was one of the first point-of-sale (POS) system to utilize the stable hardware base of an iPad and is used by thousands of vendors all over the world. Revel is constantly making improvements to its cloud-native POS platform. The service comes standard with features like 24/7 live support, secure cloud-based backup and unlimited users. While you can’t use it on an Android device at this time, the service offers one of the best iPad POS experiences we’ve seen to date.
Pros
- Can integrate with numerous software options
- Access to processed data
- Loads of back-office tools
- Interesting additional features
- Can be used at multiple stores
Cons
- Smaller players will have to pay more for additional features
- There’s a steep learning curve to understand the POS
- Can be expensive compared to competitors
- No free trial to test
Via partner site
4.0
Our ratings take into account a product's cost, features, ease of use, customer service and other category-specific attributes. All ratings are determined solely by our editorial team.
Pricing
From $99
Free version available
No
Inventory Management
Yes
Table of Contents
- Revel at a Glance
- Other Benefits
- Fine Print
- How Revel Stacks Up
- Is Revel Right for Your Business?
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
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Featured Partners
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1
Clover
Price starts at
$14.95 per month (plus hardware)
Free trial
90 days
Key features
Versatile POS, invoicing, employee management
2
Toast
Price starts at
$0
Free Trial
No
Key Features
POS built specifically for restaurants, payroll, online ordering, team and inventory management
3
KORONA POS
Price starts at
$59/mo
Free trial
Unlimited
Key features
Inventory management, custom reporting, advanced cashier functionality, accounting integrations
Revel at a Glance
Revel’s POS and business solutions provide native cloud technology with a design focus on serving restaurateurs (although it can be used by retail customers as well). It can also be utilized to diversify revenue streams and can be scaled as your workforce grows. The company offers a personalized onboarding process in its top-tier version, where you will be taken through how to use the operating system and hardware.
Revels POS pricing starts at $99 per month. This includes the inventory, employee and customer relationship management integration, as well as reporting and analytics. It’s worth noting that you need to purchase at least two terminals with this plan.
The Processing package offers EMV (short for Europay, Mastercard and Visa), Apple Pay and an in-house dedicated support team. All card types are included as well as online statements and reports. This is charged as a flat fee. There’s also the benefit of point-to-point encryption, which helps keep customer data secure. You will have to speak with the company’s sales team for a personalized quote on this tier.
Revel’s implementation services start at $674. This package comes with personalized setup as well as hardware installation. This option makes sense for those who don’t have a lot of technical knowledge and could use live human help with getting started.
Other Benefits
Revel has loads to offer in regard to benefits and features, such as:
Customer Experience Software
Revel offers a variety of features designed to help you retain customers more effectively. These include features for client discounts, gift cards, online ordering, loyalty programs, customer relationship management and a customer-facing self-service module.
Financial Features
As a cloud-based system, you’re able to tap into all financial information from one central dashboard. Encryption of customer data comes standard with the platform. Users can connect QuickBooks for all their financial and accounting management integration.
Finally, it is compatible with credit card processors while still offering its own integrated system that offers a flat processing rate of around 2.49% on all transactions. And a significant bonus is if you are receiving a better rate from a previous processor, you can stick with them.
Staff and Stock Management
With Revel’s powerful software you can monitor your establishment’s inventory in real time. You can also manage kitchen orders and staff timings. It also has similar features to manage staff hours and duties. All of these tools serve to help you run a more efficient restaurant and foster a healthy, growing business.
Fine Print
The entry-level plan ostensibly starts at $99 but will probably be more expensive as you work out a final price with the sales representative. Be sure to get a salesperson from Revel to take you through all the terms and conditions.
If you are looking at including more hardware options, costs can vary and are not included in the bundled packages.
One of the major issues is that you will be automatically locked into a three-year contract before testing Revel and finding out whether it is compatible with your business.
How Revel Stacks Up
| Revel | TouchBistro | Lightspeed | |
|---|---|---|---|
Free Version | No | No | No |
Starting Price | $99 per month | $69 per month | $69 per month |
Restaurant-Specific Features | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Mobile Payments | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Built-In Payment Processing | Yes | Yes | No |
Software Integrations | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Inventory Management | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Learn More | |||
Read Reviews | – | Read TouchBistro Review | Read Lightspeed Review |
Revel compares fairly well to its competitors and offers more generic services than Lightspeed. They all offer the same general feature set, but Revel has a higher starting price than its competitors.
Is Revel Right for Your Business?
With its robust software, and an option to get professionals to set up the POS at your establishments, it will be a worthwhile investment for large establishments with multiple locations. While it has a higher barrier to entry than other platforms, it still offers a robust feature set in an intuitive package.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Do I need a POS system?
If you have a brick-and-mortar store, then a POS system can be a valuable tool for managing inventory, processing payments and tracking sales data. Even if you don’t have a physical store, a POS system can be helpful for managing online orders and shipping.
What support does Revel offer?
You can contact them 24/7 via the phone or the web.
Can I operate multiple locations with Revel?
As a cloud-based POS, you can run multiple operations from a central location. And with certain packages, you can access amazing insight data.
How do I choose the right POS system for my business?
The best POS system for your business depends on a variety of factors, including the type of business you have, your budget and the features you need. For many situations, it makes sense to invest in the best system you can afford, and preferably, the system can grow with your business.
Can I reuse old hardware?
Yes, in some cases, you can reuse old POS hardware with newly purchased ones. But they’d recommend using their provided solutions.
How do I set up a POS system?
Most POS systems come with onboarding documentation that walks you through the process of setting up your system. Typically, the process involves creating an account, adding products, customers and employees, and then connecting hardware such as receipt printers and barcode scanners.
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