The restaurant industry has undergone significant technological transformation in recent years, with point of sale systems becoming the backbone of efficient operations. Aldelo has established itself as a significant player in the restaurant POS market, offering various solutions tailored to different foodservice businesses. The company’s flagship product, Aldelo Express, represents their modern cloud-native approach to restaurant management technology. Understanding Aldelo POS pricing is crucial for restaurant owners looking to maximize their technology investment while minimizing unnecessary costs. With the increasing complexity of restaurant operations and growing customer expectations for seamless service, selecting the right POS system has become more critical than ever.
Aldelo Express stands as the company’s premier cloud-native restaurant POS system. This platform operates on both iPad and Android devices, offering a cross-platform solution that allows restaurant owners to mix and match hardware based on their specific needs and preferences. The system is designed to be intuitive and user-friendly, enabling staff to learn the interface quickly with minimal training requirements. This accessibility is a significant advantage in an industry known for high turnover rates.
The cloud-native architecture of Aldelo Express eliminates the complexity and maintenance needs typically associated with traditional on-premise systems. Restaurant owners can access their data remotely, make real-time menu adjustments, and monitor performance metrics from anywhere with an internet connection. The system functions offline as well, ensuring that operations continue seamlessly even during internet outages. These capabilities provide restaurant owners with the flexibility and reliability needed for modern foodservice operations.
Aldelo Express includes capabilities for visual floor plans, table management, guest reservations, and wait lists, providing comprehensive front-of-house management tools. The platform also supports kitchen display systems, self-order kiosks, table-side QR ordering, fast pay wallets, multi-store gift and loyalty programs, and mobile order and pay-at-table functionality. These features collectively enable restaurants to modernize their operations and adapt to changing consumer preferences, particularly the increasing demand for digital and contactless ordering experiences. The system’s comprehensive feature set addresses most operational needs within a single platform.
One of Aldelo’s most attractive pricing options is their “free” POS offer when using Aldelo Pay as your payment processor. This approach mirrors what some other POS providers like Square have implemented, providing the software at no upfront cost in exchange for processing payments through their system. With this model, restaurant owners can access the full Aldelo Express platform without the typical monthly software fees, potentially saving thousands of dollars annually depending on the size of their operation. This pricing structure eliminates barriers to entry for new restaurants or those operating on tight budgets.
Aldelo Pay provides integrated payment processing that supports various payment methods including credit cards, debit cards, EMV chip cards, NFC contactless payments, Apple Pay, Android Pay, multi-store gift cards, and loyalty programs. The platform also offers customer receipt scan and pay options as well as table service pay-at-table functionality, creating a comprehensive payment ecosystem. While the software itself is free under this arrangement, the actual cost-effectiveness depends heavily on restaurant transaction volume and average ticket size. For high-volume operations with larger average tickets, the cumulative processing fees might exceed what they would pay with a standard monthly subscription and a different payment processor.
For restaurant owners who prefer to use their existing payment processor or who have negotiated favorable rates with another merchant services provider, Aldelo offers a subscription-based pricing model for their Express POS platform. According to the documentation, this option costs $99 per month per device. This pricing structure means that a restaurant with three POS terminals would pay approximately $297 monthly for the software. The subscription model provides the same comprehensive feature set as the free version with Aldelo Pay, including all the core restaurant management functions.
The subscription model offers complete freedom to choose payment processors independently. This option may be particularly attractive for established restaurants that have already negotiated competitive processing rates or those that prefer to separate their POS and payment processing relationships. When evaluating whether the subscription model makes sense, restaurants must calculate the total cost of ownership including both monthly subscription fees and payment processing costs through their chosen provider. In some cases, the combined cost might be lower than using the “free” option with Aldelo Pay, especially for high-volume operations where small differences in processing rates translate to significant amounts over time.
While traditional POS systems like Aldelo handle in-restaurant transactions effectively, modern restaurants face a critical challenge with phone orders and customer service calls. Loman provides a specialized solution that complements existing POS systems by offering a 24/7 AI for restaurants phone agent designed specifically for restaurant operations. This advanced system handles unlimited simultaneous calls, takes orders, manages reservations, and answers menu questions without requiring staff intervention. Loman integrates seamlessly with existing POS systems including Square, Toast, and Clover, allowing restaurants to maintain their current payment processing while enhancing phone capabilities.
The system dramatically reduces missed calls and improves customer experience by providing instant responses to callers during peak hours. Loman’s AI technology is specifically trained on restaurant menus, policies, and customer preferences, ensuring accurate order taking and appropriate upselling suggestions. While Aldelo Express focuses on in-restaurant operations, Loman addresses the phone ordering channel that many restaurants struggle to manage effectively, especially during busy periods when staff are occupied with dine-in customers. This specialized approach allows restaurants to capture revenue from all channels while maintaining operational efficiency.
One of the appealing aspects of Aldelo Express is its hardware flexibility. The system works on both iPad and Android tablets, allowing restaurant owners to leverage existing devices or choose the most cost-effective hardware options. Unlike some proprietary POS systems that require specific terminals, Aldelo Express can operate on a variety of commercially available tablets, potentially reducing upfront investment costs. This flexibility provides restaurants with significant control over their initial hardware investment.
A basic Aldelo Express setup requires a tablet, a stand, a cash drawer, a receipt printer, and potentially a kitchen printer or kitchen display system. Optional additional hardware includes barcode scanners, customer-facing displays, and payment terminals. The cost for a complete hardware setup can range significantly based on the quality and specifications of the components chosen. For instance, a basic setup with a mid-range iPad, stand, cash drawer, and receipt printer might cost between $1,000 and $1,500 per station.
In addition to Aldelo Express, the company offers Aldelo PRO, which represents their traditional point of sale software option. Aldelo PRO comes in two distinct pricing models: a single-license purchase option and a SaaS subscription. The single license option allows restaurants to make a one-time purchase without recurring fees, which can be attractive for businesses that prefer to own their software outright rather than paying ongoing subscription costs. This option includes essential POS tools with an intuitive touchscreen interface, support for custom modifiers, and integrated inventory management.
The Aldelo PRO SaaS subscription model provides continuous support and updates. This includes 24/7 customer support, API access, and regular software updates to ensure the system remains current with the latest features and security standards. The SaaS version also includes cloud convenience, allowing restaurant owners to access their POS data and operations securely from anywhere. It offers flexible payment options with integrated AldeloPay for secure, seamless credit card processing and simplified PCI compliance.
One of Aldelo’s most innovative recent developments is the integration of artificial intelligence into their POS platform. The company has introduced several AI automation services that enhance the functionality of their systems and potentially improve operational efficiency for restaurant customers. The Aldelo Express AI Menu Builder allows merchants to instantly digitize and transfer physical menu information, significantly simplifying the often tedious menu building process. This feature automatically detects words being typed and presents users with naming options, saving time and effort during menu creation.
Another AI enhancement is the Tip Adjust Automation service, which ensures guest check accuracy, reduces chargebacks, and speeds up the closeout process. Aldelo has also implemented AI Facial Recognition Login capabilities, enhancing security while streamlining the authentication process for staff members. These AI features are included with the Aldelo Express platform under both the free-with-processing and subscription pricing models, representing additional value without explicit additional costs. As AI technology continues to evolve, Aldelo’s commitment to incorporating these innovations suggests that subscribers will continue to receive new AI-powered enhancements as part of their existing pricing structure.
When evaluating the total cost of ownership for Aldelo POS systems, support, training, and any potential additional costs beyond the core pricing structure must be considered. Aldelo offers 24/7 live technical support for their systems, which is included when using Aldelo Pay merchant services. For those using the subscription model, support is included in the monthly fee. Technical support includes assistance with software issues, system configuration, and general troubleshooting.
Aldelo provides automated app updates ensuring systems always run the latest version with the newest features and security patches. Additional support resources include software user manuals available for free download from their website and video tutorials for POS setup and operation. These resources can help reduce training costs and minimize downtime when implementing the system or onboarding new staff. Some Aldelo resellers offer additional support packages or incident-based support options, with annual support contracts available for approximately $106 per site.
When evaluating Aldelo’s pricing structure, comparing it with other major players in the restaurant POS market provides valuable context. Aldelo’s $99 per month per device subscription pricing places it in the mid-to-high range compared to competitors. Square offers a free basic POS with processing fees starting at 2.6% + 10¢, while their restaurant-specific POS starts around $60 per month per location. Toast, another major competitor, offers a starter plan with a $0 monthly fee and standard plans starting at $69 per month.
Lightspeed Restaurant starts at $69 per month for one register. Aldelo’s free option with payment processing is competitive with similar offers from Square and Toast, though the actual cost-effectiveness depends on the specific processing rates negotiated. Where Aldelo potentially differentiates itself is in its cross-platform functionality, offline capabilities, and recently added AI features. The ability to choose between a free option with payment processing or a subscription model also provides flexibility that some competitors don’t offer.
However, some reviewers note that Aldelo’s interface may not be as modern or intuitive as some competitors, and its third-party integration options may be more limited. Additionally, some users report system reliability issues that could impact the total cost of ownership through potential downtime or technical support needs. When comparing systems, restaurants should evaluate not just pricing but also feature completeness, reliability, and long-term scalability.
Selecting the optimal Aldelo pricing structure requires a thoughtful analysis of restaurant-specific needs, transaction volume, and growth plans. For new or smaller restaurants with limited capital, the free Aldelo Express with Aldelo Pay merchant services offers an attractive entry point with minimal upfront investment. This option eliminates software costs while providing a comprehensive POS solution, allowing businesses to allocate resources to other critical areas during the startup or growth phase. The key consideration is whether the processing fees will exceed what would be paid under the subscription model combined with independent payment processing.
Established restaurants with higher transaction volumes should carefully calculate the total cost of payment processing under the free model. Restaurants processing over $20,000-$30,000 monthly might find better value in the subscription model paired with a payment processor offering more competitive rates. The subscription model at $99 per device monthly provides the freedom to negotiate processing rates independently, potentially resulting in significant savings for higher-volume operations. Multi-location restaurants should explore whether Aldelo offers volume discounts on subscription pricing or special rates for enterprise deployments.
When evaluating hardware needs, consider starting with essential components and adding peripherals as the business grows. Many restaurants find that a staged implementation helps manage costs while ensuring staff can properly adapt to each new technology component. The flexibility to mix iPad and Android devices can also help optimize hardware investments, allowing restaurants to leverage existing equipment where possible. Ultimately, the right choice depends on specific operational models, growth trajectories, and financial considerations.
Investing in a restaurant POS system represents a significant decision that impacts virtually every aspect of operations. Aldelo’s diverse pricing options provide flexibility for restaurants at different stages of growth and with varying operational needs. By understanding the nuances of each pricing model, restaurant owners can select the option that maximizes return on investment while supporting specific requirements. The value of Aldelo extends beyond direct cost considerations through efficiency gains from streamlined ordering, improved inventory management, and enhanced customer engagement capabilities.
Features like tableside ordering can increase table turnover rates, while integrated loyalty programs can boost repeat business. Similarly, AI-powered tools can reduce administrative workload, allowing managers to focus on guest experiences rather than paperwork. When calculating ROI, these operational improvements should be considered alongside the direct costs of the system. Remember that POS needs may evolve as businesses grow, and Aldelo’s scalable nature allows restaurants to start with a basic setup and expand functionality as needed.
Whether opening a first restaurant or managing multiple locations, taking the time to thoroughly evaluate Aldelo’s pricing options against specific business models will help ensure the most advantageous approach is selected. Consider reaching out to an Aldelo representative or authorized reseller who can provide a customized quote based on specific restaurant requirements. Many providers can create tailored packages that optimize the balance between cost and functionality, helping implement solutions that drive long-term success. For restaurants seeking to enhance their phone operations alongside their POS investment, Loman offers a complementary solution that integrates with existing systems while providing specialized voice AI capabilities designed specifically for restaurant environments, enabling complete operational coverage from in-person transactions to phone-based customer interactions.
Enter your information in the form to receive a call from Loman and place an order like a customer would!
