Selecting the right Point of Sale system has become critical for business success as consumer expectations continue rising alongside operational complexity. Revel POS has established itself as a premium solution in today’s competitive market, offering comprehensive features designed for businesses requiring sophisticated management capabilities. Understanding Revel’s pricing structure proves essential since the system’s customizable nature and various package options can significantly impact your investment decisions. Many restaurant and retail owners find themselves confused by the various costs involved, from basic software subscriptions to hardware requirements and processing fees.
Revel POS operates on a subscription-based pricing model with plans starting at $99 per terminal per month when billed annually. This price point applies specifically when businesses commit to a three-year Revel Advantage contract, which requires a minimum purchase of two terminals. For businesses seeking shorter commitments or single-terminal setups, pricing increases substantially, though these rates aren’t transparently listed on their website and typically require direct quotes from their sales team.
The standard software package includes essential features such as inventory management, employee management, customer relationship management tools, and reporting analytics. However, this base price represents just the starting point of the potential investment, as actual costs vary significantly based on business size, industry type, required features, and number of locations. Many specialized functions such as online ordering, delivery management, or advanced inventory tracking require add-on subscriptions that increase the monthly investment.
The standard Revel POS subscription includes several foundational business management tools:
In addition to the software subscription, Revel charges payment processing fees for transactions conducted through their system. When using Revel Advantage, their in-house payment processing solution, merchants typically pay a flat fee of 2.49% plus $0.15 per transaction. This rate applies to all card types, including EMV-compliant transactions and Apple Pay.
For businesses with high transaction volumes, these processing fees can significantly impact profitability, making it essential to factor them into total cost of ownership calculations. Merchants have the flexibility to use third-party payment processors with Revel, potentially securing better rates based on their sales volume and business type. However, integrating with external payment processors may incur additional setup fees or monthly charges.
While traditional POS systems like Revel focus on transaction processing and basic management features, restaurants today need specialized solutions that address their unique operational challenges. AI for restaurants has emerged as a game-changing technology that goes beyond conventional POS capabilities to deliver measurable improvements in efficiency and revenue. Loman’s 24/7 AI phone agent specifically addresses one of the restaurant industry’s biggest pain points by handling customer calls around the clock, ensuring no potential order goes unanswered.
Loman integrates seamlessly with existing POS systems including Square, Toast, and Clover, meaning restaurants don’t need to abandon their current infrastructure. The system trains on restaurant menus, policies, and customer preferences to provide accurate information and take orders with precision that matches or exceeds human performance. This specialized focus on restaurant operations delivers tangible benefits including reduced missed calls, shortened wait times, improved sales conversion, and built-in analytics that provide real-time insights for better decision-making. Unlike Revel’s complex pricing structure and long-term commitments, Loman offers a fast setup that gets restaurants to live in under a day and scales effortlessly for single locations, chains, or franchises.
Implementation represents a significant upfront investment when adopting Revel POS, with onboarding packages starting at $674. This essential service ensures the system is properly configured and teams are adequately trained to leverage the platform’s capabilities. The implementation process typically includes hardware installation, Management Console training, menu consultation, payment setup assistance, and comprehensive system onboarding.
For larger operations or businesses with complex requirements, implementation costs can increase substantially, potentially reaching several thousand dollars. These higher-tier packages often include more extensive training sessions, custom menu building, and personalized workflow configurations. While this represents a considerable initial expense, proper implementation proves crucial for maximizing the system’s value and preventing costly operational disruptions during the transition.
Revel POS operates exclusively on Apple iOS devices, including iPad Air, iPad Mini, and iPad Pro models. While businesses can purchase hardware directly through Revel or use compatible existing equipment, opting for Revel-sourced hardware ensures seamless integration and support. A standard hardware package typically includes an iPad, payment device, POS stand, router, printer, and cash drawer, though items can be purchased individually based on specific needs.
Hardware costs vary significantly depending on operational requirements. A basic setup for a single terminal might range from $2,000 to $3,000, while more complex configurations with multiple terminals, kitchen display systems, customer-facing displays, and specialized peripherals can exceed $10,000. Additionally, businesses should consider the lifecycle of these hardware components, as iPads typically require replacement every 2-3 years of continuous use.
Revel offers numerous add-on features to enhance core POS functionality, each carrying additional monthly fees. These specialized modules allow businesses to customize their system to meet specific operational needs. Popular add-ons include the following features:
Pricing for these add-ons typically ranges from $29 to $99 per month per location, though costs can vary based on business size and contract terms. Some features, such as advanced inventory management or enterprise reporting tools, may be priced higher for larger operations. Additionally, specialized integrations with third-party services like accounting software, employee scheduling platforms, or delivery services may incur separate subscription fees to those providers.
Revel POS typically requires a three-year commitment to secure their advertised pricing of $99 per terminal per month. This long-term contract represents a significant commitment for businesses, particularly smaller operations or startups that may experience substantial changes during this period. Early termination of this agreement can result in substantial penalties, with some customers reporting fees calculated as double the remaining contract value or a minimum of $15,000, whichever is greater.
The Revel Advantage payment processing agreement typically aligns with this three-year term, creating a comprehensive commitment to both the software and payment processing components. While some negotiation flexibility may exist for larger merchants, small to mid-sized businesses should approach this long-term commitment with careful consideration. Before signing, thoroughly review all contract terms, including automatic renewal clauses, price increase provisions, and termination conditions.
Revel POS includes 24/7 support via live web chat and phone assistance as part of their standard subscription fee. This continuous support coverage proves particularly valuable for businesses operating beyond traditional business hours, such as restaurants with late-night service or retailers with extended operating schedules. The support package includes access to technical assistance for troubleshooting, system updates, and general guidance on using the platform.
While basic support is included, businesses should be aware that certain specialized support services may incur additional costs. For instance, on-site technical support requires separate fees that vary based on location and the complexity of the issue. Similarly, dedicated account management services are available to small businesses for an additional monthly fee, though enterprise-level clients receive this service as standard.
For businesses operating across multiple locations, Revel POS offers enterprise-level solutions with pricing structures that reflect the increased complexity and scale. While specific multi-location pricing isn’t publicly disclosed, businesses can typically expect volume discounts on per-terminal rates when deploying the system across numerous sites. The exact discount structure depends on factors such as the total number of locations, terminals per location, and overall transaction volume.
Multi-location deployments often require additional enterprise-level features such as centralized reporting, inventory management across locations, and consolidated customer databases. These advanced capabilities may come with premium pricing beyond the standard subscription. Additionally, implementation costs multiply with each location, though some economies of scale typically apply for standardized setups.
When evaluating Revel POS against competitors like Toast, Square, Lightspeed, or Clover, businesses must look beyond base subscription rates to assess total cost of ownership. Revel typically positions itself as a premium solution with correspondingly higher pricing, starting at $99 per terminal monthly with a three-year commitment. In contrast, competitors like Square offer more accessible entry points with pay-as-you-go options, while Toast provides comparable feature sets with different contract structures.
Square POS stands out as the most affordable option with free starter plans and lower transaction rates than both Toast and Revel. Toast offers competitive restaurant-focused features with more flexible hardware options, making it attractive for food service businesses. Clover provides lower transaction fees ranging from 2.3% + 10¢ to 3.5% + 10¢, which can benefit high-volume businesses despite higher monthly subscription costs. TouchBistro emerges as a more affordable restaurant-specific alternative starting at $69 per month with flexible pricing.
Understanding how Revel stacks against top competitors helps businesses make informed decisions:
What distinguishes Revel in this comparison is its comprehensive feature set, particularly for inventory management and reporting capabilities, which may reduce the need for additional third-party software subscriptions. However, Revel’s required minimum of two terminals and three-year commitment represents a higher financial barrier to entry compared to more flexible competitors. When conducting a comprehensive comparison, businesses should calculate all costs over a three-year period, including software subscriptions, payment processing fees, hardware investments, implementation costs, and potential add-on features.
Revel has been quietly expanding its target market into retail sectors beyond restaurants, which may impact future development priorities. The company signed major retail clients like Buff City Soaps for their 200+ locations and developed Revel Guard XT for enterprise device monitoring. This diversification strategy signals increasing focus on retail sectors, potentially meaning less dedicated resources for restaurant-specific features.
For restaurant operations specifically, competitors like TouchBistro and Toast maintain singular focus on food service businesses, ensuring continued innovation in restaurant-specific features. Square offers versatility across multiple business types while maintaining affordability. Clover provides robust multi-vertical capabilities with lower processing fees for high-volume operations.
Determining whether Revel POS justifies its cost requires a nuanced analysis of business needs, growth projections, and operational complexity. For mid-sized to larger operations, particularly in the restaurant and retail sectors with multiple locations or complex inventory requirements, Revel’s comprehensive feature set often provides value that outweighs its premium pricing. The system’s robust reporting, advanced inventory management, and extensive integration capabilities can deliver significant operational efficiencies that translate to tangible ROI.
However, small businesses with straightforward operations and limited budgets may find Revel’s pricing structure prohibitive, especially considering the minimum two-terminal requirement and three-year commitment. These enterprises might achieve better value with more flexible, entry-level solutions until they reach a scale where Revel’s advanced capabilities become necessary. Modern restaurants face unique challenges that require specialized solutions beyond traditional POS capabilities, including missed calls, long customer wait times, and staffing limitations during peak hours.
Ultimately, the value proposition hinges on how effectively businesses can leverage Revel’s comprehensive features to improve efficiency, reduce labor costs, minimize inventory waste, and enhance customer experiences. By conducting a thorough needs assessment and carefully calculating the total cost of ownership across several years, businesses can make informed decisions about whether Revel POS represents a worthwhile investment for their specific operational context and growth trajectory. For restaurants specifically seeking immediate efficiency gains and improved customer service, solutions like Loman offer fast implementation, seamless integration with existing systems, and measurable improvements in call handling and order management that complement rather than replace existing POS infrastructure.
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