Platovo vs ChowNow
ChowNow's plans start at $229 a month billed annually ($249 month to month), plus a $119–$499 setup fee and 2.95% + $0.29 per transaction, according to its pricing page. Platovo is $79.99 a month with no setup fee and Stripe's standard card rate. ChowNow includes more: a branded app, loyalty, SMS marketing and POS integrations.
By the Platovo team · Updated
Prices side by side
| ChowNow | Platovo | |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly plans | Launch $229, Grow $319, Elevate $409 billed annually; $249 / $349 / $449 month to month (USD) | $79.99 (CAD or USD), one plan |
| Setup fee | $119–$499 | None |
| Card processing | 2.95% + $0.29 per transaction | Stripe: 2.9% + 30¢ (US), 2.9% + C$0.30 (Canada) |
| Commission | None | None |
| Contract | Annual or monthly billing | Monthly; cancel any time |
ChowNow figures from its US pricing page, read October 2026.
For $10,000 of orders in a month (250 orders, US cards): ChowNow Launch on annual billing comes to $596.50 with its published processing rate; Platovo comes to $444.99 with Stripe's US rate. ChowNow's setup fee and any add-ons are extra.
What ChowNow includes that Platovo does not
- A branded mobile app for your customers.
- A loyalty and rewards programme, and automated SMS marketing.
- A commission-free marketplace and listings on its discovery network.
- POS integrations, QR code ordering and fraud and chargeback protection.
If you want an app and loyalty points and can afford the higher monthly cost, ChowNow is the fuller package.
Where Platovo fits better
Platovo gives an independent restaurant its own branded ordering page with 0% commission for $79.99 a month (CAD or USD, plus tax). Card payments go to the restaurant's own Stripe account at Stripe's rate (2.9% + C$0.30 per domestic card in Canada). It includes pickup and staff delivery with zones and fees, scheduled orders, an Android kitchen app with repeating alerts, Epson printing, promotions, win-back offers and branded marketing content.
- One price with no setup fee, for restaurants that want direct ordering without a larger monthly commitment.
- Card payments at Stripe's standard rate, paid straight into your own Stripe account.
- A kitchen alert built for a busy line: the order takes over the tablet and the sound repeats until someone accepts it.
What Platovo does not do
- No POS integration. Orders arrive in the Platovo kitchen app and dashboard, not in your point-of-sale system.
- No branded customer app or loyalty points. Customers order on the web; repeat business comes from offers and emails.
- No drivers. Orders are pickup or delivered by your own staff.
- Newer and smaller. Platovo is a young company built in Ontario, without the review history of larger providers.