Menusso vs ChowNow: pricing, branded app and data
ChowNow and Menusso both offer commission-free direct ordering with a branded app. The difference is price structure: ChowNow starts at $229 per month on annual billing, Menusso is $129 per month.
The short answer
Menusso is $129 per month and ChowNow starts at $229 per month when billed annually, with both charging 0% commission on direct orders. As of October 2026, ChowNow lists Launch at $229, Grow at $319 and Elevate at $409 per month (billed annually, "starting at"), and notes additional fees may apply.
ChowNow fees beyond the plan price
ChowNow's pricing page lists extra fees as of October 2026: a one-time setup fee of $119 to $499, 2.95% + $0.29 per transaction, a $99 annual Apple developer fee for branded mobile apps, $250 to $420 for a printer, and $7.98 per order for Flex Delivery. Every plan includes the direct ordering tool, an SEO-optimized website, a branded mobile app and the commission-free marketplace.
Worked cost example: 300 orders at $35
At 300 orders at $35, ChowNow Launch costs about $625.75 per month in subscription and card processing. 300 orders x $35 = $10,500 in monthly sales.
- ChowNow Launch subscription: $229
- Processing percentage: $10,500 x 2.95% = $309.75
- Processing flat fee: 300 x $0.29 = $87.00
- Total: $229 + $309.75 + $87 = $625.75, excluding setup fee, the $99 annual Apple fee and any Flex Delivery fees
Menusso for the same 300 orders: $129 per month flat and 0% commission. Card processing fees and the DoorDash Drive fee on each delivery trip are paid on top, and the pickup orders carry no delivery fee. Menusso does not publish a processing rate in this comparison, so the processing line is left out of the Menusso subtotal below; ask your payment processor for your rate.
Card processing is a cost on both platforms, so the clearest difference is the subscription: $229 against $129, a gap of $100 per month or $1,200 per year, before ChowNow setup fees.
Feature comparison
Both give a branded app and own-your-data ordering.
| ChowNow | Menusso | |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly price | From $229 (annual billing) | $129, first month free |
| Commission | 0% on direct orders | 0% |
| Setup | $119 to $499 one time | $0 activation |
| Branded app | Yes, plus $99 annual Apple developer fee | Yes, own App Store and Google Play app |
| Customer data | 100% of diner data from direct orders, per ChowNow | Restaurant owns the customer database |
| Delivery | Flex Delivery, $7.98 per order | DoorDash Drive, per-trip fee |
When ChowNow is the better choice
- You want the ChowNow marketplace and discovery network (Google, Apple, Yelp and others) included in the plan.
- You want website building, catering and email marketing tools from one vendor.
- You already have a POS ChowNow integrates with, such as Square, and want that connection.
- You want a longer-established vendor with many features and are comfortable with a higher price.
When Menusso is the better choice
- You want a lower, flat monthly price with no setup fee.
- You want delivery through DoorDash Drive without a marketplace listing.
- You want a QR menu that is indexed by Google, with AI translations into 17 languages.
To see the app for your own restaurant, book a demo at menusso.com or email [email protected].
$129/month, first month free, $0 activation fee.
Book a demoFrequently asked questions
How much does ChowNow cost?
As of October 2026, ChowNow lists plans from $229 per month (Launch), $319 (Grow) and $409 (Elevate), billed annually, plus setup of $119 to $499 and 2.95% + $0.29 per transaction.
Does ChowNow charge commission?
ChowNow says direct orders are commission-free. Its processing fee of 2.95% + $0.29 per transaction applies.
Is Menusso cheaper than ChowNow?
On subscription price, yes: $129 per month against ChowNow's starting $229 on annual billing. Both have card processing fees, and features differ, so compare what you need.
Does ChowNow include a branded mobile app?
Yes, ChowNow lists a branded mobile app in every plan, with a $99 annual Apple developer fee.
Who owns the customer data?
ChowNow says restaurants own 100% of diner data from direct orders. With Menusso, the restaurant owns its customer database.