Talech vs. Octopus POS

Talech is a cloud solution with two separate interfaces - the browser-based back office, and the terminal display which is accessible on an iPad or similar tablet device.

Both are fairly easy to use. They’re not the most intuitive we’ve come across, but they’re by no means the worst.

The terminal follows a typical design, with a pop-up sidebar with tabs to areas for processing sales, checking past orders, running reports, and accessing customer details. The checkout page is equally straightforward, with visual product icons and options to split payments, add discounts and gift cards, use store credit, and more.

The back office, which is also accessible from the tablet display, features a horizontal banner menu with links to dedicated dashboards for analytics, inventory management, employee settings, customer accounts, and support.

The interface is perfectly suitable for users without any previous experience using a point-of-sale system. What’s more, Talech offers a number of onboarding and training packages.

"Easy to use many choices to choose from equipment-wise and their support is amazing well worth it."

"Makes it easy for customers to check out faster."

"Easy to navigate, fairly straightforward."

The Octopus iPad app follows a fairly typical “block” format. Once users have logged in, they can access dedicated areas for processing sales, editing products, managing inventory, adding or modifying customer details, and creating reports.

Users should keep in mind that they will need to download separate apps to access the customer-facing display, catalogue (for browsing by customers or corporate clients in-store), and certain barcode scanning features. Users can also download a dedicated app for mobile devices.

The “Food POS” has a similarly straightforward and visually-attractive layout, with sections for managing tables, amending menu items, processing orders, and so on.

"This looks like a visually promising app….”

“This looks like a visually promising app….” “We decided to work with Octopus because they offer international support.”

“No import feature means you waste time re-entering your existing products.”

Talech offers a broad selection of features. With the possible exception of the integrations library, users will have all the functionality they need to run a smooth, customizable point-of-sale system, manage their employees, and keep track of sales and performance metrics. A mobile app, and multiple hardware solutions, are available.

Talech also offers several features that set it apart from other solutions, including customer self-order kiosks, “house accounts”, and 24/7 support. Most plans allow for an unlimited number of users and products.

Inventory management tools include variable-priced products, stock tracking, automated low-inventory alerts, barcode scanning, and supplier management.

In terms of sales and orders, the checkout terminal enables users to add discounts, split payments, exchange items, process gift cards, and email and text receipts. The analytics tools are equally comprehensive, with the option to download auto-generated reports and employee timesheets.

Finally, it is also possible to store customer details and track activity through the customer management dashboard.

Octopus has a robust package of core features, and both retailers and restaurant managers will find everything they need to run an efficient point-of-sale system. The mid-range “Advanced” package allows for an unlimited number of sales transactions, products, and users.

Subscribers have access to a suite of inventory management, customer relationship management, analytics, and promotional tools. Notable features include credit notes, the option to offer customer-facing terminals, features for consignment and corporate sales, email receipts, employee permissions, stock transfer between outlets, and support for loyalty programs.

Users can also pay extra for “add-on” modules. These optional extras include an advanced analytics engine, ecommerce site-builder, and full customer management platform (CRM).

Keep in mind that integrations are only available on the top-tier enterprise plan.

Talech doesn’t perform overly well when it comes to native integrations.

Most syncing options are made possible through OneSaaS, a third-party app that allows users to connect with platforms like QuickBooks, Xero, Shopify, BigCommerce, WooCommerce, and others. Using OneSaas, however, may incur extra costs depending on your plan. A handful of kitchen display screen (KDS) integrations is provided.

Talech is also compatible with most payment processors via gateways like USAePay, Ingenico, and Elavon.

For most retailers and other businesses, this integration kit will be sufficient. If, however, you want to build a fully-synced tech stack that connects with all your apps, then you will likely need to look elsewhere.

Octopus doesn’t offer much in the way of integrations. If you want to build a fully-integrated tech stack, there are better solutions on the market (take a look at our reviews of Shopify POS, Clover and Vend). The enterprise package does include “custom integrations”, so it’s worth getting in touch to see if it’s possible to sync with your existing apps if you’re thinking about opting for this plan.

Octopus is best for retailers that are looking for a comprehensive “all in one” solution. It’s possible to supplement the point-of-sale system with an in-house ecommerce platform (for running your own online store), extensive analytics dashboard, and an advanced customer relationship management app (CRM). However, you will have to pay extra for these tools. If this set-up appeals to you, sign up for the free trial to give the software a test drive. If on the other hand, you would prefer to build a fully-connected suite of separate apps, then you should look for an alternative solution.

For larger retailers and restaurant chains, Octopus also offers its own-brand self-service kiosks and a queue management system.

Talech is among the more competitively-priced solutions that we’ve reviewed. This does come with a few caveats, however.

The “Starter” plan is $29/month and allows for five users and one hundred products. Features are significantly limited on this package and users don’t have access to advanced reporting, loyalty options, or integrations. The mid-tier “Standard” plan, which costs $69/month, will be necessary for most businesses. All but a handful of features are included in this package. The “Premium” subscription, which comes in at $99/month, provides access to all features, including inventory alerts, advanced checkout options (like split orders), and automatic gratuities.

All of this in mind, potential users should be aware of a few “hidden” costs. Additional devices cost an extra $29/month on all plans. On the “Starter” and “Standard” subscriptions, use of gift-cards is $19/month and you’ll have to pay $49/month for ecommerce features (although they are offered free of any extra charges in the “Premium” package). Integrations may also incur extra costs.

Finally, there is a dedicated enterprise option which runs on a custom pricing model.

Evaluating value for money is a little difficult for Octopus. The entry-level plan “Basic POS”, which allows for unlimited users, is relatively well-priced at $49/month (with discounts for annual subscribers). Many users, however, will require the mid-range “Advanced POS” package. This is because some features which may be essential, such as advanced promotion tools and analytics, are unavailable on the basic option.

What’s more, add-ons, such as the ecommerce store-builder and customer relationship management platform, will incur extra costs. Information about payment processing is not published online, so you should check fees before subscribing.

Talech scores highly for “help and support”, with a 24/7 phone and email service for all users. Additional training for new subscribers is also available, including a “Getting Started” package and help for restaurants when first uploading their menus.

Reviews of support from existing users are generally very good.

Octopus falters a little when it comes to help and support, especially when compared to other brands in the POS space. The online documentation could be more extensive, there is no English-speaking community of users, and customer service is only through support tickets on small business plans.

Enterprise users, on the other hand, will be given a dedicated account manager, personalized support, and access to staff training.

Overall, we were very impressed with Talech. It’s a reliable, feature-rich solution that’s suitable for businesses of all sizes. Whether you’re responsible for a one-person cafe or a chain of large retail outlets, you’ll find everything you need to run an efficient point-of-sale system.

The main issues to be aware of are the additional costs for extra devices, which may be a problem for restaurants in particular if they require multiple registers, and the limited integrations library. Remember to sign up for a free demo before purchasing a subscription.

Octopus isn’t the best solution on the market. But it’s not the worst, either. It offers a straightforward, robust package of features at a reasonable price-point. The ease of signing up for a free trial means that smaller retailers have no reason not to give it a test run. Keep in mind that, apart from the back-office, Octopus is run exclusively on iPads.

We recommend that larger retailers and restaurant chains book a demo to explore what’s on offer as part of the enterprise package. A number of features, such as corporate sales tools, advanced analytics, and assignment of a dedicated account manager, may make it an attractive proposition.