Octopus POS vs. Revel

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.”

On the whole, we found Revel POS relatively easy to use. It’s not as intuitive as some other options on the market, but it’s by no means difficult.

The backend office, which is accessed via a browser, includes dedicated areas for inventory management, employee permissions, sales and analytics data, customer information, and restaurant menu and table customization.

The iPad app, which acts as the main sales terminal, also follows a typical POS block format, with options to create and hold orders, add discounts, search for saved customer information, and so on.

Notably, Revel also offers the option of a kitchen display system for visualizing the flow of orders.

“It's easy to learn and accessible.”

“Nice clean look and fairly easy to find what you're looking for.”

“The cloud-based system allows me to access and make changes remotely which is fantastic.”

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.

As far as features go, Revel has everything you would expect in a point-of-sale system. The iPad display is intuitive, customizable, and users can take advantage of employee permissions, add-on options during checkout (like discounts and gift cards), and saved customer details. The backend office, which is accessed via a browser, has ample tools for inventory management, customer relationship management, and analytics and tracking. Revel also offers a number of innovative features that you will struggle to find elsewhere. These include self-order kiosks, mobile ordering (for customers that prefer to make orders via their mobile devices in your store or restaurant), and a large library of integrations, although intermediary third-party connectors are relied on quite heavily.

Prospective users should remember, however, that many features aren’t included in the core package. Online ordering, API use, mobile barcode scanning, and multi-location management may all incur extra costs.

What’s more, Revel doesn’t integrate with any third-party payment processors, so you will have to use the in-house solution, Revel Advantage. Pricing is on a custom basis, with discounts for larger enterprises.

Finally, Revel provides an always-on mode (so you don’t need to worry about the WiFi going down), high-level security, and regular data backups. There is no cap on the number of users per terminal.

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.

Revel performed very well on the integrations front. The library of integrations is fairly extensive, especially when compared to other similar solutions on the market. It includes connectors for everything from mobile ordering to additional security services.

Two points are worth mentioning, however. First, Revel often makes use of intermediary tools, rather than direct integrations. So you will have to use third-party providers to sync Revel with some apps in your tech stack. Second, payment processing is only available through Revel Advantage, Revel’s in-house payment solution. No third-party integrations are offered. Pricing for Revel Advantage varies depending on the size of the user’s business, so you should get in touch to check prices before making a decision.

The main highlights of the integrations library include connectors for accounting platforms like QuickBooks and Xero, mobile ordering with big delivery services like UberEats, and numerous loyalty and gift card programs.

Users can also connect up to many major ecommerce platforms through the Kosmos eSync app. A limited online ordering toolkit with a customer portal (mainly for food purchases) is available. Revel doesn’t offer a high-level in-house ecommerce platform, so retailers that want to run their own online store will have to opt for a separate package from a brand like Shopify, WooCommerce, Magento, and so on.

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.

Revel POS falters a little when it comes to cost. Much of the pricing is on a custom, per-user basis, so you should get in touch for a specific quote for your business. This also applies to Revel’s payment processing service, Revel Advantage.

You should also be aware of the fact that there are some semi-hidden costs for features that aren’t part of the core plan. These features include the API, the mobile inventory management and barcode scanning app, multi-location management, and online ordering functionality.

Pricing starts at $99/month per terminal, with possible discounts available depending on the size of the business and the number of locations. An installation package, which includes tailored onboarding assistance, is available for $649. A variety of hardware options, with varying price-points, are available.

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.

The level of support offered by Revel is very good. 24/7 phone and web (email) support is included on all plans. The user documentation is also very detailed.

Companies can take advantage of a comprehensive onboarding package for $649. This includes management console training, hardware installation, and payments set-up. Dedicated long-term account management is also available.

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.

For the right kind of business, Revel POS is a good solution. We feel that it is definitely geared towards companies in the restaurant and catering spaces. If you sell retail merchandise, we suggest trying other solutions before making a final decision. Small restaurants, coffee shops, takeouts, and so on, however, will find a lot to like.

Overall, it’s an intuitive, feature-rich, and reasonably well-priced solution that comes with an excellent support package. Just be careful to check the prices of any additional features and keep in mind that you will have to use Revel’s in-house payment processor. If you are thinking about going with Revel, take advantage of the free demo first.