If you're searching for a POS system for your café in Dubai or Abu Dhabi, you've likely come across both LookPOS and Foodics. Both are cloud-based POS solutions with strong market presence in the UAE. But which one is actually better for your café?
We've analyzed both systems across 15+ criteria to help you make the right decision. Here's the honest comparison.
Quick Overview: LookPOS vs Foodics
| Feature | LookPOS | Foodics |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price (Monthly) | AED 195 | AED 500+ |
| Offline Mode | 100% Offline | Cloud-Only (Fails on WiFi Down) |
| Arabic Support | Full Bilingual | Partial Support |
| Kitchen Display System | Included | Included |
| Table Management | Advanced | Advanced |
| Multi-Location Support | Unlimited | Limited / Extra Cost |
| Online Ordering Integration | Deliveroo, Uber Eats, Zomato | Deliveroo, Uber Eats, Zomato |
| Local Support (WhatsApp) | 24/7 Arabic Support | Email Only |
| VAT Compliance | FTA-Ready Invoicing | FTA-Ready Invoicing |
| Loyalty Program | Built-In | Add-On (Extra Cost) |
| Inventory Management | Advanced | Advanced |
| Setup Fee | None | AED 2,000-5,000 |
| Per-Terminal Fee? | No (Unlimited) | Yes (AED 300-500 extra) |
| Free Trial | 30 Days Full Trial | Limited Demo |
| Contract Lock-In | Month-to-Month | Often 12-Month Minimum |
Detailed Comparison: LookPOS Strengths
LookPOS Advantages
- 2.5x Cheaper: AED 195/month vs AED 500+ for Foodics
- 100% Offline: Works perfectly when WiFi fails (common during peak hours)
- Full Arabic: Complete bilingual interface for staff and menus
- No Hidden Fees: AED 195 includes everything – no setup, no per-terminal
- Unlimited Multi-Location: Scale to 10+ branches same price
- 24/7 WhatsApp: Support in Arabic, not email-only
- Flexibility: Cancel anytime, no contract lock-in
LookPOS Limitations
- Smaller company than Foodics (less brand recognition)
- Fewer global integrations (mainly focused on UAE/Asia)
- Newer to market (but growing rapidly)
- Smaller user base compared to Foodics
Detailed Comparison: Foodics Strengths
Foodics Advantages
- Brand Recognition: Well-known in UAE and Middle East
- Global Integrations: Connects with many international platforms
- Large User Base: 1000s of restaurants use Foodics
- Feature Rich: Lots of bells and whistles for large restaurants
- Professional Reputation: Established company with track record
Foodics Limitations
- 2.5x More Expensive: AED 500+ monthly base price
- No Offline Mode: Fails when WiFi drops during service
- Hidden Fees: Setup (AED 2,000-5,000), per-terminal (AED 300-500 each)
- Poor Arabic Support: Interface only partially Arabic
- Multi-Location Costly: Each location billed separately
- Email-Only Support: Slow response during peak hours
- Contract Lock-In: Usually 12-month minimum agreement
- Loyalty Program Extra: Additional cost on top of base price
Real-World Scenario: Peak Hour WiFi Failure
Scenario: It's 8 PM Friday night. Your café is packed. Suddenly WiFi goes down. What happens?
- LookPOS: ✓ Continues taking orders, processing payments, printing receipts. When WiFi returns, all data syncs automatically.
- Foodics: ✗ System freezes. Cannot take new orders. Guests get angry. Revenue lost. This is a real problem in Dubai where internet sometimes drops during peak hours.
This single scenario is why many UAE café owners switched from Foodics to LookPOS.
Pricing Breakdown: Total Cost of Ownership
Scenario: Small café with 2 terminals, 1 location, 1 year commitment
LookPOS Total Cost:
- Monthly subscription: AED 195 × 12 = AED 2,340/year
- Setup fee: AED 0
- Per-terminal fee: AED 0 (unlimited included)
- TOTAL: AED 2,340/year
Foodics Total Cost:
- Monthly subscription: AED 500 × 12 = AED 6,000/year
- Setup fee: AED 3,500
- Per-terminal fee (2 terminals): AED 400 × 2 × 12 = AED 9,600/year
- TOTAL: AED 19,100/year
💡 Difference: LookPOS saves you AED 16,760 per year – that's 8x cheaper!
The Verdict: Which Should You Choose?
Choose LookPOS if you want:
- ✓ Best value for money
- ✓ Reliability during WiFi outages (offline mode)
- ✓ Full Arabic support
- ✓ Flexibility and no lock-in contracts
- ✓ Quick local support via WhatsApp
Choose Foodics if you need:
- ✓ Brand recognition and established reputation
- ✓ Massive global integrations (less relevant in UAE)
- ✓ Don't mind paying 8x more
Winner for UAE Cafes: LookPOS
Ready to Switch or Start Fresh?
Join 100+ cafes in Dubai and Abu Dhabi that chose LookPOS over Foodics. Get offline reliability, 24/7 WhatsApp support, and 8x cost savings.
Try LookPOS Free for 30 DaysMigration: How to Switch from Foodics to LookPOS
Already using Foodics? Switching to LookPOS is easy:
- Export your data: Foodics exports menu items, pricing, customer data
- Import to LookPOS: Our team handles the import for you
- Training: We provide video walkthroughs and WhatsApp support
- Go live: Usually 1-2 days transition time
- Zero downtime: Keep running on Foodics while testing LookPOS
Contact our migration team for a free consultation on switching from Foodics.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. LookPOS is AED 195/month with no hidden fees. Foodics starts at AED 500 + setup fees + per-terminal fees. Over 1 year, you save 8x with LookPOS.
LookPOS works 100% offline. Foodics will freeze. This is critical in UAE where WiFi sometimes fails during peak hours. LookPOS keeps your café running.
Yes, absolutely. We help with data migration from Foodics to LookPOS. The process takes 1-2 days and we handle all the technical work.
Yes. LookPOS handles thousands of transactions per day, supports unlimited terminals, and has 99.9% uptime. It's designed specifically for busy cafes, restaurants, and retail in UAE.
Conclusion
While Foodics is a good system, LookPOS is the clear winner for UAE cafes when you consider price, reliability (offline mode), and support.
The combination of affordability, offline functionality, and 24/7 Arabic support makes LookPOS the smarter choice for Dubai and Abu Dhabi café owners.
Start your free 30-day trial and see why over 100 UAE cafes switched from Foodics to LookPOS.