Applova vs Square for Drive-Thru vs thru

Applova is a US restaurant technology platform combining a POS, self-order kiosks, commission-free online ordering, branded websites and mobile apps, kitchen display and loyalty. Square for Drive-Thru is Square's drive-thru package for quick-service restaurants, announced in May 2026. thru is a drive-thru order-taking system for quick-service restaurants. All three are listed under Quick Service & Drive-Thru POS. Where the profiles show a difference, it is in audience, platforms and countries covered.

Key differences

  • audience

    The audiences they list differ. Listed for one product only, for example: Applova: Fast-casual and quick-service restaurants; Square for Drive-Thru: Multi-location quick-service restaurants; thru: Quick-service restaurants with a drive-thru.

  • platforms

    Platform support differs. Applova: Web, iOS, Android; Square for Drive-Thru: iOS, Android; thru: Web.

  • countries covered

    Country coverage differs. Applova names 2 countries, Square for Drive-Thru names 1 country and thru names 1 country. 1 country appears in every list.

Side by side

Applova vs Square for Drive-Thru vs thru: side-by-side comparison from published vendor information
FieldApplovaSquare for Drive-Thruthru
What it isApplova is a US restaurant technology platform combining a POS, self-order kiosks, commission-free online ordering, branded websites and mobile apps, kitchen display and loyalty.Square for Drive-Thru is Square's drive-thru package for quick-service restaurants, announced in May 2026.thru is a drive-thru order-taking system for quick-service restaurants.
Best forFast-casual and quick-service restaurants; Cafes, boba shops, pizzerias and food trucks; Restaurants already on Square or CloverMulti-location quick-service restaurants; Drive-thru-first coffee and fast-food conceptsQuick-service restaurants with a drive-thru; Multi-location drive-thru operators
Pricing modelQuote onlyQuote onlySubscription per lane
Starting priceNot publishedNot publishedNot published
Free planNot publishedNot publishedNot published
Free trialNot publishedNot publishedYes
ContractNot publishedNot publishedNot published
PlatformsWeb, iOS, AndroidiOS, AndroidWeb
CountriesCanada, United StatesUnited StatesUnited States
LanguagesNot publishedNot publishedNot published
Number of integrations128Not published
CertificationsNot publishedNot publishedNot published
Security practicesNot publishedNot publishedNot published
Founded20162009Not published
HeadquartersUnited StatesUnited StatesNot published
OwnerNot publishedBlock, Inc. (Square)Not published
Last reviewed29 September 202629 September 202629 September 2026

Integrations

No partner appears in every list.

Named only by Applova

  • Clover
  • DoorDash Drive
  • Fivestars
  • GoDaddy POS
  • Mailchimp
  • Omnivore (Micros)
  • Paysafe
  • rPower
  • Square
  • Stripe
  • TSYS

Named only by Square for Drive-Thru

  • ChowNow
  • MarketMan
  • Nanonation
  • OpenTable
  • Paytronix
  • Restaurant365
  • The Howard Company

Named only by thru

thru does not name any integrations in the material we reviewed.

Which to choose

Applova

Choose Applova if you fit its listed audience: Fast-casual and quick-service restaurants; Cafes, boba shops, pizzerias and food trucks; Restaurants already on Square or Clover.

Our profile lists a weaker fit: Restaurants outside the US: the FAQ says it is built for U.S. restaurants.

Square for Drive-Thru

Choose Square for Drive-Thru if you fit its listed audience: Multi-location quick-service restaurants; Drive-thru-first coffee and fast-food concepts.

thru

Choose thru if you fit its listed audience: Quick-service restaurants with a drive-thru; Multi-location drive-thru operators.

What we could not confirm

Applova

  • Any price or contract terms
  • Founders, funding, headcount
  • HQ city
  • Security certifications
  • Interface languages
  • App store listings

Square for Drive-Thru

  • Any Square for Drive-Thru price or plan
  • General availability date after the early access program
  • Which partner integrations are supported specifically in drive-thru
  • Countries where it is offered
  • Headquarters city
  • Security certifications

thru

  • Confirmed price (the $299 per lane figure is shown as an unconfirmed placeholder)
  • Named POS and KDS integrations
  • Whether the order taking is AI or human-assisted (the page does not say)
  • Countries, languages, security certifications
  • Founding year, headquarters, founders, funding, customers
  • Contract terms

Go further

Applova profileSquare for Drive-Thru profilethru profile

Other comparisons with these products

Sources

Facts on this page come from the pages below. Prices and features change, so confirm with each vendor before you buy.

Square for Drive-Thru, reviewed 29 September 2026

  1. Launch announcement, features, availabilityhttps://squareup.com/us/en/press/square-for-drive-thru
  2. Product page, hardware partnerhttps://squareup.com/us/en/restaurants/drive-thru
  3. Square pricing page, drive-thru workflow linehttps://squareup.com/us/en/pricing
  4. Restaurant integration partnershttps://squareup.com/us/en/restaurants/partners
  5. KDS platformhttps://squareup.com/us/en/point-of-sale/restaurants/kitchen-display-system

thru, reviewed 29 September 2026

  1. Whole one-page site: product, flow, dashboards, trial, entity namehttps://www.thruglobal.com/