Untappd vs. Menu Board Manager: Features and Pricing Comparison
The rise of technology in the tap room/brewery industry has provided tools for businesses to improve customer experiences and streamline operations. Untappd and Menu Board Manager are two platforms serving similar needs. This article compares their features and pricing to help you determine which is better suited for your business.
Untappd: The Social Beer Experience
Untappd is primarily a social networking platform for beer enthusiasts, allowing users to discover, rate, and share beer experiences. It also offers a business-oriented product, Untappd for Business, tailored to bars, breweries, and restaurants.
Key Features
Digital Beer Menus
Businesses can display live beer menus on TVs, websites, and mobile apps.
Menus automatically update as inventory changes.
Customer Engagement
Integration with the consumer-facing Untappd app allows patrons to explore your offerings, leave reviews, and share their experiences with others.
Inventory Management
Track beer inventory and receive alerts when stock is low.
Analytics
Gain insights into customer preferences and trends to make informed decisions.
Third-Party Integrations
Integration with POS systems like Square or Toast for seamless operations.
Pricing
Untappd for Business pricing starts at around $599 per year for small businesses, with additional costs for optional add-ons like customized displays or expanded analytics.
Menu Board Manager: Customizable Digital Signage
Menu Board Manager focuses on providing digital menu solutions, particularly for breweries, cafes, and quick service restaurants. It’s designed to simplify the management of food menus while offering visually appealing displays.
Key Features
Customizable Digital Menus
Create and display fully customized digital menus for food and drink offerings.
Real-Time Updates
Update menu items, pricing, and specials instantly across all screens.
Multi-Location Support
Manage menus for multiple locations from a centralized platform.
Offline Functionality
Menus continue to display even during internet outages.
Hardware Compatibility
Works with most display hardware, including TVs and tablets.
Restaurant-Focused Features
Highlight specials, nutritional information, or allergen warnings.
Point-of-Sale (POS) integration with Toast, Brink Northstar, Qu, and Olo
Pricing
Menu Board Manager offers tiered pricing, starting at 9.99 per month per screen. Larger businesses can negotiate custom pricing based on the number of screens and locations.
Comparison Table
Feature Untappd for Business Menu Board Manager
Primary Purpose Beer discovery & engagement Digital menu management
Customization Limited (focused on beer menus) High (supports food & drink menus)
Customer Engagement Integration with Untappd app Limited to on-site engagement
Analytics Beer-specific insights Sales & menu performance tracking
Pricing Starts at $599/year Starts at $20/month/screen
Multi-Location Support Yes Yes
Offline Support No Yes
Which Should You Choose?
Choose Untappd If:
Your business focuses on craft beers or a rotating tap list
You want to leverage Untappd’s existing network of beer enthusiasts for marketing and customer engagement.
Choose Menu Board Manager If:
You need a flexible solution for managing food and drink menus.
Your business isn’t just beer-focused, or you prioritize broader menu options.
Offline functionality and hardware compatibility are important to you.
Conclusion
While Untappd excels in beer-centric engagement and discovery, Menu Board Manager shines in versatility and cost-effectiveness for broader menu management. Assessing your business’s specific needs and customer base will help you decide which platform is the right fit.