TRAY vs Aloha POS
Feature-by-Feature Comparison
Platform & Technology
| Feature |
TRAY POS
|
Aloha POS
|
|---|---|---|
| Android OS Platform |
Native Android
|
Android Clients
|
| Hardware Flexibility |
Any Hardware
|
NCR Bundles Only
|
| Legacy Hardware Support |
Androidify x86 Terminals
|
Limited
|
| Cloud Architecture |
Full Cloud
|
Cloud-Based
|
| Offline Mode |
Peer-to-Peer
|
Basic Offline
|
Installation & Deployment
| Feature |
TRAY POS
|
Aloha POS
|
|---|---|---|
| Installation Time |
< 1 Day
|
Multiple Days
|
| On-Premise Servers |
None Required
|
None Required
|
| Hardware Conversion |
Yes – Legacy x86
|
No
|
| Remote Setup |
Full Remote
|
Partial Remote
|
Integrations & Flexibility
| Feature |
TRAY POS
|
Aloha POS
|
|---|---|---|
| Payment Processors |
Any Processor
|
NCR Voyix Focus
|
| Open API |
Comprehensive
|
Limited
|
| Third-Party Hardware |
Full Support
|
NCR Hardware
|
| Back Office Integrations |
Open Architecture
|
NCR Ecosystem
|
Cost & Operations
| Feature |
TRAY POS
|
Aloha POS
|
|---|---|---|
| Hardware Costs |
Low (Android)
|
Higher (Bundles)
|
| Licensing Fees |
Reduced
|
Standard
|
| CapEx Investment |
Significantly Lower
|
Higher
|
| International Availability |
Global
|
US Only
|
Why Multi-Unit Restaurants Choose TRAY
Android-First Platform
Native Android OS provides lower costs, easier maintenance, and broader hardware compatibility compared to Windows-based systems.
Lower TCO & Faster Training
Hardware Conversion
Transform legacy Windows terminals (including Aloha hardware) into modern Android POS systems, extending hardware life by 10+ years.
Preserve Existing Investment
Open Architecture
Work with any hardware vendor, payment processor, and back office system. No vendor lock-in or proprietary limitations.
Maximum Flexibility
Rapid Installation
Complete installation in less than one day with no on-premise servers required. Cloud-based architecture simplifies deployment.
< 1 Day Setup
Reduced CapEx
Significantly lower capital investment through hardware conversion, Android device costs, and elimination of proprietary fees.
Up to 60% Savings
Global Scalability
International deployment capabilities with multi-language support, unlike region-limited alternatives.
Worldwide Operations
Real Benefits for Restaurant Operators
Operational Excellence
Streamline operations with peer-to-peer offline mode, centralized management, and real-time analytics across all locations.

Staff Efficiency
Android’s intuitive interface reduces training time while handheld devices enable faster table service and higher tips.

Future-Proof Investment
Open architecture ensures your POS investment grows with your business, supporting new integrations and technologies.

Rapid Deployment
Get up and running faster with TRAY’s streamlined installation process and hardware conversion capabilities.

What Restaurant Operators Say
“We decided to get rid of our custom KDS and utilize Tray as our point-of-sale, really the centralized hub for all things orders and all things menu.“
Angell Tsang
Co-Founder & CTO
Tso Chinese
“POS systems are essential to efficient operations and have major impacts on the guest and team member experience. Through this process, we’ve seen this technology has the power to decrease table turn times and increase tip and check.“
Justin Skelton
CIO and Senior VP of Information Technology
Dine Brands
“With new technology like server tablets, our franchisees’ team members can stay closer to our guests and ultimately provide a more efficient and joyful dining experience“
Jay Johns
President
IHOP
“TRAY’s POS System provides the advanced features and capabilities that we need to run our business more efficiently.“
Joe Evans
Chief Marketing Officer
Arctic Circle
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, TRAY can ‘Androidify’ most legacy Windows terminals, including those from Aloha deployments. This process converts x86 hardware to run TRAY’s Android platform, extending hardware life by 10+ years and preserving your existing investment while upgrading to a modern POS system.
TRAY installations typically complete in less than one day due to the cloud-based architecture requiring no on-premise servers. Aloha installations can take multiple days, especially with hardware setup and server configurations. TRAY’s remote capabilities also reduce on-site time requirements.
TRAY offers significantly lower CapEx through Android hardware costs, hardware conversion capabilities, and reduced licensing fees. Customers typically see 40-60% savings on hardware costs, plus ongoing savings from lower maintenance and the ability to choose any payment processor for better rates.
Absolutely. TRAY’s open architecture supports any payment processor, giving you the flexibility to negotiate the best rates and terms. Aloha primarily focuses on NCR Voyix Payments, which may limit your options for processing rates and features.
TRAY provides centralized menu management, pricing control, and real-time reporting across unlimited locations. The cloud-based platform enables instant updates and standardization globally, while Aloha Cloud may have limitations for very large enterprise operations.
TRAY features automatic peer-to-peer offline mode that maintains full operations including order routing between terminals and kitchen displays without requiring on-premise servers. Aloha Cloud also has offline capabilities, but TRAY’s peer-to-peer architecture provides more robust offline functionality.
Android’s intuitive interface reduces training time by approximately 50% compared to traditional POS systems. Most staff are already familiar with Android from their personal devices, making the learning curve much shorter and reducing ongoing training costs.
Yes, TRAY supports global deployment with multi-language capabilities and international payment processing. Aloha Cloud is currently limited to US operations, which can be a significant limitation for franchises looking to expand internationally.
Ready to Make the Switch?
Get Your Custom Comparison
Schedule a personalized demo to see how TRAY can transform your restaurant operations. Our experts will show you exactly how much you can save and the specific benefits for your business.
Questions? Call us at (844) USE-TRAY or email sales@tray.com