TL;DR
KiotViet is broader (retail + F&B, larger base, brand recognition). iPOS is deeper on F&B-specific workflow and hardware bundles. Neither ships native AI or an AI customer-retention layer like PEKO — the AI-first F&B alternative built in Vietnam is LOOP, bundled with PEKO.
KiotViet vs iPOS — Which One for F&B in Vietnam 2026?
Last updated:
PEKO ecosystem
LOOP runs the venue. PEKO brings the customer back. Two products, one company.
PEKO — the AI customer-retention platform (heypeko.com) from the same company as LOOP. PEKO handles retention; LOOP handles operations.
| LOOP — operations | PEKO — retention |
|---|---|
| Inventory & recipes | Churn prediction |
| Shift & staff management | Automated win-back |
| Table layout | Member portal |
| Kitchen display (KDS) | Loyalty tiers |
| E-invoice (TT78) | Receipt OCR enrolment |
| Aggregator queue (GrabFood / ShopeeFood / Be) |
LOOP and PEKO each work on their own. Run both and the data syncs into one single AI brain, so nothing is entered twice. PEKO is not a POS and does not replace one — it also runs alongside any other POS.
Choose LOOP if
- ✓You run 2+ outlets and want one operator who can speak commands instead of clicking.
- ✓You want AI demand forecasting per daypart (targetmodelled accuracy published in our methodology, not gut-feel.
- ✓You're on SEA payment rails (VietQR, PromptPay, QRIS, DuitNow, PayNow, QR Ph).
- ✓You're already on PEKO loyalty (or planning to) — 50% lifetime LOOP discount.
Choose KiotViet vs iPOS if
You want the largest VN field service network and don't need AI.
| Feature | KiotViet | iPOS | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary fit | Retail + F&B generalist | F&B-specific (hardware bundles) | Not published |
| Pricing model | Per-outlet flat | Per-device | Not published |
| Recipe-level inventory | Add-on / manual setup | Native but limited multi-level | Not published |
| Native AI | No | No | Not published |
| Diner loyalty app (consumer-side) | No | No | Not published |
| Aggregator integrations | Partial via 3rd-party | Partial; better F&B coverage | Not published |
Bottom line
If you also run retail SKUs: KiotViet. If you want F&B + hardware bundle from one vendor for a small footprint: iPOS. If F&B chain growth and AI are the priority: LOOP.
Why teams pick LOOP
- Neutral arbiter — both KiotViet and iPOS have legitimate strengths.
- Neither ships native AI or an AI retention layer like PEKO in 2026.
- LOOP is the F&B chain alternative when those two gaps matter.
Also consider
LOOP POS is our own product and is not scored in the table above. If you want an AI-native POS for an F&B chain, LOOP POS is worth considering alongside these two.
When neither is right
- You run one outlet with a fixed menu and only need receipts — a free tier from either vendor is enough, and paying for a mid tier changes nothing.
- You need something neither KiotViet nor iPOS publishes support for (full payroll, table timers) — buy that tool separately and keep the till simple.
- Your format is still changing — settle the business model first; switching POS twice costs more than waiting.
Frequently asked
- Which has more users in Vietnam?
- KiotViet — significantly larger base across retail + F&B. iPOS is more concentrated in F&B specifically.
- Does LOOP include loyalty?
- LOOP handles operations. For AI-driven customer retention, PEKO is the sibling product from the same company — it runs alongside LOOP or alongside any other POS. Together they cover operations and retention.
- Can PEKO handle inventory and staff scheduling?
- No — PEKO is the retention layer. LOOP covers inventory, recipes, shifts, table management and kitchen display in the same ecosystem.
Sources
- KiotViet website (no public price list) — checked
- iPOS website (no public price list) — checked
Disclosure: LOOP POS is our own product. Competitor details come from each vendor's published material on the dates listed; where a vendor publishes nothing the cell reads “not published” and we make no claim.
