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Head-to-head · Catering Software

CaterZen vs Total Party Planner

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 3 checks side by side
Higher score CaterZen #3 in Catering Software 8.6/10 30-day trial Free trial✓ 2 of 6 features Visit CaterZen
Total Party Planner #4 in Catering Software 8.5/10 Paid ✓ 2 of 6 features Visit site

CaterZen leads on 0 checks, Total Party Planner on 0, and 3 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 3 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreCaterZen · 8.6/10
  • Free trialonly CaterZen

CaterZen scores higher on our rubric for catering software: 8.6 against 8.5 out of 10; our editors rank them #3 and #4.

CaterZen is the better fit for caterers needing online ordering and payment tools. Total Party Planner is the better fit for caterers managing events from proposal to payment.

  • CaterZen fits best

    Caterers needing online ordering and payment tools

  • Total Party Planner fits best

    Caterers managing events from proposal to payment

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature CaterZen 8.6/10 Visit ↗ Total Party Planner 8.5/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.6 8.5
Ranking #3 in Catering Software #4 in Catering Software
Best for Caterers needing online ordering and payment tools Caterers managing events from proposal to payment
Pricing model Paid Paid
Starting price $179/mo —
Free plan — —
Free trial 30 days —
Deployment Cloud Cloud, Mobile
Platforms Web Web
Support Email, Phone, Tickets, Docs Email, Phone
Integrations 10 integrations 12 integrations
Built for Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features CaterZen 2/6 · Total Party Planner 2/6
Online ordering Not checked yet Not checked yet
Proposal tools Not checked yet Not checked yet
Menu management ✓ ✓
Event management Not checked yet Not checked yet
Payment processing ✓ ✓
Accounting integrations Not checked yet Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Connects proposals and signed contracts to catering orders.
  • Supports online ordering, payment collection, delivery, and kitchen reports.
  • Offers integrations including QuickBooks Online, Google Calendar, and Chowly.
  • Combines proposals, e-signatures, costing, BEOs and event documents.
  • Includes payment links, deposits, partial payments and reporting.
  • Connects with tools including QuickBooks, Google Calendar and Nowsta.
Cons
  • Pro starts at $179 per month, which may be a high entry price.
  • The platform is web-based; no other platform is listed.
  • Enterprise pricing requires contacting sales.
  • No free plan is offered.
  • TPPorder is an extra-cost add-on, with different listed prices by plan.
  • Additional users cost $25/month each on the plans that list the fee.
Our verdict

CaterZen is web-based software for restaurants, caterers, and event-space operators managing catering sales and operations. Its scope spans customer and prospect records, quotes and proposals, electronic contracts, menus, orders, online…

Read the review →

Total Party Planner brings event planning and catering operations into one system for caterers and other event-focused food-service teams. It covers proposals and electronic signatures, menu and recipe costing, order tracking, staff…

Read the review →
  1. CaterZenCatering Software 8.630-day trial
  2. Total Party PlannerCatering Software 8.5Paid

Strengths and trade-offs

  • CaterZen — where it wins

    • Connects proposals and signed contracts to catering orders.
    • Supports online ordering, payment collection, delivery, and kitchen reports.
    • Offers integrations including QuickBooks Online, Google Calendar, and Chowly.

    Where it doesn't

    • Pro starts at $179 per month, which may be a high entry price.
    • The platform is web-based; no other platform is listed.
    • Enterprise pricing requires contacting sales.

  • Total Party Planner — where it wins

    • Combines proposals, e-signatures, costing, BEOs and event documents.
    • Includes payment links, deposits, partial payments and reporting.
    • Connects with tools including QuickBooks, Google Calendar and Nowsta.

    Where it doesn't

    • No free plan is offered.
    • TPPorder is an extra-cost add-on, with different listed prices by plan.
    • Additional users cost $25/month each on the plans that list the fee.
  • CaterZen8.6/10 · 30-day trial

    CaterZen brings proposals, ordering, payments, and event operations into one web platform.

    Visit CaterZenFull verdict →
  • Total Party Planner8.5/10 · Paid

    A broad toolkit for managing catering events, proposals, staffing and payments.

    Visit siteFull verdict →

More comparisons

All catering software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update