Head-to-head · Catering Software
CaterZen vs Total Party Planner
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 · 6.3/10
CaterZen scores higher on our rubric for catering software: 6.3 against 4.3 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
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Side by side
| Feature | CaterZen 6.3/10 Visit ↗ | Total Party Planner 4.3/10 Visit ↗ |
|---|---|---|
| At a glance | ||
| Editor score | 6.3 | 4.3 |
| 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 | Not published |
| Free plan | — | — |
| Free trial | — | — |
| 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 published | Not published |
| Proposal tools | Not published | Not published |
| Menu management | ✓ | ✓ |
| Event management | Not published | Not published |
| Payment processing | ✓ | ✓ |
| Accounting integrations | Not published | Not published |
| Our review | ||
| Pros |
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| Cons |
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| 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 → |
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.
- CaterZen6.3/10 · From $179/mo · 30-day trial
CaterZen brings proposals, ordering, payments, and event operations into one web platform.
Visit CaterZenFull verdict → - Total Party Planner4.3/10 · Paid
A broad toolkit for managing catering events, proposals, staffing and payments.
Visit siteFull verdict →
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All catering software comparisons → · Full ranking →
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Sep 2026