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Head-to-head · Kitchen Display System Software

Epson TrueOrder KDS vs Tabres KDS

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 5 checks side by side
Higher score Epson TrueOrder KDS #1 in Kitchen Display System Software 9.3/10 Paid ✓ 4 of 4 features Visit Epson
Tabres KDS #24 in Kitchen Display System Software 6.8/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 3 of 4 features Visit Tabres KDS

Epson TrueOrder KDS leads on 1 check, Tabres KDS on 1, and 3 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 5 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreEpson TrueOrder KDS · 9.3/10
  • Free planonly Tabres KDS
  • Most featuresEpson TrueOrder KDS · 4 of 4

Epson TrueOrder KDS scores higher on our rubric for kitchen display system software: 9.3 against 6.8 out of 10; our editors rank them #1 and #24.

Tabres KDS offers free plan; Epson TrueOrder KDS doesn't. On display platforms, Epson TrueOrder KDS gives you Dedicated where Tabres KDS offers Web. Epson TrueOrder KDS offers offline mode; Tabres KDS doesn't. On deployment, Epson TrueOrder KDS gives you On_premise where Tabres KDS offers Cloud.

Epson TrueOrder KDS is the better fit for mature Epson-centered kitchen operations. Tabres KDS is the better fit for small restaurants wanting a free cloud KDS.

  • Epson TrueOrder KDS fits best

    Mature Epson-centered kitchen operations

  • Tabres KDS fits best

    Small restaurants wanting a free cloud KDS

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 Epson TrueOrder KDS 9.3/10 Visit ↗ Tabres KDS 6.8/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.3 6.8
Ranking #1 in Kitchen Display System Software #24 in Kitchen Display System Software
Best for Mature Epson-centered kitchen operations Small restaurants wanting a free cloud KDS
Pricing model Paid Free
Starting price Not checked yet Free
Free plan — ✓ (best)
Free trial — —
Deployment Self-hosted Cloud, Browser extension
Platforms Web, Windows, Linux Web
Support Docs Email, Live chat
Integrations 3 integrations 5 integrations
Built for Small business Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Epson TrueOrder KDS 4/4 · Tabres KDS 3/4
Station routing ✓ ✓
Order status tracking ✓ ✓
Expo screen ✓ ✓
Offline mode ✓ (best) —
Specs
Display platforms Dedicated Web
Deployment On_premise Cloud
Maximum stations Not checked yet Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Routes full orders or individual items to configured kitchen stations
  • Combines kitchen, expo, and customer-facing order views
  • Adds Epson printing, offline operation, analytics, and API documentation
  • Unlimited displays, branches and employees on the free plan
  • Station routing, timers, status progression and recall views
  • Supports allergen notes, PIN sign-in and multiple kitchen screens
Cons
  • Requires compatible local-network hardware and on-premise deployment
  • POS compatibility depends on printer emulation or compatible systems
  • Purchased through Epson partners rather than directly online
  • Requires an internet connection to advance dishes
  • Runs through a web browser rather than a native app
  • Integrations are focused on the Tabres ecosystem
Our verdict

Epson TrueOrder KDS digitizes kitchen order workflows for quick-service and small restaurants. It receives orders from compatible POS systems, routes complete orders or individual items to configured kitchen stations, and supports kitchen,…

Read the review →

Tabres KDS is a browser-based kitchen display system for restaurants, cafés and other hospitality businesses. It turns a tablet or spare screen into a live order board with Board, Pass and Recall views. Orders move through queued, firing,…

Read the review →
  1. Epson TrueOrder KDSKitchen Display System Software 9.3Paid
  2. Tabres KDSKitchen Display System Software 6.8Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Epson TrueOrder KDS — where it wins

    • Routes full orders or individual items to configured kitchen stations
    • Combines kitchen, expo, and customer-facing order views
    • Adds Epson printing, offline operation, analytics, and API documentation

    Where it doesn't

    • Requires compatible local-network hardware and on-premise deployment
    • POS compatibility depends on printer emulation or compatible systems
    • Purchased through Epson partners rather than directly online

  • Tabres KDS — where it wins

    • Unlimited displays, branches and employees on the free plan
    • Station routing, timers, status progression and recall views
    • Supports allergen notes, PIN sign-in and multiple kitchen screens

    Where it doesn't

    • Requires an internet connection to advance dishes
    • Runs through a web browser rather than a native app
    • Integrations are focused on the Tabres ecosystem

More comparisons

All kitchen display system software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update