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The average restaurant updates its menu one to three times per year, but prices, specials, and availability change far more often. That gap between what’s on your menu and what’s actually happening in your kitchen costs you money — whether it’s reprinting costs, confused customers, or lost orders.

MustHaveMenus helps solve part of that problem with 25,000+ restaurant-specific design templates. But at $24–49/month for a platform that only handles menu design — no online ordering, no live menu updates for customers, and QR codes that are view-only — many restaurant owners are looking for alternatives that do more for less.

We researched and compared 9 MustHaveMenus alternatives, from free design tools to full digital menu platforms with built-in ordering. Whether you need cheaper templates, a functional digital menu your customers can order from, or both, this guide breaks down pricing, features, and honest pros and cons for each option.

Quick picks:

  • Best for digital menus with ordering: Menubly ($9.99/mo, commission-free ordering included)
  • Best free design tool: Canva (15,000+ menu templates, free)
  • Best budget menu design: iMenuPro ($11.25/mo, all features included)

What Is MustHaveMenus?

MustHaveMenus is a restaurant-specific menu design platform based in Portland, Oregon. It gives restaurants access to over 25,000 professional templates for print menus, flyers, posters, business cards, QR code menus, and digital signage — all from a single dashboard.

The platform integrates with Toast and Square POS systems, so menu items and prices can sync automatically. On the Pro plan, you also get digital signage management, AI-assisted menu creation, and unlimited QR codes.

But here’s what drives most people to search for alternatives: MustHaveMenus is a design and display tool only. It doesn’t include online ordering. Your QR code menus are view-only — customers can look at your menu, but they can’t place an order through it. And the Pro plan features (QR codes, digital signage, AI Copilot) require the $49/month tier, with digital signage costing an extra $20 per screen per month on top of that.

MustHaveMenus Features

  • 25,000+ restaurant-specific templates (menus, flyers, posters, signage)
  • Drag-and-drop menu editor — no design skills required
  • POS integration with Toast and Square for automatic menu syncing
  • Digital signage manager with scheduling, playlists, and 4K video support
  • AI Copilot for faster menu creation (Pro plan)
  • Online menu builder with link pages
  • QR code generation and management (unlimited on Pro)
  • Print ordering directly through the platform
  • Item library for consistent menu data across channels
  • Brand kit customization per location

Pros

  • Massive template library built specifically for restaurants
  • All-in-one for menu design: print, web, QR, and digital signage from one platform
  • POS sync keeps menus accurate across channels automatically
  • Print ordering built in — design and order prints without leaving the platform
  • AI Copilot speeds up menu creation on Pro plan
  • Supports restaurant groups with enterprise plan

Cons

  • No online ordering — design and display only
  • QR codes are view-only (customers can’t order through them)
  • Pro plan ($49/month) required for QR codes and digital features
  • Digital signage costs $20/screen/month on top of Pro
  • Customer support reported as inconsistent by some reviewers on G2
  • Expensive if you don’t need print design — you’re paying for templates, not functionality

MustHaveMenus Pricing

  • Design: $24/month ($19/month billed annually) — menu creation, templates, printing, PDF downloads
  • Pro: $49/month ($41/month billed annually) — everything in Design + digital signage, QR codes, AI Copilot, online menu builder
  • Enterprise: Custom pricing — 10–200+ locations, dedicated account manager
  • Display add-on: $20/month per screen (requires Pro plan)

What to Look For in a MustHaveMenus Alternative

Before comparing platforms, it helps to know what matters most for your restaurant. Here are the key criteria we used to evaluate each alternative:

  • Design vs. functionality — Do you need menu templates to print, or a live digital menu customers can interact with and order from? This is the biggest decision. MustHaveMenus is a design tool. Some alternatives are digital menu platforms. They solve different problems.
  • Online ordering capability — Does the platform include ordering, or is it design-only? If your goal is to take orders directly (without paying delivery app commissions), you need a platform that goes beyond templates.
  • Pricing transparency — Watch for per-screen charges, per-location fees, order limits, and required add-ons. A $24/month plan can easily become $100+ with extras.
  • Ease of use and setup time — Can you create a menu without design skills? How fast can you go live? Some platforms take minutes; others need hours of template customization.
  • QR code functionality — There’s a big difference between a QR code that shows a static PDF and one that lets customers browse, customize, and order from their phone. Make sure you know which type you’re getting.
  • Template variety and customization — If print design is your priority, template count and quality matter. If you’re going digital-first, look at how flexible the menu builder is instead.

MustHaveMenus Alternatives: Quick Comparison

Platform Best For Starting Price Online Ordering QR Code Menus Free Plan
Menubly Digital menus + ordering $9.99/mo Yes (commission-free) Yes (with ordering) 30-day trial
Canva Free menu design Free No No Yes
iMenuPro Budget menu design $11.25/mo No Yes (view-only) Free trial
PosterMyWall Menu + marketing Free No No Yes
Adobe Express AI menu design Free No No Yes
UpMenu Ordering + marketing $49/mo Yes (commission-free) Yes (with ordering) Free trial
Menu Tiger Multi-location QR Free Yes (commission-free) Yes (with ordering) Yes (limited)
GloriaFood Free online ordering Free Yes (commission-free) Yes (with ordering) Yes
Popmenu Full marketing suite $149/mo Yes (+$50/mo + $1/order) Yes Demo required

9 Best MustHaveMenus Alternatives

1. Menubly — Best for Affordable Digital Menus with Online Ordering

If you’re paying MustHaveMenus $24–49/month for menu templates but still don’t have a way to take online orders, Menubly takes a different approach entirely. Instead of giving you design templates, Menubly gives you a live, interactive online menu that customers can browse, search, and order from — all for $9.99/month with zero commission fees.

The key difference: MustHaveMenus creates menus you display. Menubly creates menus that work. Your customers can scan a QR code menu, browse your dishes with photos and descriptions, customize their order with add-ons, and place it directly through your menu. No third-party delivery app fees, no separate ordering system needed. And when you change a price or mark something as sold out, it updates instantly across every channel.

Key Features

  • Interactive, mobile-friendly online menu with search and category filtering
  • Commission-free online ordering (dine-in, takeaway, delivery)
  • QR code generation — customers scan and order directly
  • Instant menu updates across all platforms
  • Restaurant website builder with custom branding
  • Add-ons and customization options for each menu item
  • 100+ payment methods worldwide including WhatsApp ordering
  • Bulk menu import from Excel or CSV
  • Free menu conversion service (upload a PDF or photo, Menubly converts it)
  • SEO-optimized menu pages for Google search visibility

Pros

  • $9.99/month includes everything — ordering, QR codes, website builder, unlimited updates
  • Zero commission on every order (keep 100% of revenue)
  • Menu changes appear instantly — no reprinting, no delays
  • Set up in minutes, no technical skills needed
  • Free menu conversion service saves hours of manual entry
  • Works for any food business: restaurants, food trucksbakeries, bars, cafes
  • 30-day free trial with no credit card required

Cons

  • Not a design tool — no print menu templates or design library
  • No POS integration with Toast or Square
  • No digital signage management
  • Not ideal if your primary need is professional print menu design

Pricing

  • Free trial: 30 days, no credit card required
  • Monthly: $9.99/month (all features included)
  • Annual: $95.99/year (save 20%)
  • Custom plan: Available for special requirements including custom domain
  • Commission: Zero — keep 100% of every order

Best For

Restaurants, cafes, bars, food trucks, and bakeries that want a functional digital menu with built-in ordering instead of paying for design templates. If you’d rather spend $9.99/month on a menu customers can order from than $24–49/month on templates you still need to print, Menubly is the better fit.

Try Menubly free for 30 days — no credit card required.

2. Canva — Best Free Design Tool for Restaurant Menu Templates

Canva isn’t built specifically for restaurants, but its free plan and massive template library make it one of the most popular tools for designing restaurant menus. With over 15,000 menu templates and a drag-and-drop editor, you can create print-ready menus, digital menus for social media, and marketing materials — all without paying anything.

Compared to MustHaveMenus, Canva’s free plan gives you more templates across more categories (not just restaurant-specific) and doesn’t lock features behind higher tiers. The trade-off is that Canva is a general design tool, not a restaurant platform — so there’s no POS integration, no QR code menu system, and no online ordering.

Features

  • 15,000+ menu templates (restaurant, cafe, bar, bakery, and more)
  • Drag-and-drop editor with no design skills needed
  • 1 million+ free stock photos, graphics, and illustrations
  • Custom brand kit (logo, colors, fonts) on free plan
  • Print-ready PDF downloads (standard sizes)
  • AI-powered design suggestions and Magic Resize (Pro)
  • Background remover tool (Pro)
  • Real-time collaboration with team members
  • Mobile app for editing on the go
  • Print ordering directly through Canva (paid service)

Pros

  • Free plan is genuinely useful — thousands of menu templates at no cost
  • Easy to learn even for people with zero design experience
  • Goes beyond menus: create flyers, social posts, posters, and business cards
  • Huge library of fonts, stock photos, and design elements
  • Available on web, iOS, and Android
  • Print ordering available through the platform

Cons

  • Not restaurant-specific — no POS sync, no item library, no menu data management
  • No online ordering or QR code menu functionality
  • Premium templates and stock photos require Pro plan ($12.99/month)
  • No live menu syncing — every update means re-downloading and re-sharing
  • Templates look generic unless heavily customized
  • No restaurant-specific features like item pricing rules or allergen labels

Pricing

  • Free: $0 — 250,000+ templates, 5GB storage, basic editing tools
  • Pro: $12.99/month ($119.99/year) — all templates, 100M+ stock assets, brand kit, 100GB storage
  • Teams: $14.99/month for up to 5 users — shared folders, collaboration tools

Best For

Restaurant owners who need a free or low-cost way to create print menus, social media posts, and marketing materials. Canva works well if your main need is designing menus for printing or sharing as PDFs — not for live digital menus or online ordering.

3. iMenuPro — Best Budget Menu Design Software for Restaurants

imenupro

iMenuPro is a direct competitor to MustHaveMenus, built specifically for restaurant menu design. What sets it apart is a single, all-inclusive pricing tier — $11.25–16/month gets you everything, including QR code menus, digital TV display, and print-ready PDFs. No upsells, no add-ons, no per-screen fees.

The platform’s patented Live-Sync technology lets you edit your menu once and have it update across print, QR code, and digital TV formats simultaneously. That’s a feature MustHaveMenus only partially matches with its Pro plan at three times the price. The trade-off: iMenuPro’s interface feels dated, and like MustHaveMenus, there’s no online ordering.

Features

  • Drag-and-drop menu maker with patented auto-formatting
  • 3,500+ food and drink graphics library
  • Patented Live-Sync — edit once, updates across print, QR, and digital TV
  • QR code menu generation (unlimited scans, no extra charge)
  • Digital TV signage menus included at no extra cost
  • Food database for easy item rotation
  • Print-ready PDF output
  • ADA/UA compliance features
  • Multi-location QR code support at no extra cost
  • Customizable QR codes with colors and logo

Pros

  • All features included at one price — no upsells or add-ons
  • Live-Sync keeps print, QR, and digital menus consistent with one edit
  • Privacy-focused QR menus (zero cookies or trackers)
  • Multi-location QR support at no extra cost
  • 25,000+ restaurant user base
  • Personal support with typical 2-hour email response time

Cons

  • User interface feels dated — reviewers compare it to older software
  • No online ordering capability
  • No POS integration
  • Email support only — no phone or live chat
  • Smaller template library compared to MustHaveMenus or Canva
  • Limited font and design modernness

Pricing

  • Monthly: $16/month
  • Annual: $11.25/month ($135/year) — 30% savings
  • Single pricing tier — all features included, no per-screen or per-location fees

Best For

Small independent restaurants, cafes, bars, and boutique hotels that need an affordable all-in-one menu design tool covering print, QR, and basic digital display. Ideal if you want simplicity and all-inclusive pricing without MustHaveMenus’ tiered costs. Not for restaurants needing online ordering.

4. PosterMyWall — Best for Combined Menu and Marketing Designs

PosterMyWall goes beyond menu design into full restaurant marketing. With 44,000+ templates covering menus, social media posts, email campaigns, flyers, and video content, it’s built for restaurant owners who want to create all their marketing materials in one place.

What makes PosterMyWall stand out from MustHaveMenus is the marketing angle. You can design your menu, then create matching Instagram posts, email newsletters, and promotional videos using the same branding — all from one dashboard. The free plan is generous enough for basic use, and Premium starts at just $9.95/month.

Features

  • 44,000+ customizable templates (menus, social media, flyers, posters, videos)
  • Drag-and-drop editor with menu-specific layouts
  • Square POS integration for importing menu data
  • One-click background remover for food photography
  • Brand kits for consistent fonts, colors, and logos
  • Email campaign builder with templates
  • Social media scheduling and publishing
  • Video and animation creation for digital signage
  • High-resolution downloads for printing
  • AI image generation tools

Pros

  • Covers menus and marketing materials in one platform
  • Free plan includes access to thousands of templates
  • Square POS integration for menu imports
  • Video and animation tools for social media and digital signage
  • Email campaign builder saves money on separate email tools
  • Affordable Premium plan ($9.95/month)

Cons

  • No online ordering or QR code menu functionality
  • Not restaurant-specific — templates span many industries
  • Free downloads include a small PosterMyWall watermark
  • No live menu syncing or real-time updates
  • High-resolution downloads require Premium plan
  • No POS integration beyond Square

Pricing

  • Free: $0 — basic templates, watermarked downloads
  • Premium: $9.95/month ($99.50/year) — no watermarks, premium templates, high-res downloads
  • Premium Plus: $29.95/month ($299.50/year) — AI images, social scheduling, email campaigns

Best For

Restaurant owners who need menu design and marketing materials from one tool. Good for restaurants active on social media that want matching templates for menus, Instagram posts, and email campaigns. Not for restaurants needing digital menus or online ordering.

5. Adobe Express — Best for AI-Powered Menu Design

Adobe Express brings Adobe’s design power to a free, beginner-friendly platform. With over 100,000 templates (including restaurant menus), AI-powered editing tools, and access to Adobe Stock assets, it’s a strong free alternative for creating professional menu designs.

Compared to MustHaveMenus, Adobe Express offers more templates across more categories and a more modern editing experience — all on the free plan. The Premium plan ($9.99/month) unlocks 200 million+ stock assets and advanced AI tools. Like Canva, it’s a general design tool, so there’s no restaurant-specific ordering or QR code system.

Features

  • 100,000+ templates including restaurant menus, bar menus, cafe menus, catering menus
  • AI-powered editing with text effects, image generation, and auto-resize
  • Adobe Stock integration (1M+ free assets; 200M+ on Premium)
  • Brand kit with custom fonts, colors, and logos
  • Background remover and image enhancement tools
  • Print-ready PDF and high-resolution image downloads
  • Real-time collaboration
  • Mobile app for iOS and Android
  • Integration with other Adobe products (Photoshop, Illustrator)

Pros

  • Free plan is generous — 100,000 templates and 1M+ stock assets at no cost
  • AI tools speed up the design process (auto-resize, text effects, image generation)
  • Adobe ecosystem integration if you already use Photoshop or Illustrator
  • Modern, polished design output backed by Adobe’s design expertise
  • Available on web and mobile
  • Premium at $9.99/month is cheaper than MustHaveMenus’ $24/month Design plan

Cons

  • Not restaurant-specific — no menu data management, POS sync, or item library
  • No online ordering or QR code menu functionality
  • Some premium templates and assets locked behind $9.99/month plan
  • No live menu syncing or real-time updates
  • Can feel overwhelming with the number of options and features
  • Fewer restaurant-specific templates than MustHaveMenus

Pricing

  • Free: $0 — 100,000 templates, 1M+ stock assets, 5GB storage
  • Premium: $9.99/month ($99.99/year) — all templates, 200M+ stock assets, 100GB storage, advanced AI

Best For

Restaurant owners who want free, professional-quality menu designs with AI assistance. Good for restaurants that already use Adobe products or want access to premium stock photography for their menus. Not for restaurants needing live digital menus or ordering capabilities.

6. UpMenu — Best for Restaurants Wanting Ordering and Marketing Automation

UpMenu

UpMenu takes a completely different approach from MustHaveMenus. Instead of menu design, UpMenu gives you a commission-free online ordering system with built-in marketing tools — loyalty programs, SMS campaigns, push notifications, and email marketing — all from one dashboard.

For restaurants that have outgrown design templates and want to build direct customer relationships, UpMenu offers features that MustHaveMenus doesn’t touch. The platform includes a branded website, QR code ordering, and even a branded mobile app on select plans. The trade-off is price: UpMenu starts at $49/month, which is more than MustHaveMenus but includes ordering and marketing tools you’d otherwise pay separately for.

Features

  • Commission-free online ordering (pickup, delivery, dine-in)
  • Branded restaurant website with 40+ customizable templates
  • Branded mobile app for iOS and Android (select plans)
  • Built-in loyalty and rewards program
  • SMS, push notification, and email marketing campaigns
  • QR code menu for dine-in ordering with real-time sync
  • Promo codes and discount tools
  • Customer CRM and purchase history tracking
  • POS integrations
  • Multi-location management (Pro+)

Pros

  • Full marketing suite built in — no third-party tools needed for loyalty, SMS, or email
  • Commission-free direct ordering
  • Branded mobile app available without enterprise pricing
  • Real results documented: 17% cost reduction vs. delivery apps in case studies
  • Clean interface that’s easy to learn
  • Free trial available (no credit card required)

Cons

  • Starter plan ($49/month) limits monthly orders — high-volume restaurants need Pro ($149/month)
  • More expensive than Menubly for comparable ordering features
  • SMS credits and additional locations add up over time
  • May be more than smaller restaurants need if marketing automation isn’t a priority
  • No free plan — only a free trial
  • No print menu design capability

Pricing

  • Starter: ~$49/month — ordering, website, CRM, marketing tools, up to 1,000 orders/month
  • Pro: ~$149/month — everything in Starter + multi-location, API, up to 2,500 orders/month
  • Enterprise: Custom pricing — unlimited orders, dedicated support

Best For

Mid-size restaurants with an existing customer base that want to run their own marketing — loyalty programs, SMS campaigns, repeat customer promotions — alongside commission-free online ordering. If you’re looking for a full digital marketing platform rather than just menu design, UpMenu is a strong fit. Overkill for small restaurants that just need basic ordering.

7. Menu Tiger — Best for QR Code Ordering Across Multiple Locations

Menu Tiger specializes in QR code ordering for restaurants managing multiple locations. Built by QRTIGER (used by Hilton, Hyatt, and Ritz Carlton), the platform lets you generate table-specific QR codes that customers can scan to browse, order, and pay — with a kitchen display system that routes orders to the right station.

Unlike MustHaveMenus’ view-only QR codes, Menu Tiger’s QR codes are fully functional ordering channels. The freemium plan lets you test with up to 10 tables, and paid plans start at $17/month with unlimited orders and zero commissions.

Features

  • Table-specific QR codes with kitchen display system (KDS) integration
  • Multi-location management (up to 5 stores on Premium)
  • QR code customization: logo, colors, eye patterns, CTA overlays
  • Multi-language menu translation (30+ languages)
  • Zapier and Canva integrations
  • Sales, revenue, and best-selling item analytics
  • Online ordering through QR codes and website
  • White-label with custom domain (Premium)
  • Website builder with drag-and-drop editing
  • POS integration (Loyverse)

Pros

  • Strong multi-location support from a single dashboard
  • Table-specific QR codes with KDS integration
  • Zero commissions on all plans
  • QR code customization is among the best (logo, patterns, CTAs)
  • Free plan available for testing
  • 30+ language support for international restaurants

Cons

  • Free plan very limited (7 categories, 7 items per category, 200 orders/month, branded)
  • Limited POS integrations (Loyverse only)
  • Email-only support (no live chat or phone)
  • Pricing scales with number of locations
  • Payment limited to Stripe and PayPal
  • No native mobile admin app (web-based only)

Pricing

  • Freemium: $0/month (10 tables, 1 store, 200 QR orders/month, branded)
  • Regular: $17/month (15 tables, 2 stores, unlimited orders)
  • Advanced: $46/month (40 tables, 4 stores, KDS, Canva/Zapier)
  • Premium: $119/month (100 tables, 5 stores, white-label, table management)

Best For

Growing restaurants managing 2–5 locations that need centralized menu control and table-specific QR code menus with ordering. Strong for multi-store operations; single-location restaurants may find cheaper alternatives like Menubly or GloriaFood.

8. GloriaFood — Best Free Online Ordering Platform

GloriaFood

GloriaFood offers what MustHaveMenus doesn’t: a genuinely free online ordering system with zero commissions and no per-order fees. Backed by Oracle (acquired in 2021), GloriaFood lets restaurants take unlimited orders through their website, Facebook page, or QR codes — all at no cost for the core platform.

The free tier is surprisingly full-featured: commission-free ordering, QR code table ordering, table reservations, and a menu editor. Paid add-ons ($9–59/month) cover a sales-optimized website, online payment processing, promotions, and a branded mobile app. If your primary goal is taking orders without paying delivery app commissions, GloriaFood is hard to beat on price.

Features

  • Commission-free online ordering (pickup, delivery, dine-in) — free
  • QR code table ordering with table-specific or shared codes
  • Table reservation system (built-in)
  • Real-time order tracking and analytics dashboard
  • Promotional marketing tools: discounts, promo codes, upsells (paid add-on)
  • Sales-optimized website builder ($9/month add-on)
  • Online payment via Stripe, PayPal, Apple Pay (paid add-on)
  • Offline mode — continues taking orders during internet outages
  • Integration with delivery platforms (Wolt, Shipday, Tookan)
  • Free order-taking app for iOS and Android

Pros

  • Free tier is genuinely usable — unlimited orders, zero commissions, no per-order fees
  • Saves restaurants 15–30% compared to delivery app commissions
  • No long-term contracts on the ordering platform
  • QR code ordering and reservations available on free tier
  • Quick setup — most restaurants live within hours
  • Backed by Oracle, so the platform is well-funded

Cons

  • Growing complaints about support responsiveness since early 2025 (unanswered tickets for weeks)
  • Cannot manage orders or make menu changes from the mobile admin app
  • Limited customization of the online ordering widget — code is locked
  • Online payments require a $29/month add-on
  • No print menu design capability
  • Oracle ownership creates uncertainty about the free tier’s long-term future

Pricing

  • Core ordering: Free (no contracts, no commissions, no setup fees)
  • Sales-optimized website: $9/month per location
  • Advanced promotions: $19/month per location
  • Online payment processing: $29/month per location
  • Branded mobile app: $59/month per location

Best For

Small independent restaurants and ghost kitchens that need a free, zero-commission online ordering solution. Ideal for restaurants that already have a POS and just want to add a direct ordering channel without paying for design tools or templates. Check GloriaFood alternatives if support responsiveness is a concern.

9. Popmenu — Best for Established Restaurants Needing a Full Marketing Suite

popmenu

Popmenu is the premium option on this list — a full restaurant marketing platform that handles interactive menus, custom websites, AI phone answering, email/SMS marketing, waitlist management, and online ordering. Starting at $149/month, it’s positioned for established restaurants with the budget for an all-in-one marketing solution.

Where MustHaveMenus focuses on design templates, Popmenu focuses on restaurant marketing and customer engagement. Its interactive menus let diners leave reviews and upload photos of dishes, which boosts SEO and social proof. But the price tag puts it out of reach for most small restaurants, and online ordering costs an additional $50/month plus $1 per order.

Features

  • Interactive menus with customer reviews and photos
  • Custom restaurant website design
  • Google Business Profile syncing
  • Email and SMS marketing automation
  • AI phone answering system
  • Waitlist and reservation management
  • Analytics and reputation management
  • QR code integration with marketing workflows

Pros

  • Interactive menus with customer photos and reviews boost SEO
  • Auto Google Business Profile syncing keeps listings accurate
  • Strong marketing automation (email, SMS, AI) built in
  • Purpose-built for restaurants, not a generic tool
  • Mobile app for managing orders and marketing on the go

Cons

  • $149/month entry price before add-ons
  • Online ordering costs an extra $50/month + $1 per order
  • Total cost can easily reach $400+/month with locations and add-ons
  • $300/month per additional location
  • Demo required — no self-service signup or free trial
  • Overkill for small restaurants with limited budgets

Pricing

  • Entry: ~$149/month
  • Essentials: $299/month
  • Pro: $399/month
  • Enterprise: Custom pricing
  • Online ordering add-on: +$50/month + $1/order
  • Additional locations: +$300/month each

Best For

Established, higher-revenue restaurants with the budget for a full marketing platform. Good for restaurants that want AI-powered marketing, reputation management, and interactive menus. Not for small restaurants or anyone looking for an affordable MustHaveMenus replacement. For Popmenu alternatives, see our dedicated guide.

How to Choose the Right MustHaveMenus Alternative

By Primary Need

  • I just need affordable menu templates: Canva (free) or iMenuPro ($11.25/month)
  • I need menu design + marketing materials: PosterMyWall or Adobe Express
  • I need a digital menu with online ordering: Menubly ($9.99/month)
  • I need ordering + marketing automation: UpMenu ($49/month) or GloriaFood (free)
  • I need QR code ordering for multiple locations: Menu Tiger
  • I need a full marketing platform: Popmenu ($149/month+)

By Budget

  • Free: Canva, PosterMyWall (basic), Adobe Express, GloriaFood, Menu Tiger (limited)
  • Under $20/month: Menubly ($9.99), iMenuPro ($11.25–$16), Menu Tiger ($17)
  • $20–$50/month: UpMenu ($49)
  • $50+/month: Popmenu ($149+)

By Restaurant Type

  • Food trucks and small cafes: Menubly or Canva
  • Single-location restaurants: Menubly, iMenuPro, or GloriaFood
  • Multi-location chains: Menu Tiger, UpMenu, or Popmenu
  • Print-focused restaurants: iMenuPro or Canva

For most small to mid-size restaurants, the question isn’t “which design tool should replace MustHaveMenus?” but “do I still need a design tool at all?” If your customers are finding you online and ordering from their phones, a live digital menu with built-in ordering often makes more sense than paying for templates you still need to print. Menubly gives you that at $9.99/month — less than half the cost of MustHaveMenus’ Design plan.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best alternative to MustHaveMenus?

It depends on what you need. For a digital menu with online ordering, Menubly ($9.99/month) gives you more functionality at a lower price. For free menu design templates, Canva has over 15,000 options. For budget menu design software built for restaurants, iMenuPro ($11.25/month) includes QR codes and digital TV display at one all-inclusive price.

Is MustHaveMenus worth it?

MustHaveMenus is worth it if your primary need is professional print menu design with POS syncing. The 25,000+ restaurant-specific templates and Toast/Square integration are strong features. But at $24–49/month for a design-only platform with no online ordering, it’s expensive for restaurants that mainly need digital menus.

How much does MustHaveMenus cost?

MustHaveMenus starts at $24/month ($19/month annually) for the Design plan. The Pro plan costs $49/month ($41/month annually) and adds QR codes, digital signage, and AI tools. Digital signage screens cost an extra $20/month each. Additional locations are $49/month each.

Is there a free alternative to MustHaveMenus?

Yes. For menu design: Canva, PosterMyWall, and Adobe Express all offer free plans with thousands of templates. For digital menus with ordering: GloriaFood provides free commission-free online ordering, and Menu Tiger has a freemium plan with QR code ordering for up to 10 tables.

Can I create a restaurant menu without MustHaveMenus?

Yes. There are multiple ways to create a restaurant menu without MustHaveMenus. Free design tools like Canva give you templates for print menus. Digital menu platforms like Menubly let you build live online menus with ordering in minutes, without any design skills.

What’s the difference between a menu design tool and a digital menu platform?

A menu design tool (like MustHaveMenus, Canva, or iMenuPro) creates static menu files — PDFs, images, or print-ready documents. A digital menu platform (like Menubly, UpMenu, or Menu Tiger) creates live, interactive menus that customers can access online, browse on their phones, and order from directly. Design tools focus on how your menu looks; digital platforms focus on what your menu does.

Do I need to print menus if I use a digital menu?

Not necessarily. Many restaurants now use QR code menus for dine-in and online menus for takeout and delivery, reducing or eliminating printing costs. A QR code displayed at each table lets customers view your full menu on their phone. You can still print menus if you prefer, but it’s no longer required.

Which MustHaveMenus Alternative Is Right For You?

Quick recap:

  • Best overall alternative: Menubly ($9.99/month — digital menu with commission-free ordering)
  • Best free design tool: Canva (15,000+ menu templates)
  • Best budget menu design: iMenuPro ($11.25/month, all features included)
  • Best for marketing automation: UpMenu ($49/month)
  • Best free ordering: GloriaFood (free, zero commission)

MustHaveMenus is a strong tool if professional print menu design is your top priority. But if you’re spending $24–49/month on templates and still don’t have a way for customers to order from your menu, it’s worth asking whether a digital-first platform would serve you better.

For most small to mid-size restaurants, a live digital menu with built-in ordering makes more financial sense than paying for design templates. Menubly gives you exactly that at $9.99/month — commission-free ordering, instant menu updates, QR code menus customers can order from, and a restaurant website builder, all included. No design skills needed, no printing costs, and your menu is live in minutes.

Try Menubly free for 30 days — no credit card required. Set up your digital menu today and start taking orders directly from your customers.