When comparing Harbortouch vs SpotOn, you’re looking at two distinct approaches to multi-industry point-of-sale technology. Harbortouch, rated 4.0/5, offers Small businesses wanting low startup costs. Meanwhile, SpotOn, rated 4.3/5, provides Restaurants focused on controlling labor and food costs. Let’s dive into the details to help you make an informed decision.
Quick Comparison: Harbortouch vs SpotOn
| Feature | Harbortouch | SpotOn |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Multi-Industry | Restaurant |
| Starting Price | $29.99/month | $0/month (Quick Start) |
| Rating | 4.0/5 | 4.3/5 |
| Target Business | Small Business | All Sizes |
| Pricing Model | Subscription | Subscription |
| Free Trial | No | Yes |
| Free Version | No | Yes |
| Best For | Small businesses wanting low startup costs | Restaurants focused on controlling labor and food costs |
Harbortouch Overview
Harbortouch (now SkyTab) offers free POS hardware with low monthly fees. Features include tableside ordering, table tracking, free reservations, and online ordering. No upfront costs with lifetime hardware warranty.
Harbortouch is offered by Shift4 Payments (founded 1999) based in Allentown, Pennsylvania, USA. The system focuses on Restaurants, Bars, Retail, Salons.
Key Features:
- Tableside ordering (iPad)
- Table tracking
- Reservations (free)
- Online ordering (free)
- KDS
- Waitlist management
SpotOn Overview
SpotOn is a cloud-based restaurant POS known for labor and food cost control. Features include labor-vs-revenue dashboards, automatic tip pooling, inventory management, QR/mobile ordering, and in-POS reservations. Offers a $0/month Quick Start plan.
SpotOn is offered by SpotOn Transact LLC (founded 2017) based in San Francisco, California, USA. The system focuses on Restaurants, Bars, Quick Service, Full Service.
Key Features:
- Online ordering
- Tableside payments
- Mobile ordering
- Labor dashboards
- Tip pooling
- Inventory management
Feature Comparison
Harbortouch Features:
- Tableside ordering (iPad)
- Table tracking
- Reservations (free)
- Online ordering (free)
- KDS
SpotOn Features:
- Online ordering
- Tableside payments
- Mobile ordering
- Labor dashboards
- Tip pooling
When comparing features, Harbortouch stands out with Free hardware, while SpotOn differentiates itself with $0/month entry plan. Your choice should depend on which features align better with your specific business requirements.
Pricing Comparison
| Pricing Aspect | Harbortouch | SpotOn |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | $29.99/month | $0/month (Quick Start) |
| Pricing Model | Subscription | Subscription |
| Price Range | Budget | Mid-range |
| Free Trial | Not available | Available |
| Free Version | No | Yes |
Harbortouch is more budget-friendly, making it a better choice for cost-conscious businesses. Consider the total cost of ownership including hardware, processing fees, and add-on modules when making your decision.
Pros and Cons
Harbortouch
Pros:
- No upfront hardware costs
- Low monthly fees
- Lifetime hardware warranty
- Free online ordering
- 24/7/365 support
Cons:
- 1-year contract required
- Must use their payment processing
- Rebranded to SkyTab
SpotOn
Pros:
- $0/month starter plan
- Strong labor cost tools
- No long-term contracts
- User-friendly interface
- Dual pricing feature
Cons:
- Menu edits in back office only
- Limited integration marketplace
- Processing fees can add up
- Unexpected fee increases reported
Who Should Choose Harbortouch?
Harbortouch is ideal for Small businesses wanting low startup costs. The system is particularly well-suited for Restaurants, Bars, Retail, Salons.
However, Harbortouch may not be the best fit for Businesses wanting processor flexibility, those avoiding contracts.
Who Should Choose SpotOn?
SpotOn is ideal for Restaurants focused on controlling labor and food costs. The system is particularly well-suited for Restaurants, Bars, Quick Service, Full Service.
However, SpotOn may not be the best fit for Businesses needing extensive third-party integrations.
Our Recommendation
Both Harbortouch and SpotOn are solid POS solutions, but they excel in different areas. Choose Harbortouch if you’re Small businesses wanting low startup costs. Choose SpotOn if you’re Restaurants focused on controlling labor and food costs. SpotOn has a higher user rating (4.3 vs 4.0). Also, choose SpotOn if you want to start with a free version. We recommend trying demos or free trials of both systems before making your final decision.