Choosing between Simphony and Shift4 for your business? Both are popular restaurant solutions, but they serve different needs. Simphony starts at $1/month per workstation and is Oracle cloud POS for global hospitality, while Shift4 starts at Contact for pricing and is Payment processing and POS technology company. This comprehensive comparison will help you decide which POS system is the right fit for your operation.
Quick Comparison: Simphony vs Shift4
| Feature | Simphony | Shift4 |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Restaurant | Multi-Industry |
| Starting Price | $1/month per workstation | Contact for pricing |
| Rating | 4.2/5 | 4.1/5 |
| Target Business | Small Business to Enterprise | Small Business to Enterprise |
| Pricing Model | Subscription | Quote-based |
| Free Trial | No | No |
| Free Version | No | No |
| Best For | Global brands and multi-location operators | Businesses wanting integrated payment solutions |
Simphony Overview
Oracle Simphony is a cloud-based POS platform serving restaurants, hotels, and stadiums in 180 countries. Features 200+ integrations, offline mode, and scalable architecture from single locations to global chains.
Simphony is offered by Oracle (founded 2010) based in Austin, TX. The system focuses on Full Service, Quick Service, Hotels, Stadiums.
Key Features:
- Cloud POS
- Offline Mode
- 200+ Integrations
- Multi-language
- Online Ordering
- Kitchen Display
Shift4 Overview
Shift4 is a payment processing and POS technology company serving hospitality, retail, and other industries. Owns POSitouch, Harbortouch, and other POS brands. Offers integrated payments and software.
Shift4 is offered by Shift4 (founded 1994) based in Allentown, PA. The system focuses on Hospitality, Retail, Entertainment.
Key Features:
- Payment Processing
- POS Systems
- Gift Cards
- Loyalty
- Analytics
- Enterprise Solutions
Feature Comparison
Simphony Features:
- Cloud POS
- Offline Mode
- 200+ Integrations
- Multi-language
- Online Ordering
Shift4 Features:
- Payment Processing
- POS Systems
- Gift Cards
- Loyalty
- Analytics
When comparing features, Simphony stands out with $1/month entry pricing, while Shift4 differentiates itself with End-to-end payments. Your choice should depend on which features align better with your specific business requirements.
Pricing Comparison
| Pricing Aspect | Simphony | Shift4 |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | $1/month per workstation | Contact for pricing |
| Pricing Model | Subscription | Quote-based |
| Price Range | Budget to Premium | Mid-range to Premium |
| Free Trial | Not available | Not available |
| Free Version | No | No |
Both systems offer competitive pricing for their respective feature sets. Consider the total cost of ownership including hardware, processing fees, and add-on modules when making your decision.
Pros and Cons
Simphony
Pros:
- Affordable $1/month entry
- 180 country presence
- 200+ integrations
- Enterprise scalability
Cons:
- Complex for small operations
- Advanced features cost more
- Implementation required
Shift4
Pros:
- Integrated payments
- Multiple POS brands
- Enterprise scale
- Payment innovation
Cons:
- Complex product lineup
- Custom pricing
- May be overkill for small businesses
Who Should Choose Simphony?
Simphony is ideal for Global brands and multi-location operators. The system is particularly well-suited for Full Service, Quick Service, Hotels, Stadiums.
However, Simphony may not be the best fit for Very small restaurants wanting simplicity.
Who Should Choose Shift4?
Shift4 is ideal for Businesses wanting integrated payment solutions. The system is particularly well-suited for Hospitality, Retail, Entertainment.
However, Shift4 may not be the best fit for Very small businesses wanting simple solutions.
Our Recommendation
Both Simphony and Shift4 are solid POS solutions, but they excel in different areas. Choose Simphony if you’re Global brands and multi-location operators. Choose Shift4 if you’re Businesses wanting integrated payment solutions. Simphony has a higher user rating (4.2 vs 4.1). We recommend trying demos or free trials of both systems before making your final decision.