Choosing between Square and SpotOn for your business? Both are popular multi-industry solutions, but they serve different needs. Square starts at Free (2.6% + 10¢ per transaction) and is All-in-one payment and business management platform, while SpotOn starts at $0/month (Quick Start) and is Restaurant POS excelling at labor and food cost control.. This comprehensive comparison will help you decide which POS system is the right fit for your operation.
Quick Comparison: Square vs SpotOn
| Feature | Square | SpotOn |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Multi-Industry | Restaurant |
| Starting Price | Free (2.6% + 10¢ per transaction) | $0/month (Quick Start) |
| Rating | 4.7/5 | 4.3/5 |
| Target Business | Small Business | All Sizes |
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Subscription |
| Free Trial | No | Yes |
| Free Version | Yes | Yes |
| Best For | Small retail shops, food trucks, service businesses, and startups | Restaurants focused on controlling labor and food costs |
Square Overview
Square is a comprehensive payment and point-of-sale platform that helps businesses of all sizes accept payments, manage inventory, and grow their business. Known for its iconic card reader and user-friendly interface.
Square is offered by Block, Inc. (formerly Square, Inc.) (founded 2009) based in San Francisco, CA. The system focuses on Retail, Restaurants, Services, Appointments.
Key Features:
- Free POS app
- Inventory management
- Employee management
- Customer directory
- Analytics dashboard
- Online ordering
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
Square Features:
- Free POS app
- Inventory management
- Employee management
- Customer directory
- Analytics dashboard
SpotOn Features:
- Online ordering
- Tableside payments
- Mobile ordering
- Labor dashboards
- Tip pooling
When comparing features, Square stands out with No monthly fees, 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 | Square | SpotOn |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | Free (2.6% + 10¢ per transaction) | $0/month (Quick Start) |
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Subscription |
| Price Range | Budget | Mid-range |
| Free Trial | Not available | Available |
| Free Version | Yes | Yes |
Square 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
Square
Pros:
- No monthly fees for basic plan
- Easy setup and use
- Excellent mobile app
- Strong ecosystem of add-ons
- Transparent pricing
Cons:
- Transaction fees can add up
- Limited customization
- Account stability concerns for high-risk businesses
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 Square?
Square is ideal for Small retail shops, food trucks, service businesses, and startups. The system is particularly well-suited for Retail, Restaurants, Services, Appointments.
However, Square may not be the best fit for Large enterprises needing deep customization.
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 Square and SpotOn are solid POS solutions, but they excel in different areas. Choose Square if you’re Small retail shops, food trucks, service businesses, and startups. Choose SpotOn if you’re Restaurants focused on controlling labor and food costs. Square has a higher user rating (4.7 vs 4.3). We recommend trying demos or free trials of both systems before making your final decision.