Restaurant POS Comparison
SpotOn Restaurant vs Square for Restaurants
A side-by-side look at pricing, fees, and features to help you pick the right system for your restaurant.
SpotOn Restaurant
Best for full-service, bar, and multi-location restaurants needing integrated KDS, loyalty, and handheld POS.
$0–$135/mo
Visit SpotOn RestaurantSquare for Restaurants
Best for quick-service, cafes, and food trucks with a free plan and low-cost entry.
$0/mo (free plan)
Visit Square for RestaurantsQuick comparison
| SpotOn Restaurant | Square for Restaurants | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $0–$135/mo | $0/mo (free plan) |
| Processing fee | custom | 2.6% + 10¢ |
| Free plan | No | Yes |
| G2 rating | 4.4 | 4.5 |
| Best for | full-service, bar, multi-location | quick-service, cafe, food-truck |
| Handheld | ✓ | ✓ |
| Kds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Loyalty | ✓ | ✓ |
| Offline Mode | — | ✓ |
| Online Ordering | ✓ | ✓ |
| Payroll | — | — |
Our verdict
Pick SpotOn for full-service, bar, or multi-location restaurants needing integrated KDS, loyalty, and handheld POS. Its custom processing can lower costs at higher volumes. Pick Square for quick-service, cafes, or food trucks wanting a free plan and low upfront cost. Square's flat-rate processing is simpler for small operations.
SpotOn Restaurant pros & cons
- Integrated KDS, loyalty, and online ordering.
- Handheld POS for tableside ordering and payment.
- Multi-location management and reporting.
- Custom processing rates possible.
- No free plan available.
- Pricing may be higher for small single locations.
- Contract terms may be required.
Square for Restaurants pros & cons
- Free plan available with no monthly fees.
- Includes KDS, loyalty, and online ordering.
- Handheld and offline mode support.
- Competitive processing rate of 2.6% + 10¢.
- Advanced features require paid plans.
- Limited customization for complex menus.
- Customer support can be slow at times.
Frequently asked questions
What is the pricing difference between SpotOn and Square?
SpotOn starts at $0–$135/mo with custom processing rates. Square offers a free plan with 2.6% + 10¢ per transaction.
Do SpotOn or Square require long-term contracts?
SpotOn may require a contract; Square is month-to-month with no long-term commitment.
What hardware options do SpotOn and Square offer?
SpotOn provides full terminals, handhelds, and KDS. Square offers terminals, card readers, and self-serve kiosks.
Which is cheaper for a small restaurant?
Square is cheaper for low-volume restaurants due to its free plan and no monthly fees. SpotOn may be cheaper at higher volumes with custom rates.
More: SpotOn Restaurant review · Square for Restaurants review