Restaurant POS Comparison
SpotOn Restaurant vs Toast POS
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 RestaurantToast POS
Best for full-service, multi-location restaurants and bars with integrated payroll and loyalty.
$0/mo (pay-as-you-go)
Visit Toast POSQuick comparison
| SpotOn Restaurant | Toast POS | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $0–$135/mo | $0/mo (pay-as-you-go) |
| Processing fee | custom | ~2.49% + 15¢ |
| Free plan | No | Yes |
| G2 rating | 4.4 | 4.2 |
| Best for | full-service, bar, multi-location | full-service, multi-location, bar |
| Handheld | ✓ | ✓ |
| Kds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Loyalty | ✓ | ✓ |
| Offline Mode | — | ✓ |
| Online Ordering | ✓ | ✓ |
| Payroll | — | ✓ |
Our verdict
Pick SpotOn if you need a lower starting price and handheld POS for tableside ordering, especially for full-service bars or multi-location groups. Pick Toast if you want integrated payroll and a pay-as-you-go option with no monthly minimum, ideal for full-service restaurants scaling up.
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.
Toast POS pros & cons
- Integrated payroll and loyalty features.
- Handheld and offline mode available.
- Free pay-as-you-go plan option.
- Kitchen display system included.
- Processing fees can add up.
- Contract terms may be required.
- Advanced features cost extra.
Frequently asked questions
What is the pricing difference between SpotOn and Toast?
SpotOn: $0–$135/mo plus custom processing. Toast: $0/mo pay-as-you-go with processing ~2.49%+15¢. SpotOn may have lower monthly fees.
Do SpotOn and Toast require long-term contracts?
SpotOn typically requires a 3-year contract. Toast offers month-to-month or 3-year options. Check terms.
What hardware do I need for each system?
Both offer terminals, handhelds, and KDS. SpotOn includes free terminal with some plans; Toast sells hardware separately.
Which is cheaper for a small restaurant?
For low volume, Toast's pay-as-you-go may be cheaper. For higher volume, SpotOn's flat monthly fee can reduce per-transaction costs.