If you’re a restaurateur in the market for a brand-new point of sale (POS), you’ve probably compared TouchBistro vs SpotOn. While both are popular POS options, there are some important differences between the two. TouchBisto was originally built for restaurants, but SpotOn started as a marketing and loyalty platform that has since transformed into a POS provider and payment processor. As a result, the two companies have taken very different approaches to their solutions. In this review, we’ll break down those differences.
TouchBistro vs SpotOn Key Takeaways:
- TouchBistro: TouchBistro is best for single and mutli-location restaurants looking for a dedicated restaurant POS system built for speed, efficiency, and growth.
- SpotOn: SpotOn is best for hybrid restaurant concepts that also include a retail component, such as cafes that also sell groceries.
Quick Comparison of TouchBistro vs Toast:
| TouchBistro | SpotOn |
| Exclusively designed for restaurants | Designed for restaurants, retail, and professional services |
| Runs on iOS and Apple iPad tablets | Runs on an Android and proprietary Android hardware |
| Transparent pricing | Low upfront pricing, but hidden long-term costs |
| Starts at $0-69/month USD | Starts at $0-55/month USD |
| Best for single and multi-location restaurants | Best for restaurants with an integrated retail component |
With the help of this in-depth review, you’ll be able to see how TouchBistro vs SpotOn compare, so you can make the best decision for your restaurant. You can even compare TouchBistro to other top restaurant POS providers with our Ultimate Guide to the Best Restaurant POS Systems.
The information contained on this site is accurate as of the time of publication.
Compare the top restaurant POS systems on features, pricing, payments, and more.
Which POS is Better for Restaurants, TouchBistro or SpotOn?
TouchBistro and SpotOn may seem like very similar solutions. Both are modern POS systems that run on the cloud and allow restaurants to take orders tableside with wireless, handheld tablets.
However, this is where most of the similarities end. Below, we’ll provide an overview of TouchBistro vs SpotOn and highlight some of the key differences between the two systems.
| TouchBistro | SpotOn | |
| Regional Availability | Canada, U.S., and more | U.S. and Canada |
| POS System | Cloud-based | Cloud-based |
| Operating System | iOS | Android |
| Hardware | iPads | Android hardware |
Are TouchBistro and SpotOn Cloud-Based POS Systems
Both TouchBistro and SpotOn are modern POS systems that run on the cloud. A cloud-based POS system means that all the data is stored in the cloud on remote servers that can be accessed at any time, from any internet-connected device.
Both systems are also equipped with a built-in offline mode that kicks in the moment your internet goes down and allows you to continue accepting orders and taking payments offline. Essentially, this means you get all the mobility and flexibility of the cloud, with the offline resiliency (the ability to continue using most POS features without WiFi) of a legacy POS system.
Which Operating Systems Do SpotOn and TouchBistro Use?
SpotOn runs on an Android operating system, while TouchBistro runs on iOS. If you use SpotOn, this means you can only run the software on the company’s own proprietary Android devices. While the company’s software is known for its intuitive interface, it may come with a bit of a learning curve for employees who are used to Apple (which is what many restaurants use).
On the other hand, iOS – TouchBistro’s operating system is largely considered the gold standard for restaurant POS software because of its user-friendly design. Not to mention, there is a direct integration between Apple’s hardware (the iPad) and the software (iOS), which means seamless security updates and a lower risk of viruses.
Where are TouchBistro and SpotOn Available?
Both TouchBistro and SpotOn are available across the U.S. and Canada. However, SpotOn’s primary market is the U.S., with most of its customers located here. SpotOn’s Canadian offering is also more limited, with some hardware bundles and some features (like its financial services products), unavailable in Canada.
In contrast, TouchBistro has a large number of customers in both the U.S. and Canada, with its full suite of products and services available in both countries. TouchBistro also has a more global footprint than SpotOn, with customers in Mexico, the U.K., and many other countries worldwide.
TouchBistro vs SpotOn Feature Comparison for Restaurant Owners
TouchBistro and SpotOn offer a very similar set of core POS features, including menu management, floor plan management, tableside ordering, and more.
| Core POS Features | TouchBistro | SpotOn |
| Menu Management | ✔ | ✔ |
| Staff Management | ✔ | ✔ |
| Floor Plan Management | ✔ | ✔ |
| Tableside Ordering | ✔ | ✔ |
| Reporting | ✔ | ✔ |
| 1:1 Onboarding | ✔ | ✔ |
| Customer Support | 24/7/365 | 24/7/365 |
While it may look like SpotOn has all its bases covered, it’s worth noting that SpotOn was not originally created to be a restaurant POS. SpotOn was actually founded as a loyalty and marketing company called SpotOn Transact. Then in 2018, the company purchased a POS company (EmaginePOS) and pivoted to become a full-service small business management company.
This history is important because it demonstrates that SpotOn is actually relatively new to the restaurant POS space. In fact, SpotOn only recently became a restaurant-first solution and has continued selling to retailers, automotive shops, nail salons, hair salons, and other professional services. Because of its less dedicated focus on solutions for restaurateurs, some of SpotOn POS reviews have described core POS features, such as menu editing, as clunky or taking multiple steps to carry out basic tasks.
On the other hand, TouchBistro has always built solutions for restaurants and restaurants alone. Since the company was founded in 2010, TouchBistro has been developing industry-leading POS products and services exclusively for food and beverage businesses. All of TouchBistro’s core POS features have been built in-house and specifically designed to support the unique challenges of restaurant management, such as seamless table transfers, easy tab management, and the ability to split bills in just a few clicks. This dedicated focus on the needs of restaurants means that TouchBistro’s core features only continue to improve.
Compare the top restaurant POS systems on features, pricing, payments, and more.
Comparing SpotOn’s Android Hardware vs TouchBistro’s iPad POS Hardware
SpotOn uses Android hardware and TouchBistro uses Apple POS hardware (iPads), which is one of the main differences between the two systems.
| Hardware Options | TouchBistro | SpotOn |
| Handheld Terminal | iPad | SpotOn Handheld, |
| Baseline Countertop Terminal | iPad | SpotOn Station 10, SpotOn Station 15 |
| Kitchen Display System (KDS) Screen | iPad, Samsung Galaxy Tab S6, Lenovo Tab P11 Pro, Kitchen Armor, Geekland, and Microtouch | Elo I-Series 4: 15-inchElo I-Series 4: 22-inch |
SpotOn Hardware
As mentioned, SpotOn runs on the Android operating system and uses proprietary Android hardware. This proprietary hardware encompasses everything from payment terminals, to touchscreen monitors and handheld devices. The specific type of hardware each you receive will depend on which subscription plan you choose and the features you need.
The biggest drawback to vendor-locked hardware is that it can be incredibly expensive. For instance, the SpotOn Station 15 touchscreen (meant to serve as your primary POS terminal) is priced at $995. Meanwhile, the SpotOn Handheld (meant to serve as a mobile POS) is priced at $500. Since all of your hardware must be purchased through SpotOn, with no option to shop around, you have no choice but to shell out thousands for a full setup. And if any of those items break, you’ll also have to purchase replacements directly through SpotOn.
In some cases, SpotOn does offer free hardware upfront. However, you can only secure this deal by agreeing to higher payment processing rates – rates that will often end up costing you more in the long run.
Another drawback to investing in proprietary hardware is that you have to be prepared to commit to one specific POS provider for the long haul. Most of the top restaurant POS systems rely on Apple iPads and iOS software, so if you invest in SpotOn’s own Android devices, you won’t be able to use the hardware with another system if you switch POS providers down the line.
TouchBistro iPads
Unlike SpotOn, TouchBistro does not require you to invest in vendor-locked hardware to use its POS software. Instead, TouchBistro relies on Apple’s iPad tablets, alongside other industry-leading hardware. This setup means you have a lot more flexibility because you have the option to use any existing iPads you might have from a previous POS system, as long as they’re compatible models.
Not to mention, iPads are already widely used by consumers, unlike proprietary tablets. This means that staff who are already familiar with iPads will find it quick and easy to start using an iPad POS. And even if staff haven’t used an iPad before, Apple devices are incredibly user-friendly, which can make the initial learning process a whole lot smoother and ultimately speed up the training process.
And perhaps the biggest benefit of using Apple hardware is the cost. A standard, entry-level Apple iPad starts at $349 USD and because you can purchase the hardware through retailers, you can occasionally purchase iPads for even less. As a result, outfitting your restaurant with TouchBistro’s iPad-based setup is far more cost effective than doing the same with SpotOn’s Android devices.
Comparing SpotOn vs TouchBistro Payment Processing Fees
Of all the add-on solutions you can choose for your POS, restaurant payment processing is one of the most important ones. Though some restaurants still use unintegrated payment processing solutions, more venues now opt for integrated payment solutions through their POS provider.
| TouchBistro | SpotOn | |
| Payment Processing Fees | Custom-quoted | All-In Plan: Card present: 2.79% + $0.20 Keyed: 3.79% + $0.20 (2 year minimum term) POS Essentials Plan: Card present: 2.45% + $0.15 (except Amex: 3.19% + $0.15) Keyed: 3.45% + $0.15 Build Your Own Plan: Custom rates |
SpotOn’s Payment Processing Fees
SpotOn offers POS-integrated payments for all its plans, with rates starting at 2.45% plus 15 cents per transaction. However, if you choose SpotOn’s All-In plan with hardware included, you’ll be paying rates as high as 3.79%, plus 20 cents per transaction for keyed-in transactions. The flat $0.20 fee per transaction is on the high-end for the industry and can be especially pricey if you sell low-cost items. In other words, if you want to get “free” hardware, you have to commit to much higher payment processing rates for at least a two year term – rates that could have you spending a lot more than the cost of your hardware.
TouchBistro’s Payment Processing Fees
TouchBistro also offers integrated payment processing through a solution called TouchBistro Payments and all rates are custom-quoted. TouchBistro’s payment processing rates are custom-quoted because they vary depending on your venue type and volume of business. But regardless of what those rates are, once they’re locked in, TouchBistro’s payment processing terms are clear and transparent because they are backed by a trusted financial institution. This means you can enjoy the peace of mind of knowing your funds are safe and secure, and that you won’t have to worry about surprise fees catching you off guard.
Compare the top restaurant POS systems on features, pricing, payments, and more.
Comparing TouchBistro vs SpotOn’s Add-On Solutions
TouchBistro and SpotOn offer a very similar set of add-on solutions, with the one difference being SpotOn’s lack of an advanced inventory solution.
| Add-On Solutions | TouchBistro | SpotOn |
| Integrated Payments | ✔ | ✔ |
| Inventory | ✔ | ✘ |
| Labor Management & Staff Scheduling | ✔ | ✔ |
| Online Ordering | ✔ | ✔ |
| Delivery | ✔ | ✔ |
| Reservations | ✔ | ✔ |
| Gift Cards | ✔ | ✔ |
| Loyalty and Customer Relationship Management | ✔ | ✔ |
| Marketing | ✔ | ✔ |
| Back Office Management | ✔ | ✔ |
| Self-Serve Kiosks | ✘ | ✔ |
| Kitchen Display System | ✔ | ✔ |
| Customer Facing Display | ✔ | ✔ |
| Digital Menu Board | ✘ | ✘ |
SpotOn offers an extensive list of add-ons, with options ranging from labor management to online ordering and kiosks. SpotOn also has some more unique financial management add-ons, such as a profitability analysis software called SpotOn Profit Assist. According to a press release from the company, this tool is essentially an AI assistant that proactively scans your P&L and surfaces recommendations to improve profitability. Another unique add-on is a website-building tool that helps restaurants set up a custom website, complete with their own branding and domain name.
Of course, keep in mind that all these kinds of additional services come at an added cost, which will raise the total monthly cost of using SpotOn. It’s also worth noting that not all of these add-ons are available in all markets (for example, Rapid Fund, DayCheck, and SpotOn Capital are all U.S.-only add-ons) and not all were specifically designed with restaurants in mind. For instance, SpotOn also markets the same website builder solution to retail businesses like nail salons and barbershops – businesses that have different website needs than restaurants.
In contrast, TouchBistro’s add-ons are exclusively designed for the restaurant industry. This means that all of TouchBistro’s research and development is dedicated to creating products that will better meet the needs of today’s restaurateurs, including one very important add on: inventory management software.
Unlike SpotOn, which does not offer an advanced inventory management solution, TouchBistro provides operators with a robust, enterprise-level inventory and recipe management platform built specifically for restaurants. Equipped with everything operators need to accurately track food usage and waste, forecast supplier orders, monitor recipe profitability, and more, TouchBistro Inventory Management makes it faster, easier, and more cost-effective to manage restaurant inventory – something that’s essential to the success of virtually all restaurants, regardless of size or concept type.
Comparing TouchBistro and SpotOn Integrations
In the instances where POS providers don’t have in-house add-ons to offer, they often integrate with third-party solutions that can help to extend the functionality of the core POS.
| Integration Partners | TouchBistro | SpotOn |
| Online Ordering and Delivery | ✔ | ✔ |
| Reservations | ✘ (native solution, TouchBistro Reservations) | ✔ |
| Customer Relationship Management and Loyalty | ✘ (native solution, TouchBistro Loyalty) | ✘ (native solution, SpotOn Loyalty) |
| Staff Management, HR, and Payroll | ✔ | ✔ |
| Inventory Management | ✔ | ✔ |
| Accounting | ✔ | ✔ |
| Reporting and Analytics | ✔ | ✔ |
| Ecommerce | ✘ | ✘ |
A comparison of TouchBistro vs SpotOn reveals that both POS providers offer third-party integrations for the following kinds of solutions:
- Online Ordering and Delivery Marketplaces: Online ordering aggregators like that sync multiple different third-party ordering apps with your POS system.
- Staff Management, HR, and Payroll: Employee scheduling tools, HR solutions, and payroll providers
- Inventory Management: Dedicated restaurant inventory management tools, as well as solutions for draft beverage programs.
- Accounting: Cloud accounting tools and middleware software.
- Reporting and Analytics: Advanced reporting and business insights for restaurants.
Unlike some of the other POS providers on the market, both TouchBistro and SpotOn feature a more tightly curated list of industry-leading third-party integrations. That’s because both companies already offer native, first-party solutions for many different solutions, such as reservations, online ordering, and loyalty.
Compare TouchBistro and SpotOn Pricing and Hidden Fees
SpotOn’s POS software pricing starts at $0 per station, per month for its All-In plan, while TouchBistro’s software starts at $69 USD per month. However, there are a lot of nuances to each system’s pricing.
TouchBistro vs SpotOn: Software Costs
| Pricing | TouchBistro | SpotOn |
| Software Pricing | Point of Sale: starting at $69 USD / month Essentials: starting at $119 USD / month (includes $0 upfront hardware) Custom Setup: custom pricing | All-In: $0 / station, per month POS Essentials: $55 / station, per month Build Your Own: custom pricing |
SpotOn lists its starting price as $0 per station, per month for its All-In plan. However, this pricing is a bit misleading because it’s not a $0 flat monthly fee. The plan requires customers to lock into a two year contract and use SpotOn’s integrated payment processing, which typically carries higher payment processing rates that offset the “free” hardware and software upfront. These fees often add up to more than the cost of purchasing the hardware upfront, and you may be hit with additional software costs after the promotional period ends. In other words, while SpotOn looks highly affordable on paper, the long-term costs can be much higher than expected.
TouchBistro’s POS software starts at $69 USD per month for its Point of Sale package. TouchBistro’s pricing is clear and transparent about what you’re paying for, without trying to hide upfront costs in the payment processing fees. And you get a lot for what you’re paying for with TouchBistro. All of TouchBistro’s packages include the core POS features, unlimited users, advanced reporting, free updates, and 24/7/365 support.
However, on the pricing front, it’s also worth noting that software is not the only cost to consider. There’s also the additional upfront cost that comes with hardware and installation. Since TouchBistro uses Apple iPads – non-proprietary hardware that can be used with an iOS system – you may be able to save on some hardware costs. However, SpotOn requires you to purchase its own Android hardware, so that’s an added cost to consider.
TouchBistro vs SpotOn: Hardware Costs
Comparing TouchBistro vs SpotOn’s hardware costs, TouchBistro’s hardware pricing starts at about $349 for an iPad, while SpotOn’s pricing starts at about $500 for a handheld device.
| Hardware Costs | TouchBistro | SpotOn |
| Primary Terminal | $349+ (iPad + Stand) | $995 (SpotOn Station 15)$550 (SpotOn Station 10) |
| Handheld Device | $349+ (iPad Mini) | $500 (SpotOn Handheld) |
| KDS Screen | $349+ | Pricing unavailable |
Unless you purchase SpotOn’s All-In plan, you also need to factor in the cost of the company’s own Android hardware, which starts at $500 for a handheld device and $550 for a terminal. While SpotOn’s hardware is sleek and durable enough for restaurants, the challenge is that it’s all proprietary, which means it’s more expensive and harder to replace when it breaks because you can only purchase it directly through SpotOn.
TouchBistro’s differs in that its software runs entirely on commercial hardware: Apple iPads. There are many benefits of using a POS system that runs on iPads. The first is that iPads tend to be cheaper than proprietary POS hardware because it’s designed for an accessible consumer price point. The hardware is also much easier to source because you can purchase iPads from major retailers or through TouchBistro.
With both TouchBistro and SpotOn, you will also likely have to purchase some additional hardware beyond the main POS terminals, including cash drawers, printers, payment terminals, and more.
Compare the top restaurant POS systems on features, pricing, payments, and more.
Comparing TouchBistro vs SpotOn’s Customer Support Quality
Both SpotOn and TouchBistro offer free, 24/7 support with all plans.
SpotOn prides itself on offering 24/7 U.S.-based support via phone or email. SpotOn also offers in-person hardware installation, face-to-face staff training, and ongoing virtual training for both staff and management. For the most part, SpotOn POS reviews on sites like Capterra highlight mostly positive customer support and onboarding experiences.
TouchBistro also offers free 24/7 customer service and technical support 365 days of the year. TouchBistro’s support team is also largely staffed by former and current restaurant staff and managers, so you can be confident that the person on the other end of the line will understand the issue you’re facing. TouchBistro also has an online resource library, complete with step-by-step guides and videos that can be used to help you and your staff troubleshoot most problems on your own without having to call in.
FAQs
Which restaurant POS offers strong inventory and recipe management, TouchBistro or SpotOn?
TouchBistro is the better choice for inventory and recipe management because you can use a native solution instead of a third-party integration. TouchBistro Inventory Management is a robust inventory management platform that integrates directly with the TouchBistro POS and comes equipped with enterprise-level features, such as automated inventory tracking, recipe cost optimization, automated order suggestions, food prep forecasting, allergen mapping, multi-location inventory management, and more. In contrast, SpotOn only offers very basic inventory tracking through the POS. In order to access more advanced functions, you need to use a third-party inventory integration, such as Craftable.
Which POS has better menu management, TouchBistro or SpotOn?
Both SpotOn and TouchBistro are equipped with similar menu management features, but TouchBistro is the more powerful, intuitive, and user-friendly option. TouchBistro is well-known for its highly visual interface, which makes it incredibly easy for servers to input orders, add cooking instructions, note allergies, and pursue upsell opportunities. TouchBistro also has more advanced menu management features such as menu scheduling (for different times or day or season), multi-unit management (including bulk and individual editing features), and real-time stock tracking (including low-stock alerts).
Which restaurant POS doesn’t require proprietary hardware purchases?
TouchBistro is one of the few restaurant POS providers that does not require the purchase of proprietary hardware. TouchBistro’s POS software runs on standard, commercially available iPads, which can be purchased through TouchBistro or from another retailer. This gives you the flexibility to source your devices on your own, or repurpose them from an existing system, as long as they are a compatible generation.
In contrast, providers such as SpotOn and Toast require the purchase of proprietary hardware that can only be sourced through them. Even some other iPad-based POS systems, like Square, may require the purchase of some proprietary hardware (i.e. Square Register), depending on your specific restaurant setup.
Is SpotOn POS worth it for small restaurants?
SpotOn may not be worth it for small restaurants with very low average ticket sizes. SpotOn’s payment processing rates for its All-In plan are 2.79% + $0.20 for card present and 3.79% + $0.20 for keyed-in transactions. If your average customer ticket is $6.00 for a latte, that flat $0.20 fee eats a massive percentage of your profit margin. However, if you operate a small restaurant with high average ticket sizes, SpotOn may be worth the cost.
What do restaurant owners say in SpotOn POS reviews?
SpotOn POS reviews are mixed. Positive reviews praise SpotOn for providing great live support from knowledgeable local technicians and account managers, especially during onboarding. While negative SpotOn reviews complain about being nickel-and-dimed with hidden fees or higher payment processing rates,
What is the best POS system for growing restaurants, TouchBistro or SpotOn?
TouchBistros is the better POS option for busy restaurants because it is designed to scale with restaurants as they grow. TouchBistro’s basic POS plan offers all the features small restaurants need to manage daily operations – from bill splitting to cloud reporting. As a restaurant grows, TouchBistro has native add-on solutions available for essential business functions, such as inventory management, labor management, and back office management. And as you add new locations, TouchBistro’s multi-unit management capabilities allow you to streamline operations, organize and edit multiple menus, and access consolidated performance data, all from a single system.
TouchBistro vs SpotOn POS: The Bottom Line
Based on the above review of TouchBistro vs SpotOn, it’s clear that TouchBistro is the better overall option for single and mutli-location quick service and full service restaurants, while SpotOn is best for restaurants with an integrated retail component.
Because many of its features were designed to complement other industries outside of the hospitality space, such as auto repair shops, salons, barbershops, and other retail businesses, SpotOn is best suited to restaurants with a retail component to their business – such as breweries with bottle shops or cafes that also sell groceries – than it is to full service restaurant concepts. SpotOn’s proprietary hardware also offers some level of flexibility that may be better suited to hybrid restaurant concepts with integrated retail.
TouchBistro is the better all-around POS and restaurant management solution for all venue types because all of its POS features and add-ons have been built specifically for restaurants.. TouchBistro also offers affordable, non-proprietary hardware, clear pricing, and an advanced inventory management solution that integrates directly with the POS.
Compare the top restaurant POS systems on features, pricing, payments, and more.
At the end of the day, choosing a new restaurant POS system is a big decision and it’s clear that there are a lot of different factors to consider. With this head-to-head comparison of TouchBistro vs SpotOn, now you have crucial information that can help you make an informed decision about the POS system and integrated payment processing solution that’s right for your restaurant. You can also compare TouchBistro to other leader POS systems with our free Ultimate Guide to the Best Restaurant POS Systems.
Katherine is the Content Marketing Manager at TouchBistro, where she writes about trending topics in food and restaurants. The opposite of a picky eater, she’ll try (almost) anything at least once. Whether it’s chowing down on camel burgers in Morocco or snacking on octopus dumplings in Japan, she’s always up for new food experiences.
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The right POS should help you increase sales
The right POS should help you increase sales.
