Toast vs SpotOn

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Our analysts compared Toast vs SpotOn based on data from our 400+ point analysis of POS Software, user reviews and our own crowdsourced data from our free software selection platform.

Product Basics

Toast is a cloud-based point-of-sale (POS) system designed to streamline operations for restaurants and businesses in the hospitality industry. It offers a comprehensive suite of features, including order processing, inventory management, employee scheduling, and customer relationship management (CRM) tools. Toast caters to businesses of all sizes, from independent cafes to multi-location restaurant chains. One of its key strengths lies in its ease of use and intuitive interface, making it suitable for both tech-savvy and non-technical users. Additionally, Toast boasts robust reporting capabilities, providing valuable insights into sales trends, customer behavior, and staff performance. Integration with third-party delivery services and online ordering platforms further enhances its functionality. While Toast offers a free basic plan with limited features, paid subscriptions are required to access its full potential. Pricing varies depending on the number of users, terminals, and desired functionalities. Compared to similar POS systems, Toast generally falls within the mid-range price bracket, offering a good balance between affordability and feature richness. However, user reviews highlight that its pricing structure can become complex for businesses with intricate needs.

Pros
  • Easy to use interface
  • Robust reporting tools
  • Third-party integrations
  • Scalable for all businesses
  • Free basic plan option
Cons
  • Mid-range pricing complexity
  • Limited customization options
  • Occasional technical issues
  • Long customer support wait times
  • Not ideal for complex inventory
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SpotOn offers a cloud-based point-of-sale (POS) system catering to diverse businesses, from single-location setups to multi-outlet chains. Its core strength lies in its flexibility, allowing customization for restaurants, retail stores, salons, and more. Users praise its intuitive interface, streamlining checkout processes and inventory management. SpotOn integrates seamlessly with payment processing, payroll, and marketing tools, providing a centralized platform for business operations. However, some users report occasional glitches and limitations in advanced reporting features. Pricing varies based on chosen modules and transaction volume, ranging from per-month subscriptions to tiered transaction fees. Overall, SpotOn shines for businesses seeking a user-friendly, adaptable POS solution, particularly those comfortable with cloud-based systems.

Pros
  • Cloud-based & accessible
  • Flexible for many industries
  • Easy-to-use interface
  • Payment & marketing tools
  • Inventory management
Cons
  • Occasional glitches reported
  • Limited advanced reporting
  • Pricing based on transactions
  • May not suit complex needs
  • Cloud dependence concerns
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$69/Terminal, Monthly, Freemium
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Tailored to your specific needs
$25/Station, Monthly
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Tailored to your specific needs
Small 
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Small 
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Medium 
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Large 
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Windows
Mac
Linux
Android
Chromebook
Windows
Mac
Linux
Android
Chromebook
Cloud
On-Premise
Mobile
Cloud
On-Premise
Mobile

Product Assistance

Documentation
In Person
Live Online
Videos
Webinars
Documentation
In Person
Live Online
Videos
Webinars
Email
Phone
Chat
FAQ
Forum
Knowledge Base
24/7 Live Support
Email
Phone
Chat
FAQ
Forum
Knowledge Base
24/7 Live Support

Product Insights

  • Smooth Onboarding: Simplify the training process with access to a knowledge base in Toast University that offers informative videos and interactive tutorials. 
  • Tech-Enabled: Allow dine-in guests to order and pay from their own devices. Save time and expedite processes by accepting payments for orders made using the in-store kiosk, on the app or in the restaurant with the Order & Pay tool. 
  • Ideal for the Enterprise: Improve capabilities and enhance the performance of the new business with Starter Kit. Place orders in less than 15 minutes and customize with preferred hardware and software solutions available at flat-rate pricing. 
  • Profitable: Integrate with third-party software providers, including Grubhub and OpenTable, to expand the customer base and boost sales. 
  • Accessible: Save efforts and complete time-sensitive tasks by storing information for multiple outlets, viewing data by location, updating menus, accessing employee activity, monitoring performance reports and more with remote and offline accessibility. 
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  • Increase Mobility: Access the system from multiple locations and devices to facilitate flexible business management. 
  • Improve Efficiency: Enhance business productivity with Terminal, a smart device made for managing operations like customer management, marketing, reporting and payments. 
  • Customize Layouts and Workflows: Fulfill industry-specific needs and enhance branding using multiple customizations and combining different hardware and software components. 
  • Streamline Processes: Manage tables, send pickup notifications, access guest data and streamline operations to create a seamless experience and boost revenue using Reserve. 
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  • Online Ordering: Allow guests to order food online for takeout and delivery, schedule orders in advance, access the online menu and make contactless payments. Receive new orders directly in the restaurant’s point of sale system, customize the online ordering page, access customer insights and request guest feedback to modify services. 
  • Gift Cards and Rewards: Boost customer influx and increase revenue by selling modern e-Gift Cards. Allow users to text or email cards for in-store and online purchases. Check card balance and schedule gift cards in advance to build relationships with customers. Sell customized physical gift cards and review detailed reports on gift card sales. 
  • Expedited Delivery: Create an on-demand delivery network with local drivers at a single per-order fee. Simplify the process with real-time order tracking and advance scheduling, online payment options and review restaurant services based on customer behavior with reporting and analytics. 
  • Email Marketing: Improve communication and drive customer retention with emails. Run targeted promotions, increase revenue, automate outreach and campaigns, create custom email lists, run A/B tests to refine communication, and send customized messages to deepen brand loyalty. 
  • Self-help Services: Accelerate the online ordering experience with self-help kiosks. Leverage quick restaurant service, reduce wait times and increase staff productivity. Offer a personalized dining experience with order add-ons, SMS notifications and real-time menu updates. 
  • Workspace Management: Facilitate efficient team regulation with a centralized labor management system. Log and track work hours, monitor timesheets, calculate tips, ensure paycheck accuracy with automated wage recording, register new staff electronically and more. Get insight into employee performance with detailed reports and analytics. 
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  • Centralized Workspace: Organize workflows and accelerate revenue growth with efficient customer service tools. Add employee profiles, view customer contact information, access sales reports, send invoices, manage inventory, monitor employee activity, process payments and more using Register. 
  • Online Customer Service: Create a centralized customer service platform on a single dashboard. Manage employee schedules, send automated reminders, offer loyalty rewards and process checkouts with a digital user interface. Benefit from two-way texting with clients, integrated payment options and digital marketing tools. 
  • Intuitive Reporting: Provide intelligible insights into key KPIs with real-time, intuitive reports. Get easy-to-understand, cloud-based reports based on business data on a consolidated dashboard, accessible on the desktop and mobile phone. 
  • Virtual Payments: Offer a secure and seamless transaction process with mobile-friendly, online payment options. Send invoices, set up billing plans, collect deposits, send digital receipts and more on a secure platform. 
  • Customer Marketing: Drive customer engagement using hands-on digital marketing tools. Create custom rewards, enroll customers during checkout, offer limited-time deals, create marketing campaigns, send promos on special occasions and improve advertising to boost customer retention. Track marketing performance with comprehensive reports on a consolidated dashboard. 
  • Interactive Reviews: Facilitate a robust communication system with dynamic interactive features. Monitor, manage and respond to online reviews through a personalized dashboard and receive real-time alerts for new reviews to understand customer sentiments and expectations. 
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Product Ranking

#5

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#20

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Analyst Rating Summary

79
68
67
67
100
76
100
60
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Customer and Loyalty Management
Employee Management
POS Hardware
Integration and Extensibility
Reporting and Insights
Payment Transactions and Cash Management
Items and Service Management

Analyst Ratings for Functional Requirements Customize This Data Customize This Data

Toast
SpotOn
+ Add Product + Add Product
Compliance And Security Customer And Loyalty Management Employee Management Inventory Management Items And Service Management Payment Transactions And Cash Management POS Hardware Reporting And Insights Sales And Marketing Management Store Management Types Of POS 67 100 100 68 85 76 93 88 52 54 85 67 76 60 63 98 100 74 50 62 46 65 0 25 50 75 100
67%
0%
33%
67%
0%
33%
100%
0%
0%
80%
0%
20%
100%
0%
0%
60%
0%
40%
67%
0%
33%
56%
0%
44%
86%
0%
14%
100%
0%
0%
78%
0%
22%
100%
0%
0%
90%
0%
10%
60%
0%
40%
88%
0%
12%
50%
0%
50%
50%
0%
50%
60%
0%
40%
44%
0%
56%
44%
0%
56%
75%
0%
25%
63%
0%
37%

Analyst Ratings for Technical Requirements Customize This Data Customize This Data

100%
0%
0%
40%
0%
60%

User Sentiment Summary

Great User Sentiment 451 reviews
Excellent User Sentiment 85 reviews
86%
of users recommend this product

Toast has a 'great' User Satisfaction Rating of 86% when considering 451 user reviews from 4 recognized software review sites.

94%
of users recommend this product

SpotOn has a 'excellent' User Satisfaction Rating of 94% when considering 85 user reviews from 1 recognized software review sites.

4.7 (27)
n/a
4.4 (144)
n/a
4.2 (270)
4.7 (85)
4.3 (10)
n/a

Awards

SelectHub research analysts have evaluated Toast and concluded it earns best-in-class honors for Customer and Loyalty Management and POS Hardware.

Customer and Loyalty Management Award
POS Hardware Award

SelectHub research analysts have evaluated SpotOn and concluded it earns best-in-class honors for Payment Transactions and Cash Management. SpotOn stands above the rest by achieving an ‘Excellent’ rating as a User Favorite.

User Favorite Award
Payment Transactions and Cash Management Award

Synopsis of User Ratings and Reviews

Intuitive interface: Users consistently praise Toast's easy-to-learn and navigate interface, with clear menus, large buttons, and simple workflows, making it accessible for staff of all technical levels.
Robust reporting: Toast's comprehensive reporting tools provide valuable insights into sales, inventory, labor costs, customer behavior, and more, empowering data-driven decision-making.
Mobile flexibility: Staff can take orders, process payments, and manage tables directly from tablets or smartphones, enhancing tableside service and flexibility during busy periods.
Reliable payment processing: Users commend Toast's integrated payment processing for its speed, reliability, and security, ensuring smooth transactions and minimizing downtime.
Scalability for growth: Toast's ability to accommodate multiple locations, expanding menus, and growing staff needs makes it a popular choice for businesses with expansion plans.
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User-Friendly: The system is easy to set up and navigate, 90% of users said about this element.
Customer Support: 100% of users who reviewed the support said it’s informative and company representatives are knowledgeable.
Integration: About 70% of users who mentioned this feature said the product offers effortless and smooth integrations.
Reporting: Approximately 90% of users who talked about this aspect said it's extensive and insightful.
Menu Management: Items are easily changeable and update instantly, said 95% of users about the menu.
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Pricing complexity: Users express frustration with Toast's tiered pricing structure, which can become confusing and expensive, especially for businesses with multiple locations or add-on features.
Limited customization: Some users find Toast's customization options for menus, reporting, and workflows to be somewhat restrictive, hindering their ability to tailor the system to unique business processes.
Technical glitches: Users occasionally report software glitches, hardware issues, or slow performance during peak hours, leading to temporary disruptions in operations.
Customer support wait times: While Toast offers 24/7 support, users sometimes experience long wait times for phone assistance or delayed responses to inquiries, causing frustration when urgent issues arise.
Inventory management limitations: Users with complex inventory needs, such as multiple suppliers or intricate recipe tracking, find Toast's inventory management capabilities to be somewhat basic and lacking in advanced features.
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Pricing Complexity: SpotOn's pricing structure can be confusing, with multiple plans, add-ons, and varying fees depending on industry and features. Users report difficulty getting clear quotes and unexpected charges.
Limited Offline Functionality: While cloud-based, SpotOn struggles during internet outages. Some features become completely unavailable, impacting critical operations like order processing and payment acceptance.
Customer Support Inconsistencies: User experiences with customer support are mixed. Some praise quick and helpful responses, while others encounter long wait times, technical issues, and inconsistent resolutions.
Integration Glitches: While offering many integrations, users report occasional bugs and connectivity problems with third-party tools, disrupting workflows and requiring time-consuming troubleshooting.
Interface Learning Curve: While generally user-friendly, some advanced features, particularly in industry-specific plans, have a steeper learning curve, requiring additional training for staff.
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Toast garners praise for its user-friendly interface, robust reporting, and mobile capabilities, making it a popular choice for restaurants of various sizes. Users appreciate its intuitive design, which simplifies training and streamlines daily operations compared to competitors like Square and Lightspeed POS. Toast's extensive reporting, often highlighted as superior to competitors, empowers data-driven decision-making by offering detailed insights into sales, labor, and customer behavior. Additionally, the ability to manage orders and payments tableside using mobile devices sets Toast apart, enhancing staff flexibility and customer service during peak hours. However, concerns arise regarding Toast's pricing structure, customization options, and technical glitches. The multi-tiered pricing, perceived as more complex than competitors, can become expensive for businesses with specific needs or multiple locations. While Toast offers various features, users sometimes find them less customizable than those in competitors like Revel Systems, restricting their ability to tailor the system to their unique workflows. Occasional technical issues and reported long wait times for customer support raise concerns about reliability compared to competitors known for their robust technical support, such as Micros. Ultimately, Toast's strengths in user-friendliness, reporting, and mobility resonate with many users, but its pricing complexity, limited customization, and potential technical issues demand careful consideration. Deciding factors often boil down to individual business needs, budget constraints, and desired level of customization. Weighing Toast's strengths against its potential drawbacks alongside competitor offerings becomes crucial for making an informed decision.

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SpotOn scores high marks for user-friendliness, adaptability, and customer insights, often outshining larger competitors like Clover with its intuitive interface and customizable features. For restaurants, its table management shines, while retailers appreciate the inventory control tools. However, the pricing structure can be confusing, with hidden fees and add-ons that inflate the initial quote. Offline functionality struggles during internet outages, which can be a dealbreaker for some businesses. While SpotOn boasts extensive integrations, some users encounter glitches and connectivity issues, disrupting workflows. Customer support also receives mixed reviews, with some praising prompt assistance and others facing long wait times and inconsistent resolutions. Compared to Square, SpotOn offers more features but lacks its sleek simplicity and ease of use for solopreneurs. Overall, SpotOn is a powerful POS that shines for its adaptability and industry-specific strengths. However, potential users should be prepared for pricing complexities, potential internet hiccups, and occasional integration troubles. If you value user-friendliness, intuitive features, and deep customer insights, SpotOn deserves a closer look, but if transparency and consistent performance are top priorities, other options might be a better fit.

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