When comparing Chowbus vs SpotOn, you’re looking at two distinct approaches to restaurant point-of-sale technology. Chowbus, rated 4.2/5, offers Asian restaurants needing specialized POS. Meanwhile, SpotOn, rated 4.3/5, provides Restaurants focused on controlling labor and food costs. Let’s dive into the details to help you make an informed decision.
Quick Comparison: Chowbus vs SpotOn
| Feature | Chowbus | SpotOn |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Restaurant | Restaurant |
| Starting Price | Contact for pricing | $0/month (Quick Start) |
| Rating | 4.2/5 | 4.3/5 |
| Target Business | Small Business to Mid-Market | All Sizes |
| Pricing Model | Subscription | Subscription |
| Free Trial | No | Yes |
| Free Version | No | Yes |
| Best For | Asian restaurants needing specialized POS | Restaurants focused on controlling labor and food costs |
Chowbus Overview
Chowbus POS is a restaurant management platform designed specifically for Asian restaurants. Features include multilingual support, online ordering integration, and specialized menu management for Asian cuisine.
Chowbus is offered by Chowbus Inc. (founded 2016) based in Chicago, IL. The system focuses on Asian Cuisine Restaurants.
Key Features:
- POS System
- Online Ordering
- Multilingual Support
- Menu Management
- Kitchen Display
- Payment Processing
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
Chowbus Features:
- POS System
- Online Ordering
- Multilingual Support
- Menu Management
- Kitchen Display
SpotOn Features:
- Online ordering
- Tableside payments
- Mobile ordering
- Labor dashboards
- Tip pooling
When comparing features, Chowbus stands out with Asian restaurant expertise, 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 | Chowbus | SpotOn |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | Contact for pricing | $0/month (Quick Start) |
| Pricing Model | Subscription | Subscription |
| Price Range | Mid-range | Mid-range |
| Free Trial | Not available | Available |
| Free Version | No | Yes |
SpotOn offers a free version, which is great for testing or small operations. Consider the total cost of ownership including hardware, processing fees, and add-on modules when making your decision.
Pros and Cons
Chowbus
Pros:
- Asian restaurant specialization
- Multilingual interface
- Online ordering integration
- Cultural understanding
Cons:
- Niche market focus
- Limited to certain cuisines
- Less mainstream support
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 Chowbus?
Chowbus is ideal for Asian restaurants needing specialized POS. The system is particularly well-suited for Asian Cuisine Restaurants.
However, Chowbus may not be the best fit for Western cuisine restaurants.
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 Chowbus and SpotOn are solid POS solutions, but they excel in different areas. Choose Chowbus if you’re Asian restaurants needing specialized POS. Choose SpotOn if you’re Restaurants focused on controlling labor and food costs. SpotOn has a higher user rating (4.3 vs 4.2). Also, choose SpotOn if you want to start with a free version. We recommend trying demos or free trials of both systems before making your final decision.