In the battle of Harbortouch versus Ritual, both systems bring unique strengths to the table. Harbortouch is particularly strong for Small businesses wanting low startup costs, while Ritual excels at Urban restaurants serving office workers. Whether you prioritize Free hardware or Social ordering, this comparison covers everything you need to know.
Quick Comparison: Harbortouch vs Ritual
| Feature | Harbortouch | Ritual |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Multi-Industry | Software |
| Starting Price | $29.99/month | Commission per order |
| Rating | 4.0/5 | 4.0/5 |
| Target Business | Small Business | Small Business to Mid-Market |
| Pricing Model | Subscription | Commission-based |
| Free Trial | No | No |
| Free Version | No | No |
| Best For | Small businesses wanting low startup costs | Urban restaurants serving office workers |
Harbortouch Overview
Harbortouch (now SkyTab) offers free POS hardware with low monthly fees. Features include tableside ordering, table tracking, free reservations, and online ordering. No upfront costs with lifetime hardware warranty.
Harbortouch is offered by Shift4 Payments (founded 1999) based in Allentown, Pennsylvania, USA. The system focuses on Restaurants, Bars, Retail, Salons.
Key Features:
- Tableside ordering (iPad)
- Table tracking
- Reservations (free)
- Online ordering (free)
- KDS
- Waitlist management
Ritual Overview
Ritual is a mobile ordering platform for restaurants and cafes. Allows customers to order ahead and skip the line. Features social ordering and office-focused features.
Ritual is offered by Ritual (founded 2014) based in Toronto, Canada. The system focuses on Restaurants, Cafes, Quick Service.
Key Features:
- Mobile Ordering
- Skip-the-line
- Social Ordering
- Marketing
- Analytics
- POS Integration
Feature Comparison
Harbortouch Features:
- Tableside ordering (iPad)
- Table tracking
- Reservations (free)
- Online ordering (free)
- KDS
Ritual Features:
- Mobile Ordering
- Skip-the-line
- Social Ordering
- Marketing
- Analytics
When comparing features, Harbortouch stands out with Free hardware, while Ritual differentiates itself with Social ordering. Your choice should depend on which features align better with your specific business requirements.
Pricing Comparison
| Pricing Aspect | Harbortouch | Ritual |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | $29.99/month | Commission per order |
| Pricing Model | Subscription | Commission-based |
| Price Range | Budget | Mid-range |
| Free Trial | Not available | Not available |
| Free Version | No | No |
Harbortouch is more budget-friendly, making it a better choice for cost-conscious businesses. Consider the total cost of ownership including hardware, processing fees, and add-on modules when making your decision.
Pros and Cons
Harbortouch
Pros:
- No upfront hardware costs
- Low monthly fees
- Lifetime hardware warranty
- Free online ordering
- 24/7/365 support
Cons:
- 1-year contract required
- Must use their payment processing
- Rebranded to SkyTab
Ritual
Pros:
- Order-ahead convenience
- Social features
- Office market focus
- Customer acquisition
Cons:
- Commission fees
- App required
- Urban market focus
Who Should Choose Harbortouch?
Harbortouch is ideal for Small businesses wanting low startup costs. The system is particularly well-suited for Restaurants, Bars, Retail, Salons.
However, Harbortouch may not be the best fit for Businesses wanting processor flexibility, those avoiding contracts.
Who Should Choose Ritual?
Ritual is ideal for Urban restaurants serving office workers. The system is particularly well-suited for Restaurants, Cafes, Quick Service.
However, Ritual may not be the best fit for Full-service restaurants or rural locations.
Our Recommendation
Both Harbortouch and Ritual are solid POS solutions, but they excel in different areas. Choose Harbortouch if you’re Small businesses wanting low startup costs. Choose Ritual if you’re Urban restaurants serving office workers. We recommend trying demos or free trials of both systems before making your final decision.