Choosing between Harbortouch and Shift4 for your business? Both are popular multi-industry solutions, but they serve different needs. Harbortouch starts at $29.99/month and is Free POS hardware with low monthly subscription fees., while Shift4 starts at Contact for pricing and is Payment processing and POS technology company. This comprehensive comparison will help you decide which POS system is the right fit for your operation.
Quick Comparison: Harbortouch vs Shift4
| Feature | Harbortouch | Shift4 |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Multi-Industry | Multi-Industry |
| Starting Price | $29.99/month | Contact for pricing |
| Rating | 4.0/5 | 4.1/5 |
| Target Business | Small Business | Small Business to Enterprise |
| Pricing Model | Subscription | Quote-based |
| Free Trial | No | No |
| Free Version | No | No |
| Best For | Small businesses wanting low startup costs | Businesses wanting integrated payment solutions |
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
Shift4 Overview
Shift4 is a payment processing and POS technology company serving hospitality, retail, and other industries. Owns POSitouch, Harbortouch, and other POS brands. Offers integrated payments and software.
Shift4 is offered by Shift4 (founded 1994) based in Allentown, PA. The system focuses on Hospitality, Retail, Entertainment.
Key Features:
- Payment Processing
- POS Systems
- Gift Cards
- Loyalty
- Analytics
- Enterprise Solutions
Feature Comparison
Harbortouch Features:
- Tableside ordering (iPad)
- Table tracking
- Reservations (free)
- Online ordering (free)
- KDS
Shift4 Features:
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Get Started- Payment Processing
- POS Systems
- Gift Cards
- Loyalty
- Analytics
When comparing features, Harbortouch stands out with Free hardware, while Shift4 differentiates itself with End-to-end payments. Your choice should depend on which features align better with your specific business requirements.
Pricing Comparison
| Pricing Aspect | Harbortouch | Shift4 |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | $29.99/month | Contact for pricing |
| Pricing Model | Subscription | Quote-based |
| Price Range | Budget | Mid-range to Premium |
| 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
Shift4
Pros:
- Integrated payments
- Multiple POS brands
- Enterprise scale
- Payment innovation
Cons:
- Complex product lineup
- Custom pricing
- May be overkill for small businesses
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 Shift4?
Shift4 is ideal for Businesses wanting integrated payment solutions. The system is particularly well-suited for Hospitality, Retail, Entertainment.
However, Shift4 may not be the best fit for Very small businesses wanting simple solutions.
Our Recommendation
Both Harbortouch and Shift4 are solid POS solutions, but they excel in different areas. Choose Harbortouch if you’re Small businesses wanting low startup costs. Choose Shift4 if you’re Businesses wanting integrated payment solutions. Shift4 has a higher user rating (4.1 vs 4.0). We recommend trying demos or free trials of both systems before making your final decision.
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