In the battle of Shift4 versus SpotOn, both systems bring unique strengths to the table. Shift4 is particularly strong for Businesses wanting integrated payment solutions, while SpotOn excels at Restaurants focused on controlling labor and food costs. Whether you prioritize End-to-end payments or $0/month entry plan, this comparison covers everything you need to know.
Quick Comparison: Shift4 vs SpotOn
| Feature | Shift4 | SpotOn |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Multi-Industry | Restaurant |
| Starting Price | Contact for pricing | $0/month (Quick Start) |
| Rating | 4.1/5 | 4.3/5 |
| Target Business | Small Business to Enterprise | All Sizes |
| Pricing Model | Quote-based | Subscription |
| Free Trial | No | Yes |
| Free Version | No | Yes |
| Best For | Businesses wanting integrated payment solutions | Restaurants focused on controlling labor and food costs |
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
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
Shift4 Features:
- Payment Processing
- POS Systems
- Gift Cards
- Loyalty
- Analytics
SpotOn Features:
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Get Started- Online ordering
- Tableside payments
- Mobile ordering
- Labor dashboards
- Tip pooling
When comparing features, Shift4 stands out with End-to-end payments, 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 | Shift4 | SpotOn |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | Contact for pricing | $0/month (Quick Start) |
| Pricing Model | Quote-based | Subscription |
| Price Range | Mid-range to Premium | 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
Shift4
Pros:
- Integrated payments
- Multiple POS brands
- Enterprise scale
- Payment innovation
Cons:
- Complex product lineup
- Custom pricing
- May be overkill for small businesses
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 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.
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 Shift4 and SpotOn are solid POS solutions, but they excel in different areas. Choose Shift4 if you’re Businesses wanting integrated payment solutions. Choose SpotOn if you’re Restaurants focused on controlling labor and food costs. SpotOn has a higher user rating (4.3 vs 4.1). 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.
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