Toast vs. SpotOn: Which POS is right for you?
Toast and SpotOn both offer cloud-based POS systems, but their approaches to supporting businesses differ. Explore the key differences and see Toast in action with a live demo.
3 reasons restaurants should choose Toast vs. SpotOn
Geared for growth
You won’t have to rely on third-party platforms as your business grows.
Built for the rush
From comprehensive offline mode and restaurant-grade hardware to phone support, Toast is there when you need it most.
Transparent pricing
Toast's pricing is transparent. You’ll always know exactly what you're paying and the services you’ll receive.
![[US - SpotOn] Geared for Growth Image](http://images.ctfassets.net/tgv5pu8pgmos/13zml6LHSnKXNZ55VUBRak/c9c039575050e34cafe7da1d1d714684/geared_for_growth.png?fm=avif&w=640&fit=scale)
![[US - SpotOn] Built for the Rush Image](http://images.ctfassets.net/tgv5pu8pgmos/1qUnZvThbnyYqhRJxmmw8s/45c389c88959f926922559fb800d4887/Built_for_rush.png?fm=avif&w=640&fit=scale)
![[US - SpotOn] Transparent Pricing Image](http://images.ctfassets.net/tgv5pu8pgmos/5cT1uXYFMeLi82JLi3rOl4/d862297f26a89b2510dbd3760d1a39e1/Transparent_Pricing.png?fm=avif&w=640&fit=scale)
Geared for growth
A truly unified, native platform
Toast delivers a fully integrated restaurant platform with native first party tools like a payroll offering, kitchen display systems, and kiosks.
Tools beyond basic reporting
Toast IQ automatically translates rich reporting data from your POS and management tools to surface trends, identify popular menu items, and more. Toast also offers peer benchmarking, whereas SpotOn does not offer a peer trends tool.
Data-driven AI that drives actions and outcome
Toast IQ AI assistant helps you not only find the opportunities hidden in your data, but also take action without leaving the chat. Toast IQ AI assistant is also included with any POS plan. SpotOn doesn’t offer one comprehensive assistant, and its AI tools are separate tools that don’t work together and are only available with their Core Bundle add-on.
Restaurant-grade hardware
Toast hardware is built specifically for the rigors of the kitchen. From fast terminals to drop-tested handhelds, it’s built with the intensity of service in mind.
Toast Go® 3 handheld also has a battery life of 24+ hours, vs. SpotOn’s handhelds, which only claim to have a run time of 8 hours.
Support that runs on your schedule
Our phone support team is available seven days a week, from 7 a.m. - 12 a.m. ET, and we offer 24/7 live chat support. SpotOn only reserves 24/7 support for hardware, payment devices, and restaurant management— while other products have limited hours with no chat option for quick resolutions.
Toast delivers the same reliable support experience across all products and plans—so you always know when and how to get help. With SpotOn, support availability varies by product, with some tools limited to specific hours.
Transparency
Toast clearly shows starting prices upfront, with consistent pricing across channels — no surprises. SpotOn's pricing tells a different story: their flat rates are just the beginning, with card network fees layered on top that can inflate your actual costs.
Predictable costs
Your growth shouldn’t cost you more. With Toast, there are no hidden fees or additional fees based on card volume beyond card processing fees.
SpotOn charges some customers a separate 0.20% platform fee (capped at $200) on their core bundle, a 2.5% gift card load fee, and a $25/month connectivity charge. That 0.20% alone means every time your sales grow, so does your SpotOn bill.
With Toast, a better month is just a better month.
Which restaurant types fit best with Toast vs. SpotOn?
You'll currently find Toast in over 164,000* locations of all sizes and styles of service. Here’s a closer look at Toast’s strengths in quick service, full service, and multilocation models.
![[US - SpotOn] Quick service restaurants Image](http://images.ctfassets.net/tgv5pu8pgmos/1R0KIE9yjJk8pmZPtN4QYJ/611a9ecb1fafee011888a91ba93dbf19/QSR.png?fm=avif&w=640&fit=scale)
![[US - SpotOn] Full Service Restaurants Image](http://images.ctfassets.net/tgv5pu8pgmos/4K6az73DS2uKW60srJsuFt/4db76d82a5003b1f74fe7866839979fd/FSR.png?fm=avif&w=640&fit=scale)
![[US - SpotOn] Enterprise-grade functionality Image](http://images.ctfassets.net/tgv5pu8pgmos/7vPZiKXZotiqHkQl16MoOm/c2ff1526cc064a3b26cbc4bf218bd5f0/Enterprise.png?fm=avif&w=640&fit=scale)
Quick service restaurants
POS gear that keeps the line moving
Toast’s all-in-one platform offers Self-Ordering Kiosks that let guests order and pay independently, keeping service running smoothly—even during internet outages, thanks to built-in offline mode. Designed for high-volume environments, this durable hardware helps restaurants manage peak traffic efficiently while reducing labor strain. SpotOn relies on a third-party kiosk integration and does not have its own native kiosk offering.
Simple, commission-free online ordering
With Toast, you can embed online ordering directly into your website, and it lets you fine-tune prep times by menu item, and gives you a first-party delivery driver choice of Uber, DoorDash, or your own drivers. SpotOn redirects guests to a separate page, offers only your own or DoorDash first-party delivery drivers, and only allows one prep time setting per location.
Your brand, your app
Toast offers both: launch a fully branded app under your restaurant's name in the app store and reach new guests through Toast Local's shared marketplace. SpotOn only offers a shared marketplace.
Marketing that reaches guests where they are
Toast's Marketing Suite, available as an add-on, includes SMS, social media, email, and a Guest CRM with an attribution dashboard that shows which channels are driving results. SpotOn limits you to email, Facebook, and Google Business Profiles, with no SMS marketing capability.
Hospitality, not just a waitlist
Toast Tables, available as an add-on, supports restaurants beyond reservations with tools designed for real service operations, like Digital Chits with automatic tags and guest notes that relay requested diner preferences, special requests, and visit history.
SpotOn Reserve focuses on core front-of-house functionality like reservations, waitlists, and table management, with guest insights and preferences primarily managed through manually entered notes.
Toast Tables also offers a host app for iOS and Android, while SpotOn Reserve’s host app is limited to iOS.
Integrated and actionable guest data
Orders, visits, and reservations come together in a single guest profile. Toast’s Guest CRM provides AI-powered insights to help you spot patterns in guest behavior, so you know when and how to engage.
Details from Guest Profiles can sync across Toast Tables, Guest CRM, POS terminals, handhelds, and Toast Marketing — including opt-in Loyalty and Email Marketing (available as added features with POS).
One place for easy menu management
Whether you want to tailor menus to specific locations or keep them consistent, Toast lets you control it all from one dashboard. Add or remove dishes from multiple menus, update prices, and more, without repeating the same actions over and over.
Understand performance across locations
Toast allows you to view sales and product mix reports at the individual or group level, so you can quickly spot high and low performers and make the right adjustments.
Everything you need to maintain consistency
From prep station configurations to void and discount rules, Toast lets you centralize operational standards so you don’t have to reinvent the wheel with every new location.
Retail store? Toast has you covered.
Convenience
You make your store convenient for customers — Toast makes it convenient for you. From efficient mobile inventory to purchasing and receiving, operations is now less manual.
Learn More
Bottle Shop
Get real-time stock counts, offer smooth checkout options in-store and online, and even run a tasting room, all in one place.
Learn More
Grocery
Unify your store with a POS that can support retail, deli, and bakery items without switching systems.
Learn More
Butcher Shop
From tracking cuts, to selling prepared foods, to running your loyalty program, manage it all with Toast.
Learn moreWhy choose Toast over SpotOn?
Built for the demands of food and retail businesses
24/7/365 support that runs on your schedule
All-in-one, integrated platform, designed to power your entire operation
Marketing add-ons that reach guests where they are
See how Toast stacks up
Get a demo personalized to your needs so you can make the right call for your restaurant.
How does Toast pricing compare to SpotOn?
Both Toast and SpotOn offer plans across a range of budgets, with entry-level options starting at $0 per month in software costs and flexible hardware pricing. However, Toast is transparent about what you'll pay, because we don't add fees you don't expect. Compare Toast pricing plans below to find the best fit for your business.
Frequently asked questions
The upfront costs for Toast are hardware and implementation***, which vary depending on your specific hardware packages and installation needs. Toast has flexible payment options available, including payment as a percentage of your sales**** or a fixed monthly payment using a third-party financing partner. These solutions are not just for restaurants with great credit; they have no interest or fees, and the Easy Pay option has a 100% approval rate and no credit check*****.
Within the Starter Kit, Toast also offers the Pay-as-You-Go plan****** that reduces your upfront hardware and installation costs through an all-in-one platform rate.
Get a personalized look at Toast
Schedule a free demo with a Toast restaurant expert to explore how it fits your restaurant.
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