SpotOn POS, restaurant-first.

SpotOn has two main pricing structures. The "Quick Start" plan bundles hardware into a higher processing rate ($0/month software, ~2.89% + 25¢ per transaction with minimums). The "POS Essentials" plan is approximately $55/month per station with a lower processing rate (~1.99% + 25¢). Hardware purchased outright ranges from $750 to $1,350+ depending on configuration. We quote real numbers based on your specific operation — send us your details and we'll send back honest pricing.

SpotOn is an integrated platform — the POS, software, and payments are designed to work together as a single system. Most SpotOn merchants use SpotOn Payments because that's how the hardware financing and pricing structure work. Switching processors later is possible but comes with conversion fees (typically $995) and software license adjustments. If you specifically need full processor flexibility, Clover or a more open POS like CRE is a better fit. We can walk you through the trade-offs honestly.

SpotOn's POS Essentials plan is advertised as month-to-month. However, there are some specifics that matter: cancellation within the first year requires paying the difference between any discounted hardware price and full list price. After one year, you own your equipment outright and can cancel with notice. We walk you through these terms before you sign so there are no surprises in month 14.

Both are restaurant-first POS systems with handhelds, online ordering, reservations, and loyalty included. SpotOn uses premium proprietary hardware (Station 15", Station 10", Handheld 6.5") designed with their Restaurant Advisory Council and tends to have a more polished platform with deeper marketing tools. SkyTab uses PAX-based handhelds and Shift4-built hardware, with a $29.99/month software cost and free hardware as their hook. SpotOn often suits operators who want premium hardware and don't mind paying for the platform; SkyTab suits operators optimizing for low monthly software cost.

Hardware ships in 1–2 weeks once your merchant account is approved. SpotOn's menu team builds your menu in parallel — typically 1–2 weeks depending on menu complexity. Once hardware and menu are ready, on-site install and staff training is usually a single day. Most restaurants are live within 3–4 weeks of contract signature.

Yes. SpotOn has automatic offline mode — order entry, kitchen routing, and card processing continue locally during outages and sync when connectivity returns. Critical for restaurants that can't afford to stop taking payments mid-rush.

SpotOn does have retail and field-service products, but the platform is strongest by far for restaurants and bars. If you're a retail operation, we'd recommend looking at Clover, Square, or CRE first. If you're a services business, Square or Clover are usually a better fit. SpotOn is excellent if you're in hospitality; less so if you're not.

SpotOn is purpose-built for restaurants — full-service, bars, QSR, and cafes. It's not the best fit for retail (look at Clover, Square, or CRE), c-stores (look at NRS), or service businesses (Square or Clover). If you want full processor flexibility from day one, Clover or another open POS is also a better choice. We'd rather steer you to the right system than sell you the wrong one.