If you're considering getting a new restaurant point-of-sale system, you've likely heard of SpotOn alongside Square, Toast, Clover, and others. A favorite among restaurant operators, managers, and staff alike, SpotOn is one of the leading software and payments companies in the field. While both Square and SpotOn offer comprehensive cloud-based point-of-sale solutions for restaurants, SpotOn Restaurant POS scores higher in real user reviews* across several categories thanks to its tremendous value, ease-of-use, and personalized support.
Let’s take a look at SpotOn vs Square to see how they stack up so you make an informed choice for your restaurant.
About SpotOn Restaurant POS
SpotOn is a software and payments company that’s quickly garnered a reputation for providing the technology and support that helps local businesses—and the people who run them—to succeed on their own terms. Known for its flexible, cloud-based technology and personalized support, SpotOn offers an end-to-end platform to accept payments, boost revenue, streamline operations, and create exceptional guest experiences. SpotOn’s integrated product set for restaurants includes point-of-sale, online ordering, labor management, QR order & pay, waitlist & reservations, marketing & loyalty, and comprehensive reporting.
G2 recently named SpotOn as the #1 Restaurant POS System in Winter 2025, outranking other competing point-of-sale companies. G2 reviewers specifically mention how they enjoy SpotOn's support that connects to real people, a seamless user experience for FOH and BOH systems, and more.
SpotOn provides intuitive technology that "works the way you work,” and backs it up with a 24/7 support team that make sure it always does—with fairness, flexibility, and a personal touch. Many of SpotOn's employees have worked in hospitality for years and deliver the level of expert service and support that sets SpotOn apart from other POS companies.
About Square POS system
Square is a payment technology company that became well known by independent sellers using their mobile card reader. In addition to mobile payment solutions, they offer point-of-sale systems for small to medium-sized businesses, including restaurants and cafes. The system includes features like integrated payment processing, inventory and sales reporting, and customer management, among others. Similar to SpotOn, Square Restaurant POS has been recognized by Nerdwallet, specifically as "Best for cafes and bars."
Square vs SpotOn | Capterra comparison chart
Selecting the right POS system is essential to running your restaurant, but comparing cloud-based POS solutions with similar features can be overwhelming. We've analyzed real user reviews from Capterra, a trusted online service that helps organizations find the right software solutions for their operations. Specifically, we’ve analyzed the overall review score for SpotOn Restaurant POS and Square for Restaurants, as well as specific scores across four categories that Capterra tracks: ease of use, customer service, features, and value for money.
As you can see in the comparison grid below, both SpotOn and Square are highly rated by real users, but SpotOn edges out Square with a slightly higher overall rating of 4.4 compared to Square's rating of 4.3.
*Results current as of 02/06/2024 based on average score of all Capterra reviews for each respective company
Features
In terms of functionality, SpotOn scored 4.4, compared to Square's 4.2. Users love SpotOn Restaurant POS's ability to adapt to their front- and back-of-house operations and its easy-to-understand and customizable reporting. Restaurant operators also value the integrated software solutions that work together seamlessly, like QR order & pay, online ordering, waitlist/reservations, digital loyalty, labor management, and handheld devices.
Ease of use
SpotOn received a Capterra score of 4.4 for its ease of use, slightly lower than Square’s score of 4.5. Users love that SpotOn is quick and easy for staff to learn and helps managers immediately make back-office changes and real-time menu adjustments on all stations, including across multiple locations.
Value for money
With an average Capterra score of 4.4, SpotOn outshines Square's score of 3.9 when it comes to value for money. Users love SpotOn’s transparent pricing, no junk charges, and overall features for a fair price. One user even reported that SpotOn costs 90% less than their previous POS company.
Customer service
In the customer service category, SpotOn again outperforms Square and Square competitors with a Capterra score of 4.4 compared to Square's score of 3.9. SpotOn users appreciate the personalized implementation and training, quick response times, availability of local sales reps, proactive post-install support, and clear communication throughout the process.
Square point-of-sale system: overall strengths
According to user reviews, Square point-of-sale is a powerful tool for businesses looking for an all-in-one solution that combines user-friendly design, rich analytics, and mobile capabilities. In particular, users like it because they can take it anywhere and because it's so easy to use. Users also love that Square makes the checkout experience easy for guests.
Square POS system: overall weaknesses
Square users have complained about high credit card processing fees, which can have a negative impact on restaurants' profit margins. Additionally, some Square users have reported the system crashing as well as difficulty getting a hold of Square’s customer service. Perhaps the biggest complaint from restaurant operators is about having no on-site implementation or on-site support.
SpotOn delivers over Square
In today’s challenging hospitality environment, you're faced with rising costs, changing guest expectations, and a seemingly never-ending labor shortage. SpotOn’s team of restaurant technology experts can help you meet these and future challenges with flexible solutions and personalized service and support.
As Kevin Bryla, SpotOn’s CMO and Head of Customer Experience, noted with the release of Capterra’s competitive comparison, “It’s an incredibly challenging time to run a restaurant, so we’re focused on simplifying business for operators—delivering strong, stable tech that is easy to use and makes staff training simple; building integrations or partnerships that streamline operations; answering the phone when our clients need us.”
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*This content is provided for informational purposes only. All claims are based on average Capterra ratings from verified user reviews. Ratings are collected on a 1-to-5 basis.
