Cathy Smiley - Easy-to-use touchscreen hardware systems
- Restaurant-specific platform
- Extensive data reporting features
- Good reputation with customers
- Prices can be expensive
- Reports of hidden fees
- Prices increase if you don’t use SpotOn payment processing
- Must use SpotOn hardware
SpotOn POS Review
Table of Contents
Updated as of June, 2023
My SpotOn POS review will take you on a guided tour of all the different features available in this modern point of sale system. If you think it’s time to purchase a new software and hardware solution, it’s crucial to examine each service’s hidden details before deciding. Is SpotOn POS your next point of sale for your restaurant? Let’s find out!
Overview of SpotOn Restaurant POS
SpotOn’s POS platform initially operated under the name Emagine POS. In 2018, SpotOn acquired Emagine POS to expand into the point of sale industry. SpotOn was initially a payment processing company – it first started in 2001.
The acquisition of Emagine POS allowed SpotOn to partner its payment processing services with a full-service POS system. SpotOn POS can be used across a broad range of niches, but the company offers a restaurant-specific platform that we will focus on in this review. It comes loaded with hospitality features that make it easy to run a restaurant, café, or bar.
SpotOn POS offers a range of touch screen POS hardware solutions to help you get up and running quickly. Unfortunately, this means that you won’t be able to bring your hardware with you if you choose to work with SpotOn. Still, this can mean your upfront costs are cheaper.
SpotOn POS helps you build custom menus, take orders, process transactions, manage tabs, oversee multiple locations, and more. There are plenty of features built into this system that will help you improve efficiency in your workplace. Let’s take a more in-depth look at our review and see what makes SpotOn POS so unique!
Pros vs Cons
- Build excellent menus with custom modifiers
- Easy-to-use touchscreen hardware systems
- Great payment processing rates if you’re taking large orders
- Restaurant-specific platform
- Extensive data reporting features
- Cloud-based storage and control system
- 24/7 customer support
- Good reputation with customers
- Prices can be expensive
- Reports of hidden fees
- Prices increase if you don’t use SpotOn payment processing
- Must use SpotOn hardware
Pricing
SpotOn POS’s pricing starts at $25 per month, but there is a bit of a catch. If you want to take advantage of its lowest pricing structure, you’ll need to sign up for its payment processing as well. If you don’t use SpotOn’s payment processing, you’ll have to pay $195 per month for the rights to the software – this is an extremely sharp price hike. So how much does SpotOn POS cost?
Here’s the cost of SpotOn POS for restaurants:
- $25 per month (with processing)
- $195 per month (without processing)
- $65 per month extra for restaurant
- $65 per month – Loyalty (Add on)
- $65 per month – Website (Add on)
- 1.99% + 20c (regular transactions)
- 2.99% + 20c (AMEX, corporate, international, and keycard transactions)
So if you use SpotOn’s payment platform, you’ll need to pay $25 per month, plus $65 per month ($90 total) to access its restaurant-specific software (not including hardware costs). SpotOn is known to charge a setup fee, but the company does not publicly advertise this cost.
Fortunately, SpotOn’s payment processing is reasonably priced. The company has made an effort to offer some of the lowest commission rates in the industry, making it a much easier decision to opt for their platform.
Its current rate is 1.99% + 20c – while its flat-rate ‘cents’ commission is high, its percentage commission is very low. If you’re a current or new restaurant owner that sells high-priced items, this could be a decent option.
Overall, SpotOn POS’s pricing is competitive, as long as you opt to work with its in-house processing platform. Purchasing their product without processing is extremely expensive!
You can also choose to add payroll, loyalty, marketing, and a variety of other services if you’re willing to pay extra per month.
Demo Video
SpotOn POS for Restaurants – Features & Benefits
Key Features
A POS system is nothing without its features. So, what does SpotOn POS allow its clients to do? Let’s take a look at some key elements in more detail below!
- Backhouse menu builder that helps you build custom menus with detailed inputs
- Table layout generator that allows you to manage your restaurant and its customer flow better — also includes table reservations
- Online ordering tools and separate menus that provide you with the ability to set up custom catering options
- Full-scale reporting data that helps you keep a better eye on your business and anticipate changes in trends
- Easy ordering system that allows for quick-changing modifiers and convenient customizations
- Employee clock-in system that allows you to integrate staffing and staff hours
- Build a customer database to help you offer custom benefits to repeat customers
- Touch screen interface for easy controls
- Tableside ordering and tablet that can help you send orders directly to the kitchen from the floor
- An enormous list of integrations that can help you better manage staff, accounting, and a range of other components of your business
- Extensive customer support around the clock
- Integrated payment processing that allows for cash and almost all major credit cards — as well as mobile pay and gift cards
- Inventory tracking that assists in avoiding running out of essential ingredients
- Automatic updates — you’ll continuously have access to the best and latest SpotOn software
Data Reporting
If you want to run a successful business in the modern world, it’s critical to have a firm understanding of your restaurant’s data. Fortunately, most modern POS systems provide you with extensive data reporting options.
At SpotOn POS, you’ll gain access to data and insights that you won’t find in outdated systems. You’ll be able to monitor sales, inventory, employee productivity, time-based trends, and more. You can even set up alerts that can notify you of specific issues.
Another reporting feature I really like at SpotOn is its reporting app. You can access reporting data directly from a mobile reporting application, no matter where you are!
Deployment Type
SpotOn POS bills itself as a web-based POS provider – this is not common for many of the new POS services, which are cloud-based or locally installed. The advantage of a web-based system is that you’re able to access your POS from any browser and access your reporting data remotely. You’ll also benefit from being able to protect your data from a hardware malfunction.
Web-based services allow POS companies to update software easily, which is excellent, while SpotOn continues to release new software updates. By utilizing a tablet, you can still enjoy the same benefits of using a mobile POS system. Even though SpotOn is a web-based POS, it can be used on touchscreen devices, just like any other POS system. Still, I think this is an upside associated with SpotOn POS and sets them apart.
Industries Served
SpotOn POS is designed to work with a broad range of different hospitality-based businesses. You can also use this POS system for retail, but we have been focusing primarily on restaurant-based companies for this review. Its restaurant-specific feature list is geared towards full-service restaurants, quick-service restaurants, bars & nightclubs, pizza, and café owners.
SpotOn doesn’t boast as many of the high-end features that you might find in other industry leaders in terms of business size. While it can handle large businesses, I recommend this POS platform for small to medium-sized companies. But don’t worry if you’re planning on growing – there are plenty of tools in this system that can help you scale!
Ease of Use
SpotOn POS is definitely easy to use. If you’ve never used a modern POS system before, you’ll notice some great improvements the second you open this software. It’s easy to navigate, take orders, and customize on the go.
While the user interface isn’t as seamless as some of my favorite POS providers, there’s still a lot to like about SpotOn POS. If you want a platform that is easy to learn (and teach to staff), I definitely won’t rule this option out.
Hardware
In my opinion, SpotOn POS’s hardware limitations are a minor downside. You can potentially bring your tablet or hardware device along with you for the restaurant POS, but SpotOn POS offers and recommends using its touchscreen hardware solutions. We generally agree with using the vendor’s hardware to make sure everything is compatible and plays nicely together.
Still, there’s plenty to like about the choices you have through SpotOn. Their hardware devices are touchscreen monitors, minimalist, and easy to use. While SpotOn has several hardware options for other business environments like the smaller Poynt system and SpotOn register, you’ll need the SpotOn restaurant-based all-in-one POS below.
Either way, you’ll have to pay a bit extra per month to access these hardware devices. The costs associated with this are highlighted in the pricing section of this review.
Integrations
There are plenty of high-end integrations and add-ons available with SpotOn POS. Personally, if a POS system doesn’t offer integrations, it’s probably not worth working with — integrations often end up providing some of the core value available with a POS.
Their integrations at SpotOn allow you to improve staffing, inventory, accounting, and a range of other components of your business. Top integrations include HotSchedules, Ctuit, QuickBooks, Gusto, splick.it, Optimum Control, Bevinco, and more. You can find a current list of integrations on their website.
Payment Processing
You are allowed to use your own payment processing company with SpotOn, but it will significantly increase the service’s cost. If you want to take advantage of the lower prices, you’ll have to use SpotOn’s credit card processing. The full costs of this are outlined in the pricing section of this review.
With SponOn merchant services, you get some handy features like marketing, reviews, and payment analytics, but loyalty and a website will cost you extra.
SpotOn doesn’t advertise the other credit card processors you’re allowed to use — but you can contact them to find out if yours is eligible. In some ways, SpotOn may only be worth using if you’re willing to commit to its payment processing platform. While I typically prefer POS systems that offer more flexibility, it’s still a good option if you like the rates on offer at SpotOn.
Customer Service
Every restaurant owner knows that their POS provider needs to have a strong customer support team. It’s not your job to handle the technical aspects of your software; you should be able to entrust that to your POS customer support team. Fortunately, SpotOn’s customer service team is available 24/7 to help you solve problems — they have an email and phone number you can contact.
SpotOn also has a huge national dealer network, so if you’re in a large city and prefer local support, there’s a good chance there is a POS reseller near you.
In terms of customer satisfaction, SpotOn looks to be doing well. They’re accredited with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) — they even have an A+ rating!
Still, like any large business, there are a few complaints about SpotOn from previous customers. The primary issue that is highlighted is hidden fees. For this reason, you should seek full clarity from SpotOn before making any financial agreements or payments.
It’s safe to say that SpotOn has a much better customer reputation than many other providers I’ve reviewed.
Our Verdict
Overall, SpotOn POS is a decent performer. You’ll have access to some of the best restaurant-specific features on the market — it can truly help you transform your business if you’re using an outdated system. With plenty of add-ons and integrations available, you can have complete control of the backroom aspect of your business.
The primary downsides associated with SpotOn POS are its pricing, restrictive hardware, and credit card processing features. But if you’re happy with the company’s hardware and like their processing rates, this shouldn’t be an issue.
SpotOn claims to have no long-term contracts, but it’s best to seek clarity on this matter before you sign up for their services. Fortunately, the company offers free demos to any prospective client! Before you decide on any specific system, we recommend checking out some of our other POS reviews.
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Specification: SpotOn POS
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Photos: SpotOn POS
10 reviews for SpotOn POS
Add a review
Ryan DeMars –
Great review! A few important things to clarify to your readers, under additional pricing you have listed the Poynt POS and the Register POS as possible additional fees when using SpotOn restaurant POS. Those are completely different POS options and not part of the Restaurant POS thus a restaurant would not incur those fees.
As for payment processing, SpotOn Restaurant POS does not lock a merchant into using SpotOn for processing like some POS companies. What should be mentioned in the article is that SpotOn does not charge a business any additional “junk fees” like monthly access, PCI compliance, gateway access ect ect that all other processors charge. As a SpotOn sales partner, I have personally seen restaurants paying hundreds per month in junk fees. Business owners are happy to trade those for $25/mo flat fee still knowing they can choose any processor they want at any time.
Jason Feemster –
Thanks for the clarification, Ryan. We’ll get that updated in the review, much appreciate the feedback.
Kevin –
This information is incorrect. More UPDATED information is needed, in addition, you’re pricing and lack of reason why and what you get with Spoton’s platform fee, that’s right one fee. Which include, dashboard analytics, review management (which can, on a single platform from another provider, cost between $25-$100+), and customer engagement tools to drive business.
Please, for those reading this, investigate the actually source and don’t believe what you read from bloggers.
You’re also wrong about hidden fees. SpotOn is the most transparent company out there in the business of growth for the happiness of their clients.
I am a Proud Partner of SpotOn and find this information misleading and directional.
Please update your information with actual, objective evidence.
Jason Feemster –
Kevin, thanks for taking the time to comment. We actually gave Spoton POS a great rating. We do our best to keep up on the latest pricing, however, we have many reviews on our site and we always recommend that everyone check the source as this is a fast-changing industry.
As far as being wrong about hidden fees, here’s one example of a customer on your BBB page claiming hidden fees, so we report what we find. While I greatly appreciate the feedback and comment, I’m removing the link to your website, since your comment is more promotional in nature.
ANDRIA ARSEN –
I would like to start by saying I have had this system for nearly 5 months now. The system its self is fairly easy to use and Im ok with it, HOWEVER, the customer service is excruciating!! My “deal” with the sales rep was exactly 3.49% of credit card sales (excluding tips and delivery)FLAT FEE nothing more. Simple right? Each and every nightly report shows exactly how much money SpotOn should receive. For the last 4.5 months I have been in daily, weekly and monthly contact with my sales representative trying to get my account straighten out, each and every month SpotOn takes WAY more then my contract states and each and every month my sales rep tells me “Your right, I dont know whats happening but the manager is working on it” (Its been 4.5 months, what the hell is to work on?) SpotOn has now taken an additional $1000.00 over the agreed upon 3.49% and they WILL NOT return my call or emails. The sales rep had the nerve to tell me, “Your right about your account, but SpotOn is going to continue to charge you the higher amount and I’m going to give you $35.00 a month out of my own account” WTF??? SERIOUSLY !!! How does that even make since? Im sure you can since my frustration with this company, I am a small family owned business trying to survive this year, I thought getting this system would help us keep track of our customers, promos and inventory, I never thought I would be chasing my own money from the company. I wouldn’t recommend this company to anyone, My only hope is this review will get someones attention from higher up in the company because my phone calls and 4 months of emails didn’t. My next step is to contact a lawyer
Grover Taylor –
Spot On and Kevin are both liars. Spot On is the worst POS in of them all. ANDRIA ARSEN review SPOT ON… hahaha PUN! I’m not much of a writer but felt the need to write this after reading the review. Brooke the woman that sold us the system was clueless, Adam Sales Manager, and Rick Director of Sales useless. We have been a customer for a little over a month and already bought a new POS because they can’t keep their hands out of my bank account and the service is the worst ever. I mean it doesn’t have an open POS button you have to use the CLOSE POS button to open it. So many bad features. I will trash them every chance I get. Feel free to contact me if you want to talk more…
Trenton White –
It has been great for me. I had toast and switched! I didn’t want to but it is a great system. Now I just got it and maybe there were bugs in the beginning. But my other friends that are owners got it and love it. Sorry to hear some of these stories. Maybe I got it when all of the bugs were gone.
Danyelle Johnson –
I am in charge of several locations that just switched over to EmaginePOS ( which is the actual system operator) from a previous local company. It is fantastic. Then they integrated with spot on and fees were better even with monthly fees. There were a few hiccups during transition but we couldn’t be happier with an easier system. If there are issues, they are quick to fix them. It is so easy I personally taught myself how to program system myself and teach others. So simple compared to so many others and no hidden fees if you read your full contract and ASK questions. If you expect anyone to tell you every detail, I bet your cable bill had 3x more hidden fees and you pay that without hesitation. Marshall and Fred made the switch over seamless and almost lived with us at restaurant until we were satisfied 100%. If anyone had a bad experience, it’s just hard for me to believe. EmaginePOS is best and couldn’t be happier!!!!
Courtney Fender –
I returned this POS because it ended up not doing anything that I was told it would do for my retail business. I returned the equipment in December and 5 months later, I still have not received my $415. I have emailed and left multiple voicemail and still nothing. Absolutely horrible and I DO NOT RECOMMEND THIS COMANY. Leaving a review anywhere I can.
Stetan –
We are also having some Issues with SPOT ON Pricing that we are hoping to resolve. 4 % is OUTRAGEOUS! There is a reason this market is so crowded because there is money yo be made. But to take 4% is an insult to hard working people. between 2.2 and 2.9 is ok depending if you are paying for the equipment
Janice Clemmer –
This company is a joke. They don’t honor their contracts. Customer service is not consistent. When you have a problem, they do not follow through. Their card readers don’t connect to Bluetooth all the time. Go somewhere else where you can find consistency and follow through.
Lux –
This company is a complete SCAM. Terrible customer service. Such slow support that it caused us to lose a number on long time customers due to their inability to respond. Also long after the contract, they continue to fraudulently use your bank account link to try to steal money from your account. They have no process in place to stop their “auto” billing so I suspect this is their actual business model. They should be sued into oblivion. How many customers are they stealing from as we speak? Class action?