Software · head to head
CAKE POS vs SpotOn
The short version
- Each has a real cost: CAKE POS the pricing page names three plans, Core, Growth and Scale, and publishes no monthly figure for any of them, offering only a phone and email sales contact; SpotOn credit card processing issues with handheld devices reported by users
- They diverge on capability: CAKE POS covers Tableside ordering, SpotOn covers Cloud POS.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which CAKE POS and SpotOn actually diverge.
Identical on both: free tier (No), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).
What each one covers
Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.
Only in CAKE POS
- Tableside ordering
- Guest management
- Menu management
- Kitchen display
- Grubhub
- 7shifts
Only in SpotOn
- Cloud POS
- Reservations
- Loyalty programs
- Marketing tools
- Yelp
- Web support
Both cover
- Online ordering
- Reporting
- DoorDash
- QuickBooks
- Ios support
- Android support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
CAKE POS
- Point of Sale
- Order Management
- Inventory Control
- Staff Scheduling
SpotOn
- Point of Sale
- Order Management
- Inventory Control
- Staff Scheduling
Both are used for point of sale, order management, inventory control, staff scheduling, on those jobs the choice comes down to price and fit rather than capability.
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
CAKE POS
- The pricing page names three plans, Core, Growth and Scale, and publishes no monthly figure for any of them, offering only a phone and email sales contact
SpotOn
- Credit card processing issues with handheld devices reported by users
- System crashes and lost tickets in high-volume restaurants
- Customer tabs can disappear from system, resulting in lost revenue
- Menu edits live only in back office; no real-time updates to handhelds
- Limited hardware options with no direct accessory purchases available
Pricing, plan by plan
CAKE POS
$69/month- Essentials$69/month
- POS
- Online ordering
- Professional$125/month
- Guest management
- Advanced features
SpotOn
On request- All-In PlanFree
- Hardware included
- Card present: 2.79% + $0.20
- Keyed: 3.79% + $0.20
- POS Essentials$55/month
- Best value
- Card present: 2.45% + $0.15
- Hardware discounted
Which should you pick?
Choose CAKE POS if
- You need tableside ordering.
- You work on Ios, Android.
- You also want guest management.
Choose SpotOn if
- You need cloud pos.
- You work on Web, iOS, Android.
- You also want reservations.
Questions people ask
- Is CAKE POS or SpotOn better?
- Neither clearly leads. CAKE POS starts at $69/month and SpotOn at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, CAKE POS or SpotOn?
- CAKE POS starts at $69/month and SpotOn at On request.
- Does CAKE POS or SpotOn run on more platforms?
- CAKE POS runs on Ios, Android. SpotOn runs on Web, iOS, Android.
- What is CAKE POS best used for?
- CAKE POS is most often used for point of sale, order management, inventory control, staff scheduling.
- What can CAKE POS do that SpotOn cannot?
- CAKE POS covers Tableside ordering, Guest management, Menu management, Kitchen display. SpotOn covers Cloud POS, Reservations, Loyalty programs, Marketing tools. Both handle Online ordering, Reporting, DoorDash, QuickBooks.
Answered from the vendors’ own pages
SpotOn: What hardware does SpotOn require?
SpotOn provides proprietary hardware including countertop terminals (Station 15 at $750), tableside handhelds ($297), and kitchen display systems. All hardware is included with the All-In Plan or purchased separately with other plans.
SourceSpotOn: Does SpotOn have online ordering?
Yes, SpotOn offers commission-free online ordering with a white-label app option and integration into their Core Bundle. The system supports QR code ordering and digital menus.
SourceSpotOn: What payment processing fees does SpotOn charge?
Fees vary by plan. All-In Plan: 2.79% + $0.20 for card-present transactions. POS Essentials: 2.45% + $0.15. Business or custom plans offer negotiated rates.
Source