Softwr

Food & Restaurant · head to head

ChowNow vs SpotOn

ChowNow logo

ChowNow

Food & Restaurant

Commission-free online ordering

From
$249/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
SpotOn logo

SpotOn

Food & Restaurant

Restaurant tech that works as hard as you

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: ChowNow limited website customization with only pre-built Squarespace templates available; SpotOn credit card processing issues with handheld devices reported by users
  • They diverge on capability: ChowNow covers Branded ordering, SpotOn covers Cloud POS.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which ChowNow and SpotOn actually diverge.

Attributes where ChowNow and SpotOn differ
AttributeChowNowSpotOn
Starting price$249/monthOn request
Founded20102017

Identical on both: pricing model (Unknown), free tier (No), platforms (Web, iOS, Android), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Food & Restaurant).

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 ChowNow

  • Branded ordering
  • Website integration
  • Mobile app
  • Customer database
  • Delivery integration
  • DoorDash Drive
  • Facebook
  • Instagram

Only in SpotOn

  • Cloud POS
  • Online ordering
  • Reservations
  • Loyalty programs
  • Reporting
  • DoorDash
  • Yelp
  • QuickBooks

Both cover

  • Marketing tools
  • Google
  • Web support
  • Ios support
  • Android support

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

ChowNow

  • 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.

ChowNow

  • Limited website customization with only pre-built Squarespace templates available
  • No multi-language support, limiting service to non-English speaking customer bases
  • Multi-location management requires separate dashboard for each location
  • Delivery reliability issues with reported order delays and non-arrivals
  • Limited customer support responsiveness with long phone wait times

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

ChowNow

$249/month
  • Launch$249/month
    • Commission-free ordering
    • Website and mobile app
    • Basic POS integrations
  • Grow$349/month
    • All Launch features
    • Advanced marketing tools
    • Email and SMS campaigns
  • Elevate$449/month
    • All Grow features
    • Advanced reporting
    • Priority support

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 ChowNow if

  • You need branded ordering.
  • You work on Web, iOS, Android.
  • You also want website integration.
ChowNow review

Choose SpotOn if

  • You need cloud pos.
  • You work on Web, iOS, Android.
  • You also want online ordering.
SpotOn review

Questions people ask

Is ChowNow or SpotOn better?
Neither clearly leads. ChowNow starts at $249/month and SpotOn at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, ChowNow or SpotOn?
ChowNow starts at $249/month and SpotOn at On request.
Does ChowNow or SpotOn run on more platforms?
Both run on Web, iOS, Android, so platform support will not decide this one for you.
What is ChowNow best used for?
ChowNow is most often used for point of sale, order management, inventory control, staff scheduling.
What can ChowNow do that SpotOn cannot?
ChowNow covers Branded ordering, Website integration, Mobile app, Customer database. SpotOn covers Cloud POS, Online ordering, Reservations, Loyalty programs. Both handle Marketing tools, Google, Web support, Ios support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

ChowNow: Is ChowNow truly commission-free?

Yes, ChowNow charges no commission on orders placed through your website, app, or marketplace channels. However, you pay a monthly subscription ($249-$449), payment processing fees (2.95% plus $0.29 per transaction), and optional delivery fees ($7.98 per order with Flex Delivery).

Source
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.

Source
ChowNow: Does ChowNow integrate with my POS system?

Yes. ChowNow integrates with over 45 POS systems including Toast, Square, Clover, and Revel. Orders are automatically synced to your POS and kitchen printers without manual entry.

Source
SpotOn: 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.

Source
ChowNow: Can I use ChowNow with delivery platforms like DoorDash and Uber Eats?

ChowNow handles direct orders but also supports order aggregation from third-party delivery platforms including DoorDash, UberEats, and Grubhub through integrations.

Source
SpotOn: 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
ChowNow: How much does ChowNow cost?

ChowNow plans start at $249/month (Launch), $349/month (Grow), and $449/month (Elevate) when billed monthly. Annual billing saves 8-9%. Additional fees include payment processing (2.95% plus $0.29 per transaction), setup fees ($119-$499), and optional delivery charges.

Source
ChowNow: What platforms are supported by ChowNow?

ChowNow is available on web, iOS, and Android. Restaurants get a website ordering interface and can offer a branded mobile app. Customers discover restaurants through Google Maps, Apple Maps, Yelp, and the ChowNow Marketplace.

Source
ShareXLinkedInRedditWhatsAppEmail

Related pages

More on ChowNow

More on SpotOn

Keep looking

Other head to heads