Software · head to head
Heartland Restaurant vs SpotOn

Heartland Restaurant
Software
Complete restaurant management ecosystem
- From
- $89/month
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Each has a real cost: Heartland Restaurant high processing fees and early termination penalties increase total cost of ownership; SpotOn credit card processing issues with handheld devices reported by users
- They diverge on capability: Heartland Restaurant covers POS system, SpotOn covers Cloud POS.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Heartland Restaurant and SpotOn actually diverge.
| Attribute | Heartland Restaurant | SpotOn |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $89/month | On request |
| Pricing model | subscription | Unknown |
| Platforms | Web, iPad, Android | Web, iOS, Android |
| Founded | 2001 | 2017 |
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 Heartland Restaurant
- POS system
- Payment processing
- Payroll
- Customer engagement
- Gift cards
- Heartland Payroll
- Delivery platforms
Only in SpotOn
- Cloud POS
- Online ordering
- Reservations
- Loyalty programs
- Marketing tools
- DoorDash
- Yelp
Both cover
- Reporting
- QuickBooks
- Web support
- Ios support
- Android support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Heartland Restaurant
- 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.
Heartland Restaurant
- High processing fees and early termination penalties increase total cost of ownership
- Lack of customization compared to open-source POS systems
- Data migration to Heartland has been reported as problematic by users
- Pricing details are not transparent, making budgeting difficult for prospective customers
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
Heartland Restaurant
$89/month- Basic$89/month
- POS
- Payment processing
- Professional$149/month
- Advanced features
- Payroll integration
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 Heartland Restaurant if
- You need pos system.
- You work on Web, iPad, Android.
- You also want payment processing.
Choose SpotOn if
- You need cloud pos.
- You work on Web, iOS, Android.
- You also want online ordering.
Questions people ask
- Is Heartland Restaurant or SpotOn better?
- Neither clearly leads. Heartland Restaurant starts at $89/month and SpotOn at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Heartland Restaurant or SpotOn?
- Heartland Restaurant starts at $89/month and SpotOn at On request.
- Does Heartland Restaurant or SpotOn run on more platforms?
- Heartland Restaurant runs on Web, iPad, Android. SpotOn runs on Web, iOS, Android.
- What is Heartland Restaurant best used for?
- Heartland Restaurant is most often used for point of sale, order management, inventory control, staff scheduling.
- What can Heartland Restaurant do that SpotOn cannot?
- Heartland Restaurant covers POS system, Payment processing, Payroll, Customer engagement. SpotOn covers Cloud POS, Online ordering, Reservations, Loyalty programs. Both handle Reporting, QuickBooks, Web support, Ios support.
Answered from the vendors’ own pages
Heartland Restaurant: Does Heartland Restaurant work with multiple locations?
Yes, Heartland Restaurant is designed for multi-location operations with the Complete plan targeting restaurants with more complex requirements across multiple sites.
SourceSpotOn: 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.
SourceHeartland Restaurant: What payment methods does Heartland accept?
Heartland includes integrated payment processing and accepts all popular payment methods, but specific details are available on their pricing and features pages.
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.
SourceHeartland Restaurant: What hardware options does Heartland Restaurant offer?
Heartland provides touchscreen terminals ranging from $1,295 to $1,895, handheld devices at $695, and supporting equipment like printers ($275-$375) and cash drawers.
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.
SourceHeartland Restaurant: Can Heartland Restaurant integrate with other business systems?
Yes, Heartland offers a developer-friendly API that enables custom integrations with various third-party systems.
SourceRelated pages
More on Heartland Restaurant
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