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OpenTable vs SpotOn

OpenTable logo

OpenTable

Software

Restaurant reservation and management platform

From
$39/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
SpotOn logo

SpotOn

Software

Restaurant tech that works as hard as you

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: OpenTable openTable for Restaurants charges a subscription fee on top of per-cover network fees: Basic is $149/month with covers free for the first 30 days then $1.50 per network cover, Core is $299/month at $1 per network cover, and Pro is $499/month also at $1 per network cover, so cost scales with both plan tier and diner volume rather than a flat seat price (archived plans page, 5 November 2025); SpotOn credit card processing issues with handheld devices reported by users
  • They diverge on capability: OpenTable covers Online reservations, SpotOn covers Cloud POS.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which OpenTable and SpotOn actually diverge.

Attributes where OpenTable and SpotOn differ
AttributeOpenTableSpotOn
Starting price$39/monthOn request
Pricing modelsubscriptionUnknown
Founded19982017

Identical on both: free tier (No), platforms (Web, Ios, Android), 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 OpenTable

  • Online reservations
  • Table management
  • Guest profiles
  • Waitlist
  • Reviews
  • Toast
  • Square
  • Lightspeed

Only in SpotOn

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

Both cover

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

What people use each for

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

OpenTable

  • 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.

OpenTable

  • OpenTable for Restaurants charges a subscription fee on top of per-cover network fees: Basic is $149/month with covers free for the first 30 days then $1.50 per network cover, Core is $299/month at $1 per network cover, and Pro is $499/month also at $1 per network cover, so cost scales with both plan tier and diner volume rather than a flat seat price (archived plans page, 5 November 2025)
  • On the Basic plan, reservations booked through the restaurant's own website are not free: they cost $0.25 per cover or a $49/month flat fee, a charge that is waived only on the higher Core and Pro tiers (archived plans page, 5 November 2025)

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

OpenTable

$39/month
  • Basic$39/month
    • Reservations
    • Table management
  • Core$249/month
    • Guest profiles
    • Marketing
  • Pro$449/month
    • Full features
    • Premium 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 OpenTable if

  • You need online reservations.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android.
  • You also want table management.
OpenTable 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 OpenTable or SpotOn better?
Neither clearly leads. OpenTable starts at $39/month and SpotOn at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, OpenTable or SpotOn?
OpenTable starts at $39/month and SpotOn at On request.
Does OpenTable or SpotOn run on more platforms?
OpenTable runs on Web, Ios, Android. SpotOn runs on Web, iOS, Android.
What is OpenTable best used for?
OpenTable is most often used for point of sale, order management, inventory control, staff scheduling.
What can OpenTable do that SpotOn cannot?
OpenTable covers Online reservations, Table management, Guest profiles, Waitlist. SpotOn covers Cloud POS, Online ordering, Reservations, Loyalty programs. Both handle Marketing tools, Web support, Ios support, Android support.

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.

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
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
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