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Software · head to head

SpotOn vs Yelp Reservations

SpotOn logo

SpotOn

Software

Restaurant tech that works as hard as you

From
On request
Rated
-
Yelp Reservations logo

Yelp Reservations

Software

Reservations powered by Yelp

From
$99/month
Rated
-

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: SpotOn credit card processing issues with handheld devices reported by users; Yelp Reservations basic Guest Manager plan caps at 500 covers per month; higher volume requires the Plus plan at $279/month (annual) or $349/month (monthly)
  • They diverge on capability: SpotOn covers Cloud POS, Yelp Reservations covers Online reservations.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which SpotOn and Yelp Reservations actually diverge.

Attributes where SpotOn and Yelp Reservations differ
AttributeSpotOnYelp Reservations
Starting priceOn request$99/month
Pricing modelUnknownsubscription
Founded20172004

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 SpotOn

  • Cloud POS
  • Online ordering
  • Reservations
  • Loyalty programs
  • Marketing tools
  • Reporting
  • DoorDash
  • Google

Only in Yelp Reservations

  • Online reservations
  • Waitlist management
  • Table assignments
  • Yelp integration
  • Guest messaging
  • Analytics
  • Toast
  • Square

Both cover

  • Yelp
  • Web support
  • Ios support
  • Android support

What people use each for

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

SpotOn

  • Point of Salenot Yelp Reservations
  • Order Managementnot Yelp Reservations
  • Inventory Controlnot Yelp Reservations
  • Staff Schedulingnot Yelp Reservations

Yelp Reservations

  • Managing restaurant reservations, waitlists and AI phone call answeringnot SpotOn

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

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

Yelp Reservations

  • Basic Guest Manager plan caps at 500 covers per month; higher volume requires the Plus plan at $279/month (annual) or $349/month (monthly)
  • Monthly billing costs more than annual billing at every tier, for example Basic Guest Manager is $159/month billed monthly versus $129/month billed annually

Pricing, plan by plan

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

Yelp Reservations

$99/month
  • Basic$99/month
    • Reservations
    • Waitlist
  • Plus$299/month
    • Table management
    • Analytics

Which should you pick?

Choose SpotOn if

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

Choose Yelp Reservations if

  • You need online reservations.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android.
  • You also want waitlist management.

Questions people ask

Is SpotOn or Yelp Reservations better?
Neither clearly leads. SpotOn starts at On request and Yelp Reservations at $99/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, SpotOn or Yelp Reservations?
SpotOn starts at On request and Yelp Reservations at $99/month.
Does SpotOn or Yelp Reservations run on more platforms?
SpotOn runs on Web, iOS, Android. Yelp Reservations runs on Web, Ios, Android.
What is SpotOn best used for?
SpotOn is most often used for point of sale, order management, inventory control, staff scheduling. Of those, point of sale and order management are not what Yelp Reservations is typically brought in for.
What can SpotOn do that Yelp Reservations cannot?
SpotOn covers Cloud POS, Online ordering, Reservations, Loyalty programs. Yelp Reservations covers Online reservations, Waitlist management, Table assignments, Yelp integration. Both handle Yelp, 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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