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Restaurants · head to head

SpotOn vs Zomato

SpotOn logo

SpotOn

Restaurants

Restaurant tech that works as hard as you

From
On request
Rated
-
Zomato logo

Zomato

Restaurants

Indian food delivery and restaurant discovery app, now operating under parent brand Eternal

From
Free
Rated
-

The short version

  • Only Zomato has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: SpotOn credit card processing issues with handheld devices reported by users; Zomato restaurant commission of roughly 15 to 25 percent is commonly passed through as higher in-app menu prices, so the delivered price is not simply the counter price plus a fee.
  • They diverge on capability: SpotOn covers Cloud POS, Zomato covers Food delivery marketplace.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 1 September 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which SpotOn and Zomato actually diverge.

Attributes where SpotOn and Zomato differ
AttributeSpotOnZomato
Starting priceOn requestFree
Pricing modelUnknownFree to download; delivery and platform fees per order, optional paid membership
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWeb, iOS, AndroidiOS, Android, Web
Founded2017Unknown

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Restaurants).

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 Zomato

  • Food delivery marketplace
  • Zomato Gold membership
  • Dine-out table booking
  • Restaurant reviews and ratings
  • Blinkit quick commerce
  • Zomato for Business

What people use each for

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

SpotOn

  • Point of Salenot Zomato
  • Order Managementnot Zomato
  • Inventory Controlnot Zomato
  • Staff Schedulingnot Zomato

Zomato

  • A diner in an Indian city ordering food delivery or comparing restaurants before eating outnot SpotOn
  • A frequent orderer weighing whether Zomato Gold discounts outweigh its subscription costnot SpotOn
  • Someone booking a table at a partner restaurant through the dine-out featurenot SpotOn
  • A restaurant owner using Zomato for Business to manage online orders and view sales analyticsnot 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

Zomato

  • Restaurant commission of roughly 15 to 25 percent is commonly passed through as higher in-app menu prices, so the delivered price is not simply the counter price plus a fee.
  • The company exited most markets outside India in 2019, so international coverage is far narrower than the brand recognition suggests.
  • Zomato Gold benefits and discount depth vary by city and restaurant partner, and heavy users report the value of the membership eroding over time as terms are revised.
  • Delivery riders are engaged on a gig basis with pay tied to order volume and distance, a model that has drawn wage and working-condition criticism in India.
  • The 2024 rebrand of the parent company to Eternal, alongside the Blinkit and Hyperpure businesses, means Zomato the consumer app is now one product line inside a multi-business group rather than a standalone company, which affects how disclosures and strategy are reported.

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

Zomato

Free
  • Pay per orderFree
    • Delivery fee scaling with distance and demand
    • Platform fee on order total
    • Restaurant menu prices often marked up versus dine-in
  • Zomato Gold$299/month
    • Discounts and free-item offers at partner restaurants
    • Priority service and reduced wait times at partner dine-in venues
    • Delivery perks vary by plan tier and market

Which should you pick?

Choose SpotOn if

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

Choose Zomato if

  • You need food delivery marketplace.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on iOS, Android, Web.
  • You also want zomato gold membership.

Questions people ask

Is SpotOn or Zomato better?
Neither clearly leads. SpotOn starts at On request and Zomato at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, SpotOn or Zomato?
Zomato has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at On request for SpotOn and Free for Zomato.
Does SpotOn or Zomato run on more platforms?
SpotOn runs on Web, iOS, Android. Zomato runs on iOS, Android, Web.
Can I use Zomato for free?
Yes. Zomato has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. SpotOn starts at On request.
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 Zomato is typically brought in for.
What can SpotOn do that Zomato cannot?
SpotOn covers Cloud POS, Online ordering, Reservations, Loyalty programs. Zomato covers Food delivery marketplace, Zomato Gold membership, Dine-out table booking, Restaurant reviews and ratings.

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
Zomato: Is Zomato only available in India?

Its core market is India; it exited most other countries in 2019 and has minimal presence elsewhere.

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
Zomato: What did Zomato rename to?

The parent company renamed itself Eternal Limited in 2024; the Zomato consumer app kept its own name.

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
Zomato: Does Zomato Gold apply to delivery or dine-in or both?

Both, though the specific discounts and which restaurants participate vary by plan tier and city.

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