We may earn commissions from some providers for qualifying actions through our links. This page is currently ordered by editorial scores. Our published policy permits limited earnings-based reordering once real conversion data is available. How we make money.
SpotOn vs Square: a 2-year $0 restaurant plan against a no-contract $0 plan
Updated Oct 15, 2026
Both start at $0 a month. SpotOn's All-In Plan includes restaurant hardware, table layouts and check splitting, at 2.79% + 20¢ per card-present sale, about $1.04 on $30, with processing minimums and a 2-year minimum term. Square Free charges 2.6% + 15¢, about $0.93 on $30, with no contract, but floor plans, split checks and its kitchen display app start at Square Plus, $49 a month.
At a glance, by our score
- Top scoreLowest price
#1 Square POS
A $0-a-month plan at 2.6% + 15¢ in person, no contract, and a free first magstripe reader
8.9/10Very goodOur scoreVisit Square POSOn squareup.com - Lowest price
#7 SpotOn
Restaurants wanting $0 software and hardware upfront, at 2.79% + 20¢ on a 2-year term
5.1/10PoorOur scoreVisit SpotOnOn spoton.com
Side by side
| Criterion | SpotOn | Square POS |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 5.1/10PoorOur score #7 of 8 | 8.9/10Very goodOur score #1 of 8 |
| Card rate (30%) | 5.8 / 10 | 8.2 / 10 |
| Monthly software fee (25%) | 10.0 / 10 | 10.0 / 10 |
| Contract (15%) | 0.0 / 10 | 10.0 / 10 |
| Cheapest card reader (15%) | 2.0 / 10 | 10.0 / 10 |
| Included on the entry plan (15%) | 4.0 / 10 | 6.0 / 10 |
| Price from | $0 / month | $0 / month |
| Best for | Restaurants wanting $0 software and hardware upfront, at 2.79% + 20¢ on a 2-year term | A $0-a-month plan at 2.6% + 15¢ in person, no contract, and a free first magstripe reader |
| Visit | Visit SpotOnOn spoton.com | Visit Square POSOn squareup.com |
Who should pick which
- SpotOn: Restaurants wanting $0 software and hardware upfront, at 2.79% + 20¢ on a 2-year term
- Square POS: A $0-a-month plan at 2.6% + 15¢ in person, no contract, and a free first magstripe reader
At a glance
| SpotOn | Square POS | |
|---|---|---|
| Entry plan | All-In Plan | Square Free |
| In-person card rate | 2.79% + 20¢ | 2.6% + 15¢ |
| Fee on a $30 card sale | about $1.04 | about $0.93 |
| Monthly software fee | $0 per station, hardware included | $0 per location |
| Cheapest card reader | SpotOn Terminal $240 | first magstripe reader free; chip reader $59 |
| Contract | 2-year minimum; hardware fee within a year (pages conflict) | none; cancel anytime |
| Inventory tracking | through integrations | not on Free (from Square Plus, $49) |
| Online store or ordering | Core Bundle, $50 a month + 0.20% | online site and ordering page |
| Offline payments | yes | yes, if the device reconnects within 24 hours |
| Customer directory or loyalty | loyalty in the Core Bundle | customer directory; loyalty from Plus |
| Employee timecards | yes (clock-ins) | not on Free (from Plus) |
Entry plans from SpotOn's pricing page and Square's pricing page, read Sep 27, 2026.
Price
Both are $0 a month on the entry plan.
- SpotOn All-In Plan: $0 per station with POS hardware included, at 2.79% + $0.20 card present, about $1.04 on a $30 sale. Keyed sales cost 3.79% + $0.20. SpotOn says the hardware is paid for through the higher rate, and processing minimums apply.
- Square Free: 2.6% + 15¢, about $0.93 on a $30 sale, $0.11 less. Keyed-in cards cost 3.5% + 15¢. The first magstripe reader is free and a chip reader $59.
For restaurants, Square Plus is the closer match: $49 a month per location at 2.5% + 15¢, with floor plans and split checks. SpotOn's month-to-month option, POS Essentials, is $55 per station a month at 2.45% + $0.15, with hardware bought separately (Station 15 $750, Handheld $297).
Where they differ
- Contract. Square: "No locked-in contracts. Upgrade or cancel anytime" (POS page). SpotOn's pages disagree: its point-of-sale terms call the agreement "month-to-month", but the pricing page says "2yr minimum term", and the terms charge the difference to the hardware's full list price if you cancel "within one year of installation". We use the worse reading. Switching processors while keeping the system costs a $995 conversion fee.
- Restaurant tools. SpotOn's All-In Plan lists table layouts, and check splitting is on its casual dining page. Square Free has neither; custom floor plans and split checks start at Plus. SpotOn is on our restaurant list; Square isn't.
- Kitchen display. SpotOn KDS is $20 a month per station, plus $500 hardware and $100 installation (KDS page). The Square KDS app isn't available on Square Free; it is $30 a month per device on Plus.
- Online ordering. Square Free includes a branded online ordering page (restaurant pricing). SpotOn's is in the Core Bundle, $50 a month plus 0.20% of card volume, the 0.20% part capped at $200.
- Staff and support. SpotOn includes staff clock-ins and 24/7 phone and email support (contact page). Square Free has no timecards and phone support only for the first 90 days.
Who should pick which
Pick SpotOn if you run a sit-down restaurant, want table layouts, check splitting and hardware without an upfront bill, and expect to stay two years or more.
Pick Square if you want no contract and the lower rate, sell counter service or retail, or want to test before committing, adding Plus when you need restaurant tools.
See both in our POS ranking.