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Card processing review

SpotOn Payments

SpotOn's card processing, required with SpotOn POS: 2.45% + 15¢ in person on POS Essentials ($55 per station a month, software month to month), or 2.79% + 20¢ on All-In, which includes the hardware with a 2-year minimum. Its processing agreement runs 3 years with an Account Closure Fee set in your application, and SpotOn Dual Pricing passes the card cost to your customers.

By SpotOnParent company: SpotOn (private company)
Not enough data to score

Our verdict

SpotOn publishes its card rates by plan and lets you pass the card cost to your customers with dual pricing, but the rest of its processing fees and the Account Closure Fee are only in your application, so its full cost can't be compared. The processing agreement runs 3 years. A fit if you want SpotOn POS with 24/7 phone support; ask for the Fee Summary and the Account Closure Fee in writing before you sign.

What we like

  • Published rates by plan, with a lower in-person rate on POS Essentials: 2.45% + 15¢.
  • SpotOn Dual Pricing covers every card type, so your customers pay the card cost.
  • Morning deposits the next business day at no extra cost, and Rapid Fund in under 30 minutes for 0.2%.
  • If SpotOn raises its own software or hardware fees, you can end that contract before the change takes effect.
  • 24/7 phone support.

What to watch

  • PCI, statement, batch and other processing fees aren't published (they're in your application), so we can't calculate its cost.
  • The processing agreement runs 3 years, the bank can raise its fees with 30 days' notice, and leaving early costs an Account Closure Fee set in your application.
  • American Express costs more: 3.19% in person.
  • The All-In plan has a 2-year minimum and a monthly processing minimum.

How the score breaks down

RTC ScoreNot enough data

Methodology v0.1.0

We could verify less than 60% of what we score, so we don't rank it.

Data completeness53%

We could verify 53% of the scoring data

Strongest points
Standard deposit speed, 24/7 support, Published pricing
Weakest point
Price increases during the contract

Score by criterion

  • 12-month cost of the reference restaurantWeight 37%No data
  • Standard deposit speedWeight 11%Strongest8.0 out of 10
  • What leaving in month 12 costsWeight 9%No data
  • Price increases during the contractWeight 8%Weakest3.0 out of 10
  • Published pricingWeight 7%Strongest6.0 out of 10
  • 24/7 supportWeight 6%Strongest10.0 out of 10
  • Contract termWeight 4%2.5 out of 10
  • Support channelsWeight 4%5.0 out of 10
  • No equipment lease you can't cancelWeight 3%10.0 out of 10
  • Works with restaurant POS systemsWeight 3%1.7 out of 10
  • Automatic renewalWeight 2%5.0 out of 10
  • Equipment works with another processorWeight 2%0.0 out of 10
  • Offers dual pricing or a surcharge programWeight 2%10.0 out of 10
  • Works without the vendor's own POSWeight 1%0.0 out of 10

Before you pass the card fee to your customers

This vendor offers a program that passes the card cost to your customers. Card network rules cap credit card surcharges (Visa 3%, Mastercard 4%) and never allow them on debit, and some states ban or limit them.

This is general information, not legal advice. Card network rules and state laws change, and how they apply depends on your business: check with a lawyer and with your processor before adding a surcharge or a cash discount.

See the rules by state

All the data, with sources

Each value links to its source. "Not published" means the vendor doesn't disclose it; "Unconfirmed" means we looked and couldn't confirm it. Data points we have for fewer than four vendors are left out until we can compare them.

Type of processor and pricing
Data pointValue
Type of processorProcessing built into a restaurant POSSource: SpotOn (opens in a new tab)This is the processing that comes with the vendor's restaurant POS: you also pay the POS software, which we compare in our restaurant POS section.
Pricing modelFlat rateSource: SpotOn (opens in a new tab)Flat rates by plan; multi-unit and high-volume restaurants can get custom rates.
Published pricing (points out of 100)60Source: SpotOn (opens in a new tab)In-person rate 25, keyed-in and online rate 15 and plan fees 20 are published. The processing agreement's Account Closure Fee and the other processing fees (PCI, statement, minimums) are only in your application: 0.
Card rates
Data pointValue
In-person rate2.79%Source: SpotOn (opens in a new tab)All-In plan. POS Essentials is 2.45% + 15¢ (American Express 3.19% + 15¢).
In-person fee per transaction20¢Source: SpotOn (opens in a new tab)On the All-In plan ($0 software and hardware, 2-year minimum), the cheapest plan for our reference restaurant with SpotOn Dual Pricing. POS Essentials ($55 per station a month, software month to month) charges 2.45% + 15¢ in person and 3.45% + 15¢ keyed in or online.
Online rate3.79%Source: SpotOn (opens in a new tab)On the All-In plan ($0 software and hardware, 2-year minimum), the cheapest plan for our reference restaurant with SpotOn Dual Pricing. POS Essentials ($55 per station a month, software month to month) charges 2.45% + 15¢ in person and 3.45% + 15¢ keyed in or online.
Online fee per transaction20¢Source: SpotOn (opens in a new tab)
Keyed-in rate3.79%Source: SpotOn (opens in a new tab)On the All-In plan ($0 software and hardware, 2-year minimum), the cheapest plan for our reference restaurant with SpotOn Dual Pricing. POS Essentials ($55 per station a month, software month to month) charges 2.45% + 15¢ in person and 3.45% + 15¢ keyed in or online.
Keyed-in fee per transaction20¢Source: SpotOn (opens in a new tab)
American Express pricingA rate of its ownSource: SpotOn (opens in a new tab)
American Express rate3.19%Source: SpotOn (opens in a new tab)In person, plus 25¢ on All-In and 15¢ on POS Essentials. SpotOn's pages disagree for POS Essentials: its pricing page and its FAQ say 15¢, and the plan card on its payments page says 25¢. Same rule for every vendor: when a vendor's own pages disagree, we use its pricing page and show the other figure.
Rates by monthly volumeNo tiers by volume: two published plans (POS Essentials, 2.45% + 15¢ in person; All-In, 2.79% + 20¢) and custom rates for multi-unit, enterprise and high-volume restaurants.Source: SpotOn (opens in a new tab)
Monthly and other fees
Data pointValue
Monthly account or plan fee$0/moSource: SpotOn (opens in a new tab)All-In, $0 a month per station (the plan of the rate facts). POS Essentials is $55 per station a month with lower card rates. Other processing fees are in your application.
Annual fee per accountQuote onlySource: SpotOn (TSYS processing terms) (opens in a new tab)SpotOn doesn't publish its processing fees beyond the card rates: they are in your Merchant Application and Fee Summary.
Annual fees per device or locationQuote onlySource: SpotOn (TSYS processing terms) (opens in a new tab)SpotOn doesn't publish its processing fees beyond the card rates: they are in your Merchant Application and Fee Summary.
PCI compliance fee (yearly)Quote onlySource: SpotOn (TSYS processing terms) (opens in a new tab)SpotOn doesn't publish its processing fees beyond the card rates: they are in your Merchant Application and Fee Summary.
PCI non-compliance fee (monthly)Quote onlySource: SpotOn (TSYS processing terms) (opens in a new tab)SpotOn doesn't publish its processing fees beyond the card rates: they are in your Merchant Application and Fee Summary.
Statement feeQuote onlySource: SpotOn (TSYS processing terms) (opens in a new tab)SpotOn doesn't publish its processing fees beyond the card rates: they are in your Merchant Application and Fee Summary.
Monthly minimumQuote onlySource: SpotOn (opens in a new tab)On the All-In plan; the amount isn't published.
Fee per batchQuote onlySource: SpotOn (TSYS processing terms) (opens in a new tab)SpotOn doesn't publish its processing fees beyond the card rates: they are in your Merchant Application and Fee Summary.
Chargeback feeQuote onlySource: SpotOn (TSYS processing terms) (opens in a new tab)SpotOn doesn't publish its processing fees beyond the card rates: they are in your Merchant Application and Fee Summary.
Other feesRapid Fund: 0.2% per deposit (introductory rate). Implementation (menu build, installation and training) is charged. Hardware financing: typically 2% of your daily batches. If you leave within two years of signing, SpotOn may charge the hardware discount you received. Optional Core software bundle: $50 a month plus 0.20% of card volume (up to $200). Account Closure Fee of the processing agreement: amount in your application.Source: SpotOn (opens in a new tab)
Equipment
Data pointValue
How you get the equipmentYou buy it, $0 upfront with a contract termSource: SpotOn (opens in a new tab)You buy the hardware (with installments or financing) on POS Essentials, or get it at $0 upfront on All-In, which has a 2-year minimum and higher card rates.
Price of a countertop terminal$750 one-timeSource: SpotOn (opens in a new tab)Station 15 on POS Essentials, $750 each (list $995); the handheld is $297.
Equipment lease you can't cancelNo()Source: SpotOn Help Center (opens in a new tab)SpotOn's installments and financing pay off a purchase; they aren't a lease. On All-In the hardware is included with a 2-year minimum term.
Equipment lease termN/A()Source: SpotOn Help Center (opens in a new tab)Doesn't apply: no lease.
Equipment at $0 upfront: what it commits you toAll-In: POS hardware and software at $0 upfront and $0 a month, paid through higher card rates (2.79% + 20¢ in person), with a 2-year minimum term and a monthly processing minimum.Source: SpotOn (opens in a new tab)
Equipment only works with this processorYesSource: SpotOn (opens in a new tab)For hardware SpotOn loans or rents; SpotOn's POS hardware is its own and runs its software.
Getting your money
Data pointValue
Standard deposit speedNext business daySource: SpotOn (opens in a new tab)Morning funding at no extra cost, on the morning of the first business day after you batch out; SpotOn doesn't publish a cutoff time.
Instant payout fee0.2%Source: SpotOn (opens in a new tab)Rapid Fund, in under 30 minutes after you batch out, any day; SpotOn calls 0.2% an introductory rate.
Holds and reservesThe bank may require a reserve deposit funded from your sales, and keeps it for 180 days after the agreement ends (Processing Terms §3.9).Source: SpotOn (TSYS processing terms) (opens in a new tab)
Contract and exit
Data pointValue
Contract term36 monthsSource: SpotOn (TSYS processing terms) (opens in a new tab)Same rule for every vendor, the longest binding term among the software and processing agreements. SpotOn's published processing terms set a 3-year initial term (§4.1). The All-In plan also has a 2-year software minimum, and POS Essentials software is month to month.
Automatic renewal12 monthsSource: SpotOn (TSYS processing terms) (opens in a new tab)Renewal of the processing agreement.
Notice to avoid renewal30 daysSource: SpotOn (TSYS processing terms) (opens in a new tab)
Notice to cancel30 daysSource: SpotOn (TSYS processing terms) (opens in a new tab)30 days' notice plus the Account Closure Fee for the processing agreement.
Early termination feeSoftware: all monthly subscription fees left in the term (Merchant Terms §10.4), and if you leave within two years you may be charged the difference between the hardware list price and the discounted price you paid (§1.4). Processing: 30 days' notice plus an Account Closure Fee whose amount is in your application (§5.2.C).Source: SpotOn (opens in a new tab)
How the early termination fee is calculatedLiquidated damages: the fees or processing left in the termSource: SpotOn (opens in a new tab)Software: the subscription fees left in the term. Processing: an Account Closure Fee whose amount is only in your application.
Liquidated damages clauseYesSource: SpotOn (opens in a new tab)
Price increases during the contractWith noticeSource: SpotOn (TSYS processing terms) (opens in a new tab)Scored on card processing fees, the same for every vendor. Under the processing terms SpotOn links, the bank can amend fees with 30 days' written notice (§3.5), or sooner if the details in your application change (§3.3), and you can only leave with 30 days' notice plus the Account Closure Fee (§5.2). SpotOn's own software and hardware fees change with at least 30 days' notice, and you can end that contract before the change takes effect (Merchant Terms §3.3).
Right to raise pricesProcessing: the bank can amend fees with 30 days' written notice (Processing Terms §3.5), or sooner if the details in your application change (§3.3); leaving early costs the Account Closure Fee (§5.2). SpotOn's software and hardware fees: at least 30 days' notice, and you can end that contract before the change takes effect (Merchant Terms §3.3).Source: SpotOn (TSYS processing terms) (opens in a new tab)
Personal guarantee by the signerNot published()Source: SpotOn (TSYS processing terms) (opens in a new tab)SpotOn's processing terms refer to a personal guarantor identified in the merchant application, if one is designated; whether you must sign one depends on your application.
Dual pricing and surcharges
Data pointValue
Dual pricing or surcharge programYesSource: SpotOn (opens in a new tab)SpotOn Dual Pricing (a card price and a lower cash price, covering every card type; it needs SpotOn's approval 30 days ahead) and Credit Card Surcharging (credit only, up to 3%, 2% in Colorado and Oklahoma, not in CT, ME or MA). With the program, card processing costs your restaurant $0 in our estimate and your customers pay the difference. SpotOn doesn't say whether its dual pricing covers tips. Card network rules and state laws apply, and some states limit or ban surcharges.
Cards the program coversEvery card, debit and credit (dual pricing or cash discount)Source: SpotOn Help Center (opens in a new tab)SpotOn also offers a surcharge program, which only covers credit cards. When a vendor publishes both, we use the program that covers every card, the same for every vendor.
Monthly fee for the programUnconfirmedSource: SpotOn (opens in a new tab)SpotOn doesn't publish a fee for its dual pricing or surcharge program.
Your POS and your business
Data pointValue
Works with these restaurant POSSpotOnSource: SpotOn (opens in a new tab)Processing built into this POS: it lists its own POS.
Requires the vendor's own POSYesSource: SpotOn (opens in a new tab)Its card processing comes with SpotOn POS.
Monthly volume it's built forQuote onlySource: SpotOn (opens in a new tab)Only the All-In plan has a processing minimum, and SpotOn doesn't publish it.
Accepts high-risk businessesUnconfirmedSource: SpotOn (TSYS processing terms) (opens in a new tab)SpotOn doesn't publish which business types it accepts.
Routes debit to the lowest-cost networkNot publishedSource: SpotOn (opens in a new tab)SpotOn doesn't publish how it routes debit cards.
Support
Data pointValue
24/7 support for merchantsYesSource: SpotOn (opens in a new tab)
Support channelsPhoneSource: SpotOn (opens in a new tab)24/7 phone support; SpotOn doesn't list chat or email for merchants.
Language
Data pointValue
Support in SpanishPublished Spanish phone line or teamSource: SpotOn (opens in a new tab)SpotOn's US Spanish site promises 24/7 phone support in your preferred language, and its blog says it has support reps fluent in English and Spanish. The help center's contact page doesn't list languages.
Merchant dashboard in SpanishYesSource: SpotOn Help Center (opens in a new tab)The SpotOn Express Dashboard and Time Clock are available in Spanish.
Contract or terms in SpanishNoSource: SpotOn (opens in a new tab)SpotOn publishes its Merchant Terms and processing terms in English; we found no Spanish version. Same rule for every vendor: we mark it "No" when we searched and found the terms only in other languages.
US website in SpanishYesSource: SpotOn (opens in a new tab)

More about SpotOn Payments

How we score