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Restaurant POS review

GoTab

POS and ordering platform for bars, breweries and food halls with plans at $15, $99 and $229 per location a month. It runs on your own devices, includes QR and online ordering, and GoTab says there is no long-term commitment.

By GoTabParent company: GoTab (private company)
  • Shortest term (tied). Among 15 POS systems with a published term.

RTC SCORE

3.8

#11 of 13 with enough data

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Our verdict

Built for bars and venues that run tabs and QR ordering. Ask for your actual card rate before comparing costs.

What we like

  • Low published entry price per location, with QR and online ordering included.
  • Runs on your own devices, and GoTab publishes its hardware prices in its own store (a countertop station with a payment terminal from $759).
  • 24/7 support from the Pro plan up, per its pricing page.

What to watch

  • The published card rate is a starting rate for qualifying locations.

How the score breaks down

How the score of GoTab is built: 3.8 out of 10#11 of 13 with enough data. We could verify 72% of the scoring data. Cost to get started (reference restaurant): 17.4 of 25; Switching or signing bonus you qualify for (reference restaurant): 0 of 25; 36-month total cost (reference restaurant): No data; Own online ordering: 11 of 11; Hardware warranty included: No data; Support 24/7 (as the vendor publishes it): 0 of 5; 6 criteria in one bar: 3.8 of 6; Initial term: Weight 2%; Early termination fee: Weight 2%; Exclusive processing commitment: Weight 1%; Trial or money-back period: Weight 1%; Length of automatic renewals: Weight 1%; Notice to avoid renewal: Weight 0%. No data: lowers completeness, never counts as zero. Points earned: 32.2 out of 72 verified, or 44.7%. Multiplied by the completeness factor (0.86), that gives 3.8 out of 10. Methodology v0.5.0.3.8RTC Score,out of 10GoTab#11 of 13 with enough dataData completeness72%We could verify 72% of thescoring dataMethodology v0.5.0How this score is builtEach bar is as long as the weight of its criterion.The filled part is what GoTab earned.70% of the RTC ScoreCost to get started (reference restaurant)17.4 of 25Strongest · $1,518 to get startedSwitching or signing bonus you qualify for(reference restaurant)0 of 25Weakest36-month total cost (reference restaurant)No data20 points not verified24% of the RTC ScoreOwn online ordering11 of 11StrongestHardware warranty includedNo data8 points not verifiedSupport 24/7 (as the vendor publishes it)0 of 56% of the RTC Score6 criteria in one bar3.8 of 6The 6 criteria, enlarged1234561Initial termWeight 2%2Early termination feeWeight 2%3Exclusive processing commitmentWeight 1%4Trial or money-back periodWeight 1%5Length of automatic renewalsWeight 1%6Notice to avoid renewalWeight 0%Points earnedPoints possibleNo data: lowers completeness, never counts as zero32.2points earned÷72points verified=44.7%of the verified points×0.86completeness factor=3.8out of 10
How the score of GoTab is built: 3.8 out of 10#11 of 13 with enough data. We could verify 72% of the scoring data. Cost to get started (reference restaurant): 17.4 of 25; Switching or signing bonus you qualify for (reference restaurant): 0 of 25; 36-month total cost (reference restaurant): No data; Own online ordering: 11 of 11; Hardware warranty included: No data; Support 24/7 (as the vendor publishes it): 0 of 5; 6 criteria in one bar: 3.8 of 6; Initial term: Weight 2%; Early termination fee: Weight 2%; Exclusive processing commitment: Weight 1%; Trial or money-back period: Weight 1%; Length of automatic renewals: Weight 1%; Notice to avoid renewal: Weight 0%. No data: lowers completeness, never counts as zero. Points earned: 32.2 out of 72 verified, or 44.7%. Multiplied by the completeness factor (0.86), that gives 3.8 out of 10. Methodology v0.5.0.05103.8RTC Score, out of 10GoTab#11 of 13 with enough dataData completeness72%We could verify 72% of the scoring dataMethodology v0.5.0How this score is builtEach bar is as long as the weight of its criterion. The filled part is what GoTab earned.0510152025points70% of the RTC ScoreCost to get started (reference restaurant)Strongest · $1,518 to get started17.4 of 25Switching or signing bonus you qualify for(reference restaurant)Weakest0 of 2536-month total cost (reference restaurant)20 points not verifiedNo data24% of the RTC ScoreOwn online orderingStrongest11 of 11Hardware warranty included8 points not verifiedNo dataSupport 24/7 (as the vendor publishes it)0 of 56% of the RTC Score6 criteria in one bar3.8 of 6The 6 criteria, enlargedInitial termWeight 2%Early termination feeWeight 2%Exclusive processing commitmentWeight 1%Trial or money-back periodWeight 1%Length of automatic renewalsWeight 1%Notice to avoid renewalWeight 0%Points earnedPoints possibleNo data: lowers completeness, never counts as zero32.2points earned÷72points verified=44.7%of the verifiedpoints×0.86completenessfactor=3.8out of 10
Verified Oct 1, 2026Each data point and its source are under “All the data, with sources”, further down this page.How we score

Points by criterion

#11 of 13 with enough data

  • 70% of the RTC Score
    • Cost to get started (reference restaurant): 17.4 of 25 · Strongest · $1,518 to get started
    • Switching or signing bonus you qualify for (reference restaurant): 0 of 25 · Weakest
    • 36-month total cost (reference restaurant): No data · 20 points not verified
  • 24% of the RTC Score
    • Own online ordering: 11 of 11 · Strongest
    • Hardware warranty included: No data · 8 points not verified
    • Support 24/7 (as the vendor publishes it): 0 of 5
  • 6% of the RTC Score
    • 6 criteria in one bar: 3.8 of 6
    • Initial term: Weight 2% · Strongest
    • Early termination fee: Weight 2%
    • Exclusive processing commitment: Weight 1%
    • Trial or money-back period: Weight 1%
    • Length of automatic renewals: Weight 1%
    • Notice to avoid renewal: Weight 0%

No data: lowers completeness, never counts as zero

Points earned: 32.2 out of 72 verified, or 44.7%. Multiplied by the completeness factor (0.86), that gives 3.8 out of 10.

Methodology v0.5.0

RTC Score3.8out of 10

Methodology v0.5.0

Data completeness72%

We could verify 72% of the scoring data

Strongest points
Cost to get started (reference restaurant), Own online ordering, Initial term
Weakest point
Switching or signing bonus you qualify for (reference restaurant)

Score by criterion

  • Cost to get started (reference restaurant)Weight 25%Strongest7.0 out of 10

    $1,518 to get started

  • Switching or signing bonus you qualify for (reference restaurant)Weight 25%Weakest0.0 out of 10

    $0 in promotions our reference restaurant qualifies for

  • 36-month total cost (reference restaurant)Weight 20%No data
  • Own online orderingWeight 11%Strongest10.0 out of 10
  • Hardware warranty includedWeight 8%No data
  • Support 24/7 (as the vendor publishes it)Weight 5%0.0 out of 10
  • Initial termWeight 2%Strongest10.0 out of 10
  • Early termination feeWeight 2%10.0 out of 10
  • Exclusive processing commitmentWeight 1%0.0 out of 10
  • Trial or money-back periodWeight 1%0.0 out of 10
  • Length of automatic renewalsWeight 1%7.0 out of 10
  • Notice to avoid renewalWeight 0%10.0 out of 10

Cost to get started

The cash your restaurant puts in before it opens on the new POS, in our reference scenario ($30k/month in card sales, $35 average ticket, 2 terminals, 1 location, 36 months): equipment you buy up front plus one-time setup or installation fees. Same rows for every POS.

25% of the RTC Score

Terminals, upfront: Swan 2 Pro single-screen POS bundle with Adyen AMS1 payment terminal (×2)$1,518
Total to get started$1,518

Left out and why

  • Monthly and yearly charges (rent, software, yearly fees per device) are part of the 36-month cost, not of the entry cost.

Switching or signing bonus

What the vendor's current promotions are worth to our reference restaurant ($30k/month in card sales, $35 average ticket, 2 terminals, 1 location, 36 months), an established restaurant switching from another company's POS.

25% of the RTC Score

Counted in the RTC Score

$0

No current switching or signing promotion. It counts $0.

Promotions end and change, so we re-check them: one with no end date comes down if we can't re-check it within 30 days, and an expired one stops counting the day after it ends.

Hardware warranty

The same rows for every POS: how long the main terminal is covered against defects when you get it a standard way (buying, leasing, renting, a subscription or a loan), the conditions, including what it leaves out and what keeping it costs, and the price to replace that terminal outside the coverage.

Hardware warranty includedNot publishedSource: GoTab (opens in a new tab)GoTab's terms refer to a limited warranty on the hardware it sells but never say how long it lasts. GoTab also runs on devices you already own.
Warranty conditionsOnce GoTab support approves a return (RMA), GoTab makes reasonable efforts to ship an advance replacement the next business day by UPS Ground, and charges for faster shipping if it judges the case not urgent. You return the old unit within 14 days or pay the full replacement price plus shipping. Hardware that was neglected, abused or tampered with doesn't qualify, and units outside the warranty are repaired or replaced at standard rates. Separately, hardware can be returned within 30 days with a 15% restocking fee, except purchases on the 0% financing plan. GoTab sells hardware outright, on 0% financing or through its Flex Leasing program, and publishes no paid protection plan.Source: GoTab (opens in a new tab)
Price to replace the main terminal$520 one-timeSource: GoTab (shopGoTab) (opens in a new tab)The terminal on its own: the Swan 2 Pro 15.6-inch countertop terminal with NFC and scanner, without a payment terminal, is $520 in GoTab's store. The single-screen POS bundle with a payment terminal starts at $759. GoTab also runs on hardware you already own.

The RTC Score only counts how long defects are covered. What the coverage leaves out (accidents, theft, loss) and what it costs to keep are in the conditions. A protection plan sold separately doesn't count; if the vendor offers one, it's in the conditions. The replacement price isn't added to the 36-month cost, because there's no public data on how often equipment fails.

Trial or money-back period

Whether you can try the POS and leave, and what it costs you if you do. Same rows for every POS.

Trial or money-back periodNone publishedSource: GoTab (opens in a new tab)We checked GoTab's pricing page and merchant terms: GoTab offers a demo, and no trial or refund window is published.
Trial periodN/ASource: GoTab (opens in a new tab)GoTab offers a demo, not a trial.
Charges during the trialN/ASource: GoTab (opens in a new tab)GoTab offers a demo, not a trial.
Trial conditionsNo trial is published. After the initial term on your order form, the agreement renews month to month unless you give 14 days' notice. Hardware can be returned within 30 days of shipment with a 15% restocking fee.Source: GoTab (opens in a new tab)

In the RTC Score the trial is part of the contract block, the lowest weight in the model: full points when you can try it with no software charges or get your money back, half when you can cancel without the early termination fee but the charges during the trial are yours.

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.

Software
Data pointValue
Software from$15/moSource: GoTab (opens in a new tab)Basic plan. Pro is $99 and Sync $229 a month; setup costs vary.
Software billed perLocationSource: GoTab (opens in a new tab)
Kitchen display (KDS) fee$25/mo per deviceSource: GoTab (opens in a new tab)On the Basic plan, the one our 36-month cost uses; $35 a month on Pro and Sync. Pricing is per location, per month.
Payment processing
Data pointValue
Who processes your cardsMust use the vendor's processingSource: GoTab (opens in a new tab)Guest payments run through GoTab's processors (Stripe, Paysafe or Adyen), which pay GoTab its fees and send you the rest.
Pricing model for card feesFlat rateSource: GoTab (opens in a new tab)A flat starting rate for Mastercard, Visa and Discover at locations processing under $5 million a year; other card types may cost more. Eligible operators can ask for a cost-plus rate lock instead.
In-person card rate2.4%Source: GoTab (opens in a new tab)Starting rate for qualifying locations processing under $5 million a year; the rate you get may be higher.
In-person fee per transaction15¢Source: GoTab (opens in a new tab)
Online card rateNot publishedSee my price for GoTab (opens the provider's site in a new tab)Source: GoTab (opens in a new tab)GoTab publishes only its card-present starting rate; it doesn't publish rates for online, QR or keyed-in payments.
Online fee per transactionNot publishedSee my price for GoTab (opens the provider's site in a new tab)Source: GoTab (opens in a new tab)GoTab publishes only its card-present starting rate; it doesn't publish rates for online, QR or keyed-in payments.
Keyed-in card rateNot publishedSee my price for GoTab (opens the provider's site in a new tab)Source: GoTab (opens in a new tab)GoTab publishes only its card-present starting rate; it doesn't publish rates for online, QR or keyed-in payments.
Keyed-in fee per transactionNot publishedSee my price for GoTab (opens the provider's site in a new tab)Source: GoTab (opens in a new tab)GoTab publishes only its card-present starting rate; it doesn't publish rates for online, QR or keyed-in payments.
Annual fees per deviceUnconfirmedSource: GoTab (opens in a new tab)We read GoTab's pricing page and merchant terms: neither mentions a yearly per-device, PCI or compliance fee, and the terms say your fees are the ones on your order form.
Dual pricing or surcharge programYesSource: GoTab (opens in a new tab)GoTab's credit card surcharging feature: credit cards only (or premium cards only), up to 3%, 2% in Colorado, not in CT, ME, MA or OK. GoTab says that with this feature you pay a flat 1.5% + 15¢ on credit and debit cards; our estimate applies the same rule to every vendor with a published program, so card processing costs your restaurant $0 here and your customers pay the surcharge. Card network rules and state laws apply, and some states limit or ban surcharges.
Cards the program coversCredit cards only (surcharge)Source: GoTab (opens in a new tab)With surcharging on, GoTab says you pay a flat 1.5% + 15¢ on your credit and debit card processing. The 36-month cost uses GoTab's regular published card rate on debit sales, the same rule as every vendor.
Other fees in the contractSetup costs depend on the size of your operation and are quoted. Extra counter or handheld POS, kiosks and the kitchen display cost $25 a month each on Basic and $35 on Pro and Sync. Hardware financing carries a one-time documentation fee, with no published amount. Returned hardware pays a 15% restocking fee, per GoTab's merchant terms.Source: GoTab (opens in a new tab)
Hardware
Data pointValue
HardwareBring your own tablet or computerSource: GoTab (opens in a new tab)Works on Windows, iOS and Android devices; financing is available for hardware you buy.
Hardware works with another processorYesSource: GoTab (opens in a new tab)The POS runs on standard Windows, Android and iOS devices, which you keep and can use elsewhere. GoTab doesn't say whether the card readers it sells work with another processor.
Contract and exit
Data pointValue
Initial termMonth to monthSource: GoTab (opens in a new tab)GoTab says no long-term commitment is required.
Automatic renewal1 monthSource: GoTab (opens in a new tab)After the initial period on your order form, the agreement renews month to month at GoTab's current rates.
Notice to avoid renewal14 daysSource: GoTab (opens in a new tab)
How the early termination fee is calculatedNo early termination feeSource: GoTab (opens in a new tab)
Early termination feeNo early termination fee for the software, per GoTab's pricing.Source: GoTab (opens in a new tab)
Exclusive processing commitmentYesSource: GoTab (opens in a new tab)While you use GoTab, guest payments go through GoTab's processors; the terms offer no option to bring another processor.
Right to raise prices during the termGoTab can change its fees with written notice at least 90 days before the end of the current term (§4.1), and each monthly renewal is at GoTab's current rates. Its pricing page says core software prices haven't changed since 2023.Source: GoTab (opens in a new tab)
Personal guarantee by the signerNoSource: GoTab (opens in a new tab)GoTab's merchant terms contain no personal guarantee by the signer. Hardware financing has its own credit review.
Online ordering and delivery
Data pointValue
Own online orderingIncluded in the base planSource: GoTab (opens in a new tab)QR and online ordering are in the Basic plan.
No per-order commission on own online orderingYesSource: GoTab (opens in a new tab)
Delivery app integrationsDoorDash, Grubhub, Uber EatsSource: GoTab (opens in a new tab)An add-on at $55 a month per location on every plan.
Features
Data pointValue
Kitchen display system (KDS)Paid add-onSource: GoTab (opens in a new tab)Each kitchen display costs $25 a month on Basic and $35 on Pro and Sync, per the add-ons table.
Loyalty programPaid add-onSource: GoTab (opens in a new tab)Loyalty and memberships are not available on Basic and cost $35 a month extra on Pro and Sync.
Support
Data pointValue
Support 24/7No()Source: GoTab (opens in a new tab)24/7 chat, text and phone support is included from the Pro plan up and costs $35 a month extra on Basic, the plan our 36-month cost uses. We score support included with that plan, the same for every vendor.
Language
Data pointValue
POS screen in SpanishUnconfirmedSource: GoTab Docs (opens in a new tab)GoTab has a Spanish version of its website and terms, but none of the 362 pages of its operator help center mentions Spanish for the POS, manager dashboard, kitchen display, tickets or receipts, and the GoTab POS app's App Store listing shows English only.
Back office in SpanishUnconfirmedSource: GoTab Docs (opens in a new tab)GoTab has a Spanish version of its website and terms, but none of the 362 pages of its operator help center mentions Spanish for the POS, manager dashboard, kitchen display, tickets or receipts, and the GoTab POS app's App Store listing shows English only.
Kitchen display in SpanishUnconfirmedSource: GoTab Docs (opens in a new tab)GoTab has a Spanish version of its website and terms, but none of the 362 pages of its operator help center mentions Spanish for the POS, manager dashboard, kitchen display, tickets or receipts, and the GoTab POS app's App Store listing shows English only.
Language of kitchen ticketsUnconfirmedSource: GoTab Docs (opens in a new tab)GoTab has a Spanish version of its website and terms, but none of the 362 pages of its operator help center mentions Spanish for the POS, manager dashboard, kitchen display, tickets or receipts, and the GoTab POS app's App Store listing shows English only.
Language of customer receiptsUnconfirmedSource: GoTab Docs (opens in a new tab)GoTab has a Spanish version of its website and terms, but none of the 362 pages of its operator help center mentions Spanish for the POS, manager dashboard, kitchen display, tickets or receipts, and the GoTab POS app's App Store listing shows English only.
Support in Spanish (as declared by the vendor)Not publishedSource: GoTab (opens in a new tab)The Spanish version of GoTab's pricing page describes its 24/7 support but doesn't say that support is given in Spanish.
Website in Spanish for the USYesSource: GoTab (opens in a new tab)gotab.com has a Spanish version, chosen from the language menu, with the same US prices in dollars.

More about GoTab

How we score