Quick Summary: What's the Difference Between ordd.io and Square?

ordd.io is a dedicated QR code ordering system built specifically for restaurants and bars. It focuses on table ordering, kitchen display systems, and bartender workflows. White-glove setup is included. $249/month flat.

Square is a general-purpose payment and POS platform used across many industries (retail, services, restaurants, etc.). It offers optional restaurant features and online ordering capabilities. $0 for basic, with various add-on pricing.

Key difference: ordd.io is purpose-built for restaurant QR ordering with specialized features and hands-on support. Square is a versatile platform that can do many things but isn't specialized for table ordering.

Feature ordd.io Square
Primary Focus Restaurant QR ordering General payments/POS
Monthly Software Fee $249/month $0 (basic) - $60+/month
Commission 0% 0%
Payment Processing 2.9% + $0.30 2.6% + $0.10
QR Table Ordering Core feature Limited/add-on
Kitchen Display System Included $20/month add-on
Bar-Specific Features Built-in Limited
White-Glove Setup Included free Self-service
Menu Digitization We do it for you DIY
Hardware Required No Optional ($0-$799)
Retail/Non-Restaurant No Yes

What is ordd.io?

ordd.io is a QR code ordering system designed specifically for restaurants and bars. Customers scan a QR code at their table, view your menu on their phone, place orders, and pay—all without downloading an app. Orders go directly to your kitchen display or bartender screen.

ordd.io includes features built for hospitality: location-based ordering (different bars within a venue), bartender queue screens, happy hour pricing automation, and multi-storefront support (separate menus for food, drinks, merchandise).

White-glove setup is included: send your menu and ordd.io digitizes it within 24 hours. A dedicated specialist is on-call during your first service.

What is Square?

Square is a payments and business management platform used across many industries. It started as a card reader for small businesses and has expanded to offer POS systems, online stores, invoicing, payroll, and more.

For restaurants, Square offers Square for Restaurants with features like table management, coursing, and a kitchen display system (as an add-on). Online ordering is available but is designed more for pickup/delivery than dine-in table ordering.

Square's strength is versatility—it works for coffee shops, retail stores, service businesses, and restaurants. This breadth means restaurant-specific features may not be as deep as purpose-built solutions.

QR Ordering Capabilities

ordd.io: QR table ordering is the core product. Every feature is designed around the dine-in ordering workflow: scan at table → browse menu → order → pay → get SMS when ready. Location-aware QR codes know exactly which table/seat the order came from.

Square: Square offers QR code menus and ordering, but it's more focused on pickup/delivery ordering rather than dine-in table service. The table-specific workflow (knowing which table ordered what) is less developed than ordd.io's purpose-built system.

Setup and Support

ordd.io: White-glove setup included at no extra cost. Send your menu (PDF, photos, or any format) and ordd.io's team digitizes it within 24 hours. You get a dedicated onboarding specialist on-call during your first service. If something goes wrong during launch, you have direct support.

Square: Self-service setup. You build your own menu, configure your own settings, and troubleshoot on your own. Support is available but not dedicated to your launch. This can be fine for tech-savvy operators but challenging for busy restaurant owners.

Restaurant-Specific Features

ordd.io specializations:

  • Bartender order screens with location filtering
  • Multi-storefront support (Bar, Kitchen, Merchandise as separate menus)
  • Happy hour and scheduled pricing automation
  • Table-specific QR codes with location awareness
  • SMS notifications when orders are ready

Square restaurant features:

  • Table management and floor plans
  • Coursing and menu timing
  • Kitchen display system ($20/month add-on)
  • Employee management
  • Integration with Square ecosystem (payroll, marketing, etc.)

Pricing Breakdown

ordd.io: $249/month flat. All features included. White-glove setup included. No hardware costs. Payment processing through Stripe at 2.9% + $0.30 (or bring your own processor).

Square for Restaurants: Free tier available with limited features. Plus tier is $60/month. Premium is custom pricing. KDS is $20/month extra per device. Hardware optional but many features work better with Square hardware. Payment processing at 2.6% + $0.10.

Square has lower payment processing rates, which matters at high volume. But ordd.io's included features (KDS, white-glove setup, specialized QR ordering) may offset this depending on your needs.

When Should You Choose Each?

Choose ordd.io if:

You want a dedicated QR table ordering system. You want hands-on setup support (menu digitization, launch assistance). You're a bar or restaurant that needs location-specific ordering. You don't want to build and configure everything yourself.

Choose Square if:

You need a complete POS system for your new restaurant. You want a single platform for payments, payroll, and marketing. You're comfortable with self-service setup. You also run retail or other business types and want one platform. Lower processing rates matter more than specialized QR ordering features.

Can You Use Both?

Yes. Some restaurants use Square as their main POS for traditional transactions and ordd.io specifically for QR table ordering. ordd.io can operate standalone alongside any existing system.

Bottom Line:

ordd.io is a specialist; Square is a generalist. If QR table ordering is your primary goal and you want dedicated support, ordd.io is purpose-built for that. If you need a full business platform with ordering as one of many features, Square offers breadth.

See also: ordd.io vs Toast | ordd.io vs DoorDash

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