Quick Overview
- 1#1: TipWeed - TipWeed automates tip pooling calculations, distributions, and IRS-compliant reporting for restaurants and bars.
- 2#2: Qu Tip - Qu Tip is a mobile-first app for easy tip entry, pooling, and instant payouts among service staff.
- 3#3: TipSync - TipSync integrates with POS systems to automate tip pooling, tracking, and equitable distribution.
- 4#4: 7shifts - 7shifts provides restaurant scheduling and labor management with advanced tip pooling features.
- 5#5: Toast - Toast offers a full POS platform with automated tip pooling, reporting, and compliance tools.
- 6#6: Homebase - Homebase delivers scheduling, time tracking, and simple tip pooling for hourly teams.
- 7#7: Deputy - Deputy streamlines workforce management including tip tracking and pooling functionalities.
- 8#8: When I Work - When I Work enables employee scheduling with integrated tip pooling and payout management.
- 9#9: TouchBistro - TouchBistro is an iPad POS system featuring tip pooling and detailed sales reports.
- 10#10: Revel Systems - Revel Systems provides cloud POS with tip management and customizable pooling options.
We ranked these tools based on key factors: automation capabilities, user-friendliness, integration with existing systems like POS and scheduling tools, and overall value, ensuring they deliver robust, cost-effective solutions for service teams.
Comparison Table
In service-driven industries, streamlined tip pooling enhances fairness and workflow, making the right software essential. This comparison table evaluates key features, usability, and practical benefits of top tools like TipWeed, Qu Tip, TipSync, 7shifts, Toast, and more, helping readers identify the best fit for their needs.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | TipWeed TipWeed automates tip pooling calculations, distributions, and IRS-compliant reporting for restaurants and bars. | specialized | 9.8/10 | 9.9/10 | 9.6/10 | 9.5/10 |
| 2 | Qu Tip Qu Tip is a mobile-first app for easy tip entry, pooling, and instant payouts among service staff. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 8.5/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.8/10 |
| 3 | TipSync TipSync integrates with POS systems to automate tip pooling, tracking, and equitable distribution. | specialized | 8.2/10 | 8.5/10 | 7.9/10 | 7.8/10 |
| 4 | 7shifts 7shifts provides restaurant scheduling and labor management with advanced tip pooling features. | enterprise | 8.4/10 | 8.6/10 | 9.1/10 | 7.9/10 |
| 5 | Toast Toast offers a full POS platform with automated tip pooling, reporting, and compliance tools. | enterprise | 7.6/10 | 8.2/10 | 7.8/10 | 6.5/10 |
| 6 | Homebase Homebase delivers scheduling, time tracking, and simple tip pooling for hourly teams. | enterprise | 7.8/10 | 7.5/10 | 8.5/10 | 8.2/10 |
| 7 | Deputy Deputy streamlines workforce management including tip tracking and pooling functionalities. | enterprise | 7.4/10 | 7.0/10 | 8.2/10 | 7.1/10 |
| 8 | When I Work When I Work enables employee scheduling with integrated tip pooling and payout management. | enterprise | 5.1/10 | 3.8/10 | 8.2/10 | 5.5/10 |
| 9 | TouchBistro TouchBistro is an iPad POS system featuring tip pooling and detailed sales reports. | enterprise | 7.1/10 | 7.0/10 | 8.2/10 | 6.5/10 |
| 10 | Revel Systems Revel Systems provides cloud POS with tip management and customizable pooling options. | enterprise | 6.9/10 | 7.5/10 | 7.0/10 | 6.0/10 |
TipWeed automates tip pooling calculations, distributions, and IRS-compliant reporting for restaurants and bars.
Qu Tip is a mobile-first app for easy tip entry, pooling, and instant payouts among service staff.
TipSync integrates with POS systems to automate tip pooling, tracking, and equitable distribution.
7shifts provides restaurant scheduling and labor management with advanced tip pooling features.
Toast offers a full POS platform with automated tip pooling, reporting, and compliance tools.
Homebase delivers scheduling, time tracking, and simple tip pooling for hourly teams.
Deputy streamlines workforce management including tip tracking and pooling functionalities.
When I Work enables employee scheduling with integrated tip pooling and payout management.
TouchBistro is an iPad POS system featuring tip pooling and detailed sales reports.
Revel Systems provides cloud POS with tip management and customizable pooling options.
TipWeed
specializedTipWeed automates tip pooling calculations, distributions, and IRS-compliant reporting for restaurants and bars.
Real-time tip declaration and adjustment tools allowing managers and employees to input data on-shift for instant, accurate pool calculations
TipWeed is a leading tip pooling software tailored for restaurants, bars, and hospitality businesses, automating the calculation and distribution of tips based on customizable rules like hours worked, roles, or declarations. It integrates with major POS systems such as Toast, Square, and Clover for real-time sales data syncing, ensuring accurate pools and compliance with U.S. tip laws including the Fair Labor Standards Act. The platform offers detailed reporting, employee self-service portals, and automated payout integrations to streamline operations and reduce errors.
Pros
- Seamless integrations with popular POS and payroll systems for effortless data flow
- Highly customizable pooling methods with support for complex scenarios like hosts, bussers, and kitchen staff
- Robust compliance tools and audit-ready reports that minimize legal risks
Cons
- Pricing can be steep for very small operations with fewer than 10 employees
- Advanced customization requires initial setup time and training
- Mobile app lacks some desktop-level reporting features
Best For
Mid-to-large restaurants and multi-location hospitality groups seeking automated, compliant tip pooling with POS integration.
Pricing
Starts at $59/month per location for basic plans, scaling to $199+/month for enterprise features; custom quotes for high-volume users.
Qu Tip
specializedQu Tip is a mobile-first app for easy tip entry, pooling, and instant payouts among service staff.
One-tap tip approval and payout notifications via SMS for staff, ensuring transparency and speed.
Qu Tip is a streamlined tip pooling software tailored for restaurants, bars, and hospitality venues to manage tip collection, pooling, and equitable distribution among staff. It enables managers to input cash and credit card tips, calculate shares based on hours worked, roles, or custom percentages, and generate instant payout reports. The platform emphasizes simplicity with mobile accessibility for on-the-go updates and basic compliance reporting for tip regulations.
Pros
- Intuitive interface ideal for non-tech-savvy users
- Affordable pricing with no long-term contracts
- Reliable mobile app for real-time tip entry and approvals
Cons
- Limited integrations with advanced POS systems
- Basic reporting lacks deep analytics
- No multi-location support in base plan
Best For
Small to medium-sized restaurants and bars seeking a straightforward, cost-effective tip pooling solution without complex setup.
Pricing
Starts at $25/month per location for up to 50 employees; scales to $49/month for larger teams with premium features.
TipSync
specializedTipSync integrates with POS systems to automate tip pooling, tracking, and equitable distribution.
Deep POS integrations that enable automatic, real-time tip pool calculations directly from sales data
TipSync is a tip pooling software tailored for restaurants and hospitality businesses, automating the calculation and distribution of shared tips based on hours worked, sales performance, and custom pool rules. It integrates with major POS systems like Toast, Square, and Clover to pull real-time data, ensuring accurate and compliant tip payouts. The platform offers mobile apps for employees to track shifts and tips, along with robust reporting for managers to monitor distributions and generate payroll exports.
Pros
- Seamless integration with multiple POS systems for real-time data syncing
- Flexible tip pooling methods including high-low, bar-first, and custom rules
- Comprehensive reporting and compliance tools for audits and transparency
Cons
- Subscription pricing scales quickly with multiple locations
- Initial setup and POS integration can require technical support
- Mobile app lacks some advanced customization options
Best For
Mid-sized restaurants and bars with POS systems seeking automated, compliant tip pooling without manual calculations.
Pricing
Starts at $99/month per location for basic plans, up to $299+/month for advanced features and multi-site support; custom enterprise pricing available.
7shifts
enterprise7shifts provides restaurant scheduling and labor management with advanced tip pooling features.
Automatic tip distribution calculated from verified shift hours and roles
7shifts is a restaurant workforce management platform with integrated tip pooling features designed for efficient tip distribution and reporting. Managers can create custom tip pools based on roles, hours worked, or percentages, while employees log tips directly via the mobile app. It generates compliant tip reports for payroll integration and supports multiple payout methods like direct deposit or cash.
Pros
- Seamless integration with scheduling and time tracking for accurate tip allocation
- Mobile app enables easy employee tip entry and pool visibility
- Customizable pools and detailed exportable reports for payroll compliance
Cons
- Tip pooling is bundled within a broader platform, not a standalone tool
- Higher pricing tiers required for full advanced features
- Learning curve for users not already on 7shifts ecosystem
Best For
Restaurants using 7shifts for scheduling that need integrated tip management without switching platforms.
Pricing
Starts at $29.99 per location/month (Essential plan, billed annually); tip pooling included in Pro ($52.99+) and Enterprise plans.
Toast
enterpriseToast offers a full POS platform with automated tip pooling, reporting, and compliance tools.
Real-time tip pool adjustments synced directly with POS sales and payroll data
Toast is a full-service restaurant POS platform that includes integrated tip pooling features, allowing managers to create customizable pools based on roles, hours worked, or sales performance. It automates tip calculations, distributions, and reporting while ensuring IRS compliance through methods like pooled tips or tip sharing. The system provides real-time visibility into tip allocations via its dashboard, making it suitable for multi-location restaurants using Toast's ecosystem.
Pros
- Seamless integration with Toast POS for automatic tip calculations from sales data
- Flexible pool configurations supporting IRS-compliant methods and role-based sharing
- Comprehensive reporting and transparency tools for managers and staff
Cons
- Not a standalone tip pooling solution; requires full Toast POS commitment
- High overall cost due to POS hardware, processing fees, and subscriptions
- Steeper learning curve for users not already familiar with the Toast platform
Best For
Restaurants already using Toast POS that need integrated, scalable tip pooling without third-party add-ons.
Pricing
Starts at $69/month per terminal (core POS plan includes tip pooling); additional costs for hardware ($799+), payment processing (2.49%-3.69%), and premium features.
Homebase
enterpriseHomebase delivers scheduling, time tracking, and simple tip pooling for hourly teams.
Automatic tip distribution tied directly to verified shift hours from integrated scheduling and time clocks
Homebase is an all-in-one workforce management platform designed for hourly workers in industries like restaurants and retail, featuring tip pooling as a key component of its time tracking tools. Employees can report tips via the mobile app, which are then pooled and automatically distributed based on hours worked or custom rules set by managers. It integrates seamlessly with scheduling, payroll, and communication features to streamline operations beyond just tip management.
Pros
- Seamless integration with scheduling and time tracking for accurate tip distribution
- User-friendly mobile app for quick tip reporting by staff
- Free plan includes core tip pooling functionality for small teams
Cons
- Tip pooling is a secondary feature, lacking depth compared to specialized tools
- Advanced customizations and reporting require paid upgrades
- Limited support for complex multi-pool or variable percentage distributions
Best For
Small to mid-sized restaurants and hospitality businesses needing an affordable all-in-one solution with solid tip pooling.
Pricing
Free plan for basic features including tip pooling; paid plans start at $24.95 per location/month for Essentials with more advanced tools.
Deputy
enterpriseDeputy streamlines workforce management including tip tracking and pooling functionalities.
Automated tip distribution directly linked to verified shift hours and schedules
Deputy is a workforce management platform with built-in tip pooling features designed for shift-based industries like hospitality and restaurants. It allows managers to set up customizable tip pools, automatically distribute tips based on hours worked, roles, or sales performance, and generate compliant reports for payroll integration. The software ensures accurate tip allocation through verified time tracking and supports employee self-service via a mobile app.
Pros
- Seamless integration of tip pooling with scheduling and time tracking
- Customizable distribution rules based on shifts or performance
- Strong mobile app for employee tip visibility and manager approvals
Cons
- Tip pooling is secondary to core scheduling features, lacking deep specialization
- Pricing can be steep for businesses needing only tip management
- Limited advanced analytics for tip trends compared to dedicated tools
Best For
Hospitality businesses seeking an all-in-one workforce solution with reliable tip pooling as part of broader operations.
Pricing
Custom quotes starting at $69 per location/month for Essentials (billed annually), scaling with users and advanced features.
When I Work
enterpriseWhen I Work enables employee scheduling with integrated tip pooling and payout management.
Integrated scheduling and time clock that accurately logs shift hours essential for fair tip allocation based on worked time.
When I Work is a workforce management platform primarily focused on employee scheduling, shift management, and time tracking for shift-based businesses like restaurants and retail. It provides tools for creating schedules, clocking hours, and generating payroll reports, but lacks dedicated tip pooling features, requiring manual processes or third-party integrations for tip distribution. While useful in tipped environments for tracking hours that inform tip calculations, it is not optimized as a standalone tip pooling solution.
Pros
- Strong scheduling and time tracking that supports hour-based tip calculations
- User-friendly mobile app for employees in fast-paced tipped settings
- Integrations with payroll systems like QuickBooks for indirect tip handling
Cons
- No native tip pooling, pooling, or automated distribution tools
- Limited reporting specifically for tips or gratuities
- Requires manual workarounds or external software for full tip management
Best For
Hospitality managers needing scheduling alongside basic time tracking for manual tip pooling in small teams.
Pricing
Free for basic use (up to 75 schedules/month); paid plans start at $2/user/month (Essential) up to $4/user/month (Pro), billed annually.
TouchBistro
enterpriseTouchBistro is an iPad POS system featuring tip pooling and detailed sales reports.
Direct linkage of tip pools to live POS sales and time clock data for precise, automated distributions
TouchBistro is a comprehensive cloud-based POS system for restaurants that includes built-in tip pooling features to streamline tip distribution. It allows managers to configure custom tip pools based on employee roles, hours worked, or sales contributions, with automatic calculations tied directly to POS transactions. Detailed reports and payroll integrations facilitate compliant payouts, though it's designed as part of a full restaurant management suite rather than a standalone tip tool.
Pros
- Seamless integration with POS for accurate real-time tip tracking
- Customizable pooling rules by role, hours, or sales
- Automated reports and payroll export for easy compliance
Cons
- Not a standalone solution; requires full POS subscription
- Higher cost ineffective for tip pooling only
- Limited advanced customization compared to dedicated tools
Best For
Restaurants already using TouchBistro POS seeking integrated basic tip pooling without additional software.
Pricing
Bundled in POS plans starting at $69/month per terminal (billed annually), up to $165+ for advanced features; no separate tip pooling pricing.
Revel Systems
enterpriseRevel Systems provides cloud POS with tip management and customizable pooling options.
Automatic tip distribution directly tied to POS transaction data and employee hours
Revel Systems is a cloud-based POS platform for restaurants that includes tip pooling as part of its employee management suite. It enables managers to set up custom tip pools, automatically distribute tips based on criteria like hours worked, sales performance, or roles, and integrates seamlessly with sales data for accurate calculations. The system provides reporting tools for payroll export and ensures compliance with tip regulations through audit trails and adjustments.
Pros
- Seamless integration with POS for real-time sales-based tip calculations
- Customizable pooling rules supporting multiple pool types and distributions
- Comprehensive reporting for payroll and compliance
Cons
- Not a standalone tip pooling solution; requires full POS subscription
- High cost ineffective for businesses only needing tip management
- Limited advanced customization for highly complex pooling scenarios
Best For
Restaurants already invested in Revel POS that want integrated tip pooling without third-party add-ons.
Pricing
Starts at $99/month per location for core POS (includes tip pooling), plus hardware costs and add-ons.
Conclusion
Across the top 10 tip pooling tools, each offers unique strengths, but TipWeed stands out as the top choice, excelling in automated calculations, IRS-compliant reporting, and end-to-end streamlining for restaurants and bars. Qu Tip impresses with its mobile-first design, making tip entry and instant payouts effortless for service teams, while TipSync shines through seamless POS integration, simplifying tracking and distribution. Together, these tools cover diverse needs.
Don't let tip management stress your team—try TipWeed to experience efficient, accurate workflows that ensure fair distribution and compliance, setting your business up for success.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison
