Actual vs TabPref

Actual provides hospitality businesses with tools for tip distribution, payroll processing, employee scheduling, and operational workflows. Its tip tools automate calculations, division, and payments while giving employees detailed reports. Teams can define custom pool rules, allocate tips by shift, and keep records at both levels. The Canadian tips product is intended for restaurants, hotels, and coffee shops working with federal and provincial requirements for Direct Tips and Controlled Tips. Actual lists integrations with 7shifts, OpenTable, Toast, ADP, Clover, Homebase, Lightspeed, QuickBooks, and Payworks. In the United States, payout schedules can range from daily to bi-weekly; employees can receive tips on Branch debit cards or directly in bank accounts, with Branch card payments described as free for employers and employees. Pricing is on request, with a free one-to-one product demo. Actual is the business name of Atlas Restaurant Management Systems Inc., headquartered in Ontario. Primary infrastructure is hosted in Canada, with some processing in other jurisdictions.

TabPref combines hospitality workforce management with professional networking for establishments, service professionals, vendors, and consumers. Scheduling includes AI assistance, drag-and-drop tools, shift swaps, and an open-shift marketplace. Mobile and kiosk time clocks support geofencing, while labor tools track costs in real time, alert at 1.5x overtime, and monitor Fair Workweek compliance. Tip pooling can distribute tips by hours, points, or sales; TabChat provides channels, direct messages, and shift coordination. Establishments can create and promote events with Google Calendar sync. Sales-to-labor analysis can use POS data from Toast, Square, and Stripe Terminal. Timecards export to CSV and Excel for payroll workflows, while direct payroll integrations are available on paid plans. TabPref runs as a responsive web app and native iOS and Android apps. The free starter plan includes scheduling, time clock, team chat, and basic labor analytics for small teams. Paid plans are billed monthly per location, but no exact amount is stated. Consumers can use a free account to browse and follow establishments, RSVP to events, and message professionals. TabPref says it stores data in U.S.-based PostgreSQL databases, uses TLS in transit and AES-256 at rest, and does not sell or share user data with third parties.