Quick Guide for Restaurant Managers:
- Splitting tips digitally streamlines calculations, enhances transparency and helps resolve disputes before they start. It greatly reduces manual errors and saves managers valuable time at shift close.
- Digital tip pooling helps meet labor law requirements, creates audit-ready records and ensures payroll accuracy.
- The process involves: gathering accurate staff data, selecting a method or app that integrates with your current systems, entering and reviewing data for compliance and distributing tips automatically or instantly to team members.
- Top tip pooling apps include TipHaus, Kickfin, Tip Pool, 7shifts and Gratuity Solutions.
- Most apps let you enter both cash and card tips and many work with popular POS systems (Toast, Square). Look for those that match your current setup to avoid manual double entry.
For Managers like you, dividing tips fairly can be tricky, especially in busy restaurants or bars with many contributing staff. Manual poolings often lead to errors, misunderstandings or disputes, wasting your time.
Digital tools and apps make tip distribution easier, transparent and trustworthy. This article explores the best apps for tip pooling, along with simple workflows to help you split tips digitally. The goal is to ensure your team gets paid quickly, fairly, and in full compliance every shift.
5 Best Apps for Tip Pooling
Comparing apps? Here are five of the leading digital tip pooling solutions for restaurants and bars, each with features suited for busy Managers and team transparency:
1. TipHaus
TipHaus simplifies tip pooling by allowing automatic distribution based on hours, job roles or custom percentages. It integrates deeply with popular POS and payroll systems like Toast and Square, auto-importing shift data and generating transparent reports.
The user-friendly dashboard empowers managers to oversee, adjust and clarify tip allocations as necessary. With its strong emphasis on integration and automation, TipHaus minimizes manual input, thus reducing errors and saving time.
2. Kickfin
Kickfin revolutionizes the payout process by providing instant, cashless tip payments directly into employees' bank accounts at the end of shifts. This feature is particularly beneficial for establishments with high staff turnover or late-night operations where quick, reliable payments are crucial.
Kickfin handles both cash and credit tips with precision and integrates seamlessly with most POS and payroll systems. The app is designed with compliance-focused reporting to ensure that all transactions adhere to legal and organizational standards, helping managers maintain accurate financial records.
3. 7shifts
7shifts is an all-in-one platform that combines scheduling, tip pooling and compliance management. Ideal for teams already utilizing 7shifts, this app auto-imports staffing data from schedules, ensures synchronization with major POS systems and allows full customization of tip pooling rules to align with restaurant policies.
It’s a comprehensive solution for centralized management, offering Managers the flexibility to adjust as team roles and demands evolve, ensuring both operational efficiency and staff satisfaction.
4. Gratuity Solutions
Gratuity Solutions focuses on efficient tip tracking through seamless POS integration, handling both digital and cash transactions. It excels in creating detailed, audit-ready reports that streamline payroll compliance and minimize manual data entry.
By providing easy access to comprehensive logs, Gratuity Solutions supports Managers in conducting audits and preparing for payroll or ownership reviews. This ensures a smooth and transparent tip distribution process, fostering trust and compliance across the board.
5. Tip Pool
Tip Pool is an easy-to-use app designed for service and hospitality workers to split tips fairly based on hours worked. It syncs with iCloud and an Apple Watch companion app, enabling you to track tips on the go or if phones aren’t allowed front of house.
With this app, you can quickly divide tips among multiple people and keep an accurate record of who’s owed what, making tip sharing straightforward and stress-free. The Tip Pool app is low-cost, simple to implement and ideal for small teams. It is compatible with iPhone, Mac and Apple Watch.
How To Choose the Right Tip Pooling App
Choosing the best tool involves evaluating:
- Compatibility: Ensure it integrates with your POS (Toast, Square) and scheduling/payroll systems (7shifts, ADP). Seamless integration reduces manual entry and errors.
- Features and customization: Look for flexible pooling rules, mobile management and detailed audit reports — features aligned with your policies and staff roles.
- Pricing and support: Compare subscription plans, transaction/payout fees and support options. Reliable support and reasonable costs save time and headaches.
- Trial and feedback: Use free trials or demos to test integrations and workflows. Encourage feedback from Managers and staff to ensure the system works well in practice.
Benefits of Digital Tip Pooling
Why switch to digital tip pooling? Here’s how it helps Managers and teams:
- Transparency and fairness: Digital tools give every staff member visibility into tip splits, reducing suspicion and building trust. Managers can show detailed reports, making explanations easier than back-of-the-napkin math.
- Time and error reduction: Automated calculations cut down manual work, minimize disputes and free Managers to focus on other tasks. Efficient data entry and reporting streamline end-of-shift processes.
- Compliance and recordkeeping: Digital logs are crucial for audits and legal compliance. Exportable records serve as proof of fair practices and help prevent payroll or tax errors.
- Improved staff morale: Fair, transparent payouts enhance trust and teamwork, reducing conflicts and fostering a positive work environment.
How To Split Tips Digitally: Step-By-Step Guide
Digital tip pooling is a game-changer for fast-paced restaurant operations. Here’s a practical, Manager-focused guide for splitting tips step by step with technology.
Step 1: Gather staff and tip details
Ensure all shift data is accurate before you process tips. Collect records for every Server, Bartender, Barback, Dishwasher or Cook who worked — even if they picked up a partial shift.
Track exact in/out times, job roles and confirm all tips received (include both cash and card transactions from your POS exports where possible).
Some apps can directly import work hours from popular scheduling tools like 7shifts. If you've ever had to track down a missing clock-in at the end of a long shift, you'll appreciate how much time this feature can save.
Step 2: Choose a digital tip splitting method
Decide whether to use a dedicated tip pooling app, POS solution or a spreadsheet workflow. For busy teams, apps that integrate directly with your POS (e.g., Toast, Square) or scheduling software can save significant time and reduce errors.
Double-check if the tools support your preferred distribution method and local compliance requirements for tip sharing.
Step 3: Input data into your chosen platform
Enter all required details: staff names, hours worked, job roles and tip totals. If your POS or scheduling system integrates with your tip pooling solution, much of this can be automated. Use built-in checks to ensure missing shifts or clock-outs are flagged before calculating payouts so staff disputes are reduced.
Step 4: Review calculations for accuracy and compliance
Carefully review calculated tip shares before sending them out. Make sure splits match your restaurant's policy, local laws and minimum wage regulations. Some apps include audit trails so you can show staff (and auditors) exactly how each number was determined — an essential time-saver for Managers.
Step 5: Distribute tips digitally
Use direct deposit, instant payout features or digital payment apps — whichever aligns with your restaurant's workflow and the app's capabilities. Many platforms notify staff automatically, eliminating repeated inquiries about payout status.
Review payment reports at the end to ensure every detail is logged for your end-of-payroll reconciliation.
Written by Sasha Vidakovic
Sasha is an experienced writer and editor with over eight years in the industry. Holding a master’s degree in English and Russian, she brings both linguistic expertise and creativity to her role at OysterLink. When she's not working, she enjoys exploring new destinations, with travel being a key part of both her personal and professional growth.
Reviewed by Marcy Miniano
Marcy is an editor and writer with a background in public relations and brand marketing. Throughout her nearly decade-long career, she has honed her skills in crafting content and helping build brands across various industries — including restaurant and hospitality, travel, tech, fashion and entertainment.
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