A lighter TipHaus alternative for calculating tip pools
If you need the tip split, not a full tip-payout platform, Tiptrail calculates every share from your POS timesheet export in the browser. Free for a week of shifts.
TipHaus is a full tip management platform: POS integrations, automated distribution and tip payouts. It's a strong choice for groups that want tips handled end to end. Plenty of single restaurants only need the arithmetic done right each pay period — that's what Tiptrail does.
| Tiptrail | TipHaus | |
|---|---|---|
| Where it runs | In your browser. Drop a timesheet export; nothing is uploaded and nothing is installed. | Cloud platform connected to your POS and payroll. |
| Price | Free for one file and up to 7 business days per report. Pro: $9 for 7 days, $19/month or $149/year — not per location. | Not listed on its website; reported at $99 per location per month ($69 for quick service) in 2022–2023 press coverage. |
| Setup | None — no account, no POS integration. Works from the export you already have. | Onboarding and POS integration. |
| Payouts | No — Tiptrail calculates; you pay tips through your payroll as usual. | Yes — instant tip payouts and a payroll card. |
Choose TipHaus if you want payouts, integrations and support across many locations. Choose Tiptrail if you want a correct, auditable split from the file you already export, without a per-location subscription.
Competitor details checked on 2026-10-27 from their public pages: GeekWire (2023), GeekWire (2022), TipHaus. Prices change — check their site for the current offer. Product names are trademarks of their owners; we are not affiliated with them.
FAQ
Does Tiptrail pay out tips?
No. Tiptrail calculates each employee's card tips, cash tips and gratuities; you pay them through payroll or your existing payout method.
Is it really private?
Yes. Your file is read by JavaScript running in your browser tab; its contents — names, hours, tips — are never sent over the network. You can verify this in your browser's developer tools (Network tab), or go offline after the page has loaded.
Which files work?
Toast Time Entries and payroll exports, Square timecards, 7shifts time punches, Homebase timesheets, When I Work timesheets, and most other timesheet exports with an employee, a date and hours or clock-in/out times — CSV, TXT, XLSX, XLS or ODS. Columns are detected automatically and you can change any of them; your choice is remembered for that layout.
How are tips split?
Each pool's tips are divided by hours worked × the points you give each role. Optionally the pool is first split between groups (e.g. front and back of house) by percentage. Cents are allocated by largest remainder, so shares always add up exactly.
My export has no tip columns. Can I still use it?
Yes. Type each pool's tips into the Add tips box; the split uses the hours from your file.
Is it legal advice?
No. Tiptrail does the arithmetic with the rules you set. Who may share in a tip pool depends on federal, state and local law — see our tip pooling rules overview and check with your state labor department or an employment lawyer.
What's free?
Everything, one file at a time, for reports covering up to 7 business days — the full split, checks, payroll CSV and printable report. Pro removes the limit for whole pay periods, combines several files or locations, and adds the Excel audit workbook, shift-by-shift CSV and employee statements.