Clover vs Toast
Clover is versatile hardware with an app marketplace. Toast is a restaurant operating system. Clover works fine for simple food service. Toast shines for full-service restaurants, high-volume operations, and anyone who wants restaurant-native workflows.
Our Verdict
Toast wins for restaurants. The restaurant-specific features—kitchen display integration, coursing, floor plans—make daily operations smoother. Clover makes sense for hybrid businesses (retail + food) or if you're locked into a Clover reseller relationship.
Best for:
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Clover | Toast | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Built for restaurants | No (works for any) | Yes (restaurants only) | Toast |
| Kitchen display | Via apps | Native, excellent | Toast |
| Online ordering | Via apps | Built-in, commission-free | Toast |
| Hardware quality | Excellent | Excellent (restaurant-grade) | Tie |
| Payment processor choice | Multiple options | Toast only | Clover |
| Table management | Basic/apps | Built-in, robust | Toast |
| Non-restaurant use | Excellent | Not possible | Clover |
| Menu management | Good | Excellent | Toast |
Clover
Pros
- ✓Works for any business type
- ✓Multiple processor options
- ✓Great hardware design
- ✓Flexible app ecosystem
Cons
- ✗Restaurant features via apps
- ✗Reseller pricing complexity
- ✗Less restaurant-native
Toast
Pros
- ✓Restaurant-native everything
- ✓Superior kitchen integration
- ✓Built-in online ordering
- ✓Restaurant-grade hardware
Cons
- ✗Restaurants only
- ✗Locked to Toast processing
- ✗Can't use for non-food
In-Depth Analysis
Kitchen Workflow
Toast's kitchen display routes by station, tracks ticket times, handles coursing natively. Clover's restaurant apps work but feel bolted-on. For high-volume kitchens, Toast's integrated approach saves real time. For counter service, the difference is smaller.
The Flexibility Question
Run a coffee shop that also sells retail merch? Clover handles both naturally. Toast is awkward for anything non-food. If your business model is hybrid, Clover's versatility matters. Pure restaurants should optimize for restaurant features.
Processor Lock-in Trade-off
Toast locks you to Toast Payments. Clover lets you choose processors. For most restaurants, this doesn't matter much—Toast's rates are competitive. But if you have a banking relationship or need specific processor features, Clover's flexibility helps.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I switch from Clover to Toast?
Yes, but it's a full system replacement—new hardware, new software, staff retraining. Budget 2-4 weeks and plan the cutover carefully. Most restaurants do it on a Monday when volume is lower.
Is Clover cheaper than Toast?
Depends on your reseller. Clover pricing varies wildly—some deals are great, some are terrible. Toast pricing is more standardized. Get quotes from both and compare total cost including processing.