Toast Review
The restaurant-first POS platform
Pros
- ✓Purpose-built for restaurants with deep industry features
- ✓Excellent kitchen display and order management
- ✓Built-in online ordering with no commissions
- ✓Strong offline mode - works without internet
- ✓Comprehensive payroll and team management
Cons
- ✗Hardware lock-in - must use Toast terminals
- ✗2-year contracts standard (though negotiable)
- ✗More expensive than Square for simple operations
- ✗Android-only hardware
Best For
Pricing
Starter Kit
For new restaurants getting started
- ✓Cloud-based POS
- ✓Payment processing
- ✓Real-time fraud monitoring
- ✓Reporting & analytics
- ✓24/7 support
Point of Sale
Core restaurant POS features
- ✓Everything in Starter
- ✓Menu management
- ✓Reporting suite
- ✓Employee management
- ✓Lower processing rates
Build Your Own
Full platform with all add-ons
- ✓Everything in POS
- ✓Online ordering
- ✓Toast Delivery
- ✓Marketing & loyalty
- ✓Payroll & team management
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Toast cost?
Toast starts at $0/month for the Starter Kit (with higher processing fees of 2.99% + 15¢). The standard POS plan is $69/month with lower processing rates. Add-ons like online ordering, payroll, and marketing cost extra.
Does Toast require a contract?
Toast typically requires a 2-year contract, though terms can be negotiated. The Starter Kit has more flexible terms. Early termination fees may apply.
Can I use my own hardware with Toast?
No, Toast requires Toast-branded hardware. This ensures reliability and security but means you can't use iPads or other third-party devices. Toast hardware ranges from $799-$1,500+ per terminal.
Is Toast better than Square for restaurants?
Toast offers more advanced restaurant features like kitchen display systems, advanced coursing, and built-in delivery. Square is simpler and cheaper for small operations. Toast excels for full-service restaurants; Square wins for quick-service and simplicity.