Compare Toast vs Square to find the best POS system for your restaurant. Explore features, pricing, and tools to streamline operations and boost revenue.
Running a restaurant today means balancing customer experiences, staff efficiency, and tight margins. Choosing the right point-of-sale (POS) system is one of the most impactful decisions you can make as a restaurant owner. Toast and Square are two of the most popular options.
In my Toast vs Square comparison, both platforms stand out for providing dependable payment processing and business management tools. But their strengths align with different types of food businesses.
Here’s how they stack up at a glance:
This guide compares Toast and Square across pricing, features, hardware, support, and overall restaurant fit, so you can decide which system best serves your operation.
| Toast | Square for Restaurants | |
|---|---|---|
| Our rating | 4.64 out of 5 | 3.83 out of 5 |
| Best for | Full-service restaurants, bars, multi-location operations | Cafes, food trucks, small restaurants |
| Pricing | $0 for a Starter Kit; paid plans start at $69/month/location. Most require a 2-year contract. | $0 for Square Free; paid plans start at $49/month/location. Month-to-month, no contract. |
| Payment processing fees | 2.4%–2.6% + 10–15 cents (flat-rate processing) | Starts at 2.49% + 15 cents for Standard; starts at 3.09% + 15 cents for Pay-as-you-Go plans |
| Hardware | Restaurant-grade handhelds, kitchen displays, and spill-proof terminals. Built to handle busy kitchens. | iPads, Square Register, countertop and handheld readers. More affordable, but less durable. |
| Restaurant POS features | Table & menu management, coursing, inventory, payroll, loyalty, and advanced reporting. | Core POS, menus, basic reporting. Add-ons for payroll, inventory, and loyalty. |
| Support | 24/7 phone, email, in-app support. | Phone/chat during business hours; large self-help library. |
| Visit Toast | Visit Square for Restaurants |
My expert opinion: Toast and Square are ranked among our top restaurant POS systems. But Square is the more affordable option with a free plan and lower entry-level pricing. Toast is more expensive but justifies its cost with restaurant-specific features.
If price is your deciding factor: Choose Square for the best value and flexibility. Choose Toast if you want advanced features and don’t mind higher costs.
Both Toast and Square offer free starter-level POS options, but they take different approaches. Toast provides a Starter Kit with no upfront monthly fees, using a pay-as-you-go model that charges per transaction and limits users to one location and two terminals.
Square’s Free POS plan, on the other hand, includes software for unlimited terminals at no cost, giving it a more flexible advantage for operators who want room to scale without additional restrictions.
When it comes to paid tiers, Square remains the more affordable option. Its Square Plus plan begins at $49 per month per location, while Toast’s standard Point of Sale subscription starts at $69 per month per terminal, making it considerably more expensive as businesses add devices across multiple dining areas.
On top of that, many of Toast’s most valuable tools, such as loyalty programs, online ordering, and payroll, require additional fees. For restaurants looking to expand, this structure often drives Toast’s actual monthly costs far above Square’s.
| Toast | Square for Restaurants |
|---|---|
| • Starter Kit: $0/month (1 location, up to 2 terminals) • Point of Sale: Starting at $69/month • Build Your Own: Custom pricing • Bundle POS + Payroll: Starting at $69/month + $9 per employee/month • Free trial: None | • Square Free: $0/month per location • Square Plus: $49/month per location • Square Premium: $149/month per location • Free trial: 30 days for paid subscriptions |
Square uses simple flat-rate pricing, and this predictable structure makes it easy for small businesses to manage cash flow. Another advantage is Square Banking, which offers same-day deposits, an important benefit for operators running on tight margins.
On the other hand, Toast’s payment processing rates vary depending on the plan. The $0-per-month Starter plan carries the highest fees, while restaurants on paid plans or custom contracts may be able to negotiate better terms.
One thing to note, though, is that Toast has a key advantage for bars and taverns because it supports pre-authorized bar tabs, which Square does not. Deposits usually arrive the next day if closed before 9:30 p.m. ET, though later batches can take up to two business days. Another difference to note is that Square supports PayPal for online purchases, while Toast does not.
Overall, Square wins on transparency and cost, especially for operators who need quick access to funds and simple processing with no approval hurdles. Toast is better suited for high-volume restaurants or bars that need bar tab pre-authorization and can balance out higher fees with negotiated contracts.
| Toast | Square for Restaurants |
|---|---|
| • Pay-as-you-Go: Starts at 3.09% + 15 cents • Pay-as-you-Go Core: Starts at 3.39% + 15 cents • Pay-as-you-Go Growth: Starts at 3.69% + 15 cents • Standard plan: Starts at 2.49% + 15 cents | • Card-present transactions: 2.4%–2.6% + 10–15 cents • Online payments: 2.9%–3.3% + 30 cents |
My expert opinion: Square is more flexible and budget-friendly, running on iPads with financing options. Toast’s proprietary hardware is more expensive but built to withstand high-volume kitchens.
If hardware is your deciding factor: Choose Square for affordability and portability. Choose Toast for durable, industry-grade equipment.
Square offers more flexibility and affordability in hardware since it can run on iPads and provides its own line of devices, including a free magstripe reader. For larger setups, hardware bundles are available with financing options, making it easier for businesses to scale without a heavy upfront investment.
Toast takes a different approach with proprietary, restaurant-grade hardware designed for demanding environments. Its lineup includes restaurant technology, like spill-resistant touch terminals, rugged handhelds, and high-performing kitchen display systems (KDS) built to handle grease, spills, and long service hours.
While this durability comes at a higher cost, especially for handheld terminals, Toast’s hardware is well-suited for high-volume kitchens where resilience is critical.
Here’s a sample monthly breakdown of fees so that you can plan accordingly. I’ve outlined costs for both a small cafe with one terminal and a mid-sized full-service restaurant with three terminals. This way, you can see how software, hardware, processing, and add-ons add up, depending on the size of your operation.
| Category | Square | Toast |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly software | $0 (Free plan) | $0 (Starter Kit, pay-as-you-go) |
| Processing fees | ~2.6% + 15 cents | ~3.09% + 15 cents |
| Hardware | ~$900 (iPad + stand/printer) | ~$1,200 (Toast terminal) |
| Add-ons (optional) | Loyalty $45, Payroll $35+ | Loyalty $50+, Payroll $69+ |
| Estimated monthly | $0–$45 + processing fees | $0–$50 + higher fees |
Example: Calculating processing fees (small operator with $10,000 in monthly sales)*
Let’s assume a cafe processes $10,000 in card sales per month, with an average ticket size of $20 from around 500 transactions.
At lower volumes, Toast’s Starter Kit ends up costing nearly $50 more per month in processing than Square Free, making Square the better option for cafes or food trucks running lean margins.
| Category | Square | Toast |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly software | $49 (Square Plus, all terminals) | $207 ($69 × 3 terminals) |
| Processing fees | ~2.6% + 10 cents | ~2.49% + 15 cents |
| Hardware | ~$2,700 (3 iPads + stands/printers) | ~$3,000–$5,000 (3 terminals + KDS) |
| Add-ons (optional) | Loyalty $45, Payroll $35+ | Loyalty $50+, Payroll $69+ |
| Estimated monthly | $130–$200 + processing fees | $350–$500 + processing fees |
Example: Calculating processing fees (mid-sized operator with $30,000 in monthly sales)*
Let’s assume a restaurant processes $30,000 in card sales per month, with an average ticket size of $30 from around 1,000 transactions.
At higher sales volumes, Toast’s Starter Kit processing fees climb much faster than Square Free, adding nearly $150 more in costs per month on $30,000 in sales.
*Disclaimer: These examples use the Square Free plan (2.6% + 15 cents) and Toast Starter Kit pay-as-you-go plan (3.09% + 15 cents). Actual rates may differ based on plan type, negotiated contracts, or custom pricing agreements.
My expert opinion: Toast delivers the more advanced, all-in-one feature set with built-in tools for operations, loyalty, inventory, staff, and analytics. Square, while easier to set up and free to start, relies on add-ons and third-party integrations, making it best for small or counter-service restaurants with simpler needs.
If core features are your deciding factor: Choose Toast for the most complete built-in toolkit. Choose Square if you want a free, lightweight POS that covers the basics, and are fine expanding with add-ons later.
| Feature | Toast POS | Square POS |
|---|---|---|
| Restaurant operations | Yes (built-in: table mapping, coursing, KDS) | Yes (basic; advanced requires Plus Plan) |
| Payments & loyalty | Yes (integrated loyalty tools, advanced CRM) | Yes (loyalty is a paid add-on) |
| Inventory | Yes (recipe-level, ingredient tracking) | Yes (basic item-level) |
| Staff & payroll | Yes (scheduling, tip pooling, payroll built-in) | Yes (payroll via Gusto; limited scheduling) |
| Analytics | Yes (restaurant-specific, menu & labor insights) | Yes (basic sales reports only) |
My expert opinion: Square is the fastest and simplest to set up, making it best for operators who want to get started right away. Toast takes longer to implement but makes up for it with stronger one-on-one support and advanced training.
If ease of use is your deciding factor: Choose Square for quick setup and simplicity. Choose Toast if you want dedicated support to master a more feature-rich system.
Both Toast and Square are user-friendly POS systems, but their approaches differ. Square is easier to set up, often in less than a day, making it ideal for those who want to get started quickly without learning a complex system. Toast, on the other hand, requires more lead time due to its robust, restaurant-focused toolkit and customization options.
The tradeoff is support. Toast offers stronger assistance with 24/7 live help via phone, email, or chat, plus personal onboarding and advanced training through Toast University.
Square provides weekday phone support, 24/7 automated chat, and an online knowledge base, but lacks the same level of one-on-one training.
My expert opinion: Square covers the basics at a low cost, making it the smarter choice for cafes, food trucks, and small restaurants. Toast’s advanced AI, predictive tools, and unified workflows justify the higher investment for full-service and multi-location operators.
If emerging tech is your deciding factor: Choose Toast when you need advanced AI, predictive inventory, and unified order flows. Choose Square when you want affordable, essential tools without unnecessary extras.
Both Toast and Square are expanding into AI and emerging technology, but their offerings suit different types of restaurants.
Toast’s strengths lie in its advanced, restaurant-focused add-ons. Delivery integrations with apps like DoorDash, Uber Eats, and Grubhub are available through its Partner Connect marketplace, while unified order flows across dine-in, takeout, and delivery are supported by the Toast KDS.
Higher-tier add-ons like ToastIQ bring predictive inventory tools and AI-driven upselling, making Toast especially valuable for full-service or multi-location restaurants managing complex operations.
Square keeps things simpler, with delivery included through Square Online and basic inventory tracking available for free. More advanced features like predictive analytics, delivery integrations across multiple apps, and AI-powered marketing require third-party tools or paid add-ons. For cafes, food trucks, or small restaurants, Square’s low-cost approach often covers the essentials without overcomplicating the setup.
My expert opinion: Real users see Toast as the more powerful, restaurant-focused system with durable hardware and an integrated ecosystem, but they frequently cite higher costs, long contracts, and more complex setup as drawbacks. Square earns praise for its ease of use, quick setup, and low cost of entry, but users note it lacks the depth and durability needed for full-service dining.
If user experience is your deciding factor: Choose Toast if you want advanced, restaurant-specific tools and can handle higher costs. Choose Square if you want a budget-friendly, easy-to-use POS that works best for cafes and small operators.
What actual users say about Toast: User feedback highlights Toast’s strong restaurant-specific features, reliable hardware, and integrated ecosystem of tools. Many reviewers appreciate that it’s designed specifically for foodservice rather than retrofitted from retail.
On the other hand, there are the common frustrations and complaints about the provider.
What actual users say about Square for Restaurants: User feedback consistently highlights Square’s ease of use, low upfront costs, and flexibility. Many appreciate that it’s fast to set up and simple enough for new staff to learn quickly.
On the other hand, here are the common frustrations and complaints about the provider:
No. Toast is a restaurant-specific POS system with features like table management, kitchen displays, and payroll tools. Square is a more general POS that serves many industries and is popular with small cafes, food trucks, and quick-service restaurants.
The main disadvantages are higher processing fees on entry plans, two-year contracts, and additional charges for key features such as loyalty programs or payroll. These costs can add up quickly for smaller restaurants.
Square for Restaurants is Toast’s largest direct competitor, but other rivals include Lightspeed, Clover, and TouchBistro. Square is often chosen by small operators, while Toast is preferred by full-service and multi-location restaurants.
Toast starts at $0 per month on its pay-as-you-go plan but has higher processing fees and most features as paid add-ons. Square offers a free POS plan with core features and flat-rate processing at 2.6% + 15 cents. For most small operators, Square is cheaper overall.
Square is usually better for small cafes and food trucks because it has no contract, lower fees, and quick setup. Toast is a stronger choice for full-service restaurants that need advanced tools like coursing, kitchen displays, and payroll.
In the Square vs Toast matchup, your ideal choice depends on your restaurant’s scale and priorities. Square excels for small cafes, food trucks, and new operators who want quick setup, low upfront cost, and enough core functionality to get started without being overwhelmed. Its free plan, predictable flat-rate processing, and flexibility make it attractive for budget-conscious or simple operations.
On the flip side, Toast offers the more complete, restaurant-tailored solution. Its built-in tools for table management, inventory, staff, analytics, loyalty, and kitchen workflows outshine Square’s add-on approach, especially in full-service and multi-location environments. Toast costs more, has a learning curve, and often requires longer implementation, but for restaurants dealing with complexity and volume, it pays off.So, bottom line — choose Square when you want simplicity, affordability, and speed. Choose Toast when you need a robust, all-in-one system that’s built specifically for the demands of a full-service or multi-unit restaurant.
Agatha Aviso is a seasoned expert in retail, eCommerce, and order fulfillment, with a specialization in payments, POS systems, and eCommerce software. She has collaborated with startups and service-based entrepreneurs on content strategy, offering digital marketing expertise and guiding small business owners in launching their online storefronts. Beyond consulting, Agatha applies her knowledge firsthand—building her own website as well as ecommerce sites for the platforms she reviews.
Restaurant HQ is your headquarters for restaurant business advice from industry experts. Learn how to start, run and grow any food and beverage business.
Property of TechnologyAdvice. © 2025 TechnologyAdvice. All Rights Reserved
Advertiser Disclosure: Some of the products that appear on this site are from companies from which TechnologyAdvice receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site including, for example, the order in which they appear. TechnologyAdvice does not include all companies or all types of products available in the marketplace.
