Choosing between Square and Toast for your business? Both are popular multi-industry solutions, but they serve different needs. Square starts at Free (2.6% + 10¢ per transaction) and is All-in-one payment and business management platform, while Toast starts at $0/month (Starter kit) to $165+/month and is Restaurant-focused POS and management platform. This comprehensive comparison will help you decide which POS system is the right fit for your operation.
Quick Comparison: Square vs Toast
| Feature | Square | Toast |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Multi-Industry | Restaurant |
| Starting Price | Free (2.6% + 10¢ per transaction) | $0/month (Starter kit) to $165+/month |
| Rating | 4.7/5 | 4.5/5 |
| Target Business | Small Business | Small Business |
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Subscription |
| Free Trial | No | Yes |
| Free Version | Yes | Yes |
| Best For | Small retail shops, food trucks, service businesses, and startups | Full-service restaurants, quick-service restaurants, bars, and cafes |
Square Overview
Square is a comprehensive payment and point-of-sale platform that helps businesses of all sizes accept payments, manage inventory, and grow their business. Known for its iconic card reader and user-friendly interface.
Square is offered by Block, Inc. (formerly Square, Inc.) (founded 2009) based in San Francisco, CA. The system focuses on Retail, Restaurants, Services, Appointments.
Key Features:
- Free POS app
- Inventory management
- Employee management
- Customer directory
- Analytics dashboard
- Online ordering
Toast Overview
Toast is a restaurant-specific point-of-sale and management system built exclusively for the food service industry. It offers hardware and software solutions for dine-in, takeout, and delivery operations.
Toast is offered by Toast, Inc. (founded 2012) based in Boston, MA. The system focuses on Full-service restaurants, Quick service, Bars, Cafes, Food trucks.
Key Features:
- Tableside ordering
- Kitchen display system
- Online ordering
- Delivery management
- Menu management
- Payroll integration
Feature Comparison
Square Features:
- Free POS app
- Inventory management
- Employee management
- Customer directory
- Analytics dashboard
Toast Features:
- Tableside ordering
- Kitchen display system
- Online ordering
- Delivery management
- Menu management
When comparing features, Square stands out with No monthly fees, while Toast differentiates itself with Restaurant-specific features. Your choice should depend on which features align better with your specific business requirements.
Pricing Comparison
| Pricing Aspect | Square | Toast |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | Free (2.6% + 10¢ per transaction) | $0/month (Starter kit) to $165+/month |
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Subscription |
| Price Range | Budget | Mid-range |
| Free Trial | Not available | Available |
| Free Version | Yes | Yes |
Square is more budget-friendly, making it a better choice for cost-conscious businesses. Consider the total cost of ownership including hardware, processing fees, and add-on modules when making your decision.
Pros and Cons
Square
Pros:
- No monthly fees for basic plan
- Easy setup and use
- Excellent mobile app
- Strong ecosystem of add-ons
- Transparent pricing
Cons:
- Transaction fees can add up
- Limited customization
- Account stability concerns for high-risk businesses
Toast
Pros:
- Built specifically for restaurants
- Robust reporting
- Excellent kitchen management
- Strong online ordering
- Good hardware durability
Cons:
- 2-year contracts typical
- Can be expensive with add-ons
- Limited to restaurant industry
Who Should Choose Square?
Square is ideal for Small retail shops, food trucks, service businesses, and startups. The system is particularly well-suited for Retail, Restaurants, Services, Appointments.
However, Square may not be the best fit for Large enterprises needing deep customization.
Who Should Choose Toast?
Toast is ideal for Full-service restaurants, quick-service restaurants, bars, and cafes. The system is particularly well-suited for Full-service restaurants, Quick service, Bars, Cafes, Food trucks.
However, Toast may not be the best fit for Non-restaurant businesses.
Our Recommendation
Both Square and Toast are solid POS solutions, but they excel in different areas. Choose Square if you’re Small retail shops, food trucks, service businesses, and startups. Choose Toast if you’re Full-service restaurants, quick-service restaurants, bars, and cafes. Square has a higher user rating (4.7 vs 4.5). We recommend trying demos or free trials of both systems before making your final decision.
