Choosing between Toast and Grubhub Direct for your business? Both are popular restaurant solutions, but they serve different needs. Toast starts at $0/month (Starter kit) to $165+/month and is Restaurant-focused POS and management platform, while Grubhub Direct starts at Free setup + processing fees and is Direct online ordering solution from Grubhub. This comprehensive comparison will help you decide which POS system is the right fit for your operation.
Quick Comparison: Toast vs Grubhub Direct
| Feature | Toast | Grubhub Direct |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Restaurant | Software |
| Starting Price | $0/month (Starter kit) to $165+/month | Free setup + processing fees |
| Rating | 4.5/5 | 3.9/5 |
| Target Business | Small Business | Small Business to Mid-Market |
| Pricing Model | Subscription | Transaction-based |
| Free Trial | Yes | No |
| Free Version | Yes | Yes |
| Best For | Full-service restaurants, quick-service restaurants, bars, and cafes | Restaurants wanting direct ordering with Grubhub delivery |
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
Grubhub Direct Overview
Grubhub Direct allows restaurants to accept online orders directly through their website without marketplace commissions. Includes order management and optional delivery through Grubhub drivers.
Grubhub Direct is offered by Grubhub (Just Eat Takeaway) (founded 2004) based in Chicago, IL. The system focuses on Restaurants.
Key Features:
- Online Ordering
- Website Integration
- Order Management
- Delivery Option
- Marketing Tools
- Analytics
Feature Comparison
Toast Features:
- Tableside ordering
- Kitchen display system
- Online ordering
- Delivery management
- Menu management
Grubhub Direct Features:
- Online Ordering
- Website Integration
- Order Management
- Delivery Option
- Marketing Tools
When comparing features, Toast stands out with Restaurant-specific features, while Grubhub Direct differentiates itself with Commission-free direct orders. Your choice should depend on which features align better with your specific business requirements.
Pricing Comparison
| Pricing Aspect | Toast | Grubhub Direct |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | $0/month (Starter kit) to $165+/month | Free setup + processing fees |
| Pricing Model | Subscription | Transaction-based |
| Price Range | Mid-range | Budget |
| Free Trial | Available | Not available |
| Free Version | Yes | Yes |
Grubhub Direct 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
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
Grubhub Direct
Pros:
- No commission on orders
- Grubhub delivery available
- Marketing support
- Free to set up
Cons:
- Delivery fees apply
- Less known than marketplace
- Limited 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.
Who Should Choose Grubhub Direct?
Grubhub Direct is ideal for Restaurants wanting direct ordering with Grubhub delivery. The system is particularly well-suited for Restaurants.
However, Grubhub Direct may not be the best fit for Those avoiding third-party delivery platforms.
Our Recommendation
Both Toast and Grubhub Direct are solid POS solutions, but they excel in different areas. Choose Toast if you’re Full-service restaurants, quick-service restaurants, bars, and cafes. Choose Grubhub Direct if you’re Restaurants wanting direct ordering with Grubhub delivery. Toast has a higher user rating (4.5 vs 3.9). We recommend trying demos or free trials of both systems before making your final decision.