Choosing between Toast and Upserve? Both are leading point of sale systems with unique strengths. This comprehensive 2025 comparison breaks down pricing, features, pros/cons, and real-world use cases to help you make the right decision for your business.
Toast: $0/mo | 4.7/5 rating | Best for Full-Service & QSR Restaurants
Upserve: $59/mo | 4.3/5 rating | Best for Full-Service Restaurants
Toast vs Upserve: Quick Summary
| Feature | Toast | Upserve |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | $0/mo | $59/mo |
| Best For | Full-Service & QSR Restaurants | Full-Service Restaurants |
| Industry | Restaurant | Restaurant |
| Rating | 4.7/5 | 4.3/5 |
| Key Strength | Built specifically for restaurants | Excellent analytics |
Toast Overview
Price: $0/mo | Rating: 4.7/5 | Best For: Full-Service & QSR Restaurants
Toast is a Restaurant POS system designed specifically for Full-Service & QSR Restaurants. Key benefits include: Built specifically for restaurants.
- Restaurant-specific POS
- Online ordering
- Kitchen display system
- Tableside ordering
- Payroll & team management
- Marketing & loyalty
Upserve Overview
Price: $59/mo | Rating: 4.3/5 | Best For: Full-Service Restaurants
Upserve is a Restaurant POS system designed specifically for Full-Service Restaurants. Key benefits include: Excellent analytics.
- Server performance tracking
- Menu intelligence
- Guest insights
- Workforce management
- Online ordering
- Reputation management
Pros & Cons Comparison
Toast Pros
- ✅ Built specifically for restaurants
- ✅ Excellent hardware options
- ✅ Strong online ordering
Toast Cons
- ❌ Locked into Toast payments
- ❌ Can be expensive for small restaurants
Upserve Pros
- ✅ Excellent analytics
- ✅ Server performance insights
- ✅ Guest tracking
Upserve Cons
- ❌ Now part of Lightspeed
- ❌ Premium features costly
The Verdict: Toast vs Upserve
Choose Toast if you’re looking for a solution optimized for Full-Service & QSR Restaurants and value Built specifically for restaurants.
Choose Upserve if your business focuses on Full-Service Restaurants and you prioritize Excellent analytics.
Feature-by-Feature Comparison
Let’s dive deeper into how Toast and Upserve compare across key features that matter most to Restaurant businesses.
| Feature | Toast | Upserve |
|---|---|---|
| Ease of Use | Excellent | Good |
| Hardware Options | Optional | Required |
| Target Business Size | Small Business | Small Business |
| Contract Required | Month-to-month available | Month-to-month available |
Who Should Choose Toast?
Toast is the ideal choice for:
- Full-Service & QSR Restaurants who need specialized features
- Businesses that prioritize Built specifically for restaurants
- Those who value Excellent hardware options
- Companies with budget around $0/mo per month
Who Should Choose Upserve?
Upserve is the ideal choice for:
- Full-Service Restaurants who need specialized features
- Businesses that prioritize Excellent analytics
- Those who value Server performance insights
- Companies with budget around $59/mo per month
Real-World Use Cases
Toast vs Upserve for Small Businesses
For small businesses with limited budgets, Toast ($0/mo) offers better value while still providing essential features like Restaurant-specific POS and Online ordering.
Toast vs Upserve for Multi-Location Businesses
Multi-location businesses should consider scalability and centralized management. Both systems can scale to multiple locations with proper setup. Request a demo to see how each handles multi-store reporting and inventory sync.
Toast vs Upserve for High-Volume Operations
High-volume operations need reliable, fast POS systems. Toast (rated 4.7/5) has proven reliability for busy Restaurant environments, especially for Full-Service & QSR Restaurants.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better: Toast or Upserve?
The better choice depends on your specific needs. Toast (rated 4.7/5) excels for Full-Service & QSR Restaurants, while Upserve (rated 4.3/5) is optimized for Full-Service Restaurants. Consider your industry, budget, and required features when deciding.
How much does Toast cost compared to Upserve?
Toast starts at $0/mo, while Upserve starts at $59/mo. Both may have additional costs for hardware, payment processing, and add-on features. Request a custom quote for accurate pricing based on your business needs.
Can I switch from Toast to Upserve?
Yes, switching POS systems is possible. Most providers offer data migration assistance and training. Consider contract terms, hardware compatibility, and staff training time when planning a switch.
What integrations do these POS systems offer?
Both systems offer integrations with accounting software, e-commerce platforms, and third-party apps. Toast features Restaurant-specific POS, Online ordering, Kitchen display system. Upserve offers Server performance tracking, Menu intelligence, Guest insights.
Get a Free Quote
Still not sure which POS system is right for your business? Our experts can provide personalized recommendations based on your specific needs, budget, and growth plans.
Last updated: December 2025. Pricing and features subject to change.