A Square vs. Toast comparison
What’s the best all-in-one POS system for you?
For front of house, back of house, and everywhere in between.
One flexible solution that helps you deliver great diner experiences, maximize kitchen efficiency, and streamline vendors. All the benefits of working with a trusted, technology-first restaurant partner without any long-term contracts and hidden fees.
Square is on your side.
When comparing Square to Toast, many restaurants are drawn to our fair and flexible pricing and commitment to transparency. We’re in your corner - no long-term contracts, no hidden fees and the flexibility to opt out at any time!
No more hidden fees.
Simplified and transparent pricing across all payment types and software fees. What you see is what you get.
Always know what you’re paying for.
Our restaurants use Square because they want to - Square will not lock you into long-term contracts. Pay monthly for Square subscriptions, opt out at any time, or turn on your services for seasonal business or busy periods.
Better total cost of ownership.
Start with all the essentials you need to run your restaurant for free — just pay a processing rate of 2.6% + 10c per transaction versus Toast’s 2.99% + 15c for their Pay-as-you-go plan. Unlock Square’s advanced features for just $60/month per location versus Toast’s $165 for their mid-tier and advanced plans.
We’ve got you covered.
Square takes care of PCI compliance for your business. Rest easy knowing that disputes and chargebacks are handled by Square.
Sign up for Square for Restaurants.
Square works for you, no matter what you’re serving.
Why restaurants choose Square over Toast.
Square is the partner that restaurants trust to help them build the business they envision, today and in the future.
Work with a trusted partner.
We believe in transparency — which means no hidden fees or long-term contract lock-in. With Square you always know what you’re paying for, and you can opt in or out at any time based on what your business needs.
Everything you need to grow.
Whatever comes next, handle it with Square. Scaling your restaurant? Easily add locations, launch online ordering and run loyalty programs. Expanding the team? Train your staff in minutes, manage shifts and run payroll seamlessly — and do it all straight from your POS.
Keep customers coming back -- and serve meals more efficiently
Stay flexible whether your customers want to order online, in line, tableside, self-serve with QR codes, or pick up at the curb. Connect your FOH and BOH, sync all your orders from anywhere, and deliver even better hospitality.
Connect to the tools you already use.
Save time by connecting disjointed systems. No more manual data entry or spreadsheets. Integrate with top restaurant tools to solve problems today, make your job easier, and grow your business for tomorrow.
Pick the software plan for you.
Upgrade when you need to. No hidden fees. Cancel any time.
2.6% + 10¢ processing rate for in-person payments.
Free
The basics you need for day-to-day service, including online ordering and POS.
Unlimited countertop POS devices.
Unlimited locations.
M–F, 6 a.m.–6 p.m. PT support.
Plus
Multiple locations? Get advanced features such as coursing and 24/7 support as your operations grow.
For one countertop POS device per location.
+$40/month per added countertop POS device.
+$50/month per location for locations using Mobile POS.
Use unlimited Square KDS devices.
24/7 support.
Premium
Get a bespoke plan that scales as you expand your business.
Available if you process more than $200,000 per year.
Other exclusions apply.
Hardware for selling anywhere.
We design and build our hardware in-house, so it all works together seamlessly.
Take payments, print receipts and run your business with a powerful and portable payment terminal.
$299 or $27/mo over 12 months*
Square Reader for contactless and chip
Take contactless payments anywhere with a card reader that pairs directly with your device.
$59
Accept payments anywhere using this magnetic stripe reader for swiping credit cards anywhere on your smartphone or tablet
$10
Turn your iPad into a point of sale with integrated contactless and chip payments - no readers required.
$149 or $14/mo over 12 months*
Get an all-in-one POS register with a dedicated customer display that lets you start selling right out of the box.
$799 or $39/mo over 24 months*
* All credit sale plans are issued by Square, Inc. Not available to merchants in AL, DE, MS, MO, NH, and TN. Purchase amounts must be from $49 to $10,000. APR is 15%. Available plan lengths vary from 3, 6, 12, and/or 24 months installments depending on purchase amount. Sales tax, where applicable, will be due at checkout. All plans subject to credit approval and other factors.