Square vs Toast
Square rates 4.5/5 and starts at Free. Toast rates 4.4/5 and starts at Free. Square is the higher rated.
Verdict
Square rates higher (4.5/5 vs 4.4/5). Square suits Retail, food & omnichannel SMBs, while Toast is aimed at Restaurants & food service.
Square vs Toast at a glance
| Measure | Square | Toast |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.5/5 | 4.4/5 |
| Reviews | 12,600 | 6,800 |
| Starting price | Free | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Public API | Yes | Yes |
| Integrations listed here | 5 | 5 |
Feature & pricing comparison
| Comparison | ||
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.5 | 4.4 |
| Starting price | Free | Free |
| Pricing model | Freemium | Freemium |
| API available | ||
| Best for | Retail, food & omnichannel SMBs | Restaurants & food service |
| In-person & online payments | ||
| Free POS software | ||
| Flat-rate fees | ||
| Invoicing | ||
| Hardware ecosystem | ||
| Restaurant POS | ||
| Kitchen display system | ||
| Online ordering | ||
| Payroll & team | ||
| Loyalty & gift cards | ||
| Visit | Visit |
Pricing side by side
Square
Full pricing →| Plan | Price | Per year |
|---|---|---|
| Free | Free | — |
| Online | Custom | — |
Toast
Full pricing →| Plan | Price | Per year |
|---|---|---|
| Starter | Free | — |
| Point of Sale | $69/mo | $828 |
Which should you choose?
Pick Square if you prioritize Retail, food & omnichannel SMBs
Pick Toast if you prioritize Restaurants & food service
Choose Square if…
- Great for in-person matters to you.
- Transparent flat fees matters to you.
- Free POS matters to you.
- Restaurant-only focus would be a problem.
Choose Toast if…
- Built for restaurants matters to you.
- All-in-one operations matters to you.
- Strong hardware matters to you.
- Less developer-flexible would be a problem.
Square
Pros
- Great for in-person
- Transparent flat fees
- Free POS
Cons
- Less developer-flexible
- Funds holds for new accounts
Toast
Pros
- Built for restaurants
- All-in-one operations
- Strong hardware
Cons
- Restaurant-only focus
- Processing rates + hardware cost
Frequently asked questions
Is Square better than Toast?+
Square rates higher (4.5/5 vs 4.4/5). Square suits Retail, food & omnichannel SMBs, while Toast is aimed at Restaurants & food service.
Which is cheaper, Square or Toast?+
Square starts at Free and Toast starts at Free.
Do Square or Toast have a free plan?+
Both offer a free tier, so you can trial either without paying.
Which is better rated, Square or Toast?+
Square, at 4.5/5 across 12,600 reviews, versus 4.4/5 for Toast.
What is Square best for, and what is Toast best for?+
Square is aimed at Retail, food & omnichannel SMBs (brick-and-mortar + online, restaurants). Toast is aimed at Restaurants & food service (restaurants, cafes & bars).