Toast vs Square
Verdict
Both Toast and Square are strong choices. Square edges ahead on overall rating, but the right pick depends on your budget and use case.
Feature & pricing comparison
| Comparison | ||
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.4 | 4.5 |
| Starting price | Free | Free |
| Pricing model | Freemium | Freemium |
| API available | ||
| Best for | Restaurants & food service | Retail, food & omnichannel SMBs |
| Restaurant POS | ||
| Kitchen display system | ||
| Online ordering | ||
| Payroll & team | ||
| Loyalty & gift cards | ||
| In-person & online payments | ||
| Free POS software | ||
| Flat-rate fees | ||
| Invoicing | ||
| Hardware ecosystem | ||
| Visit | Visit |
Which should you choose?
Pick Toast if you prioritize Restaurants & food service
Pick Square if you prioritize Retail, food & omnichannel SMBs
Toast
Pros
- Built for restaurants
- All-in-one operations
- Strong hardware
Cons
- Restaurant-only focus
- Processing rates + hardware cost
Square
Pros
- Great for in-person
- Transparent flat fees
- Free POS
Cons
- Less developer-flexible
- Funds holds for new accounts
Frequently asked questions
Is Toast better than Square?+
Both Toast and Square are strong choices. Square edges ahead on overall rating, but the right pick depends on your budget and use case.
Which is cheaper, Toast or Square?+
Toast starts at Free, while Square starts at Free.