Toast vs Shopify POS (2024 Comparison)
Toast is a powerful POS system for restaurants, offering comprehensive features and strong customer support. Its intuitive interface and restaurant-specific tools make it a valuable asset for enhancing efficiency and customer service.
- Comprehensive restaurant-specific features.
- Intuitive interface for easy use.
- Strong customer support for restaurants.
- Limited integrations with third-party apps.
- Basic inventory management features.
Free plan?
YesStarting price
$69 per month
Shopify POS integrates seamlessly with Shopify's e-commerce platform, providing a versatile solution for retailers. Its advanced inventory management and payment processing options make it ideal for businesses seeking a unified sales platform.
- Seamless integration with Shopify e-commerce.
- Advanced inventory management capabilities.
- Versatile payment processing options.
- Less specialized for restaurant operations.
- Higher cost for advanced features.
Free plan?
YesStarting price
$5 per monthWhat is Toast?
Toast is a comprehensive point-of-sale (POS) system designed specifically for the restaurant industry. It offers a range of features including order management, payment processing, and customer relationship management. With its intuitive interface, Toast helps restaurant owners streamline operations, improve customer service, and increase sales. Whether you're running a small café or a large restaurant chain, Toast provides the tools you need to manage your business efficiently and effectively.
What is Shopify POS?
Shopify POS is a versatile point-of-sale system that integrates seamlessly with Shopify's e-commerce platform. It allows retailers to manage sales, inventory, and customer data both online and in-store. With features like mobile checkout, customizable receipts, and detailed analytics, Shopify POS helps businesses provide a consistent shopping experience across all channels. It's an ideal solution for retailers looking to unify their online and offline operations.
Pros and Cons of Toast vs Shopify POS
Pros & Cons of Toast
- Toast offers a wide range of features tailored specifically for the restaurant industry, including menu management, table tracking, and kitchen display systems. These features enhance efficiency and improve customer service, making it a valuable tool for restaurant owners.
- Toast is designed with restaurant staff in mind, offering an intuitive interface that simplifies order taking and payment processing. Its user-friendly design minimizes training time and enhances staff efficiency, making it easy for new employees to get up to speed quickly.
- Toast provides dedicated customer support tailored to the needs of restaurant owners, ensuring quick resolution of issues and minimizing downtime. Its support team is knowledgeable about the restaurant industry, providing valuable assistance to help businesses run smoothly.
- Toast offers a limited range of integrations with third-party apps, which may restrict its functionality for businesses that rely on specific tools. This limitation can be a drawback for restaurant owners looking to expand their operations with additional software solutions.
- Toast provides basic inventory management features that may not be sufficient for restaurants with complex inventory needs. While it helps track ingredients and supplies, it lacks the advanced capabilities required for detailed inventory management, which can be a limitation for larger establishments.
Pros & Cons of Shopify POS
- Shopify POS integrates seamlessly with Shopify's e-commerce platform, providing a unified solution for managing online and offline sales. This integration allows retailers to offer a consistent shopping experience across all channels, enhancing customer satisfaction and streamlining operations.
- Shopify POS offers advanced inventory management features that allow retailers to manage stock across multiple locations and sales channels. Its comprehensive tools help businesses optimize inventory levels, reduce stockouts, and improve overall efficiency, making it a valuable asset for retailers.
- Shopify POS provides versatile payment processing options, supporting various payment methods and currencies. Its flexibility allows retailers to offer a wide range of payment options to customers, enhancing the shopping experience and increasing sales opportunities.
- Shopify POS is not specifically designed for the restaurant industry, which may limit its functionality for restaurant owners. While it offers robust features for retailers, it lacks the specialized tools needed for managing restaurant operations, making it less suitable for this industry.
- Shopify POS offers advanced features that come at a higher cost, which may be a consideration for small businesses with limited budgets. While its comprehensive tools provide significant value, the cost of accessing these features can be a drawback for some retailers.
Toast vs Shopify POS: At A Glance
Value to Price
Toast offers a robust set of features tailored for the restaurant industry, providing excellent value for its price. Its comprehensive tools for order management and customer engagement make it a worthwhile investment for restaurant owners. On the other hand, Shopify POS provides a versatile solution for retailers, offering seamless integration with its e-commerce platform. Its pricing reflects the value of unifying online and offline sales channels. If you're looking for a specialized restaurant POS, Toast is a great choice, while Shopify POS is ideal for retailers seeking a unified solution.
Ease of Use
Toast is designed with restaurant staff in mind, offering an intuitive interface that simplifies order taking and payment processing. Its user-friendly design minimizes training time and enhances staff efficiency. Shopify POS, known for its simplicity, provides an easy-to-navigate interface that integrates seamlessly with Shopify's e-commerce platform. This makes it a preferred choice for retailers who want a straightforward system. If ease of use is your priority, Shopify POS stands out for its simplicity and integration capabilities.
Functionality
Toast excels in providing restaurant-specific functionalities such as menu management, table tracking, and kitchen display systems. These features are essential for streamlining restaurant operations. Shopify POS, however, offers a wide range of functionalities that cater to both online and offline retail operations. Its ability to manage inventory, process payments, and provide detailed analytics makes it a powerful tool for retailers. If you need specialized restaurant features, Toast is the way to go, while Shopify POS is better suited for comprehensive retail management.
Scalability
Toast is designed to grow with your restaurant business, offering scalable solutions that can accommodate small cafes to large restaurant chains. Its ability to handle high transaction volumes and multiple locations makes it a reliable choice for expanding businesses. Shopify POS, with its cloud-based infrastructure, provides scalability for retailers looking to expand their operations both online and offline. If you're planning to scale your business, both tools offer robust solutions, but Shopify POS provides more flexibility for retailers.
Integrations
Toast offers a range of integrations with restaurant-specific tools, enhancing its functionality and allowing for seamless operations. Its integration capabilities are tailored to meet the needs of the restaurant industry. Shopify POS, on the other hand, provides extensive integration options with various third-party apps, making it a versatile choice for retailers. If you require a wide range of integrations, Shopify POS is the better option, while Toast is ideal for restaurant-specific integrations.
Customer Support
Toast provides dedicated customer support tailored to the needs of restaurant owners, ensuring quick resolution of issues and minimizing downtime. Its support team is knowledgeable about the restaurant industry, providing valuable assistance. Shopify POS offers reliable customer support with a focus on retail operations, ensuring that retailers receive the help they need to manage their businesses effectively. If you value industry-specific support, Toast is a great choice, while Shopify POS offers comprehensive support for retailers.
Security
Toast prioritizes security with features like secure payment processing and data encryption, ensuring that customer information is protected. Its focus on security is essential for maintaining customer trust in the restaurant industry. Shopify POS also emphasizes security, offering secure payment processing and compliance with industry standards. If security is a top concern, both tools provide robust security measures, but Toast's focus on restaurant-specific security needs makes it a strong contender.
Overall Rating
Toast is a powerful POS system for the restaurant industry, offering a range of features that enhance efficiency and customer service. Its overall rating reflects its ability to meet the needs of restaurant owners. Shopify POS, with its seamless integration with Shopify's e-commerce platform, provides a comprehensive solution for retailers. Its overall rating highlights its versatility and ease of use. If you're in the restaurant industry, Toast is a top choice, while Shopify POS is ideal for retailers seeking a unified solution.
Toast vs Shopify POS: A Detailed Breakdown of Key Features
Order Management
Toast excels in order management with features like table tracking and kitchen display systems, making it ideal for restaurants. Its intuitive interface simplifies order taking and enhances efficiency. Shopify POS, while not as specialized for restaurants, offers robust order management features for retailers, including online and offline order tracking. If you're in the restaurant industry, Toast's order management capabilities are unmatched, while Shopify POS is better suited for retail operations.
Payment Processing
Toast offers secure and efficient payment processing tailored for the restaurant industry, supporting various payment methods. Its focus on speed and security makes it a reliable choice for restaurants. Shopify POS provides versatile payment processing options, integrating seamlessly with Shopify's e-commerce platform. If you need a comprehensive payment solution, Shopify POS stands out for its versatility, while Toast is ideal for restaurant-specific needs.
Inventory Management
Toast provides basic inventory management features suitable for restaurants, helping track ingredients and supplies. However, Shopify POS offers advanced inventory management capabilities, allowing retailers to manage stock across multiple locations and sales channels. If inventory management is a priority, Shopify POS offers more comprehensive features, while Toast is sufficient for restaurant-specific inventory needs.
Customer Relationship Management
Toast offers CRM features that help restaurants engage with customers through loyalty programs and personalized promotions. Its focus on customer engagement is beneficial for building long-term relationships. Shopify POS provides CRM tools that integrate with Shopify's e-commerce platform, offering a unified view of customer interactions. If CRM is crucial for your business, Shopify POS provides a more integrated solution, while Toast is ideal for restaurant-specific customer engagement.
Analytics and Reporting
Toast provides detailed analytics and reporting tools that help restaurant owners make informed decisions. Its focus on restaurant-specific metrics is valuable for optimizing operations. Shopify POS offers comprehensive analytics that integrates with Shopify's e-commerce platform, providing insights into both online and offline sales. If you need detailed analytics, Shopify POS offers a more integrated solution, while Toast is ideal for restaurant-specific reporting.
Mobile Checkout
Toast offers mobile checkout options that enhance the dining experience by allowing staff to take orders and process payments tableside. Its focus on mobility is beneficial for improving customer service. Shopify POS provides mobile checkout capabilities that integrate with Shopify's e-commerce platform, offering a seamless shopping experience across all channels. If mobile checkout is a priority, Shopify POS offers a more versatile solution, while Toast is ideal for restaurant-specific mobility needs.
Pricing Comparison of Toast and Shopify POS
To assist you in making an informed choice, we’ve outlined the pricing plans and essential features of Toast and Shopify POS. This comparison will highlight the best option for managing your retail or restaurant business.
Toast Pricing Plans
- Cloud-based point of sale system for easy access.
- Hardware configuration includes one terminal.
- Additional add-ons available for enhanced functionality.
- No upfront hardware costs with flexible payment options.
- Custom hardware configuration to suit your needs.
- Monthly software subscription with flexible options.
- Additional add-ons included for expanded capabilities.
- Ideal for restaurants starting with essential features.
- Solutions include online ordering and delivery.
- Integrated payroll and tips management.
- Automated inventory and employee scheduling.
- Guest marketing, loyalty, and gift card options.
Shopify POS Pricing Plans
- Limited online store to showcase products.
- Card rates starting at 5% + 30¢ USD online.
- Card rates starting at 5% + 0¢ USD in person.
- 5% 3rd-party payment providers for flexibility.
- 1 POS Pro location included for advanced features.
- Card rates starting at 2.9% + 30¢ USD online.
- Card rates starting at 2.6% + 10¢ USD in person.
- 2% 3rd-party payment providers for cost efficiency.
- Unlimited POS logins for seamless operations.
- Card rates starting at 2.9% + 30¢ USD online.
- Card rates starting at 2.6% + 10¢ USD in person.
- 2% 3rd-party payment providers for flexibility.
- Unlimited POS logins for efficient management.
- Card rates starting at 2.7% + 30¢ USD online.
- Card rates starting at 2.5% + 10¢ USD in person.
- 1% 3rd-party payment providers for cost savings.
- Unlimited POS logins for seamless operations.
- Card rates starting at 2.5% + 30¢ USD online.
- Card rates starting at 2.4% + 10¢ USD in person.
- 0.6% 3rd-party payment providers for cost efficiency.
Our Rating Methodology
We thoroughly evaluate each point-of-sale system, focusing on key factors like functionality, ease of use, and integrations. By analyzing user reviews and conducting in-depth testing, we ensure our recommendations meet your needs. Each factor is weighted to provide an accurate final rating, helping you choose the best POS system for your business.
Toast or Shopify POS: Which One Matches Your Business Needs?
Choose Toast If You Need ...
- Ideal for restaurant operations
If you are a restaurant owner looking for a comprehensive POS system with features tailored specifically for the restaurant industry, Toast is the ideal choice. Its intuitive interface, restaurant-specific tools, and strong customer support make it a valuable asset for enhancing efficiency and customer service.
- Strong customer support
If you value dedicated customer support tailored to the needs of restaurant owners, Toast is the right choice. Its knowledgeable support team ensures quick resolution of issues and minimizes downtime, helping your business run smoothly.
Choose Shopify POS If You Need ...
- Unified retail solution
If you are a retailer looking for a versatile POS system that integrates seamlessly with your e-commerce platform, Shopify POS is the ideal choice. Its advanced inventory management, payment processing options, and seamless integration with Shopify's e-commerce platform make it a comprehensive solution for managing online and offline sales.
- Advanced inventory management
If you need advanced inventory management capabilities to manage stock across multiple locations and sales channels, Shopify POS is the right choice. Its comprehensive tools help optimize inventory levels, reduce stockouts, and improve overall efficiency, making it a valuable asset for retailers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the key differences between Toast and Shopify POS?
Which POS system is more suitable for restaurants?
How does Shopify POS integrate with Shopify's e-commerce platform?
What are the payment processing options for Toast and Shopify POS?
Which POS system offers better inventory management features?
How do the customer support services compare between Toast and Shopify POS?
Martin Lunendonk
Martin Lunendonk is a senior tech writer specializing in website builders, web hosting, and ecommerce platforms. With a background in finance, accounting, and philosophy, he has founded multiple tech startups and worked in medium to large tech companies and investment banking, bringing deep expertise and reliable insights to his software reviews.
