Toast vs Square (2024 Comparison)
Toast is a powerful POS system tailored for the restaurant industry, offering specialized features like order management and analytics to enhance operations.
- Specialized for restaurant industry
- Comprehensive order management
- Robust reporting and analytics
- Higher cost for small businesses
- Steeper learning curve
Free plan?
YesStarting price
$69 per month
Square provides a versatile POS solution with a user-friendly interface and affordable pricing, ideal for small to medium-sized businesses.
- User-friendly interface
- Versatile payment processing
- Affordable pricing
- Limited restaurant-specific features
- General customer support
Free plan?
YesStarting price
$69 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 engagement tools. 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 Square?
Square is a versatile point-of-sale system that caters to a wide range of businesses, from retail to restaurants. It offers features like payment processing, inventory management, and customer engagement tools. Square's user-friendly interface and affordable pricing make it an attractive option for small to medium-sized businesses looking to streamline their operations and enhance customer experience. With Square, you can easily manage sales, track inventory, and engage with customers, all from one platform.
Pros and Cons of Toast vs Square
Pros & Cons of Toast
- Toast offers a range of features specifically designed for the restaurant industry, making it an ideal choice for restaurant owners looking to streamline their operations and improve customer service.
- Toast provides advanced order management tools, including table management and kitchen display systems, that help restaurant staff manage orders efficiently and improve service speed.
- Toast offers detailed reporting and analytics tools that provide restaurant owners with valuable insights into sales, inventory, and customer behavior, helping them make informed business decisions.
- Toast's pricing may be higher than some small businesses can afford, especially those that do not require the specialized features it offers for the restaurant industry.
- Toast's specialized features can result in a steeper learning curve for new users, requiring additional training and time to fully utilize the system's capabilities.
Pros & Cons of Square
- Square's intuitive design makes it easy for users to navigate the system and perform tasks efficiently, reducing the need for extensive training and support.
- Square supports a wide range of payment methods, making it a versatile solution for businesses looking to offer their customers multiple payment options.
- Square offers competitive pricing, making it an attractive option for small to medium-sized businesses looking for a cost-effective point-of-sale solution.
- Square's general features may not meet the specific needs of restaurant owners looking for specialized tools to manage their operations more effectively.
- Square's customer support is more general and may not provide the industry-specific assistance that some businesses, particularly restaurants, may require.
Toast vs Square: At A Glance
Toast vs Square: A Detailed Breakdown of Key Features
Order Management
Toast excels in order management with its restaurant-specific features like table management and kitchen display systems. These tools streamline the ordering process, making it easier for staff to manage orders efficiently. Square, while offering robust order management features, lacks the specialized tools that Toast provides for the restaurant industry. If you're running a restaurant and need advanced order management capabilities, Toast is the better choice.
Payment Processing
Square leads in payment processing with its seamless integration and support for various payment methods. Its user-friendly interface makes it easy for businesses to process payments quickly and efficiently. Toast also offers reliable payment processing, but its focus is more on the restaurant industry. If you need a versatile payment processing solution that supports multiple payment methods, Square is the better choice.
Inventory Management
Square offers comprehensive inventory management features that cater to a wide range of businesses. Its intuitive interface makes it easy to track inventory levels and manage stock efficiently. Toast also provides inventory management tools, but they are more tailored to the restaurant industry. If you need a versatile inventory management solution that can adapt to various business needs, Square is the better choice.
Customer Engagement
Toast offers specialized customer engagement tools designed for the restaurant industry, such as loyalty programs and customer feedback systems. These tools help restaurant owners build strong relationships with their customers. Square also provides customer engagement features, but they are more general and not as tailored to specific industries. If you're in the restaurant business and need industry-specific customer engagement tools, Toast is the better choice.
Reporting and Analytics
Toast provides detailed reporting and analytics tools that are essential for restaurant owners to make informed business decisions. Its specialized reports offer insights into sales, inventory, and customer behavior. Square also offers robust reporting and analytics features, but they are more general and not as tailored to specific industries. If you need detailed reports and analytics for your restaurant, Toast is the better choice.
Employee Management
Toast offers comprehensive employee management tools that are essential for restaurant operations. Its features include scheduling, time tracking, and payroll management, making it easier for restaurant owners to manage their staff. Square also provides employee management tools, but they are more general and not as tailored to specific industries. If you're in the restaurant business and need specialized employee management tools, Toast is the better choice.
Pricing Comparison of Toast and Square
To assist you in making an informed choice, we’ve outlined the pricing plans and essential features of Toast and Square. This comparison will highlight the best option for managing your business operations.
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.
Square Pricing Plans
- Simple, transparent processing fees for in-person and online transactions.
- Basic phone support available Monday to Friday, 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. PT.
- Manage on-premise and online menus using Square Dashboard.
- Track and report on cash flow, including cash sales and refunds.
- 24/7 phone support for immediate assistance anytime.
- Advanced reporting and analytics for better business insights.
- Floor plan customization with click-and-drag layouts.
- Reopen closed checks to adjust or refund items.
- Square Kiosk software at no additional cost for unlimited devices.
- Comprehensive tools for established restaurants to expand.
- Reservation integrations with apps like OpenTable and SevenRooms.
- Instant payouts for real-time access to earnings.
Our Rating Methodology
We thoroughly evaluate each point-of-sale system, focusing on key factors like functionality, ease of use, and scalability. By analyzing user reviews and conducting in-depth testing, we ensure our recommendations are reliable and tailored to your needs. Each factor is weighted by importance to provide an accurate final rating, helping you make informed decisions.
Toast or Square: Which One Matches Your Business Needs?
Choose Toast If You Need ...
- Specialized restaurant features
If you are a restaurant owner looking for a point-of-sale system with specialized features like table management and kitchen display systems, Toast is the ideal choice. Its industry-specific tools help streamline operations and improve customer service.
- Comprehensive reporting tools
If you need detailed reporting and analytics to make informed business decisions, Toast offers robust tools that provide valuable insights into sales, inventory, and customer behavior. Its specialized reports are tailored for the restaurant industry.
Choose Square If You Need ...
- User-friendly interface
If you are looking for a point-of-sale system with an intuitive and easy-to-use interface, Square is the better choice. Its user-friendly design makes it easy for anyone to get started without extensive training.
- Versatile payment processing
If you need a versatile payment processing solution that supports multiple payment methods, Square is the ideal choice. Its seamless integration and support for various payment options make it a versatile solution for businesses.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which tool is better for restaurant owners, Toast or Square?
Is Square suitable for small businesses?
Does Toast offer industry-specific integrations?
How does Square's customer support compare to Toast's?
Which tool offers better reporting and analytics?
Is Toast more expensive than Square?
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.
