Toast vs Square: Which Restaurant POS Is Right for You?
A head-to-head comparison of the two most popular restaurant POS platforms — pricing, hardware, and the best fit for your concept.
E
Editorial Team
Restaurant Tech Stack
Updated
June 19, 2026
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The Good
- Clear guidance for full-service vs. quick-service
- Both offer built-in online ordering
- Transparent pricing comparison
The Bad
- Both bundle payment processing
- Switching later requires migration effort
Toast vs Square at a glance
| Feature | Toast | Square |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $0–$165/mo | $0–$60/mo |
| Hardware | Restaurant-grade | Sleek, lower cost |
| Online ordering | Built-in | Built-in |
| Best for | Full-service | QSR & cafes |
The short answer
Toast is purpose-built for restaurants and excels at full-service operations. Square is more affordable and flexible, making it a strong choice for cafes, quick-service, and newer restaurants.
Pricing
Square offers a genuinely free starting tier; Toast offers a limited free plan but most restaurants land on a paid tier.
Hardware
Toast ships rugged, restaurant-grade Android hardware. Square hardware is sleeker and cheaper but less ruggedized.
Online ordering & integrations
Both include first-party online ordering. Toast's ecosystem skews restaurant-specific; Square's broader ecosystem spans retail and services.