January 3, 2025
Written by: The POS Exchange Team
.jpg)
If you run a restaurant or another food service, you know how crucial having a reliable point of sale (POS) system is. After all, this software is the central hub for your operations, helping you manage key tasks like sales, inventory, and customer data. With restaurant POS integration, you can streamline processes by connecting your POS to other essential tools, such as accounting software, online ordering platforms, and kitchen display systems. However, when your POS system glitches or goes down, it can hurt your bottom line.
You may even lose customer trust if they see you struggling to process payments at their table. To make matters worse, many restaurants are stuck with outdated or poorly functioning systems that don’t meet their needs. Others can’t afford the initial cost or ongoing fees of switching to a better-performing option.
Then, some are trapped in long contracts with unpopular providers, like Toast. If you're looking for a Toast alternative, you’re not alone. This guide will help you find the perfect Toast POS system alternative tailored to your needs to improve operational efficiency, customer satisfaction, and profitability.
The POS Exchange’s solution, POS systems, can help you achieve your goals. From specialized inventory management to reduced transaction fees and easy integrations, a Toast alternative can get your restaurant back on track and improve your operations.
Toast POS is a cloud-based system for restaurants, cafes, and food service establishments. It handles everything from order-taking and payment processing to inventory management and reporting. Toast has gained a lot of attention for its user-friendly interface and comprehensive features that cater to the needs of different types and sizes of restaurants.
One of Toast POS's most significant selling points was its user-friendly interface. My staff and I quickly adapted to the system thanks to its intuitive design and easy-to-understand features. Training new employees on the system has also been a breeze, which has saved me time and ensured a smooth transition for new hires.
Toast POS offers smooth integration with numerous third-party applications that are crucial for running a successful restaurant. From online ordering and reservations to payroll and accounting, the system connects effortlessly with the tools we rely on daily. This level of integration has streamlined my restaurant’s operations and helped us maintain better control over various aspects of the business.
Proper inventory management is critical to the success of any restaurant. Toast POS offers a robust inventory management system that has significantly improved how I manage my restaurant’s stock. The system tracks inventory levels in real time, offers low-stock alerts, and provides valuable insights into menu item performance. This has helped me make informed decisions about menu adjustments and minimize food waste.
Being a cloud-based system, Toast POS has made it easier for me to access important information and reports anywhere, anytime. I no longer need to be physically present at the restaurant to monitor sales, inventory, or staff performance. This flexibility has allowed me to manage my business more effectively and focus on other critical aspects of running a successful restaurant.
One thing that sets Toast POS apart from other systems is its excellent customer support. Whenever my staff or I have encountered issues or needed assistance, the Toast support team has been responsive and helpful. Their dedication to helping us resolve problems quickly has been invaluable, ensuring minimal disruptions to our daily operations.
One of the limitations of Toast POS is its hardware compatibility. The system works best with Toast-branded hardware, which can be a downside for those with existing POS hardware from other vendors. Although the Toast hardware is reliable and well-designed, it might mean additional expenses for some restaurant owners who need to invest in new equipment.
While the cloud-based nature of Toast POS offers flexibility and convenience, it also relies heavily on a stable internet connection. In cases of internet outages or slow connections, the system’s offline functionality is limited, which can cause disruptions in your operations. Although Toast offers an offline mode for essential functions like order-taking and payment processing, more advanced features like reporting and inventory management might not be available during an outage.
Toast POS offers a range of pricing plans to cater to different restaurant types and sizes. However, the pricing might seem steep for small businesses or those just starting, especially when you factor in additional services and hardware costs. Smaller establishments with tight budgets might need to consider carefully whether the system’s benefits justify the investment.
Toast POS does offer a good level of customization, but it might not be enough for some restaurant owners with specific requirements. For instance, if you need a highly tailored solution or have unique workflows that aren’t easily accommodated within the system, you might face some limitations. In such cases, it’s crucial to assess whether Toast POS can be customized to meet your restaurant’s unique needs or if another system might be a better fit.
TouchBistro is an excellent choice for independent full-service restaurants, but it’s also helpful in managing operations for various dining establishments. Not only does it offer a visually appealing and intuitive design, but it also has an abundance of rich features. It further offers the convenience of a hybrid cloud/server system, which means your data remains secure and readily accessible.
TouchBistro is among the most manageable navigation POS systems. Its user-friendly design allows for quick learning and mastery, making it perfect for restaurants seeking a hassle-free system. TouchBistro is a versatile solution for small to medium-sized full-service restaurants, quick-serve locations, bars, and cafes that benefit from a robust Kitchen Display System (KDS). However, larger chains, hotels, or other extensive businesses with complex multi-location needs may find it less suitable.
Unlike Toast, which requires users to use its proprietary payment processing system, TouchBistro allows integration with third-party payment processors like Square. This aspect provides restaurant operators with a greater degree of flexibility and potential cost savings.
While both Toast and TouchBistro start pricing at $69 per month, TouchBistro could prove less costly in the long run when considering Toast’s reputation for increasing monthly pricing and payment processing costs over time.
TouchBistro offers several robust features that might not be available in Toast. For example, it features a new capable Kitchen Display System, convenient and enhanced tableside ordering, effective reservations management, online ordering without third-party commissions, and profit management in collaboration with MarginEdge.
TouchBistro is designed explicitly for Apple devices, making it an excellent choice if your establishment already uses or plans to use iPads. Using iPads can offer a more user-friendly and visually appealing interface, improving overall staff efficiency and guest satisfaction.
If advanced analytics and retail capabilities are essential, Lightspeed is a robust restaurant POS choice. It provides easy-to-use tools to manage operations through actionable data insights that uncover menu performance, sales, staffing, and more. With 200+ integrations, Lightspeed enables adding features as your business grows. The system also facilitates retail sales like merchandise, cooking classes, and other revenue streams, allowing multifaceted expansion. For restaurants needing strong reporting and retail possibilities, Lightspeed delivers the information and flexibility to boost your business.
Lightspeed supports integrated payment processing with competitive rates and notably supports third-party processors. This contrasts with Toast, which only allows its payment processing system.
Lightspeed offers powerful tools for reporting and extra retail capabilities. It provides a user-friendly dashboard that displays real-time transaction data and an organized menu layout, which speeds up navigation, reduces wait times, and improves service quality. Furthermore, it provides advanced analytics to help business owners better manage their restaurants and understand their performance.
Lightspeed offers an additional advantage for restaurants with retail operations, like company merchandise or packaged food sales, as the platform has substantial retail-oriented features. Depending on the nature of the business, this can be a significant advantage compared to Toast, which primarily focuses on food service.
Restaurants should look into Lightspeed’s reputation for customer support. Given Toast’s reportedly largely overseas-based support, Lightspeed could provide more substantial support, especially if it’s primarily US-based.
Square has evolved from a generic POS into a robust platform tailored for restaurants with Square for Restaurants. Its modern, user-friendly interface is apt for diverse food service businesses. Key perks include a free basic plan and powerful marketing tools. The best restaurant types for Square include smaller venues like quick-service, cafes, food trucks, fast-casual, bars, and ghost kitchens.
The intuitive interface, complimentary base plan, and built-in marketing capabilities make Square an accessible option for these streamlined operations. However, full-service restaurants with complex workflows may desire more advanced features and customization.
While not suited for every restaurant, Square offers a scalable POS solution for small to mid-sized ventures focused on simplicity and smooth customer engagement.
Unlike Toast, which requires a 1-year contract, Square offers more flexibility with a subscription-free plan and no long-term contracts. This allows restaurant owners greater control over their POS commitments without being locked into a long-term contract.
Square offers a free basic plan, and paid plans start at $60 monthly, providing more accessible pricing options for small business owners. On the other hand, Toast has a reputation for high monthly software fees and has been known to increase monthly pricing and payment processing costs over time.
Square provides several robust features that may not be present in Toast, such as easy-to-operate retail features, an integrated OpenTable solution, and a commission-free online ordering system. Square also strongly focuses on marketing, customer engagement, and loyalty programs.
Square might be especially appealing for smaller restaurants, cafes, food trucks, bars and breweries, and ghost kitchens due to its versatility, retail capabilities, and free plan option.
SpotOn stands out as a leading cloud-based POS system for restaurants looking to modernize. This contemporary platform competes against top rivals like Toast, TouchBistro, Lightspeed, and Square, which are replacing antiquated legacy systems. Despite only being founded in 2017, SpotOn punches above its weight class by delivering robust features and add-ons comparable to far longer-standing competitors.
Ideal for varied restaurant types, including full-service, quick-service, bars, and food trucks, SpotOn provides all essential POS functionality plus advanced capabilities through its cloud-based solution. Headquartered in San Francisco, SpotOn first tackled restaurants, retail, sports, and entertainment. But restaurants are now the primary focus. For restaurant owners seeking an intuitive and feature-rich modern POS system, SpotOn deserves consideration alongside its more established competitors. Its next-gen platform, versatile functionality, and restaurant-centric focus make it a top contender for upgrading your POS operations.
SpotOn is a Windows-based system that provides excellent hardware devices and support for Android and iOS devices.
Unlike Toast, which requires a 1-year contract, SpotOn’s restaurant POS system is offered month-to-month, with no long-term contracts required. This gives restaurants the flexibility to cancel if they are not satisfied without incurring early termination fees.
SpotOn offers budget-friendly pricing, with plans beginning at $25 per month when using their payment processing services. Even without using their payment processing services, the software is available at $195 per month – providing a potential lower-cost alternative to TouchBistro. Additionally, SpotOn offers low credit card processing fees, often lower than other POS systems, making it a potential cost saver.
SpotOn offers competitive credit card processing fees when using their payment processing with rates as low as 1.99% + $0.25 per transaction. However, if you choose not to use SpotOn’s payment processing services, your monthly cost increases from $25 to $195, making it less cost-effective for those who prefer an alternative payment processor.
SpotOn is feature-rich with many modern restaurant-specific features such as online ordering, integration with Google for ordering, digital waitlisting and reservations, labor management, and reporting. The system’s design also allows it to integrate with the existing technology within a restaurant.
GoTab is an innovative, forward-thinking POS system tailored to help restaurants navigate the digital-first hospitality landscape. Founded in 2016, GoTab focuses on contactless service, online ordering, mobile payments, and efficient staff communication to modernize restaurant operations.
With its intuitive interface optimized for web-enabled devices, GoTab allows restaurants to leverage their existing hardware without added costs. Robust capabilities like mobile ordering, integrated payments, real-time analytics, and streamlined staff collaboration provide restaurants with the tools to boost efficiency, better serve guests, and drive revenue.
As a POS platform built for the digital age, GoTab allows restaurants to deliver the convenient, connected experiences that today’s diners expect. By combining broad hardware support, user-friendly design, and features that bridge in-person and online operations, GoTab allows restaurants to adapt and succeed in an increasingly competitive market.
GoTab provides sophisticated features such as contactless ordering, flexible menu & pricing setups, and auto-batching & tipping that Toast might lack. Its marketing features include tools for customer segmentation, dynamic pricing, auto-gratuity, and promotions management, providing increased functionality.
GoTab is often recognized for its cost-effectiveness. With its transaction-based pricing model, costs are directly tied to the use volume, which can be more affordable for some establishments, especially compared to Toast’s higher monthly software fees.
GoTab’s hospitality-focused platform offers a high level of customization. This includes tailored workflows and customer communication, enabling operators to mold the system to their unique needs.
GoTab’s dedicated support and multiple happy customer testimonials suggest that it’s a reliable solution.
POSist Restaurant POS is a cloud-based platform used by over 15,000 restaurants around the world. Chains like Taco Bell, Nando's, Subway, etc. use POSist to manage their internal processes, employees, and physical locations. POSist prides itself on the scalability of the software and the constant updates/adaptations implemented to continue to transform the restaurant industry.
Here are just some of the best POSist Restaurant POS features: Online ordering Loyalty program Order management Waitlist management Marketing automation Reporting and statistics Customer database Employee management Menu builder Online reservations Third-party integrations Partnership with delivery services like Doordash, Postmates, Deliverect, GrubHub, etc.
Other notable features of POSist include the ability to accept orders from multiple channels, real-time delivery status tracking, multi-lingual support, and a robust set of POS reports via the cockpit app.
Milagro has a few key areas that stand out from other industry leaders. One is its wide range of digital ordering capabilities, including access to online ordering and the Milagro Takeout app. Milagro also provides a smooth experience for restaurant patrons, who can use Order & Pay to manage their service from a table-specific QR code.
Another critical difference is that Milagro offers 24/7 customer service availability on all of its plans, while many competitors only provide on-demand support for higher price tiers. Milagro prioritizes the day-to-day restaurant experience and understands the time-sensitive nature of many potential issues. If a problem arises, its restaurant clients know a reliable support team is ready to assist via email, live chat, or phone. Many restaurant owners choose Milagro to avoid an upcharge for this standard service offering.
SkyTab is well worth considering if you’re looking for the best POS for your restaurant. They provide users with touchscreen terminals, SkyTab devices, and EMV processing equipment at no upfront cost. It also includes various advanced tools, including reporting and management tools, making it attractive to many restaurants.
Mobile ordering and payments Contactless solutions Website builder Various third-party integrations Analytics and reporting tools Intuitive, user-friendly interface
A reliable, stable POS system with minimal downtime. A cloud-based system, easy to access from anywhere with an internet connection. It is highly affordable compared to some alternatives—many great integrations with third-party service providers. Excellent customer support. Report-generation capabilities. Easy to use, with an intuitive interface.
Some users claim that the reporting system is too complex. You can deactivate, but not fully remove, menu items. Credit card processing is slow in rare cases. Some users struggle with setting up modifiers on menu items.
Aloha POS is 100% cloud-based, making it accessible from anywhere. The system was designed with restaurant owners in mind, so it’s often particularly easy for restaurant staff to learn this system. The entire system works on a two-fold storage system. Not only is data stored on your device’s hard drive, but all the data also gets uploaded to the cloud. Additionally, the tool allows you to do complex tasks like splitting bills, keeping track of multiple tabs, sharing tips, modifying food orders, and much more.
Easy-to-use menu-building options Brilliant custom features Easy reporting features, even on mobile. Online and takeout featuring options. Inventory management tools
Even new and inexperienced staff find the system easy to learn. Most users find the interface user-friendly and say that the layout is clear. This POS offers efficient order processing. The Aloha POS system integrates well with other restaurant functions. Most people say the system is reliable and experiences little to no downtime. Cloud-based that’s easy to access from wherever you are.
Some customers have claimed that customer service response times are quite lengthy. Occasionally, users experience difficulty when trying to update menus. Some users claim that it’s pretty expensive. Pricing isn’t 100% transparent.
One of the best restaurant POS systems, HungerRush, is a hospitality-focused system. As a result, it caters to many things that general POS systems don’t usually cover. From tracking inventory and orders to building custom menus and offering kitchen and table management capabilities, this POS system is an excellent choice for most restaurants.
Cloud-based Intuitive interface Easy menu builder Kitchen management features. Table management features Reporting and data analysis tools Employee management tools Inventory tracking.
Users report fast order processing times. This POS system integrates well with other systems. The interface is easy to use and has intuitive navigation. You have access to a loyalty program for customers. You can offer both online and mobile ordering. This POS offers 24/7 customer support.
Some users consider this POS system to be expensive. Some clients report that customer service wait times may be lengthy. The system may require older software or hardware.
Another one of the many brilliant offerings by Lightspeed, the Shopkeep POS system is ideal if you’re looking for a compact, intuitive system to run your restaurant. As with several of the other POS systems on this list, ShopKeep operates on an iPad, making it ideal for small restaurants, cafés, delis, and other small establishments in the hospitality industry. Since there are no contractual commitments to meet with this POS system, many small restaurants enjoy this kind of arrangement's flexibility. They also offer some of the lowest payment processing fees on the market.
Cloud-based: Many available third-party integrations: Inventory management, employee management, customer management, detailed reporting, and multi-location management.
This is an intuitive platform with an easy-to-use POS system. It’s reasonably affordable compared to some other POS systems. There are many available integrations for this POS. This system can work offline. You can remotely access the system via a mobile app. It offers real-time sales reporting and inventory management.
The scalability is quite limited (best for small to medium enterprises). It lacks advanced features in terms of inventory management and financial reporting. The system only works with tablets running iOS.
Cake POS is a system released by a company called Mad Mobile. It offers some pretty advanced features, and many consider it one of the most advanced POS systems on the market. Unlike many other POS systems, you can lease the hardware you need to run this POS. This model operates for 2.5% per transaction.
Intuitive interface Tableside and online ordering capabilities Remote access to the platform Offline payment processing abilities. Many integrations Easy-to-use menu builder
Most users say that even new employees find the system easy to use. The customer service at this company has a reputation for being prompt and efficient. The prices are affordable, and most users get good value for their money. It’s a cloud-based system, so you can access it anywhere. It has excellent features for reporting and analytics. You can access your timesheets and menus from your mobile device.
The updates to the software may be inconsistent. Some users think that the functionality doesn’t compare well to competitor products. Not all users like the contract terms.
Loyverse POS might be the right choice for your business if you're working with a tight budget, such as at a startup or new restaurant. This POS is considered a freemium service. It offers many of the same features as premium systems, but it’s free to use, though you can pay for add-ons. If you’re looking for a comprehensive, low-cost solution for a small to medium-sized restaurant, then Loyverse might be your ideal option.
Manage multiple restaurant locations from a single account. Intuitive setup Basic restaurant tools like a kitchen display system Offer some valuable integrations Cloud-based software.
Loyverse POS is incredibly user-friendly and easy to use. You can start on a free plan if you’re still a small business. The paid plans are reasonably affordable. Most users say the customer service is excellent. You can use this POS on various devices; it isn’t limited to iOS. Excellent third-party integrations
It may not have all the features included in advanced POS systems. The inventory management system may not be as efficient as is desirable. The free plan has limited features.
Lavu outshines Toast when it comes to customer service support.
iPad POS can integrate with other third-party apps like accounting tools and food delivery services to help grow your customer base—the ability to customize how you keep track of ingredients and control specific parts of your reports. You can set up commission-free delivery capabilities through your website.
Restaurants looking for tableside ordering and self-service kiosks.Those looking to reduce delivery costs
Self-ordering kiosk so customers can order by themselves Commission-free delivery capabilities Invoice management that allows you to turn paper receipts into digital records
Although Owner.com is not a POS system, we wanted to feature it because it's a great alternative to Toast's online ordering. If you're happy with Toast POS but unhappy with its online ordering features, consider Owner.com to help in that department.
Increases direct online orders for your restaurant with a commission-free online ordering system. Creates sales-focused websites for restaurants. Utilizes automated marketing to keep current customers and attract new ones. Custom mobile apps
Restaurant owners looking to boost their online ordering efforts Restaurants that are already established but want to drive more sales Those who wish to pair their current POS, like Toast, with a new online ordering system.
Calls to action (CTAs) that encourage customers to order online and make it easier for them Zero-commission delivery so you can cut costs from using third-party delivery apps Mobile app and loyalty program features that transform customers into loyal visitors through enticing promotions and incentives.
Naturally, while you want all the abilities and strengths of a good POS, it must also fit into your business’ budget. Restaurant POS systems have different pricing structures, from one-time licenses to monthly subscriptions to pay-as-you-go models. Some also charge extra for specific features and integrations. As you evaluate Toast alternatives, watch for hidden fees or additional costs that could affect your bottom line.
In our experience, the best restaurant POS systems have integrations that allow you to track inventory. Not only does this help you understand what items are selling well, but it also lets you monitor food costs so you can reduce waste and increase profitability. When looking at Toast alternatives, see how well they help you manage stock and calculate food costs.
You don’t want a POS system that requires a degree in engineering just to use it. We choose systems based on their usability level since you want every staff member to be able to use them with equal efficiency. Look for intuitive interfaces, organized designs, and systems that allow you to customize user permissions. This way, you can ensure every employee can learn how to use the POS quickly and without becoming overwhelmed.
We prefer recommending POS systems with integrated reporting and analytics abilities. It simplifies the entire process and means that you don’t need to spend money on additional tools just to see good reporting. Look for systems that offer a variety of reports to help you analyze your restaurant’s performance from different angles. Ideally, you can access these reports right from the POS dashboard for quick, easy information.
The best restaurant POS systems will allow you to integrate your online and onsite sales and use integrations or services for delivery. As you navigate alternatives to Toast, pay attention to how they help you manage your restaurant’s online operations to improve efficiency and enhance the customer experience.
The best restaurant POS tools allow you to accept payments directly through the POS or third-party integration. Look for systems with flexible payment options to cater to your customer’s preferences. Not only will this help improve their experience, but it also helps you get paid faster.
You probably don’t want to change your POS when your business grows. In our experience, choosing a POS with good scalability is essential. As you evaluate Toast alternatives, consider what your restaurant may look like in a few years. Then, determine if the systems can accommodate your projected size and any operational changes that come with growth.
The POS Exchange brings over 20 years of restaurant experience; The POS Exchange processes billions annually for over 200,000 merchants. Our tailored POS system solutions help restaurants speed up checkouts by 30%, implement dynamic pricing, and manage customer reviews while reducing overhead. Perfect for full-service restaurants, pizza shops, coffee houses, and multi-location enterprises, The POS Exchange offers end-to-end service, from brilliant consultation and interactive demos to local installation and 24/7 support.
Our mobile iPad POS systems streamline operations with features like order management, bill splitting, and inventory control. With integrations for business management tools and advanced security measures, we ensure your POS system grows with your business. Trust our expertise to help you avoid the common pitfall that affects 38% of new business owners who choose the wrong POS system.
Whether managing a busy restaurant, a local café, or operating a multi-location business, The POS Exchange delivers customized POS system solutions that tell your unique business story. Book a free demo with POS Exchange to learn about our customized POS system solutions today.
.svg)
.svg)
.svg)
.svg)
