Toast vs Square
Toast is a restaurant-focused platform that sells through demos and quotes; Square publishes plans and card rates. This comparison uses what each publishes, checked on 2026-10-15, and notes where Toast does not publish numbers.
Quick verdict
Choose Toast if…
- You want a restaurant-focused platform with Toast Care phone and web messaging support included, listed as open 24/7/365.
- You want payroll and team tools bundled: Toast lists a payroll bundle and employee scheduling.
- You are comfortable getting a quote, since Toast does not publish its processing rates.
Choose Square if…
- You want published prices and rates: Square lists plans from $0 and in-person and online card rates.
- You want no locked-in contracts: Square says "No hidden fees or locked-in contracts. Cancel or switch anytime."
- You want to start without a monthly software fee, adding paid plans only if the lower rates justify them.
Side by side, from published data
| Feature | Toast | Square |
|---|---|---|
| Software starting price | Starting at $69/month | $0/mo |
| In-person card rate | Check current pricing on Toast's site | 2.6% + $0.15 (Free) |
| Online or keyed-in card rate | Check current pricing on Toast's site | 3.3% + $0.30 (Free) |
| Inactivity fee | $85/mo inactivity fee may apply | None listed on the pricing page |
| Payroll | Starting at $69/month + $9 per employee/month | Square Payroll is a separate product listed on the pricing page |
| Support | Toast Care, included with every software subscription, 24/7/365 by phone or web messaging | Phone support hours on lower plans; 24/7 priority support on Premium |
| Overall score | 5.6/10 | 10/10 |
Limitations to know about
Toast: limitations
- "$85/mo inactivity fee may apply" and processing rates are not published on the pricing page; it is sold through a demo or quote. Source
Square: limitations
- Lower in-person rates require a paid plan, and add-ons such as the KDS app ($30/mo per device on Plus) cost extra per device. Source
Scores from our methodology
Scores come from a public checklist applied equally to both providers. They measure what each publishes, not product quality, and a high score does not mean it fits your business. Read the methodology.
Toast
Score breakdown: Overall score 5.6/10
| Category | Weight | Score | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pricing transparency | 30% | 5/10 | 2 of 4 checks |
| Total cost for a typical small business | 25% | 7.2/10 | $69 → 7.2 |
| Features | 20% | 6.7/10 | 4 of 6 checks |
| Contract and fee fairness | 15% | 0/10 | 0 of 3 checks |
| Support and reputation signals | 10% | 10/10 | 2 of 2 checks |
Cost input: Lowest recurring monthly price shown for an entry system on the provider's pricing page (software plan or subscription bundle; one-time hardware purchases and processing fees excluded): $69
Square
Score breakdown: Overall score 10/10
| Category | Weight | Score | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pricing transparency | 30% | 10/10 | 4 of 4 checks |
| Total cost for a typical small business | 25% | 10/10 | $0 → 10 |
| Features | 20% | 10/10 | 6 of 6 checks |
| Contract and fee fairness | 15% | 10/10 | 3 of 3 checks |
| Support and reputation signals | 10% | 10/10 | 2 of 2 checks |
Cost input: Lowest recurring monthly price shown for an entry system on the provider's pricing page (software plan or subscription bundle; one-time hardware purchases and processing fees excluded): $0
The checklist behind the scores
- Software or plan prices are published
- Card processing rates are published
- Hardware prices are published
- Amounts for extra fees (add-ons, inactivity, instant payout) are published
- Menu management or floor plans
- Online ordering or an online store
- Staff, scheduling or labor tools
- Reporting or analytics
- Offline mode
- Integrated card payments
- No long-term contract is stated
- A free plan, free trial or $0 starting price exists
- Hardware can be bought outright or subscribed to
- 24/7 support is stated
- A phone number is published on the page
Cost: Lowest recurring monthly price shown for an entry system on the provider's pricing page (software plan or subscription bundle; one-time hardware purchases and processing fees excluded). Each $25 subtracts one point from 10 (floor 0).
Where to go next
Frequently asked questions
Is Toast more expensive than Square?
We cannot say from published numbers: Toast lists software from $69 a month but not its processing rates, while Square lists a $0 plan and its rates. Ask Toast for a quote and compare your effective rate.
Does Toast require a contract?
We did not find contract terms on the pricing page. Ask for the agreement before you sign.
What is the Toast inactivity fee?
Toast's page says an $85 a month inactivity fee may apply. Read Toast's terms for when it applies.
Is Toast a payment processor?
Toast's page says it is not a payment card processor but a payment facilitator that partners with processors to offer card processing.
How current is this comparison?
We read both pricing pages on 2026-10-15.
Related tools and guides
Sources
- Toast: pricing (checked 2026-10-15)
- Square: pricing (checked 2026-10-15)
Last updated: · Prices verified: