Patriot Payroll vs Toast POS: which one fits your business?
Side-by-side comparison of Patriot Payroll and Toast POS — fees, features, ease, support, and which one fits your business. Scored on the same rubric.
Short answer: Patriot Payroll wins on our scorecard (7.9/10 vs 7.7/10).
| Scored on | Patriot Payroll | Toast POS |
|---|---|---|
| Right fit for small biz | 8 | 9 |
| Ease of use | 8 | 8 |
| Fees & pricing | 9 | 6 |
| Customer support | 7 | 7 |
| Features | 7 | 9 |
| Basic Payroll Base | $17/mo | — |
| Full Service Base | $37/mo | — |
| Per Employee Fee | $4/mo | — |
| Setup Fee | $0 | — |
| Starter Kit | — | $0/mo (plus higher processing) |
| Standard POS Plan | — | $69/mo |
| Processing Fee | — | Varies (typically 2.49% + $0.15) |
| Installation | — | Starts at $499 |
Patriot Payroll in one paragraph
Patriot Payroll is the best 'bang-for-your-buck' option for U.S. small businesses that want simple, reliable tax filing without the corporate bloat.
Skip it if: Skip it if you have international employees or need complex HR management tools.
Toast POS in one paragraph
The most powerful restaurant-specific POS on the market, provided you can handle being locked into their ecosystem.
Skip it if: You run a low-volume retail shop or a seasonal business that can't justify high monthly software fees during the off-season.
Frequently asked questions
Which is better, Patriot Payroll or Toast POS?
On our five-axis scorecard, Patriot Payroll scores higher (7.9/10 vs 7.7/10). Patriot Payroll is the best 'bang-for-your-buck' option for U.S. small businesses that want simple, reliable tax filing without the corporate bloat.
Who should skip Patriot Payroll?
Skip it if you have international employees or need complex HR management tools.
Who should skip Toast POS?
You run a low-volume retail shop or a seasonal business that can't justify high monthly software fees during the off-season.