QuickBooks Online vs Toast POS: which one fits your business?
Side-by-side comparison of QuickBooks Online and Toast POS — fees, features, ease, support, and which one fits your business. Scored on the same rubric.
Short answer: Toast POS wins on our scorecard (7.6/10 vs 7.3/10).
| Scored on | QuickBooks Online | Toast POS |
|---|---|---|
| Right fit for small biz | 9 | 9 |
| Ease of use | 7 | 8 |
| Fees & pricing | 6 | 6 |
| Customer support | 5 | 6 |
| Features | 9 | 9 |
| Simple Start Tier | $35/mo | — |
| Essentials Tier | $60/mo | — |
| Plus Tier | $90/mo | — |
| Advanced Tier | $200/mo | — |
| Starter Software Fee | — | $0/mo |
| Standard Software Fee | — | $165/mo |
| Payment Processing | — | Varies by quote |
| Hardware Starter Kit | — | From $0 + higher rates |
QuickBooks Online in one paragraph
The undisputed industry standard that justifies its high price through massive time savings and CPA compatibility.
Skip it if: You are a micro-business with fewer than 10 transactions a month and don't mind manual spreadsheets.
Toast POS in one paragraph
Toast is the industry standard for a reason, offering the best-in-class workflow for staff despite its high-cost, locked-in processing ecosystem.
Skip it if: Skip it if you are a low-volume business or want the freedom to shop for the cheapest payment processing rates.
Frequently asked questions
Which is better, QuickBooks Online or Toast POS?
On our five-axis scorecard, Toast POS scores higher (7.6/10 vs 7.3/10). Toast is the industry standard for a reason, offering the best-in-class workflow for staff despite its high-cost, locked-in processing ecosystem.
Who should skip QuickBooks Online?
You are a micro-business with fewer than 10 transactions a month and don't mind manual spreadsheets.
Who should skip Toast POS?
Skip it if you are a low-volume business or want the freedom to shop for the cheapest payment processing rates.