Square POS vs Toast POS: which one fits your business?
Side-by-side comparison of Square POS 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 7.5/10).
| Scored on | Square POS | Toast POS |
|---|---|---|
| Right fit for small biz | 8 | 9 |
| Ease of use | 9 | 8 |
| Fees & pricing | 7 | 6 |
| Customer support | 5 | 6 |
| Features | 8 | 9 |
| Basic Software Fee | $0/mo | — |
| In-Person Processing | 2.6% + 10¢ | — |
| Online Processing | 2.9% + 30¢ | — |
| Keyed-in Processing | 3.5% + 15¢ | — |
| Starter Software Fee | — | $0/mo |
| Standard Software Fee | — | $165/mo |
| Payment Processing | — | Varies by quote |
| Hardware Starter Kit | — | From $0 + higher rates |
Square POS in one paragraph
Square POS remains the fastest way to start taking payments, but high-volume businesses will eventually outgrow its flat-rate pricing.
Skip it if: You process more than $25,000 a month and need a dedicated account manager who picks up the phone every time.
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, Square POS or Toast POS?
On our five-axis scorecard, Toast POS scores higher (7.6/10 vs 7.5/10). 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 Square POS?
You process more than $25,000 a month and need a dedicated account manager who picks up the phone every time.
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.