Toast POS vs Wave: which one fits your business?
Side-by-side comparison of Toast POS and Wave — fees, features, ease, support, and which one fits your business. Scored on the same rubric.
Short answer: Wave wins on our scorecard (7.8/10 vs 7.7/10).
| Scored on | Toast POS | Wave |
|---|---|---|
| Right fit for small biz | 9 | 8 |
| Ease of use | 8 | 9 |
| Fees & pricing | 6 | 9 |
| Customer support | 7 | 5 |
| Features | 9 | 7 |
| Starter Kit | $0/mo (plus higher processing) | — |
| Standard POS Plan | $69/mo | — |
| Processing Fee | Varies (typically 2.49% + $0.15) | — |
| Installation | Starts at $499 | — |
| Accounting & Invoicing | — | $0 |
| Pro Plan | — | $16/month |
| Credit Card Processing | — | 2.9% + $0.60 |
| ACH Processing | — | 1% (Min $1) |
| Payroll (Tax-service states) | — | $40 + $6/employee |
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.
Wave in one paragraph
Wave is the best zero-cost accounting solution for solo service providers, provided you can handle the slower payout speeds.
Skip it if: You run a retail store or e-commerce shop that requires real-time inventory tracking.
Frequently asked questions
Which is better, Toast POS or Wave?
On our five-axis scorecard, Wave scores higher (7.8/10 vs 7.7/10). Wave is the best zero-cost accounting solution for solo service providers, provided you can handle the slower payout speeds.
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.
Who should skip Wave?
You run a retail store or e-commerce shop that requires real-time inventory tracking.