Toast POS vs Xero: which one fits your business?
Side-by-side comparison of Toast POS and Xero — fees, features, ease, support, and which one fits your business. Scored on the same rubric.
Short answer: it's a tie on our scorecard — pick on fit, not score.
| Scored on | Toast POS | Xero |
|---|---|---|
| Right fit for small biz | 9 | 9 |
| Ease of use | 8 | 8 |
| Fees & pricing | 6 | 7 |
| Customer support | 7 | 5 |
| Features | 9 | 9 |
| Starter Kit | $0/mo (plus higher processing) | — |
| Standard POS Plan | $69/mo | — |
| Processing Fee | Varies (typically 2.49% + $0.15) | — |
| Installation | Starts at $499 | — |
| Early Plan (Monthly) | — | $15 |
| Grow Plan (Monthly) | — | $42 |
| Established Plan (Monthly) | — | $78 |
| ACH Payment Fee | — | Varies by payment gateway |
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.
Xero in one paragraph
Xero is the best cloud-native accounting choice for tech-forward businesses that prioritize automation and clean integrations over phone-based support.
Skip it if: Skip it if you require immediate phone support or have a high volume of invoices but a tiny budget that can't support the 'Grow' plan.
Frequently asked questions
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 Xero?
Skip it if you require immediate phone support or have a high volume of invoices but a tiny budget that can't support the 'Grow' plan.