Understanding the Toast POS system cost is essential for restaurant owners, especially since many assume the cost is just about buying hardware. In reality, the total expense includes software plans, payment processing rates, and a range of add-ons that can influence your monthly budget.
This guide explains each part of Toast’s pricing so you can see how fees stack up and what you’re truly paying for. We’ll cover software tiers, hardware options, processing charges, and less obvious costs that often surprise new users. By the end, you’ll have a clear view of Toast POS expenses and how to plan for them confidently. Keep reading!
Highlights
- Toast POS costs include software subscriptions, hardware, payment processing, optional add-ons, and indirect expenses like maintenance and data fees.
- Toast offers multiple plans: Starter, Essentials, Growth, and Enterprise, with features scaling from basic POS functions to loyalty, marketing, and payroll tools.
What Is Toast POS?
Toast POS is a restaurant-focused point-of-sale system built to handle the daily flow of orders, tables, payments, and staff activity. It’s designed specifically for foodservice operations, so its tools match the needs of cafés, quick-service shops, full-service restaurants, and multi-location groups.
At its core, Toast helps teams take orders quickly, send them to the kitchen without confusion, process payments smoothly, and track performance through clear, real-time reports.
Toast also offers several package options to match different business sizes. Toast Starter fits small setups that need essential functions. Toast Essentials adds more advanced tools for growing venues. Toast Growth expands the system with marketing, online ordering, loyalty, and other extras. Toast Enterprise supports large groups that require deeper customization, multi-location control, and stronger operational insights.
Overall, Toast POS brings together hardware, software, and restaurant-specific workflows to keep service running smoothly and give owners better control over their operations.
Read more: Toast POS Customer Service Review – Here’s What to Expect
Breakdown of Toast POS System Costs
The system includes software, payment processing, hardware, and several optional tools that can change your monthly spending. Below is a simple breakdown of each cost category so you can budget with confidence.
Software / Subscription Fees
Toast offers flexible pricing for restaurants and retailers, with plans designed to match different business sizes and operational needs.
For restaurants, pricing starts with the Starter Kit, built for single-location venues running 1–2 terminals. This plan includes essential POS tools and starts at $0/month, making it easy to launch without upfront software costs. The Point of Sale plan is priced from $69/month and suits restaurants that need core functionality with flat-rate payment processing. For growing or complex operations, there is the option to access the full Toast platform with custom pricing based on selected features and scale.
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For retail businesses, Toast offers a Point of Sale plan starting at $90/month, designed for convenience stores, grocery stores, and liquor retailers looking to streamline daily operations. Retailers can also choose custom pricing to tailor the system to specific workflows.
Payment Processing Costs
Toast uses its own payment processing system. Card-present and online transactions have different rates, and online orders typically cost more per transaction. Fees include the base rate, interchange, and Toast’s margin.
Some restaurants choose expanded payment programs, such as Toast Payments Plus, if available, which may include extra tools or alternative pricing arrangements.
Hardware Costs
Core hardware includes countertop POS terminals, handheld devices for tableside orders, kitchen display screens, and receipt printers. Restaurants can rent or buy these devices, with rental lowering upfront spending and purchase giving long-term savings. Extra peripherals, such as a cash drawer, barcode scanner, and customer-facing display, add to the total.
Additional / Optional Fees
Toast sells add-ons like Toast Payroll & Team, Loyalty, and Marketing. Third-party integrations for accounting, CRM, or delivery services may also introduce new fees. Some support services, training sessions, or premium software updates may require additional payments.
Hidden or Indirect Costs
Restaurants should also consider internet or mobile data for handheld devices, potential credit card surcharges or chargebacks, backup power solutions, and ongoing maintenance or hardware repairs. These small expenses can add up over time.
Read more: 10 Square POS Alternatives for Businesses in 2026
Estimated Total Cost Scenarios
Each setup varies based on menu complexity, number of staff, and how many devices a location needs.
Small Restaurant or Café (1 Terminal)
A small café or counter-service shop usually needs one countertop terminal, a receipt printer, and basic software. This setup often includes the Starter or Essentials plan, depending on online ordering needs.
Combined with a single hardware unit and standard payment processing, the total monthly cost usually stays on the lower end of Toast’s pricing range. Upfront costs are moderate if the hardware is purchased, or lower if rented.
Medium-Volume Venue (Multiple Registers)
A busier restaurant that uses two or three terminals requires a higher subscription tier. Essentials or Growth is common, especially for online ordering, delivery, scheduling, and stronger reporting. Adding terminals, kitchen printers, a cash drawer, and a customer-facing display increases hardware expenses.
Payment processing fees also scale with sales volume, which can raise the total monthly cost even if software and hardware stay fixed. Overall, this tier sits in the mid-range of Toast’s typical pricing.
High-Volume or Multi-Location Operations
Large restaurants or groups often select the Enterprise plan for advanced controls and multi-location management. This setup may include several handheld ordering devices, multiple kitchen displays, loyalty tools, and a marketing or gift card module.
Hardware investment is significant, and software fees grow due to the additional modules. With higher sales volume, payment processing becomes a major part of monthly costs. This scenario represents the highest tier of Toast’s pricing but delivers the most operational depth.
How to Optimize Your Toast POS Costs
- Choose the right subscription level for your volume: Managing Toast POS system costs starts with choosing the subscription tier that truly matches your sales volume and operational needs. A smaller venue may not need advanced marketing or loyalty tools, so selecting the right plan prevents unnecessary spending.
- Negotiate hardware purchases or leasing terms: Hardware is another area to review. Ask about purchase discounts or flexible leasing options, especially if you need several devices.
- Monitor and minimize transaction fees by optimizing menu pricing: Transaction fees can add up quickly, so review your menu pricing and adjust items with high card usage or low margins. This helps absorb processing costs without hurting the guest experience.
- Leverage built-in Toast features before paying for add-ons: Before paying for extra modules, make sure you’re fully using the features already included in your plan, such as basic reporting or built-in online ordering tools.
- Assess monthly ROI (sales vs POS-related costs): Check your monthly ROI by comparing POS-related spending with revenue and operational improvements. This helps you identify what’s working and what needs fine-tuning to keep your Toast setup cost-efficient.
Pros & Cons of Toast’s Cost Structure
Toast POS system cost structure gives restaurant owners a clear path to building the setup they need, but it comes with trade-offs.
Pros
- All-in-one system that covers POS, payment processing, online ordering, staff tools, and more
- Clear subscription tiers that help you understand what you’re paying for
- Scalable hardware options that fit small cafés, busy full-service venues, or multi-location groups
Cons
- Payment processing fees can rise quickly for restaurants with high transaction volume
- Extra modules, such as payroll, loyalty, and marketing, add to monthly costs
- Hardware rentals offer low upfront spending, but can become more expensive in the long term
How ConnectPOS Compares on Cost (Value Perspective)
ConnectPOS takes a different approach to pricing compared with Toast, giving businesses more control over long-term costs. The structure focuses on flexibility, predictable fees, and compatibility with a wide range of devices and payment partners.
- Predictable subscriptions: Clear pricing without mandatory payment processing contracts, helping businesses avoid unexpected charges.
- Hardware flexibility: Supports tablets and common devices instead of locking users into proprietary terminals, reducing upfront spending and simplifying replacement.
- Open payment processing: Allows third-party processors, giving merchants the chance to secure better rates.
- Built-in features: Core tools like real-time inventory syncing, multi-location management, loyalty programs, and customer data tracking are included—reducing the need for layered add-ons.
- Omnichannel support: Syncs offline and online sales across ecommerce POS platforms like Shopify, Magento, BigCommerce, and WooCommerce, helping unify retail and eCommerce operations.
- Scalability: Works smoothly across multiple locations, supports offline transactions, and is ready for global operations.
Read more: Explore The 5 Best POS Systems for Small Business in The US 2026
In Conclusion
Understanding Toast POS system costs means looking at every part of the system, software subscriptions, hardware, payment processing, optional add-ons, and indirect expenses. These components work together to shape your monthly and long-term investment. Toast delivers strong value for restaurants that want an all-in-one platform, yet it’s important to review every fee so you know exactly what you’re paying for and how it affects your margins.
If you’re exploring a POS with more flexible pricing and hardware freedom, consider ConnectPOS. Our team can walk you through a cost-comparison demo to help you find the setup that makes the most financial sense for your business. Contact us today!
FAQs
Does Toast require a long-term contract?
Yes. Toast typically requires a multi-year contract, most commonly a two-year agreement. Early cancellations may incur fees, so businesses should be certain about long-term usage before committing. This structure can be limiting for small businesses or seasonal operators needing more flexibility.
Can I use Toast POS without using Toast Payments?
No. Toast requires all merchants to use Toast Payments, meaning third-party processors aren’t supported. This ties your business to Toast’s processing rates, which can influence long-term costs. It also means switching providers later requires replacing the entire payment setup.
What is the cost of hardware if I buy rather than rent?
Purchased Toast hardware varies by setup, but handheld kits often start around US $600, while full countertop stations can exceed US $900. Costs differ based on configuration, screen type, and accessories. Businesses choosing to buy should plan for higher upfront spend but lower long-term fees.
Are Toast add-ons (like loyalty) optional or required?
Add-ons such as loyalty, gift cards, marketing, or payroll are optional but paid separately. Core POS features are included in basic plans, while advanced tools require monthly fees. Your total cost depends on which add-ons you activate to support your restaurant’s operations.
How does Toast pricing work for multiple locations?
Toast charges per location and often per terminal, with additional fees for payment processing and any optional add-ons. Multi-location businesses usually receive a custom quote based on hardware volume and software needs. Costs scale quickly as each location requires its own setup and subscription.
►►► Optimal solution set for businesses: Shopify POS, Magento POS, BigCommerce POS, WooCommerce POS, NetSuite POS, E-Commerce POS
