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Restaurant POS review

Toast

All-in-one restaurant POS that runs card payments through Toast. The Point of Sale plan costs $69 a month; the Starter Kit has no monthly software fee but higher pay-as-you-go card rates. The term is set in your order form.

By ToastParent company: Toast, Inc. (NYSE: TOST)

RTC SCORE

3.4

#13 of 13 with enough data

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Not enough verified data yet

We've verified 7 of 10 key facts for this POS. Until we reach 80%, this page shows what we have, with sources, and it isn't a full review.

Our verdict

A broad all-in-one system tied to Toast Payments. Ask for the term and card rates in writing before you sign, and compare the Starter Kit against the $69 plan at your volume, exit cost included.

What we like

  • Its own online ordering charges no per-order commission and connects with DoorDash, Uber Eats and Grubhub.
  • 24/7 support included in every software subscription, per its pricing page.
  • Two years against defects on the countertop terminal (one year on handhelds), included with the purchase; drops and liquid damage are billed at the full replacement price. Hardware bought from Toast can be returned within 90 days.
  • On subscription plans the early termination fee is the software fees left, not future processing, and a card rate increase lets you leave without it.

What to watch

  • The term is set in your order form and renews automatically for a year unless you give 30 days' notice.
  • You must process cards with Toast, and Toast doesn't publish its rates on its own site.
  • Each device after the first costs extra, and Toast doesn't publish how much.
  • The Starter Kit charges higher pay-as-you-go card rates, and leaving it early costs $150 for each month left.

How the score breaks down

How the score of Toast is built: 3.4 out of 10#13 of 13 with enough data. We could verify 79% of the scoring data. Cost to get started (reference restaurant): 13.9 of 25; Switching or signing bonus you qualify for (reference restaurant): 0 of 25; 36-month total cost (reference restaurant): No data; Own online ordering: 5.5 of 11; Hardware warranty included: 4.4 of 8; Support 24/7 (as the vendor publishes it): 5 of 5; 6 criteria in one bar: 1.5 of 6; Initial term: No data · Weight 2%; Early termination fee: Weight 2%; Exclusive processing commitment: Weight 1%; Trial or money-back period: Weight 1%; Length of automatic renewals: Weight 1%; Notice to avoid renewal: Weight 0%. No data: lowers completeness, never counts as zero. Points earned: 30.3 out of 78.5 verified, or 38.6%. Multiplied by the completeness factor (0.89), that gives 3.4 out of 10. Methodology v0.5.0.3.4RTC Score,out of 10Toast#13 of 13 with enough dataData completeness79%We could verify 79% of thescoring dataMethodology v0.5.0How this score is builtEach bar is as long as the weight of its criterion.The filled part is what Toast earned.70% of the RTC ScoreCost to get started (reference restaurant)13.9 of 25Strongest · $2,226 to get startedSwitching or signing bonus you qualify for(reference restaurant)0 of 25Weakest36-month total cost (reference restaurant)No data20 points not verified24% of the RTC ScoreOwn online ordering5.5 of 11StrongestHardware warranty included4.4 of 8Support 24/7 (as the vendor publishes it)5 of 5Strongest6% of the RTC Score6 criteria in one bar1.5 of 6The 6 criteria, enlarged1234561Initial termNo data · Weight 2%2Early termination feeWeight 2%3Exclusive processing commitmentWeight 1%4Trial or money-back periodWeight 1%5Length of automatic renewalsWeight 1%6Notice to avoid renewalWeight 0%Points earnedPoints possibleNo data: lowers completeness, never counts as zero30.3points earned÷78.5points verified=38.6%of the verified points×0.89completeness factor=3.4out of 10
How the score of Toast is built: 3.4 out of 10#13 of 13 with enough data. We could verify 79% of the scoring data. Cost to get started (reference restaurant): 13.9 of 25; Switching or signing bonus you qualify for (reference restaurant): 0 of 25; 36-month total cost (reference restaurant): No data; Own online ordering: 5.5 of 11; Hardware warranty included: 4.4 of 8; Support 24/7 (as the vendor publishes it): 5 of 5; 6 criteria in one bar: 1.5 of 6; Initial term: No data · Weight 2%; Early termination fee: Weight 2%; Exclusive processing commitment: Weight 1%; Trial or money-back period: Weight 1%; Length of automatic renewals: Weight 1%; Notice to avoid renewal: Weight 0%. No data: lowers completeness, never counts as zero. Points earned: 30.3 out of 78.5 verified, or 38.6%. Multiplied by the completeness factor (0.89), that gives 3.4 out of 10. Methodology v0.5.0.05103.4RTC Score, out of 10Toast#13 of 13 with enough dataData completeness79%We could verify 79% of the scoring dataMethodology v0.5.0How this score is builtEach bar is as long as the weight of its criterion. The filled part is what Toast earned.0510152025points70% of the RTC ScoreCost to get started (reference restaurant)Strongest · $2,226 to get started13.9 of 25Switching or signing bonus you qualify for(reference restaurant)Weakest0 of 2536-month total cost (reference restaurant)20 points not verifiedNo data24% of the RTC ScoreOwn online orderingStrongest5.5 of 11Hardware warranty included4.4 of 8Support 24/7 (as the vendor publishes it)Strongest5 of 56% of the RTC Score6 criteria in one bar1.5 of 6The 6 criteria, enlargedInitial termNo data · Weight 2%Early termination feeWeight 2%Exclusive processing commitmentWeight 1%Trial or money-back periodWeight 1%Length of automatic renewalsWeight 1%Notice to avoid renewalWeight 0%Points earnedPoints possibleNo data: lowers completeness, never counts as zero30.3points earned÷78.5points verified=38.6%of the verifiedpoints×0.89completenessfactor=3.4out of 10
Verified Oct 1, 2026Each data point and its source are under “All the data, with sources”, further down this page.How we score

Points by criterion

#13 of 13 with enough data

  • 70% of the RTC Score
    • Cost to get started (reference restaurant): 13.9 of 25 · Strongest · $2,226 to get started
    • Switching or signing bonus you qualify for (reference restaurant): 0 of 25 · Weakest
    • 36-month total cost (reference restaurant): No data · 20 points not verified
  • 24% of the RTC Score
    • Own online ordering: 5.5 of 11 · Strongest
    • Hardware warranty included: 4.4 of 8
    • Support 24/7 (as the vendor publishes it): 5 of 5 · Strongest
  • 6% of the RTC Score
    • 6 criteria in one bar: 1.5 of 6
    • Initial term: No data · Weight 2% · 1.5 points not verified
    • Early termination fee: Weight 2%
    • Exclusive processing commitment: Weight 1%
    • Trial or money-back period: Weight 1%
    • Length of automatic renewals: Weight 1%
    • Notice to avoid renewal: Weight 0%

No data: lowers completeness, never counts as zero

Points earned: 30.3 out of 78.5 verified, or 38.6%. Multiplied by the completeness factor (0.89), that gives 3.4 out of 10.

Methodology v0.5.0

RTC Score3.4out of 10

Methodology v0.5.0

Data completeness79%

We could verify 79% of the scoring data

Strongest points
Cost to get started (reference restaurant), Own online ordering, Support 24/7 (as the vendor publishes it)
Weakest point
Switching or signing bonus you qualify for (reference restaurant)

Score by criterion

  • Cost to get started (reference restaurant)Weight 25%Strongest5.5 out of 10

    $2,226 to get started

  • Switching or signing bonus you qualify for (reference restaurant)Weight 25%Weakest0.0 out of 10

    $0 in promotions our reference restaurant qualifies for

  • 36-month total cost (reference restaurant)Weight 20%No data
  • Own online orderingWeight 11%Strongest5.0 out of 10
  • Hardware warranty includedWeight 8%5.5 out of 10
  • Support 24/7 (as the vendor publishes it)Weight 5%Strongest10.0 out of 10
  • Initial termWeight 2%No data
  • Early termination feeWeight 2%5.0 out of 10
  • Exclusive processing commitmentWeight 1%0.0 out of 10
  • Trial or money-back periodWeight 1%0.0 out of 10
  • Length of automatic renewalsWeight 1%7.0 out of 10
  • Notice to avoid renewalWeight 0%10.0 out of 10

Cost to get started

The cash your restaurant puts in before it opens on the new POS, in our reference scenario ($30k/month in card sales, $35 average ticket, 2 terminals, 1 location, 36 months): equipment you buy up front plus one-time setup or installation fees. Same rows for every POS.

25% of the RTC Score

Terminals, upfront: Handheld Starter Kit (×2)$2,226
Total to get started$2,226

Left out and why

  • The vendor doesn't publish the price of a terminal on its own, so each additional terminal is priced like the starter kit (this may overstate hardware).
  • Monthly and yearly charges (rent, software, yearly fees per device) are part of the 36-month cost, not of the entry cost.

Switching or signing bonus

What the vendor's current promotions are worth to our reference restaurant ($30k/month in card sales, $35 average ticket, 2 terminals, 1 location, 36 months), an established restaurant switching from another company's POS.

25% of the RTC Score

Counted in the RTC Score

$0

  • Discount

    Doesn't count: the vendor doesn't publish an amount we can confirm.

Promotions end and change, so we re-check them: one with no end date comes down if we can't re-check it within 30 days, and an expired one stops counting the day after it ends.

Toast, current promotion. Counted in the RTC Score: $0.Discount: Not published. The vendor publishes no end date. We take it down if we can't re-check it within 30 days. Doesn't count: the vendor doesn't publish an amount we can confirm.Counted in the RTC Score$0Counts in the RTC Score only ifour reference restaurant qualifies.Current promotionDiscountNot publishedThe vendor publishes no end date.We take it down if we can't re-check itwithin 30 days.Doesn't count: the vendor doesn't publishan amount we can confirm.
Toast, current promotion. Counted in the RTC Score: $0.Discount: Not published. The vendor publishes no end date. We take it down if we can't re-check it within 30 days. Doesn't count: the vendor doesn't publish an amount we can confirm.Counted in the RTC Score$0Counts in the RTC Score only if our referencerestaurant qualifies.Current promotionDiscountNot publishedThe vendor publishes no end date. We take it down if we can't re-check it within 30 days.Doesn't count: the vendor doesn't publish an amount we can confirm.
Verified Oct 1, 2026 · The conditions and the source of each promotion are in the block right below.

Counted in the RTC Score: $0

  • Discount: Not published. Doesn't count: the vendor doesn't publish an amount we can confirm.

Current promotion

  • Discount

    Not publishedSource: Toast (opens in a new tab)The discount is 60% of the hardware in your first order. Toast does not publish its hardware prices, so the dollar amount is not known.
    Conditions
    Joint offer from Toast and Uber, limited time with no published end date: 60% off the Toast hardware in your first order and 12 months without the monthly fee for a Digital Storefront tier and the Uber Eats integration. Only for businesses with fewer than 15 locations that are new to Toast, are referred between Toast and Uber, and sign a Toast Merchant Agreement; businesses new to both also sign an Uber Eats agreement. Uber adds credits toward Uber Eats ads and offers ($5,000 if you are new to both, $1,500 if you already use Uber Eats), applied as discounts on Uber fees over 3 months, not as cash. It cannot be redeemed for cash, it is not a payment of your current provider's early termination fee, and Toast and Uber can end it at any time.
    Valid until
    The vendor publishes no end date. We take it down if we can't re-check it within 30 days.

Counts in the RTC Score only if our reference restaurant qualifies.

The switching or signing incentive is one of the criteria with the most weight in the RTC Score. We count a promotion only while it's current, with a fixed published amount and conditions our reference restaurant meets. "Up to" amounts, buyouts of your current contract and unpublished amounts don't count. The cost calculator subtracts one only when your numbers qualify.

Check it with your numbers

Hardware warranty

The same rows for every POS: how long the main terminal is covered against defects when you get it a standard way (buying, leasing, renting, a subscription or a loan), the conditions, including what it leaves out and what keeping it costs, and the price to replace that terminal outside the coverage.

Hardware warranty included2 yearsSource: Toast (opens in a new tab)Two years on the countertop terminal (Toast Flex) and other hardware that is not handheld; one year on handhelds such as the Toast Go 3. It covers only hardware bought directly from Toast, and the Merchant Agreement incorporates it (§9.3).
Warranty conditionsDefects only. Toast chooses the fix: help by phone, a new or refurbished replacement, or a credit. The warranty terms say Toast makes reasonable efforts to ship an advance replacement by next-day air, but its replacement help article says standard shipping takes 3 to 5 business days and 1-to-2-day shipping may cost extra. You return the old unit within 30 days or pay the replacement price plus shipping, and a replacement is covered for the rest of the original period or 30 days, whichever is longer. Not covered: abuse, negligence, accidents, misuse, loss, theft, abnormal wear, improper transport, acts of God and unauthorized service; cracked screens, drops and liquid damage are billed at the full replacement price, and units outside the warranty are repaired or replaced at Toast's standard rates. Card readers built into handhelds have 1 year and other readers 2 years, although the same help article also says 1 year for readers in general. Toast publishes no paid extended warranty or accidental-damage plan. Software support continues for 3 years after the hardware warranty ends (Product Lifetime Policy); that covers software, not hardware. Hardware bought directly from Toast in the US can be returned within 90 days of shipment if it is in its original condition with all packaging and accessories: Toast credits the purchase price and pays the return shipping.Source: Toast (opens in a new tab)
Price to replace the main terminalBeing re-verified()(due for a re-check)Source: Merchant Maverick (opens in a new tab)As reported by Merchant Maverick: the Toast Flex countertop terminal with the Toast Tap card reader, without printer or cash drawer; the $50 a month is the device's software subscription. Toast doesn't publish this price itself: it bills damaged or out-of-warranty units at the full replacement price, and its online shop shows no prices without logging in. Other reviewers report $799 or more for the terminal.

The RTC Score only counts how long defects are covered. What the coverage leaves out (accidents, theft, loss) and what it costs to keep are in the conditions. A protection plan sold separately doesn't count; if the vendor offers one, it's in the conditions. The replacement price isn't added to the 36-month cost, because there's no public data on how often equipment fails.

Trial or money-back period

Whether you can try the POS and leave, and what it costs you if you do. Same rows for every POS.

Trial or money-back periodNone published()Source: Toast (opens in a new tab)We checked Toast's pricing page and Merchant Agreement: no trial or refund window for the POS is published.
Trial periodN/A()Source: Toast (opens in a new tab)Toast publishes no trial period.
Charges during the trialN/A()Source: Toast (opens in a new tab)Toast publishes no trial period.
Trial conditionsNo trial is published. Fees can't be canceled or refunded (Merchant Agreement §6.1). Leaving early costs the subscription fees left in the term, or $150 a month on pay-as-you-go.()Source: Toast (opens in a new tab)

In the RTC Score the trial is part of the contract block, the lowest weight in the model: full points when you can try it with no software charges or get your money back, half when you can cancel without the early termination fee but the charges during the trial are yours.

All the data, with sources

Each value links to its source. "Not published" means the vendor doesn't disclose it; "Unconfirmed" means we looked and couldn't confirm it. Data points we have for fewer than four vendors are left out until we can compare them.

Software
Data pointValue
Software from$69/moSource: Toast (opens in a new tab)Point of Sale plan, the one whose card rates we list. The Starter Kit has no monthly software fee but uses pay-as-you-go card rates (3.09% to 3.69% + 15¢, per NerdWallet), and leaving it early costs $150 for each month left.
Software billed perLocation()Source: Toast (opens in a new tab)The $69 plan covers one location with its first terminal; each additional device adds a monthly subscription whose price Toast doesn't publish.
Kitchen display (KDS) feeBeing re-verified()(due for a re-check)Source: Merchant Maverick (opens in a new tab)As reported by Merchant Maverick; Toast doesn't publish it. The same guide lists the kitchen display screen hardware at $674 plus $35 a month.
Payment processing
Data pointValue
Who processes your cardsMust use the vendor's processing()Source: NerdWallet (opens in a new tab)Card payments on Toast run through Toast Payments.
Pricing model for card feesFlat rateSource: Toast (opens in a new tab)
In-person card rate2.49%()(due for a re-check)Source: NerdWallet (opens in a new tab)Rate with hardware paid up front, as reported by NerdWallet; Toast does not publish its rates on its own site. Pay-as-you-go (Starter Kit) is 3.09% to 3.69% + 15¢.
In-person fee per transaction15¢()(due for a re-check)Source: NerdWallet (opens in a new tab)
Online card rate3.5%()(due for a re-check)Source: NerdWallet (opens in a new tab)
Online fee per transaction15¢()(due for a re-check)Source: NerdWallet (opens in a new tab)
Keyed-in card rate3.5%()(due for a re-check)Source: NerdWallet (opens in a new tab)NerdWallet reports one card-not-present rate for keyed and online payments.
Keyed-in fee per transaction15¢()(due for a re-check)Source: NerdWallet (opens in a new tab)
Annual fees per deviceBeing re-verified()(due for a re-check)Source: Effingham County, GA (public meeting records) (opens in a new tab)A Toast order form made public by a county government lists card rates and a $15 chargeback fee but no annual, PCI or regulatory fee per device, and the Merchant Agreement and its processing terms publish none either. Toast does charge a monthly subscription for each device after the first (amount not published).
Dual pricing or surcharge programYesSource: Toast (opens in a new tab)Toast publishes two programs: Toast Dual Pricing (card price and a cash price 4% lower by default; for now only for eligible new US customers) and Credit Card Surcharging (credit cards only, up to 3%, not in CT, ME or MA). With the program, card processing costs your restaurant $0 in our estimate and your customers pay the difference. Toast itself says surcharging offsets your costs by adding revenue, not by lowering your fees. Card network rules and state laws apply, and some states limit or ban surcharges.
Cards the program coversEvery card, debit and credit (dual pricing or cash discount)Source: Toast Central (opens in a new tab)Toast also offers credit card surcharging, which only covers credit cards. When a vendor publishes both, we use the program that covers every card, the same for every vendor. Toast says you still pay your contract rate on every card sale; the card price your customers pay offsets it. Toast Dual Pricing is for eligible new US customers.
Other fees in the contractInstallation: about $1,000 per day on site or $800 per day remote, per NerdWallet. Modules such as online ordering and payroll are billed separately.()(due for a re-check)Source: NerdWallet (opens in a new tab)
Hardware
Data pointValue
HardwareYou buy it()Source: NerdWallet (opens in a new tab)Bought up front or financed; with the Starter Kit the hardware kit has no upfront cost in exchange for higher card rates.
Hardware works with another processorNo()Source: NerdWallet (opens in a new tab)As reported by NerdWallet (Aug 2026) and Merchant Maverick (2025): using Toast requires Toast Payments, and Toast software runs only on Toast's own Android hardware, so the equipment doesn't move with you to another processor.
Contract and exit
Data pointValue
Initial termQuote onlySource: Toast (opens in a new tab)Set in your order form (Merchant Agreement §8.1). NerdWallet reports terms of two to three years, and Toast order forms made public by local governments show 36 months (2023) and 24 months (2025).
Automatic renewal12 monthsSource: Toast (opens in a new tab)A renewal is under the then-current Merchant Agreement, and earlier promotions no longer apply (§8.1).
Notice to avoid renewal30 daysSource: Toast (opens in a new tab)
How the early termination fee is calculatedSoftware or subscription fees left in the termSource: Toast (opens in a new tab)On subscription plans. On a pay-as-you-go plan such as the Starter Kit it is $150 for each month left in the term (§8.4).
Early termination feeOn subscription plans, the software subscription fees left in the term; on a pay-as-you-go plan such as the Starter Kit, $150 for each month left. Plus any processing fee tied to software financing (Merchant Agreement §8.4).Source: Toast (opens in a new tab)The example in dollars uses the Point of Sale plan. If Toast raises card rates or the core POS fee, you can terminate without this fee (§6.2).
Exclusive processing commitmentYes()Source: NerdWallet (opens in a new tab)
Right to raise prices during the termSoftware fees stay the same during the initial term. Toast may change card rates and other non-software fees at any time with 30 days' written notice, and any fee at or during a renewal. If it raises card rates or the core POS fee, you can terminate without the early termination fee (Merchant Agreement §6.2).Source: Toast (opens in a new tab)
Personal guarantee by the signerNo()Source: Toast (opens in a new tab)Neither the Merchant Agreement, its payment processing terms nor a public Toast order form (2025) contains a personal guarantee. Each owner of 25% or more authorizes Toast to pull personal credit reports.
Online ordering and delivery
Data pointValue
Own online orderingPaid add-onSource: Toast (opens in a new tab)Toast's pricing table marks Digital Storefront Essentials (Toast Online Ordering) as an add-on on the Starter Kit and the Point of Sale plan; its price is by quote.
No per-order commission on own online orderingYesSource: Toast (opens in a new tab)
Delivery app integrationsDoorDash, Uber Eats, GrubhubSource: Toast (opens in a new tab)
Features
Data pointValue
Kitchen display system (KDS)Paid add-onSource: Toast Central (help center) (opens in a new tab)Toast's help center says the account must be subscribed to the Kitchen Display Screen Software product, and each KDS screen has its own subscription, added through your Toast sales rep.
Loyalty programPaid add-on()Source: Toast (opens in a new tab)Toast's pricing table marks Marketing Essentials (Toast Loyalty, email marketing and gift cards) as an add-on on every plan; its price is by quote. Merchant Maverick reports Toast Loyalty at $50 a month.
Support
Data pointValue
Support 24/7YesSource: Toast (opens in a new tab)
Language
Data pointValue
POS screen in SpanishYes, set per deviceSource: Toast Central (help center) (opens in a new tab)English, Spanish, French and Chinese, set per device. On Toast Flex and Toast Go it is a limited release, and menus and modifiers are not translated.
Back office in SpanishYes()Source: Toast Central (help center) (opens in a new tab)The same help article shows how to pick the language in Toast Web, the back office, from your account settings.
Kitchen display in SpanishYesSource: Toast Central (help center) (opens in a new tab)
Language of kitchen ticketsUnconfirmedSource: Toast Central (help center) (opens in a new tab)Toast documents typing a Spanish kitchen name for each menu item, but not whether the rest of the printed ticket follows the device language. Its printing hub help only covers character sets.
Language of customer receiptsUnconfirmedSource: Toast Central (help center) (opens in a new tab)Toast's help center covers the printer character set (Spanish characters print) and says guest-facing Toast Go screens follow the device language, but doesn't say which language printed receipts use. We checked its language, receipt setup and printing hub articles.
Support in Spanish (as declared by the vendor)ChatSource: Toast Central (help center) (opens in a new tab)Toast documents support chat in Spanish. The phone line does not say which languages it covers.
Website in Spanish for the USYesSource: Toast (opens in a new tab)Toast's sales site has a US Spanish version (es-US), and its help center is also in US Spanish.

More about Toast

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How we score