Thinking about switching to Toast POS for your restaurant, but unsure about the cost? You’re not alone.

Toast is one of the most popular point of sale (POS) systems for restaurants, but its pricing can get confusing. That’s why we created this Toast POS Cost Calculator and broke down all the key fees, subscriptions, and hidden charges.

Why You Need a Toast POS Cost Calculator

Toast isn’t cheap, and if you don’t run the numbers before signing a contract, you may be surprised by your total annual cost—especially once you add in processing fees and software upgrades.

Nor is Toast’s pricing one-size-fits-all. In fact, Toast prides itself on creating custom solutions for each business it serves. Its pricing depends on:

• Your restaurant size
• The number of terminals
• Chosen hardware bundles
• Software add-ons
• Payment processing volume

What is Toast POS?

Toast is a cloud-based POS system designed for restaurants, cafes, food trucks, and now retail businesses. Built on Android, it offers integrations like online ordering, loyalty programs, payroll, and advanced reporting.

Toast POS Pricing Overview: Which Plan is Right for You?

Toast offers five main pricing options in 2025:

Toast Starter Kit: Best for New Restaurants

The Starter Kit is designed for single-location restaurants that need 1-2 terminals to get up and running quickly. It comes in two payment structures: Pay-As-You-Go and Traditional Pricing. 

Starter Kit Hardware

• Hardware Options: Countertop kit, Handheld kit, or Guest Self-Service kit
• Limit: 1 location, up to 2 terminals 
• Bonus: No upfront cost if you choose Pay-As-You-Go (though bigger long-term costs)

Pay-As-You-Go Pricing (No Monthly Fees)

This option is great for businesses who want to avoid upfront costs and are okay with higher processing fees.

Traditional Pricing (Lower Processing Fees, Monthly Subscription) 

With the Traditional Pricing plan, users will pay more upfront but save on card processing (and long-term costs). 

Toast Point of Sale Plan: Core POS with BYO Hardware

For restaurants that already have hardware or who want more control, Toast’s classic Point of Sale plan lets you choose your own hardware setup while paying a monthly subscription. 

Optional Software Add-Ons

With any Toast plan, you can add on additional software packages and features to enhance your POS experience. Toast will generate custom pricing based on your business, but here’s a breakdown of what they cost on average: 

Pricing Source: Owner.com

Custom Toast POS Plans: Scalable for Multi-Location Brands

If your restaurant has high volume or multiple locations, Toast offers custom pricing that bundles features based on your business needs. These plans are often negotiated and include:

• Personalized onboarding
• Volume-based processing fees
• Bundled hardware/software packages
• Premium support and enterprise tools

Toast Retail POS (New in 2024)

Toast’s Retail POS plan is a relatively new addition designed specifically for hybrid and food-focused retail businesses—like coffee shops with merchandise, convenience stores with prepared foods, or specialty grocers.

This unified system blends foodservice and retail operations into one platform:

• Hardware & Software: Tailored for retail workflows, including barcode scanning, inventory tracking, and customer-facing displays
• Custom Pricing: Based on your store size and needs
• Features:
  • Inventory management built for SKUs and barcode systems
  • Unified restaurant/retail experience for hybrid models (e.g., wine shops with tasting rooms) 
  • Employee management and customer profiles

Toast POS Hardware Pricing in 2025

Need extra terminals, displays, or printers? Here’s what add-on hardware costs: 

Bonus: Toast Payroll and POS Bundle Pricing

Toast also offers a Payroll + POS bundle that integrates team management with your point of sale. This software includes POS, payroll, and scheduling features. 

Which Toast POS Plan Is Right for You?

Still trying to figure out which Toast plan would work best for your business? Use the chart below to see what types of businesses usually use:

Is Toast POS Worth It?

Toast POS works well for small to mid-sized restaurants that want an all-in-one system with features like kitchen displays and online ordering. The Starter Kit’s no-monthly-fee “Pay-As-You-Go” plan is great if you want to avoid upfront costs, but the processing fees are higher, and merchants will pay substantially more over time.

While Toast markets itself as an all-in-one solution (and has the features to back up that claim), the solution is deceptively pricey. Its proprietary hardware means switching later can be costly, and some users report mixed experiences with support.

Why KORONA POS Could Be a Better Fit

If you’re not running a full-service restaurant, KORONA POS might be a smarter choice. It’s designed for quick-service restaurants (QSRs), coffee shops, wineries, retail stores, and so much more.

Unlike Toast, KORONA doesn’t require you to use specific hardware or payment processors. You get more freedom to choose what works best for your business.

KORONA also offers strong inventory management, easy reporting, and tools like loyalty programs and ticketing. Plus, with no long-term contracts and transparent pricing, it’s a flexible and affordable option.

Toast POS vs. KORONA POS: Quick Comparison

Final Thoughts: Choosing the Right POS for Your Business

Toast POS is a solid option for restaurants looking for an all-in-one system with excellent UX and features. But if you’re running a quick-service restaurant, coffee shop, winery, or retail store, KORONA POS offers more flexibility, lower overall costs, and the freedom to choose your own hardware and payment processor.

Whether you prioritize customizability, cost transparency, or advanced inventory tools, KORONA POS is the system that will align with your business needs now—and as you grow.