Toast Alternative
The all-in-one Toast alternative
Toast is a powerful US POS, but it locks you into its hardware, its payment processing and stacked add-ons. RestApp is commission-free with your own branded apps on simple monthly plans.
The catch with Toast
Commission-free ordering, but locked into Toast's hardware, processing and add-on stack
Toast's own online ordering genuinely charges 0% commission, which is a real strength over marketplaces. But the all-in cost adds up fast: you're required to use Toast's proprietary Android hardware and Toast's own payment processing (you can't bring your own processor or shop rates), typically on a 2-3 year auto-renewing contract with early-termination fees, and features like online ordering, KDS, loyalty and gift cards are separate paid add-ons that can easily double the bill. Diners also order through Toast's shared "Toast Local" aggregator app or a Toast-hosted storefront rather than a dedicated app published under your own restaurant's brand, and Toast is focused on the US market.
Toast pricing
Toast's own first-party online ordering is commission-free on a flat monthly fee (the online ordering add-on is about $75/month), but you still pay for the POS plan ($0 Starter Kit or $69+/month per terminal), locked-in Toast payment processing (roughly 2.49% + 15¢ in person and about 3.50% + 15¢ online, or 3.09%, 3.69% + 15¢ on the free Starter Kit), and stacked add-ons such as KDS (~$35/mo), loyalty (~$50/mo, or the $185/mo Marketing bundle) and gift cards.
Why switch
Run your whole venue on RestApp
Take orders directly, keep your margin and your customers, and run ordering and your point of sale from one platform.
POS + ordering in one
A cloud EPOS with commission-free online ordering built in, not a bolt-on.
0% commission ordering
Take direct orders from your own site and apps with no per-order cut.
Your own site & apps
Branded website and native iOS & Android apps, included.
E-menu & QR ordering
Let guests scan, order and pay from the table.
Inventory & recipes
Track stock and food cost, with recipes mapped to products.
24/7 free support
Real help with setup, migration and growth, any time.
At a glance
Toast vs RestApp
| Feature | Toast | RestApp |
|---|---|---|
| Cloud-based, manage anywhere | ||
| Commission-free online ordering built in | Included, 0% commission (flat monthly fee, ~$75/mo add-on) | Included |
| Your own branded customer apps | Shared Toast Local aggregator app + hosted web storefront; no dedicated app under your own brand | Included |
| E-menu / QR table ordering | Yes (QR / Mobile Order & Pay) | |
| Kitchen Display System | Paid add-on (~$35/mo + hardware) | |
| Inventory & recipe management | Paid add-on (xtraChef / inventory module) |
Questions & Answers
Does Toast charge commission on online orders, and how does that compare to RestApp? +
Toast's own first-party online ordering is commission-free, charging a flat monthly fee (the online ordering add-on is around $75/month) rather than a per-order cut, which is a genuine advantage over marketplaces like DoorDash or Grubhub. The catch is the surrounding cost: you still pay for a POS plan ($0 Starter Kit or $69+/month per terminal), Toast's own locked-in payment processing (about 2.49% + 15¢ in person and roughly 3.50% + 15¢ online, or 3.09%, 3.69% + 15¢ on the free Starter Kit), and separate add-ons. Third-party delivery integrations can also add up to about 3%. RestApp is likewise 0% commission, but bundles your branded website and apps, EPOS, e-menu, loyalty and KDS into one simple monthly plan.
Do I get my own branded customer app with Toast, like I do with RestApp? +
Not in the same way. Toast gives you a Toast-hosted online ordering web storefront, and diners can also find you through 'Toast Local' (formerly Toast Takeout), but that is a shared aggregator app where guests browse any nearby Toast restaurant, not a dedicated app published under your own restaurant's name in the App Store and Google Play. RestApp includes your own branded website plus native iOS and Android apps carrying your name and logo, so customers download and reorder from your app, not a multi-restaurant marketplace.
Am I locked into Toast's hardware and payment processing? +
Yes. Toast requires its own proprietary Android-based hardware, you can't use iPads or third-party terminals, and you must use Toast's own payment processing, with no option to bring your own processor or shop for better rates, and Toast can raise processing rates during your contract with 30 days' notice. Contracts are typically 2-3 years with auto-renewal and early-termination fees. RestApp is fully cloud-based with simple monthly plans and no proprietary-hardware or processor lock-in of that kind, so you keep more flexibility.
Why would a restaurant switch from Toast to RestApp? +
Toast is a strong, feature-rich US POS, but its real cost climbs once you stack paid add-ons (online ordering, KDS ~$35/mo, loyalty ~$50/mo or a $185/mo marketing bundle, gift cards), commit to a multi-year contract, and accept locked-in hardware and processing. RestApp gives you a full cloud EPOS, commission-free online ordering, e-menu/QR ordering, loyalty, KDS and inventory together with your own branded website and native iOS/Android apps and 24/7 support, on simple monthly plans, and as a UK-based platform operating in multiple countries it suits restaurants beyond the US that Toast primarily serves.
Take orders on your terms
Start a free trial, commission-free ordering, your own apps and EPOS, with free setup and 24/7 support.