By Jason Feemster • Verified October 2026
A clear, up-to-date breakdown of Toast software fees, hardware costs, payment processing rates, add-ons, and real-world monthly cost estimates for cafes, bars, fast-casual, and full-service restaurants.
Quick answer: Toast software starts at $0/mo on the Starter Kit or $69/mo on the Point of Sale plan. Most single-location restaurants pay $150–$500/month for software and add-ons, plus 2.49% + 15¢ per in-person transaction on the Point of Sale plan (or 3.09%–3.69% + 15¢ on the Starter Kit). A restaurant doing $50K/month in card sales might pay $300/month in software and another $1,400+ in processing, so your real monthly Toast bill is often $1,500–$2,500+ all-in.
For multi-location or full-service operations with handhelds, KDS, online ordering, and loyalty? Expect $3,000–$5,000+/month when you factor in everything.
How We Researched Toast Pricing
We compiled this pricing guide from Toast’s official pricing page, live demo calls with Toast sales reps, published third-party reviews, and real restaurant owner reports from industry forums. Toast pricing is highly variable and changes often, so treat these numbers as guideposts. Your actual quote will depend on your specific situation.
Toast POS Pricing Breakdown
Toast pricing has three main components that stack on top of each other:
- Software subscription: your monthly plan fee ($0/mo or $69/mo for published tiers, custom above that)
- Payment processing: a percentage of every card transaction (2.49% + 15¢ on the Point of Sale plan, 3.09%–3.69% + 15¢ on the Starter Kit, higher for online and keyed)
- Hardware: terminals, handhelds, KDS screens ($500–$5,000+ upfront or financed, or $0 upfront on the Starter Kit)
The software fee gets all the marketing attention, but processing is where Toast really makes money, and where most restaurants underestimate their costs.
Toast Software Plans and Monthly Fees
| Plan | Monthly Cost | In-Person Processing | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starter Kit | $0/mo | 3.09%–3.69% + 15¢ (pay-as-you-go, $0 hardware upfront) | New single-location restaurants and food trucks needing 1–2 terminals, very low volume |
| Point of Sale | $69/mo | 2.49% + 15¢ | Most independent restaurants; hardware purchased or financed |
| Build Your Own | Custom quote | Negotiable | Multi-location, high-volume, enterprise |
Toast Payment Processing Rates
You cannot use your own payment processor with Toast. You’re locked into Toast Payments (Toast is technically a payment facilitator that partners with processors), which means your rate is whatever Toast quotes you. Here are the rates small restaurants are typically quoted:
| Transaction Type | Starter Kit (Pay-as-You-Go) | Point of Sale Plan |
|---|---|---|
| Card Present (in-person) | 3.09%–3.69% + 15¢ | 2.49% + 15¢ |
| Card Not Present (online orders) | 3.50% + 15¢ | 3.50% + 15¢ |
| Keyed-in transactions | 3.50% + 15¢ | 3.50% + 15¢ |
How this compares (in-person, entry plans):
- Square for Restaurants: 2.6% + 15¢ on the Free plan
- Clover: 2.3%–2.6% + 10¢, negotiable through a dealer
- SpotOn: 2.45% + 15¢ on Essentials, 2.79% + 20¢ on the $0 All-In Plan
Toast’s Point of Sale rate is competitive; its Starter Kit rate is not. For a restaurant processing $80,000/month in card sales, even a 0.2% difference versus a cheaper competitor adds up to $160/month in extra fees.
Toast Hardware Costs
Toast uses proprietary hardware. You can’t use iPads or bring your own terminals; Toast’s services only run on approved Toast devices. Toast doesn’t publish a full hardware price list, and quotes vary with bundles and promotions, so these are typical ranges restaurants are quoted. One detail from Toast’s own pricing page: published plan prices include the first terminal’s software subscription, and additional devices carry their own monthly charges.
| Hardware | Typical Price Range | What It Does |
|---|---|---|
| Toast Flex Terminal (with Toast Tap) | $627–$999 | Main countertop POS terminal |
| Toast Go 2 Handheld | $409–$627 | Tableside ordering and payments |
| Kitchen Display System (KDS) | $499–$699, plus KDS software | Digital ticket screen for kitchen |
| Guest Self-Service Kiosk | $799–$999 | Customer-facing ordering kiosk |
| Toast Tap Payment Device | $249–$299 | Contactless card reader |
| Receipt Printer | $149–$199 | Thermal receipt printing |
| Cash Drawer | $119–$149 | Standard cash drawer |
| Starter Kit Bundle | $0 upfront | One-terminal setup; cost recovered through the higher Starter Kit processing rate |
Typical hardware costs by restaurant type:
- Small cafe (1 terminal): $800–$1,200
- Fast-casual (2 terminals + KDS): $2,000–$3,500
- Full-service (3 terminals + 2 handhelds + 2 KDS): $5,000–$8,000
Toast offers three ways to pay for hardware: pay upfront, 0% interest financing (by application), or Toast Easy Pay, which spreads qualifying hardware and setup costs across 180 days as a percentage of your card sales. Implementation is a separate cost unless you’re on a Starter Kit, which includes self-service installation support.
Toast Add-On Costs
This is where Toast gets expensive fast. The base POS is just the starting point. Most restaurants end up adding several modules. Typical quoted prices:
| Add-On | Typical Monthly Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Online Ordering | $75/month | Part of the Digital Storefront package |
| Third-Party Delivery Integration | $75/month | Syncs DoorDash, Uber Eats, and Grubhub orders |
| Loyalty Program | $50/month | Points-based rewards |
| Gift Cards | $50/month | Physical and digital gift cards |
| Email Marketing | $75/month | Campaigns and automation |
| Toast Payroll | From $69/month + $9/employee (bundled with POS) | Full payroll processing |
| Kitchen Display Software | ~$25/month | Software for each KDS screen |
| Toast IQ Team | Custom quote | Scheduling, tips management, and labor tools bundle |
| Inventory Management | Custom quote | Recipe costing, waste tracking |
| Catering & Events | Custom quote | Large order management |
| Multi-Location Management | Custom quote | Centralized reporting and controls |
Toast has also started bundling: Toast IQ Grow packages its core marketing and growth tools, and the Toast IQ AI assistant can take actions in the system for you. Bundles can beat buying modules one at a time, so ask for both prices.
The add-on trap: A restaurant that starts at $69/mo can easily hit $300–$400/month once they add online ordering, loyalty, and gift cards. Factor this into your budget from day one.
Toast Contract Terms and Hidden Fees
This is the part most Toast reviews gloss over. Before you sign:
- Contract length: Toast agreements typically run 2-3 years, depending on the plan and any promotion.
- Early termination fee: If you cancel early, you’ll owe the remaining balance on hardware plus potential software fees. We’ve seen ETFs range from $1,000 to $5,000+.
- Rate changes: Toast’s merchant agreement allows fee changes with advance notice, so ask how long your quoted rate is locked.
- Auto-renewal: Contracts typically auto-renew, so mark your calendar 60–90 days before renewal to renegotiate or cancel.
- Hardware ownership: Even after paying off hardware, it only works with Toast. If you switch POS systems, the hardware becomes a paperweight.
Real-World Toast Cost Examples
Here’s what actual restaurants might pay, based on common setups we’ve seen and the typical quoted rates above:
Example 1: Coffee Shop / Small Cafe
- 1 Toast Flex terminal (purchased upfront)
- Point of Sale plan ($69/month)
- $25,000/month in card sales
- No add-ons
| Cost Type | Monthly Amount |
|---|---|
| Software | $69 |
| Processing (2.49% + $0.15 × ~800 transactions) | ~$743 |
| Hardware (paid upfront) | $0 |
| Total Monthly Cost | ~$812 |
Example 2: Fast-Casual Restaurant
- 2 terminals, 1 KDS
- Point of Sale plan ($69/month)
- Online ordering add-on ($75/month)
- $60,000/month in card sales (70% in-person, 30% online)
| Cost Type | Monthly Amount |
|---|---|
| Software + Online Ordering | $144 |
| Processing, in-person ($42K × 2.49%) | ~$1,046 |
| Processing, online ($18K × ~3.50%) | ~$630 |
| Hardware (financed over 24 months) | ~$125 |
| Total Monthly Cost | ~$1,945 |
Example 3: Full-Service Restaurant with Bar
- 3 terminals, 3 handhelds, 2 KDS screens
- Build Your Own plan (~$200/month estimated)
- Online ordering, loyalty, gift cards, team management
- $120,000/month in card sales
| Cost Type | Monthly Amount |
|---|---|
| Software + Add-ons | ~$400 |
| Processing (blended ~2.6% on $120K) | ~$3,120 |
| Hardware (financed) | ~$275 |
| Total Monthly Cost | ~$3,795 |
The pattern: Processing fees are 70–80% of your total Toast cost. The software subscription is almost a rounding error by comparison.
Starter Kit vs. Point of Sale Plan: Which Is Cheaper?
Toast’s Starter Kit sounds appealing: $0/month software and $0 hardware upfront. But you pay for it in a higher processing rate.
Here’s the math at the low end of the Starter Kit range (3.09%) versus the Point of Sale plan ($69 + 2.49%). The $0.15 per-transaction fee is the same on both, so it’s left out:
| Monthly Card Sales | Starter Kit (3.09%) | Point of Sale ($69 + 2.49%) | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| $5,000 | $155 | $194 | Starter saves $39 |
| $10,000 | $309 | $318 | Starter saves $9 |
| $15,000 | $464 | $443 | Point of Sale saves $21 |
| $25,000 | $773 | $692 | Point of Sale saves $81 |
| $50,000 | $1,545 | $1,314 | Point of Sale saves $231 |
| $75,000 | $2,318 | $1,937 | Point of Sale saves $381 |
Bottom line: At 3.09%, the Starter Kit only makes sense under about $11,500/month in card sales. If you’re quoted the 3.69% high end, the break-even drops to about $5,750/month. The Point of Sale plan does mean buying or financing hardware, so add that to your comparison, and confirm your own quoted rates before you decide.
Toast Pricing: Pros and Cons
✅ Where Toast Pricing Works
- You want an all-in-one platform and don’t mind paying a premium for the convenience
- You plan to use handhelds, KDS, online ordering, and loyalty, where Toast’s integrated ecosystem really shines
- You’re a multi-location operator who needs centralized reporting
- You value included support (phone 7 a.m.–midnight ET daily, chat 24/7) and restaurant-specific hardware built for grease, heat, and spills
❌ Where Toast Pricing Hurts
- You’re cost-conscious and want the lowest possible processing rates
- You want to use your own payment processor or negotiate rates independently
- You don’t want to sign a multi-year contract
- You’re a small, low-volume operation where simpler systems (Square, Clover) would cost less
- You might switch POS systems in the future, since Toast’s proprietary hardware has zero resale value
Toast vs. Competitors: Quick Price Comparison
| POS System | Monthly Software | In-Person Rate | Contract | Use Own Processor? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Toast | $0/mo or $69/mo | 2.49% + 15¢ (Point of Sale) | 2-3 years | No |
| Square for Restaurants | $0/mo or $49/mo | 2.6% + 15¢ | None | No |
| Clover | $135/mo (QSR plans) | 2.3%–2.6% + 10¢ | 36 months | No, but rates negotiable through dealers |
| Shift4 Dine | $29.99/mo | 2.75% + 15¢ (negotiable) | 36 months | No |
| SpotOn | $0/mo or $55/mo | 2.45% + 15¢ (Essentials) | None (Essentials) | Yes, with a $995 fee |
| TouchBistro | $69/mo or $119/mo | Quote (cost-plus) | Annual | Some integrated partners |
Our take: Square is the easiest low-risk option for small restaurants. Clover’s published rate often beats Toast’s, and dealers can negotiate it lower. TouchBistro is iPad-based with cost-plus processing. Toast wins on features and restaurant-specific design, but you pay for it.
Who Should (and Shouldn’t) Use Toast
✅ Toast is a good fit if:
- You’re a serious restaurant operation planning to invest in technology (handhelds, KDS, online ordering)
- You want everything under one roof and don’t mind the cost
- You do $50K+ monthly in sales where Toast’s features can drive efficiency and revenue
- You’re opening multiple locations and need centralized management
❌ Consider alternatives if:
- You’re a small cafe or food truck doing under $20K/month, where Square is simpler and cheaper
- You want to negotiate your processing rates, which you can do with Clover through a dealer
- You hate long-term contracts, since Square and SpotOn Essentials are month-to-month
- You’re on a tight budget and just need basic POS functionality
For a deeper look at Toast’s features, interface, and real-world performance, see our complete Toast POS review.
Alternatives Worth Comparing
- Square for Restaurants: free plan available, no contracts, lower barrier to entry. Best for small operations.
- Shift4 Dine (formerly SkyTab): free hardware for restaurants that need it, at $29.99/mo. Worth a quote if upfront cost matters.
- TouchBistro: iPad-based and built specifically for restaurants, with cost-plus processing.
- SpotOn: restaurant-focused with published pricing and a month-to-month Essentials plan.
Toast POS Pricing FAQs
Is there a free version of Toast POS?
Yes and no. Toast’s Starter Kit is $0/mo in software with no upfront hardware cost for qualifying single-location restaurants. But you pay a higher processing rate (3.09%–3.69% + 15¢ versus 2.49% + 15¢ on the Point of Sale plan), so it’s not truly free. You’re just paying through transactions instead of a monthly bill. Above roughly $11,500/month in card sales, the $69/mo plan usually costs less overall.
How much does Toast POS really cost per month?
It depends heavily on your card volume. A small cafe might pay $800–$1,200/month total (software + processing). A busy full-service restaurant can easily hit $3,000–$5,000/month. The software subscription is the small part. Processing fees make up the bulk of your bill.
Can I use my own payment processor with Toast?
No. Toast requires you to use Toast Payments. This is one of the biggest complaints about the system. You can’t shop for better rates or use an existing merchant account. If rate flexibility matters to you, look at Clover through an authorized dealer.
What is Toast's payment processing rate?
Toast quotes rates per restaurant rather than printing them on its pricing page. Small single-location restaurants are typically quoted 2.49% + 15¢ in-person on the Point of Sale plan, or 3.09%–3.69% + 15¢ on the Starter Kit. Online and card-not-present transactions run higher, typically 3.50% + 15¢. High-volume restaurants can negotiate lower.
Does Toast require a contract?
Yes. Toast agreements typically run 2-3 years with early termination fees, depending on the plan and any promotion. Contracts typically auto-renew, so set a reminder to review before your renewal date if you want to renegotiate or switch.
How much does Toast hardware cost?
Individual terminals typically run $627–$999, Toast Go 2 handhelds $409–$627, and KDS screens $499–$699, and each additional device carries its own monthly software charge. A basic single-terminal setup costs $800–$1,200, or $0 upfront on the Starter Kit. A full-service restaurant with multiple terminals, handhelds, and KDS might spend $5,000–$8,000+ on hardware. Toast offers 0% financing by application and Toast Easy Pay, which spreads qualifying costs over 180 days as a percentage of card sales.
How does Toast compare to Square for restaurants?
Square for Restaurants starts at $0/mo, with in-person processing at 2.6% + 15¢ on the Free plan and no long-term contract. Toast starts at $0/mo or $69/mo with quoted processing and a multi-year contract. Square is simpler and cheaper for small operations; Toast offers deeper restaurant-specific features for higher-volume kitchens. See our Square for Restaurants review for the full breakdown.
Is Toast worth the price?
For serious restaurant operations that will use Toast’s full ecosystem (handhelds, KDS, online ordering, loyalty, marketing), the premium can be justified through efficiency gains and added revenue. For small, simple operations, Toast is often overkill. A cafe doing $15K/month probably doesn’t need Toast’s complexity and cost when Square would work fine for less.
Get Your Toast POS Quote
Toast pricing is customized based on your restaurant type, volume, hardware needs, and which features you want. The fastest way to get accurate numbers is a direct quote. Most operators get full pricing details within 15–20 minutes on a demo call.
Before your call, know your monthly card volume, how many terminals and handhelds you need, and which add-ons matter to you. This helps you get an apples-to-apples quote you can compare against competitors.
Jason Feemster
POS systems expert and founder of POSUSA.com, a trusted industry resource since 2011. With over a decade of hands-on experience testing and reviewing point-of-sale systems, he helps business owners choose solutions that actually fit their needs.
