Square POS vs
Toast POS: Which
software is best?
[compared in 2024]

Choosing the right POS system for your coffee shop is vital. In this comparison, we look at Square POS and Toast POS to help baristas make an informed decision. Let's dive into the specifics to see which platform brews up success.

Running a coffee shop comes with its fair share of challenges, like keeping track of sales or managing inventory. Square POS and Toast POS offer solutions to make those tasks easier. But, there’s a new player in town - Vev. It merges the strengths of both to ideally cater to baristas. Let’s explore how each can perk up your coffee shop’s efficiency.

Square POS vs Toast POS

Square POSToast POS

Website

Website

squareup.com/us/en/point-of-sale

pos.toasttab.com

Pricing

Square POSToast POS

Pricing

Pricing

$0 - $29

$0 - $69

Features

Square POSToast POS

Top Features

Top Features

  • Payment Processing

  • Reporting

  • User-Friendly Interface

  • CRM

  • Mobile App

  • Support for taxes

  • Customer Support

  • Online Booking

  • Brand customization

  • Delivery tools

  • Payment Processing

  • Reporting

  • User-Friendly Interface

  • CRM

  • Mobile App

  • Support for taxes

  • Customer Support

  • Online Booking

  • Brand customization

  • Delivery tools

Pros & Cons

Square POSToast POS

Pros

Pros

  • Free to start.
  • No monthly fees in Basic Plan.
  • Wide range of hardware to choose from.
  • Loved by staff and management, facilitating smooth operations.
  • Expansion options for businesses with multiple locations.
  • Easy integration for management teams and staff.
  • User-friendly interface simplifies food ordering process for customers.
  • Straightforward steps on the app make ordering easy and convenient.

Cons

Cons

  • Account can freeze due to irregular activity.
  • Not cost-effective for high-volume transactions.
  • No phone support.
  • Lack of customer support for setting up online ordering can be frustrating.
  • Display screen functionality may not meet expectations.
  • Complicated drop-down menu in the new online ordering system leads to guest confusion.

Which is better?

Ultimately, Square POS shines for ease and affordability, perfect for startup cafes. Meanwhile, Toast excels in comprehensive features tailored for growing barista businesses. Your choice depends on where you are in your coffee journey.

Have you considered Vev?

While Square POS and Toast POS are commendable for the barista industry, Vev offers unique advantages. Vev is designed to save you time and headaches with its adaptive learning capabilities. It fine-tunes itself based on your usage, ensuring a better experience every day. Moreso, Vev’s platform independence means you can operate your coffee shop seamlessly from any device with an internet connection. Simplify your business operations with Vev and give your barista business the cutting-edge advantage it deserves.

Do you have a small business?

Expand and improve your small business. Vev has the tools to help you out.

Free, no credit card needed.

Screenshot of square-pos

1. Square POS

Who is it for

Square POS caters to baristas. Its flexibility makes it suitable for establishments operating both online and in physical locations.

Features overview

Square POS stands out as a multifaceted platform meeting diverse operational needs of baristas. Supporting a wide range of payment methods, including major credit cards and offline transactions, ensures uninterrupted service even in connectivity-limited scenarios. Its design facilitates quick transaction inputs, crucial for fast-paced environments, aiming to reduce customer wait times and enhance service efficiency. Other functionalities such as floor and kitchen management aim to facilitate workflow dynamics. An automatic tipping feature benefits the gratuity process. Square POS extends utility beyond the counter with a customizable ordering website, broadening reach for delivery and on-the-go services. Integration with social media and OpenTable.

Pricing

  • Free $0 Plus $29/month Fully customizable with add-ons

  • $0 - $29

Website

squareup.com/us/en/point-of-sale

Pros

  • Free to start.
  • No monthly fees in Basic Plan.
  • Wide range of hardware to choose from.

Cons

  • Account can freeze due to irregular activity.
  • Not cost-effective for high-volume transactions.
  • No phone support.
Screenshot of toast-pos

2. Toast POS

Who is it for

Toast caters to baristas. Its all-in-one platform incorporates features like POS, Open View ordering, and many more.

Features overview

Toast POS offers a suite of features tailored for baristas's dynamic needs, ensuring efficient and organized operations. It includes a point-of-sale (POS) component, open view ordering, back-of-house (BOH) organization, and a kitchen display screen to replace paper processes and minimize errors. Supporting mobility and convenience, it enables mobile order and pay, allowing customers to place orders directly from their devices.

Specialized hardware like POS terminals, mobile order gadgets, kitchen displays, and printers integrate seamlessly with Toast's software suite. While cloud-based management is possible, Toast's dedicated hardware options maximize the system's capabilities, particularly in order-taking, processing, and overall management.

Pricing

  • Starter kit $0 Point of Sale $69 Build your own: custom pricing

  • $0 - $69

Website

pos.toasttab.com

Pros

  • Loved by staff and management, facilitating smooth operations.
  • Expansion options for businesses with multiple locations.
  • Easy integration for management teams and staff.
  • User-friendly interface simplifies food ordering process for customers.
  • Straightforward steps on the app make ordering easy and convenient.

Cons

  • Lack of customer support for setting up online ordering can be frustrating.
  • Display screen functionality may not meet expectations.
  • Complicated drop-down menu in the new online ordering system leads to guest confusion.

Do you have a small business?

Expand and improve your small business. Vev has the tools to help you out.

Free, no credit card needed.