Which has better payment processing rates?

Toast's Point of Sale plan offers approximately 2.49% + 15¢ vs TackOn Table's starting rate of 2.9% + 10¢. TackOn Table's rates decrease with volume for high-volume restaurants.

Restaurant POS Comparison · Updated Feb 2026

TackOn Table vs Toast: An Honest Comparison for Restaurants

Q: Does Toast require a contract?

Yes. Toast generally requires a 2-year contract with early termination fees. TackOn Table is month-to-month with no contract and no cancellation penalties.

Q: Can I use a different payment processor with Toast?

No. Toast requires you to use Toast Payments exclusively. TackOn Table does not lock you to a specific payment processor.

Toast is a restaurant-only POS powerhouse with deep features and a massive install base. TackOn Table is also restaurant-only — built for cafés, food trucks, and quick/full-service restaurants. Here's a verified breakdown of pricing, features, and trade-offs — including where Toast wins.

Start Free Trial See Pricing

TackOn Table vs Toast: Real Pricing

Toast's pricing is more complex than most POS systems — plan tiers, hardware bundles, processing rates, and add-ons all interact. Here's what's publicly available.

TackOn Table

Starter

$49/mo

1 terminal · Processing from 2.9% + 10¢

Professional

$99/mo

Up to 5 terminals · Advanced analytics · Staff mgmt

Enterprise

$199/mo

Unlimited terminals · Multi-location · Dedicated manager

Month-to-month · No contracts

Toast

Starter Kit (Pay-as-You-Go)

$0/mo

Up to 2 terminals · 2.99% + 15¢ processing · Hardware included

Point of Sale

$69/mo

Lower processing (~2.49% + 15¢) · Hardware purchased separately

Build Your Own

Custom

Multi-location · Negotiated rates · Add-ons bundled

2-year contract · Early termination fees

Key differences: Toast's $0/mo Starter Kit sounds attractive, but the higher processing rate (2.99% + 15¢ vs 2.49% + 15¢ on the $69 plan) costs an extra ~$250/mo on $50K in card sales. Toast requires a 2-year contract on all plans and charges early termination fees. You must use Toast payment processing — no third-party processors allowed. Toast hardware is proprietary Android; if you leave Toast, the hardware is unusable. TackOn Table has no contracts, no processor lock-in, and hardware you own outright.

Toast pricing: Toast.com, NerdWallet, POSUSA.com, Merchant Maverick (verified Jan–Feb 2026). TackOn Table pricing: tackontable.com/pricing.

Feature Comparison

Both platforms are restaurant-only. The difference is in flexibility, pricing structure, and ecosystem depth.

Category	TackOn Table	Toast
Built For	✅ Restaurants only — cafés, trucks, QSR, FSR	✅ Restaurants only — QSR, FSR, bars, cafés
Free Plan	❌ No free plan; starts at $49/mo	✅ $0/mo Starter Kit (higher processing rate)
Hardware	Certified TackOn terminals (POS, PAX, peripherals)	Proprietary Android hardware only (spill/heat resistant)
Contracts	✅ Month-to-month, cancel anytime	❌ 2-year contract; early termination fees
Payment Processing	From 2.9% + 10¢ (decreases with volume)	2.49–2.99% + 15¢ (must use Toast processing)
Menu & Modifiers	✅ Deep modifiers, combos, dayparts — native	✅ Deep modifiers, size-based pricing, coursing
Kitchen Display (KDS)	✅ Native KDS with routing, statuses, expo	✅ Native KDS — color-coded, course-based, 22" display
Online Ordering	🔜 Coming soon — embeddable + delivery integrations	✅ Built-in; commission-free; dynamic order throttling
Delivery Integration	🔜 Uber Eats, Grubhub, DoorDash — coming soon	✅ Grubhub, DoorDash, Uber Eats integrated
Handheld POS	⚠️ PAX handheld devices available	✅ Toast Go 2 — pocket-sized, built for tableside
Multi-Location	✅ Flat $199/mo unlimited locations	✅ Centralized menu/reporting; custom pricing per location
Support	✅ 24/7 phone + chat; guided onboarding	✅ 24/7 phone, chat, email on all plans
Payroll & HR	❌ Not available natively	✅ Toast Payroll + scheduling (add-on, $90/mo + $9/employee)
Loyalty & Gift Cards	⚠️ Limited	✅ Built-in loyalty program and gift card management
Track Record	⚠️ Newer platform, smaller install base	✅ Founded 2013; publicly traded (NYSE: TOST)

Feature availability varies by plan, configuration, and region. Toast add-on pricing is often quote-based. Verify current capabilities with each provider.

Where Each Platform Wins

This is the closest head-to-head comparison in this series — both are restaurant-only. The trade-off is depth vs. flexibility.

TackOn Table's Strengths

No contracts. Month-to-month vs Toast's mandatory 2-year commitment. If the POS doesn't work, you walk away without penalty.
No processor lock-in. Toast requires you to use Toast Payments — you cannot bring a third-party processor. TackOn Table doesn't lock you in.
Flat multi-location pricing. $199/mo for unlimited locations. Toast charges custom per-location pricing that typically increases with scale.
Lower complexity. Toast's add-on pricing (loyalty, online ordering, payroll, marketing) can push a $69/mo plan to $300–400/mo. TackOn Table's pricing is what you see.
Hardware you own. Toast hardware is useless without a Toast account. TackOn Table hardware works independently.

Toast's Strengths

Restaurant ecosystem depth. Online ordering, delivery integration, loyalty, gift cards, payroll, scheduling, marketing, Google ordering — all under one roof. No other restaurant POS matches this breadth.
Purpose-built hardware. Toast's Android hardware is spill-proof, grease-resistant, and heat-rated for kitchens. The Toast Go 2 handheld fits in an apron pocket.
Online ordering — today. Commission-free, built-in, with dynamic order throttling during rush. TackOn Table is building embeddable online ordering with delivery integrations, but Toast has it live and proven right now.
Delivery platform integration — live now. DoorDash, Uber Eats, and Grubhub orders flow directly into the POS — not a separate tablet. TackOn Table is building these same integrations but they aren't live yet.
$0 starter option. The Pay-as-You-Go plan lets you launch with no upfront software or hardware cost — you pay more per transaction, but it's a real $0 entry point.
Market trust. Publicly traded, 10+ years in market, tens of thousands of restaurants. Massive community, documentation, and proven track record.

3-Year Cost Comparison

A single-location café processing $50,000/month in card sales. Core POS plans, no add-ons.

TackOn Table · Professional ($99/mo)

Software (36 mo × $99)$3,564

Processing (~2.9% + 10¢ × $50K/mo × 36)~$54,000

Hardware (Restaurant Starter, one-time)$999

Estimated 3-Year Total~$58,563

Toast · Point of Sale ($69/mo)

Software (36 mo × $69)$2,484

Processing (~2.49% + 15¢ × $50K/mo × 36)~$47,520

Hardware (Countertop kit, ~$799)~$799

Estimated 3-Year Total~$50,803

Important caveats: The Toast estimate above is base POS only. Most restaurants add online ordering, loyalty, and at least one other module — which can push monthly costs to $150–300/mo in software alone. Toast's processing rates can also increase with 30 days' notice. The TackOn Table estimate is all-in for the Professional plan with no hidden add-ons. Factor in the full cost of any Toast modules you'll need before comparing.

The honest takeaway: On base POS alone, Toast's lower software fee and lower processing rate save roughly $7,700 over 3 years. But Toast's real cost often exceeds the base plan once you add online ordering, loyalty, and payroll. TackOn Table's advantage is predictability — what you see is what you pay, with no contract, no processor lock-in, and no surprise add-on fees. For high-volume restaurants ($150K+/mo), TackOn Table offers custom rates.

Simplified estimate. Actual costs vary by transaction mix, add-ons, hardware configuration, and negotiated rates. Use the TackOn Table pricing calculator for a personalized estimate.

Switching from Toast

How Migration Works

CSV import for menus, items, categories, and modifiers
TackOn Table hardware setup in under a day
Native KDS + receipt printers — included at every plan tier
Training videos + live onboarding with a real person
Most restaurants fully operational in 1–3 days

Before You Switch: Check These

Contract status: Toast requires a 2-year contract. Leaving early triggers termination fees. Check your contract end date first.
Hardware: Toast hardware is proprietary Android — it cannot be used with any other POS. You'll need new TackOn Table-certified terminals.
Online ordering: If you depend on Toast's built-in online ordering and delivery integrations, note that TackOn Table is building these features (embeddable ordering + Uber Eats, Grubhub, DoorDash) — but they aren't live yet. Plan for a third-party alternative (ChowNow, Menufy, etc.) in the interim.
Payroll & loyalty: If you use Toast Payroll or Toast Loyalty, you'll need standalone replacements (Gusto, Homebase, etc.).
Processing rates: If Toast gave you a negotiated custom rate, ask TackOn Table about volume-based pricing before switching.

Which One Should You Pick?

Choose Toast If You…

Want the deepest all-in-one restaurant platform — POS, online ordering, delivery, loyalty, payroll, and marketing in one system
Depend on online ordering and delivery integrations as a core revenue channel
Need purpose-built kitchen hardware that resists heat, grease, and spills
Are comfortable with a 2-year contract and Toast-only payment processing
Run a full-service restaurant with tableside ordering (Toast Go 2 handheld)
Want a proven platform used by tens of thousands of restaurants

Choose TackOn Table If You…

Want restaurant-depth features without a 2-year contract or processor lock-in
Need native KDS, deep modifiers, combos, and dayparts — included at every tier
Prefer predictable pricing without surprise add-on costs
Plan to scale to multiple locations without custom per-location pricing
Want hardware you own outright that isn't tied to one POS vendor
Value 24/7 human support and guided onboarding from day one

Start Free Trial

Frequently Asked Questions

Is TackOn Table cheaper than Toast?

On base POS software, Toast's $69/mo plan is cheaper than TackOn Table's $99/mo Professional plan. But Toast's real monthly cost often exceeds the base once you add online ordering, loyalty, gift cards, and payroll — easily reaching $300–400/mo. TackOn Table's pricing includes core restaurant features without add-on charges. For total cost, compare the full stack, not just the base plan. Use our pricing calculator to compare.

Can I use my Toast hardware with TackOn Table?

No. Toast hardware is proprietary Android that only runs Toast software. If you leave Toast, the hardware is unusable. You'll need TackOn Table-certified terminals. Hardware bundles start at $399 (food truck) and $999 (restaurant starter).

Does Toast require a contract?

Yes. Toast generally requires a 2-year contract and charges early termination fees. TackOn Table is month-to-month with no contract and no cancellation penalties.

Can I use a different payment processor with Toast?

No. Toast requires you to use Toast Payments. You cannot bring a third-party processor. TackOn Table does not lock you to a specific payment processor.

Does TackOn Table have online ordering like Toast?

Not yet, but it's in active development. TackOn Table is building embeddable online ordering for restaurant websites plus direct integrations with Uber Eats, Grubhub, and DoorDash — orders will flow directly into the POS. Until that launches, Toast has the clear edge on online ordering. Contact us to join the early access list.

Which has better processing rates?

Toast's Point of Sale plan offers ~2.49% + 15¢ vs TackOn Table's starting rate of 2.9% + 10¢. On the per-transaction fee, TackOn Table's is lower (10¢ vs 15¢), but Toast's percentage is lower. On $50K/month, Toast saves roughly $180/mo in processing. TackOn Table's rates decrease with volume — restaurants processing $150K+/month qualify for custom pricing.

How long does it take to switch from Toast?

Most restaurants are fully operational in 1–3 days. Check your Toast contract end date first to avoid early termination fees. TackOn Table supports CSV import for menus and items, and the onboarding team walks you through setup live.

In Development

Online Ordering Is Coming to TackOn Table

Embeddable online ordering for your restaurant's website — plus direct integrations with Uber Eats, Grubhub, and DoorDash. Orders flow straight into your TackOn Table POS. No third-party tablets, no separate dashboards.

Want to be among the first restaurants to use it?

Get on the Early Access List →

Still Deciding?

Try TackOn Table and see if it fits your restaurant. No long-term commitment — if it doesn't work, you haven't lost anything.

Start Free Trial View Pricing Talk to Our Team

Toast® is a registered trademark of Toast, Inc. This page is an independent comparison for informational purposes only. TackOn Table is not affiliated with Toast, Inc. All pricing and feature data was gathered from publicly available sources and is believed accurate as of February 2026. Verify current terms directly with each provider.