Toast is a well-known restaurant POS, and it works well for a lot of restaurants. It isn't the only option. If you're opening a new place, adding a location, or your current agreement is coming up for renewal, it's worth seeing what else fits how you serve. This guide compares eight restaurant POS systems we set up, matches them to restaurant types, and lists what to ask before you switch.
Why owners look for a Toast alternative
Most of the reasons are about fit, not about one system being bad. The ones we hear most:
- They want to pick the processor separately. Some owners prefer a POS that lets them choose and compare their card processing on its own.
- A renewal date is coming up. It's a natural time to compare options before signing on again.
- The concept changed. A restaurant that added delivery, a bar program, or kiosks may want a system built around that.
- They need different hardware. Self-order kiosks, handhelds for the patio, or guests ordering from their own phones.
- They're opening something new. A second location or a new concept is a clean place to start.
Whatever system you use now, read your own agreement for your term, renewal date, and what applies if you leave. Your agreement is what counts, not a summary online.
Toast POS alternatives compared
Each feature below comes from that system's page on our site. Click a name for the full details.
| POS | Best for | Kiosk / online ordering | Tableside payments |
|---|---|---|---|
| FigurePOS | Quick-service, pizza, and delis | Self-order kiosk and online ordering, plus delivery app orders in the POS | Built around the counter |
| Clover | Cafes, counters, quick-service, and smaller full-service | Clover Kiosk and online ordering | Yes, on Clover Flex and Go handhelds |
| HotSauce POS | Full-service restaurants, bars, pizza, and delivery | Online ordering | Yes, on handhelds |
| Union | High-volume bars | Guests order and pay from their own phones | Yes, staff take orders on iPhone with Union Pocket |
| MicroSale | Restaurants and bars | Self-order kiosks, plus delivery app orders in the POS | Yes, on tableside tablets |
| Aloha | Table-service and quick-service restaurants | Online and in-store sales in one system | Ask us about your setup |
| FoodTec | Pizza and delivery | Its own web ordering and customer app, plus driver tracking | Built around the counter and delivery |
| Quantic | Restaurants that also sell retail | Self-order kiosk and an online store | Yes, pay at the table on a handheld |
We also set up Oracle Micros for larger operations. See every system on our restaurants and bars page or the full POS list.
Which alternative fits your restaurant
Quick-service and counter service
Speed at the counter and fewer people on the register. FigurePOS, Clover, and Quantic all offer self-order kiosks and online ordering that feed the kitchen display. If kiosks are on your list, read our guide to what a self-order kiosk costs, or see quick-service and kiosks.
Full-service restaurants
Tables, coursing, split checks, and paying at the table. HotSauce POS handles coursing, hold and fire, and seat numbers. MicroSale runs on tableside tablets. Aloha covers split checks, bar tabs, and kitchen routing, and Clover handhelds work for smaller dining rooms.
Bars and taprooms
Tabs, fast reorders, and a crowded room. Union lets guests order and pay from their phones while staff work the floor on iPhone. HotSauce and MicroSale both start bar tabs with a card. Our guide to what a bar POS needs goes deeper.
Pizza and delivery
Phone orders, web orders, and drivers on the road. FoodTec is built for pizza and delivery, with its own web ordering and driver tracking. FigurePOS and HotSauce also handle delivery and bring in delivery app orders.
Food trucks and pop-ups
A small menu, no fixed counter, and sometimes spotty signal. Clover Flex or Go, a Quantic handheld, or SwipeSimple on a phone or tablet keep it simple and portable.
Five questions to ask any alternative
- Is the software tied to one processor? If it is, changing your rates later means changing your register too.
- What is the term, and how does renewal work? Get it in writing.
- Who owns the hardware? Buying it outright means nothing keeps billing you after you switch.
- Can the rates change, and with how much notice?
- Does it fit how you serve? Tables and split checks, modifiers, bar tabs, a kitchen display, online orders, kiosks.
How our side works
- We recommend the POS that fits how your restaurant runs, and price the merchant account separately.
- The processing agreement we set up is month-to-month, with no cancellation fee.
- Equipment is purchased, never leased. Free equipment if you qualify, and we tell you what you qualify for before anything is ordered.
- You get next-day funding.
- Your markup never goes up. Interchange is set by the card networks and can change.
- Processor and POS support is available 24/7, except most federal holidays.
Before you switch
- Find your current agreement and note your term and renewal date.
- List what you use every day: menu, modifiers, table layout, online ordering, gift cards, reports.
- Plan the hardware, and get the new system set up and tested before the old one is turned off.
We don't cancel your old account or deal with your old provider for you. That part stays with you. Our guide to switching credit card processors covers the steps.
When staying put makes sense
If your current system fits how you serve and the timing isn't right, staying is a fine choice. A Free Rate Analysis shows what you pay now, so you can decide with real numbers whenever you're ready.
Toast alternative questions
What is the best Toast POS alternative?
It depends on how you serve. For quick-service, look at FigurePOS, Clover, or Quantic. For full-service, HotSauce, MicroSale, or Aloha. For bars, Union or HotSauce. For pizza and delivery, FoodTec. We recommend the one that fits your restaurant.
Which Toast alternatives have self-order kiosks?
FigurePOS, Clover, MicroSale, and Quantic all offer self-order kiosks that send orders to the kitchen.
Which Toast alternative is best for bars?
Union lets guests order and pay from their own phones, and staff take orders on iPhone. HotSauce and MicroSale both start bar tabs with a card and handle a busy bar well.
Which alternatives take payments at the table?
Clover Flex and Go, HotSauce handhelds, MicroSale tableside tablets, Union Pocket on iPhone, and Quantic handhelds all take payments at the table.
Is the equipment leased?
No. Equipment is purchased, never leased. Free equipment if you qualify, and we tell you what you qualify for before anything is ordered.
Do you cancel my current POS or processing account?
No. Your current account stays with you to close. We set up and test the new system first, and our switching guide covers the steps.
This guide is general information. Features listed come from each system's page on our site and can change. Toast is a trademark of Toast, Inc. ClearCost Payments is not affiliated with Toast.
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