Revel vs Toast: Complete 2025 Restaurant POS Comparison
Quick Verdict: Choose Revel if you need an enterprise-grade, highly customizable POS for multi-location restaurants or complex operations. Choose Toast if you want a user-friendly, restaurant-focused platform with strong built-in features and easier setup.
Our Recommendation
For Enterprise/Multi-Location: Revel wins with customization and scalability
For Ease of Use: Toast wins with intuitive interface and faster deployment
For Quick Service: Both excel, but Toast has easier setup
Revel vs Toast: Quick Comparison
| Square | Toast | Clover | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | Free | $0-$69/mo | $14.95/mo |
| Rating | 4.7/5 | 4.6/5 | 4.4/5 |
| Processing Fee | 2.6% + 10c | 2.49% + 15c | 2.3% + 10c |
| Hardware | $49-$799 | $0-$999+ | $599-$1,799 |
| Contract | No contract | 2-year typical | Varies by reseller |
| Free Trial | Yes | No | No |
| Best For | Small Business, Retail | Restaurants, Bars | Retail, Quick Service |
| Read Review | Read Review | Read Review |
Key Differences Between Revel and Toast
1. Platform Philosophy
Revel Systems positions itself as an enterprise-grade, open platform. It offers:
- Extensive API for custom integrations
- White-label options for franchise brands
- Highly configurable for complex operations
- Open API architecture
- More control over hardware choices
Toast takes a more integrated, all-in-one approach:
- Proprietary hardware and software ecosystem
- Features designed to work together seamlessly
- Faster implementation time
- Less customization but easier setup
- Strong focus on restaurant-specific innovation
2. Target Market
Revel is ideal for:
- Multi-location restaurant groups
- Franchise operations
- Quick-service restaurants (QSR)
- Large-format establishments
- Businesses needing custom integrations
- Operations requiring hybrid (retail + restaurant)
Toast is ideal for:
- Independent restaurants
- Full-service restaurants
- Growing restaurant groups
- Restaurants wanting quick deployment
- Businesses preferring turnkey solutions
3. Pricing Structure
Revel Pricing
- Base Software: $99/month/terminal (minimum 3-year contract)
- Implementation: Starting at $674 one-time fee
- Hardware: iPad-based, custom bundles from $500+
- Processing: Integrated or third-party options
Toast Pricing
- Starter Kit: $0/month (pay-as-you-go processing)
- Point of Sale: $69/month
- Build Your Own: Custom pricing for enterprise
- Hardware: $0 to $799+ (proprietary terminals)
- Processing: 2.49% + $0.15 to negotiated rates
4. Features Comparison
Where Revel Excels:
- Customization: More flexible menu configurations
- Enterprise reporting: Advanced analytics across locations
- API access: Open architecture for custom development
- PCI compliance: Point-to-point encryption standard
- Offline mode: Robust offline capabilities
Where Toast Excels:
- Online ordering: Toast TakeOut is commission-free
- Kitchen displays: Purpose-built KDS hardware
- Team management: Payroll and scheduling built-in
- Delivery: Toast Delivery Services integration
- Marketing: Email and SMS campaigns included
5. Hardware and Setup
Revel runs on iPads with connected peripherals. This offers:
- Familiar Apple hardware
- More flexibility in hardware sourcing
- iPad replacement from any retailer
- May require more IT management
Toast uses proprietary Android-based hardware:
New to POS Systems?
Start with our quick guide for business owners
Get Started- Purpose-built for restaurant environments
- Spill and grease resistant
- Handheld and tableside options
- Locked to Toast ecosystem
- Less choice but guaranteed compatibility
Who Should Choose Revel?
- Restaurant groups with 5+ locations
- Franchises needing brand customization
- QSR operations with high volume
- Businesses with in-house IT resources
- Operations needing custom integrations
- Hybrid retail and restaurant businesses
Who Should Choose Toast?
- Single-location to small multi-unit restaurants
- Restaurants wanting quick deployment
- Full-service restaurants needing tableside ordering
- Businesses preferring turnkey solutions
- Restaurants prioritizing online ordering
- Operations without dedicated IT staff
Revel vs Toast FAQ
Which is easier to learn?
Toast has a shorter learning curve with its intuitive interface. Revel offers more power but requires more training. Most staff can use Toast within hours; Revel may take days for full proficiency.
Which is better for franchises?
Revel has stronger franchise features including white-labeling, enterprise controls, and multi-location management. Toast is adding franchise features but Revel has a longer track record in this space.
Can I process payments with any provider?
Revel offers integrated payments or supports third-party processors. Toast requires Toast Payments (integrated processing), which simplifies setup but limits negotiating power.
Which has better offline capability?
Revel has robust offline mode – your system keeps working during internet outages. Toast also offers offline mode, but Revel has historically been stronger here.
What about contract terms?
Revel typically requires 3-year contracts minimum. Toast offers month-to-month on Starter and Core plans, with longer terms for enterprise deals.
Our Bottom Line
Choose Revel if you are building or managing a multi-location restaurant group and need maximum flexibility and customization. The higher complexity pays off for enterprise operations.
Choose Toast if you want a powerful restaurant POS that is easier to set up and manage. Toast has most features built-in and continues to add capabilities that were once only available in enterprise systems.
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Get Expert Advice
Both Revel and Toast are excellent platforms. The right choice depends on your specific needs:
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