Choosing between Toast and Epos Now? Both are leading point of sale systems with unique strengths. This comprehensive 2025 comparison breaks down pricing, features, pros/cons, and real-world use cases to help you make the right decision for your business.
Toast: $0/mo | 4.7/5 rating | Best for Full-Service & QSR Restaurants
Epos Now: $39/mo | 4.3/5 rating | Best for Retail & Hospitality
Toast vs Epos Now: Quick Summary
| Feature | Toast | Epos Now |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | $0/mo | $39/mo |
| Best For | Full-Service & QSR Restaurants | Retail & Hospitality |
| Industry | Restaurant | Multi-Industry |
| Rating | 4.7/5 | 4.3/5 |
| Key Strength | Built specifically for restaurants | Affordable |
Toast Overview
Price: $0/mo | Rating: 4.7/5 | Best For: Full-Service & QSR Restaurants
Toast is a Restaurant POS system designed specifically for Full-Service & QSR Restaurants. Key benefits include: Built specifically for restaurants.
- Restaurant-specific POS
- Online ordering
- Kitchen display system
- Tableside ordering
- Payroll & team management
- Marketing & loyalty
Epos Now Overview
Price: $39/mo | Rating: 4.3/5 | Best For: Retail & Hospitality
Epos Now is a Multi-Industry POS system designed specifically for Retail & Hospitality. Key benefits include: Affordable.
- Cloud POS
- App store
- Multi-location
- 24/7 support
- Inventory
- Reporting
Pros & Cons Comparison
Toast Pros
- ✅ Built specifically for restaurants
- ✅ Excellent hardware options
- ✅ Strong online ordering
Toast Cons
- ❌ Locked into Toast payments
- ❌ Can be expensive for small restaurants
Epos Now Pros
- ✅ Affordable
- ✅ Good app ecosystem
- ✅ 24/7 support
Epos Now Cons
- ❌ UK-based company
- ❌ Add-on costs
The Verdict: Toast vs Epos Now
Choose Toast if you’re looking for a solution optimized for Full-Service & QSR Restaurants and value Built specifically for restaurants.
Choose Epos Now if your business focuses on Retail & Hospitality and you prioritize Affordable.
Feature-by-Feature Comparison
Let’s dive deeper into how Toast and Epos Now compare across key features that matter most to Restaurant businesses.
| Feature | Toast | Epos Now |
|---|---|---|
| Ease of Use | Excellent | Good |
| Hardware Options | Optional | Required |
| Target Business Size | Small Business | Small Business |
| Contract Required | Month-to-month available | Month-to-month available |
Who Should Choose Toast?
Toast is the ideal choice for:
- Full-Service & QSR Restaurants who need specialized features
- Businesses that prioritize Built specifically for restaurants
- Those who value Excellent hardware options
- Companies with budget around $0/mo per month
Who Should Choose Epos Now?
Epos Now is the ideal choice for:
- Retail & Hospitality who need specialized features
- Businesses that prioritize Affordable
- Those who value Good app ecosystem
- Companies with budget around $39/mo per month
Real-World Use Cases
Toast vs Epos Now for Small Businesses
For small businesses with limited budgets, Toast ($0/mo) offers better value while still providing essential features like Restaurant-specific POS and Online ordering.
Toast vs Epos Now for Multi-Location Businesses
Multi-location businesses should consider scalability and centralized management. Both systems can scale to multiple locations with proper setup. Request a demo to see how each handles multi-store reporting and inventory sync.
Toast vs Epos Now for High-Volume Operations
High-volume operations need reliable, fast POS systems. Toast (rated 4.7/5) has proven reliability for busy Restaurant environments, especially for Full-Service & QSR Restaurants.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better: Toast or Epos Now?
The better choice depends on your specific needs. Toast (rated 4.7/5) excels for Full-Service & QSR Restaurants, while Epos Now (rated 4.3/5) is optimized for Retail & Hospitality. Consider your industry, budget, and required features when deciding.
How much does Toast cost compared to Epos Now?
Toast starts at $0/mo, while Epos Now starts at $39/mo. Both may have additional costs for hardware, payment processing, and add-on features. Request a custom quote for accurate pricing based on your business needs.
Can I switch from Toast to Epos Now?
Yes, switching POS systems is possible. Most providers offer data migration assistance and training. Consider contract terms, hardware compatibility, and staff training time when planning a switch.
What integrations do these POS systems offer?
Both systems offer integrations with accounting software, e-commerce platforms, and third-party apps. Toast features Restaurant-specific POS, Online ordering, Kitchen display system. Epos Now offers Cloud POS, App store, Multi-location.
Get a Free Quote
Still not sure which POS system is right for your business? Our experts can provide personalized recommendations based on your specific needs, budget, and growth plans.
Last updated: December 2025. Pricing and features subject to change.