Simpli POS
vs Toast
A restaurant-only POS with deep features — best for established full-service venues.
The short version
Toast is built for full-service restaurants and is widely regarded as feature-complete — but it requires proprietary hardware, multi-year contracts, and software fees that increase with add-on modules. Simpli POS covers most of the same core workflows (coursing, table maps, KDS, splits, tip pooling) at $0/mo with no contract, running on hardware you already own.
Pricing snapshot
- Software
- $0 forever
- Hardware
- Use your own iPad or Android tablet
- Contract
- None — cancel any time
- Card-present rate
- Interchange + 0.30% + $0.10 (transparent) Estimate your rate →
- Software
- $0 Starter Kit (requires a processing surcharge) → Increases significantly with add-on modules — Toast quotes custom pricing per merchant
- Hardware
- Proprietary terminals — cost varies, often bundled into a processing contract (required)
- Contract
- 2–3 year standard contract
- Card-present rate
- 2.49%–2.99% + $0.15 (custom-quoted)
Side-by-side
| Feature | Simpli POS | Toast |
|---|---|---|
| POS software monthly fee | $0 forever | $0 with a processing surcharge, or a paid monthly plan |
| Contract length | None — cancel any time | 2–3 year standard contract |
| Hardware | Bring your own iPad or Android tablet | Proprietary Toast hardware required |
| Up-front hardware cost | $0 (use existing devices) | Proprietary hardware — cost varies by terminal |
| Processing | Interchange + 0.30% + $0.10 (transparent) | Custom-quoted, often 2.49–2.99% + $0.15 |
| Coursing & table maps | Included free | Included (paid tiers) |
| Online ordering | Included free | Available as a paid add-on |
| Payroll & team management | Coming soon (free) | Toast Payroll, additional fee |
| Onboarding speed | < 90 seconds per terminal, AI-guided | 1–4 weeks with rep |
Toast pricing and features summarized from pos.toasttab.com. Contract terms and processing rates vary by sales rep and merchant volume, and change periodically — confirm current numbers on Toast’s site before relying on them. Last reviewed August 5, 2026.
Toast and its logo are trademarks of their respective owner. Simpli POS is not affiliated with, sponsored by, or endorsed by Toast. Competitor pricing and features reflect publicly available information at the time of writing and are subject to change — please verify current terms directly with each provider. Savings figures are estimates that vary with card mix and transaction volume. This comparison is provided for general informational purposes only.
Which one fits you?
Choose Toast if…
- You run a high-volume fine-dining restaurant with complex coursing, sommelier workflows, and need a dedicated account manager.
- You want a vertically integrated payroll + POS + scheduling stack and are willing to pay for it.
- You can absorb a multi-year contract and proprietary hardware costs in exchange for white-glove onboarding.
Choose Simpli POS if…
- You run a café, casual restaurant, or bubble tea shop and want restaurant-grade features without restaurant-grade fees.
- You hate long contracts and proprietary hardware lock-in.
- You want to be live this afternoon, not in three weeks.
Questions about switching
Does Simpli POS support coursing and table maps like Toast?
Yes. Simpli POS includes a drag-and-drop floor plan editor, seat-aware ordering, course firing controls, and split-by-seat checks — all free.
What happens if I am locked into a Toast contract?
Most Toast contracts have an early termination fee. We have helped operators run Simpli POS in parallel as a secondary terminal until their Toast contract expires, then fully migrate.
Is Simpli POS hardware reliable enough for a busy restaurant?
Simpli POS runs on consumer iPad and Android tablets — the same class of hardware widely used across the restaurant industry. Offline mode keeps you operating even if your internet drops.
Also compare
See it for yourself.
Free forever.
Download Simpli POS and run a side-by-side test against Toast. No card required, no contract, no hardware to buy.