Toast vs Epos Now

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Our analysts compared Toast vs Epos Now based on data from our 400+ point analysis of POS Software, user reviews and our own crowdsourced data from our free software selection platform.

Product Basics

Toast is a cloud-based point-of-sale (POS) system designed to streamline operations for restaurants and businesses in the hospitality industry. It offers a comprehensive suite of features, including order processing, inventory management, employee scheduling, and customer relationship management (CRM) tools. Toast caters to businesses of all sizes, from independent cafes to multi-location restaurant chains. One of its key strengths lies in its ease of use and intuitive interface, making it suitable for both tech-savvy and non-technical users. Additionally, Toast boasts robust reporting capabilities, providing valuable insights into sales trends, customer behavior, and staff performance. Integration with third-party delivery services and online ordering platforms further enhances its functionality. While Toast offers a free basic plan with limited features, paid subscriptions are required to access its full potential. Pricing varies depending on the number of users, terminals, and desired functionalities. Compared to similar POS systems, Toast generally falls within the mid-range price bracket, offering a good balance between affordability and feature richness. However, user reviews highlight that its pricing structure can become complex for businesses with intricate needs.

Pros
  • Easy to use interface
  • Robust reporting tools
  • Third-party integrations
  • Scalable for all businesses
  • Free basic plan option
Cons
  • Mid-range pricing complexity
  • Limited customization options
  • Occasional technical issues
  • Long customer support wait times
  • Not ideal for complex inventory
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Epos Now is a cloud-based point-of-sale (POS) system designed for retail and hospitality businesses. It streamlines operations with features like inventory management, multi-channel sales, and customizable dashboards. Its strengths lie in flexibility and affordability, making it ideal for startups and growing businesses. Users praise its ease of use, wide range of integrations, and reliable customer support. Compared to similar products, Epos Now shines in its app store, offering numerous add-ons to tailor the system to specific needs. However, some users report limitations in advanced reporting and scalability for larger businesses. Pricing starts at a low monthly fee per device, with additional costs for advanced features and integrations.

    Pros:
  • Easy for staff
  • Inventory control
  • Sales insights
  • App integrations
  • Flexible plans
    Cons:
  • Limited trial
  • Add-on costs
  • Support inconsistency
  • Limited customization
  • Hardware concerns
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$69/Terminal, Monthly, Freemium
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Tailored to your specific needs
$39 Monthly
Get a free price quote
Tailored to your specific needs
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Windows
Mac
Linux
Android
Chromebook
Windows
Mac
Linux
Android
Chromebook
Cloud
On-Premise
Mobile
Cloud
On-Premise
Mobile

Product Assistance

Documentation
In Person
Live Online
Videos
Webinars
Documentation
In Person
Live Online
Videos
Webinars
Email
Phone
Chat
FAQ
Forum
Knowledge Base
24/7 Live Support
Email
Phone
Chat
FAQ
Forum
Knowledge Base
24/7 Live Support

Product Insights

  • Smooth Onboarding: Simplify the training process with access to a knowledge base in Toast University that offers informative videos and interactive tutorials. 
  • Tech-Enabled: Allow dine-in guests to order and pay from their own devices. Save time and expedite processes by accepting payments for orders made using the in-store kiosk, on the app or in the restaurant with the Order & Pay tool. 
  • Ideal for the Enterprise: Improve capabilities and enhance the performance of the new business with Starter Kit. Place orders in less than 15 minutes and customize with preferred hardware and software solutions available at flat-rate pricing. 
  • Profitable: Integrate with third-party software providers, including Grubhub and OpenTable, to expand the customer base and boost sales. 
  • Accessible: Save efforts and complete time-sensitive tasks by storing information for multiple outlets, viewing data by location, updating menus, accessing employee activity, monitoring performance reports and more with remote and offline accessibility. 
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  • Simplified Operations: Streamline your workflow with intuitive sales processing, inventory management, and reporting tools, freeing up time and resources for what matters most.
  • Enhanced Insights: Gain valuable data-driven insights into your business performance. Track sales trends, identify top-selling items, and analyze customer behavior to make informed decisions.
  • Customer-Centric Focus: Delight your customers with faster service, flexible payment options, and loyalty programs. Build stronger relationships and keep them coming back for more.
  • Scalable Growth: Easily adapt your POS system to your evolving needs. Add new locations, integrate with online platforms, and manage multiple sales channels seamlessly.
  • Cost-Effective Solution: Choose from flexible pricing plans that fit your budget and scale with your business. Enjoy a low monthly fee with no hidden costs or long-term contracts.
  • Empowered Team: Equip your staff with user-friendly tools that boost efficiency and productivity. Improve accuracy, reduce errors, and ensure everyone is on the same page.
  • Mobile Accessibility: Access your POS system and key business data from anywhere, anytime. Manage your business on the go and stay connected even when you're not on site.
  • Secure and Reliable: Enjoy peace of mind knowing your data is safe with cloud-based storage and industry-leading security measures. Count on reliable performance and minimal downtime.
  • Adaptable and Customizable: Tailor Epos Now to your specific needs with a wide range of add-on apps and integrations. Create a POS system that works for you, not the other way around.
  • Ongoing Support: Benefit from helpful and responsive customer support. Get your questions answered, access training resources, and ensure you're getting the most out of your POS system.
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  • Online Ordering: Allow guests to order food online for takeout and delivery, schedule orders in advance, access the online menu and make contactless payments. Receive new orders directly in the restaurant’s point of sale system, customize the online ordering page, access customer insights and request guest feedback to modify services. 
  • Gift Cards and Rewards: Boost customer influx and increase revenue by selling modern e-Gift Cards. Allow users to text or email cards for in-store and online purchases. Check card balance and schedule gift cards in advance to build relationships with customers. Sell customized physical gift cards and review detailed reports on gift card sales. 
  • Expedited Delivery: Create an on-demand delivery network with local drivers at a single per-order fee. Simplify the process with real-time order tracking and advance scheduling, online payment options and review restaurant services based on customer behavior with reporting and analytics. 
  • Email Marketing: Improve communication and drive customer retention with emails. Run targeted promotions, increase revenue, automate outreach and campaigns, create custom email lists, run A/B tests to refine communication, and send customized messages to deepen brand loyalty. 
  • Self-help Services: Accelerate the online ordering experience with self-help kiosks. Leverage quick restaurant service, reduce wait times and increase staff productivity. Offer a personalized dining experience with order add-ons, SMS notifications and real-time menu updates. 
  • Workspace Management: Facilitate efficient team regulation with a centralized labor management system. Log and track work hours, monitor timesheets, calculate tips, ensure paycheck accuracy with automated wage recording, register new staff electronically and more. Get insight into employee performance with detailed reports and analytics. 
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  • Contactless Dining: Facilitate a coherent ordering and dining experience with an online, ticket-based system. Access the menu, make customizations, add notes, place orders and make payments using QR codes or a URL. Use error-free business management tools to reduce wait times and boost operational efficiency. 
  • Inventory Management: Track business functions and optimize the supply chain using efficient inventory management tools. Centrally manage merchandise, fulfill orders, process payments, scan barcodes, set stock alerts and streamline operations for a time-saving, effortless experience. 
  • Reporting and Analytics: Get full visibility into transactional data, analyze individual product performance, understand business operations, access sales reports, track profits, view data forecasts and monitor employee performance to make informed decisions. 
  • Customer Relationship Management: Boost website engagement and drive customer loyalty by staying in the loop with customer information. Build marketing campaigns based on purchase history, buying patterns, total spending and website visits. Offer promos and discounts, send gift cards, create rewards and improve communication. 
  • Integrations: Leverage robust integrations with major platforms like Shopify and BigCommerce to improve business efficiency. Sync in-store and online inventory, automate recurring functionalities, process faster checkouts, consolidate services and more. Integrate loyalty programs, store promotions and reward schemes to deliver consistent customer service. 
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Product Ranking

#5

among all
POS Software

#59

among all
POS Software

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Analyst Rating Summary

79
76
67
50
100
67
100
80
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Customer and Loyalty Management
Employee Management
POS Hardware
Integration and Extensibility
Reporting and Insights
Integration and Extensibility
Items and Service Management
Inventory Management
Reporting and Insights

Analyst Ratings for Functional Requirements Customize This Data Customize This Data

Toast
Epos Now
+ Add Product + Add Product
Compliance And Security Customer And Loyalty Management Employee Management Inventory Management Items And Service Management Payment Transactions And Cash Management POS Hardware Reporting And Insights Sales And Marketing Management Store Management Types Of POS 67 100 100 68 85 76 93 88 52 54 85 50 67 80 93 100 63 78 88 68 63 74 0 25 50 75 100
67%
0%
33%
50%
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50%
100%
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100%
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80%
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20%
67%
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33%
89%
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11%
86%
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14%
100%
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78%
0%
22%
56%
11%
33%
90%
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10%
80%
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20%
88%
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12%
75%
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40%
44%
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56%
56%
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44%
75%
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75%
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25%

Analyst Ratings for Technical Requirements Customize This Data Customize This Data

100%
0%
0%
100%
0%
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User Sentiment Summary

Great User Sentiment 451 reviews
Good User Sentiment 596 reviews
86%
of users recommend this product

Toast has a 'great' User Satisfaction Rating of 86% when considering 451 user reviews from 4 recognized software review sites.

74%
of users recommend this product

Epos Now has a 'good' User Satisfaction Rating of 74% when considering 596 user reviews from 3 recognized software review sites.

4.7 (27)
n/a
4.4 (144)
3.9 (9)
n/a
3.57 (309)
4.2 (270)
3.8 (278)
4.3 (10)
n/a

Awards

SelectHub research analysts have evaluated Toast and concluded it earns best-in-class honors for Customer and Loyalty Management and POS Hardware.

Customer and Loyalty Management Award
POS Hardware Award

SelectHub research analysts have evaluated Epos Now and concluded it earns best-in-class honors for Items and Service Management.

Items and Service Management Award

Synopsis of User Ratings and Reviews

Intuitive interface: Users consistently praise Toast's easy-to-learn and navigate interface, with clear menus, large buttons, and simple workflows, making it accessible for staff of all technical levels.
Robust reporting: Toast's comprehensive reporting tools provide valuable insights into sales, inventory, labor costs, customer behavior, and more, empowering data-driven decision-making.
Mobile flexibility: Staff can take orders, process payments, and manage tables directly from tablets or smartphones, enhancing tableside service and flexibility during busy periods.
Reliable payment processing: Users commend Toast's integrated payment processing for its speed, reliability, and security, ensuring smooth transactions and minimizing downtime.
Scalability for growth: Toast's ability to accommodate multiple locations, expanding menus, and growing staff needs makes it a popular choice for businesses with expansion plans.
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Easy for Staff: The intuitive interface and minimal training requirements are praised by users, including small businesses with staff of varying tech skills.
Inventory Control: Real-time stock tracking and low-stock alerts are cited as game-changers, preventing stockouts and improving order accuracy.
Sales Insights: Users highlight valuable reporting tools that provide actionable insights into sales trends, employee performance, and customer behavior.
App Integrations: Connecting seamlessly with popular accounting, loyalty, and delivery apps is appreciated for streamlining workflows and reducing manual data entry.
Flexible Plans: Users love the range of plan options with competitive pricing, allowing them to scale the software with their business needs.
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Pricing complexity: Users express frustration with Toast's tiered pricing structure, which can become confusing and expensive, especially for businesses with multiple locations or add-on features.
Limited customization: Some users find Toast's customization options for menus, reporting, and workflows to be somewhat restrictive, hindering their ability to tailor the system to unique business processes.
Technical glitches: Users occasionally report software glitches, hardware issues, or slow performance during peak hours, leading to temporary disruptions in operations.
Customer support wait times: While Toast offers 24/7 support, users sometimes experience long wait times for phone assistance or delayed responses to inquiries, causing frustration when urgent issues arise.
Inventory management limitations: Users with complex inventory needs, such as multiple suppliers or intricate recipe tracking, find Toast's inventory management capabilities to be somewhat basic and lacking in advanced features.
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Limited Free Trial: Some users find the 30-day trial period insufficient to fully explore the features and compatibility with their specific needs.
Add-on Costs: Essential features like advanced reporting or certain app integrations require additional monthly fees, potentially pushing up the overall cost beyond initial expectations.
Customer Support: While generally praised, occasional user reviews mention inconsistencies in the responsiveness and helpfulness of customer support, particularly through email inquiries.
Limited Customization: Some users, especially in niche industries, express a desire for deeper customization options for the interface and functionalities to perfectly fit their specific workflow.
Hardware Concerns: While offering hardware bundles, occasional reports mention issues with specific hardware options in terms of durability or compatibility, requiring replacements or alternative sourcing.
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Toast garners praise for its user-friendly interface, robust reporting, and mobile capabilities, making it a popular choice for restaurants of various sizes. Users appreciate its intuitive design, which simplifies training and streamlines daily operations compared to competitors like Square and Lightspeed POS. Toast's extensive reporting, often highlighted as superior to competitors, empowers data-driven decision-making by offering detailed insights into sales, labor, and customer behavior. Additionally, the ability to manage orders and payments tableside using mobile devices sets Toast apart, enhancing staff flexibility and customer service during peak hours. However, concerns arise regarding Toast's pricing structure, customization options, and technical glitches. The multi-tiered pricing, perceived as more complex than competitors, can become expensive for businesses with specific needs or multiple locations. While Toast offers various features, users sometimes find them less customizable than those in competitors like Revel Systems, restricting their ability to tailor the system to their unique workflows. Occasional technical issues and reported long wait times for customer support raise concerns about reliability compared to competitors known for their robust technical support, such as Micros. Ultimately, Toast's strengths in user-friendliness, reporting, and mobility resonate with many users, but its pricing complexity, limited customization, and potential technical issues demand careful consideration. Deciding factors often boil down to individual business needs, budget constraints, and desired level of customization. Weighing Toast's strengths against its potential drawbacks alongside competitor offerings becomes crucial for making an informed decision.

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Recent user reviews of Epos Now reveal a spectrum of experiences. Praise centers around its user-friendly interface, robust inventory management, and actionable sales insights. These strengths, particularly the intuitive design, benefit smaller businesses with diverse staff skillsets, giving Epos Now an edge over tech-heavy competitors like Square or Shopify. Affordability adds to its appeal. However, limitations emerge for complex operations. Users call for more granular customization and highlight occasional gaps in customer support responsiveness, especially via email. Furthermore, optional fees for vital features like advanced reporting or select app integrations can inflate the initial cost, potentially swaying users towards competitors with more comprehensive plans. In conclusion, Epos Now excels in simplicity, affordability, and real-time data, making it a strong contender for businesses prioritizing ease of use and core POS functionalities. However, businesses with niche requirements or intricate workflows may find greater value in exploring competitors for enhanced feature fit and potentially lower long-term costs.

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