Gusto vs Toast POS Comparison: Reviews, Features, Pricing & Alternatives in 2026

Detailed side-by-side comparison to help you choose the right solution for your team

Updated Apr 2026 8 min read

Gusto

0.0 (0 reviews)

Gusto is an all-in-one HR platform that automates payroll, manages employee benefits, and streamlines hiring and onboarding processes for small to medium-sized businesses looking to simplify their people operations.

Starting at $40/mo
Free Trial NO FREE TRIAL
VS

Toast POS

0.0 (0 reviews)

Toast is an all-in-one restaurant management platform that integrates point of sale, operations, and digital ordering to help you streamline service and increase your bottom line.

Starting at Free
Free Trial NO FREE TRIAL

Quick Comparison

Feature Gusto Toast POS
Website gusto.com pos.toasttab.com
Pricing Model Subscription Freemium
Starting Price $40/month Free
FREE Trial ✘ No free trial ✘ No free trial
Free Plan ✘ No free plan ✓ Has free plan
Product Demo ✓ Request demo here ✓ Request demo here
Deployment saas mobile cloud mobile
Integrations QuickBooks Online Xero FreshBooks TSheets When I Work Trainual Clover Expensify Asana Slack DoorDash UberEats Grubhub 7shifts Homebase QuickBooks Xero BeverageAnalytics Ctuit MarketMan
Target Users small-business mid-market small-business mid-market enterprise
Target Industries food-and-beverage
Customer Count 0 0
Founded Year 2011 2011
Headquarters San Francisco, USA Boston, USA

Overview

G

Gusto

Gusto simplifies how you manage your team by bringing payroll, benefits, and HR into one intuitive platform. You can run payroll in just a few clicks, with all local, state, and federal tax filings handled automatically. Beyond just payments, the platform helps you support your team with health insurance, 401(k) plans, and workers' compensation, all integrated directly into your payroll workflow to ensure compliance and accuracy.

You can also streamline your entire employee lifecycle from recruitment to offboarding. Use the platform to send offer letters, conduct digital onboarding, and track time and attendance without switching between different tools. Whether you are hiring your first employee or managing a growing team across multiple states, you get the tools you need to stay organized and compliant while focusing on growing your business.

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Toast POS

Toast is a dedicated restaurant management system built specifically for the food service industry. You can manage your entire front-of-house and back-of-house operations from a single platform, whether you run a small cafe, a busy full-service restaurant, or a multi-location enterprise. It combines durable hardware with cloud-based software to handle everything from tableside ordering to complex menu management.

You can take control of your business with integrated tools for online ordering, delivery, and contactless payments. The platform also helps you manage your team with built-in payroll and scheduling features, while providing real-time analytics to track your daily sales and labor costs. It is designed to keep your kitchen running smoothly even when the internet goes down with its reliable offline mode.

Overview

G

Gusto Features

  • Automated Payroll Run payroll in minutes with automatic tax calculations and filings for all 50 U.S. states.
  • Benefits Administration Sync medical, dental, and vision plans directly with your payroll for seamless premium deductions and enrollment.
  • Digital Onboarding Send offer letters and collect signed documents electronically so your new hires are ready on day one.
  • Time Tracking Track employee hours and PTO requests that automatically sync with your payroll to eliminate manual data entry.
  • Compliance Alerts Stay ahead of changing labor laws with automated notifications and access to certified HR experts for guidance.
  • Employee Self-Service Give your team their own portal to download paystubs, view tax forms, and manage their personal information.
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Toast POS Features

  • Tableside Ordering. Fire orders directly to the kitchen from the table with handheld devices to speed up service and improve order accuracy.
  • Menu Management. Update your menu across all devices and online channels instantly from any location to keep your offerings current.
  • Online Ordering. Accept orders directly through your own website and skip the high commission fees of third-party delivery apps.
  • Kitchen Display System. Connect your front-of-house with the kitchen using digital screens that track prep times and organize tickets efficiently.
  • Restaurant Analytics. Access detailed reports on your top-selling items and labor costs from your phone to make data-driven decisions.
  • Inventory Tracking. Monitor your ingredient levels in real-time and identify waste to protect your margins and simplify your ordering process.

Pricing Comparison

G

Gusto Pricing

Simple
$40
  • Full-service payroll for one state
  • Employee self-service profiles
  • Basic hiring and onboarding tools
  • Gusto wallet mobile app
  • Standard payroll reports
  • Workers' comp administration
T

Toast POS Pricing

Starter Kit
$0
  • Cloud-based POS software
  • Payment processing
  • Real-time reporting
  • Standard support
  • Menu management

Pros & Cons

M

Gusto

Pros

  • Extremely intuitive interface that requires almost no training
  • Automated tax filings save hours of manual work
  • Seamless integration between payroll and employee benefits
  • Helpful automated reminders for important compliance deadlines

Cons

  • Customer support response times can be slow during peak seasons
  • State tax registration assistance is limited for new businesses
  • Advanced HR features require the most expensive plan
A

Toast POS

Pros

  • Industry-specific features designed specifically for restaurant workflows
  • Reliable offline mode keeps you taking orders during outages
  • User-friendly interface reduces training time for new staff
  • Handheld tablets significantly increase table turnover rates

Cons

  • Requires use of Toast's proprietary payment processing
  • Hardware costs can be high for large installations
  • Long-term contracts may be required for certain tiers
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