Toast POS
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.
Square Payroll
Square Payroll is a full-service payroll software that automates tax filings, employee payments, and benefits management for small businesses using integrated time tracking and point-of-sale data.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Toast POS | Square Payroll |
|---|---|---|
| Website | pos.toasttab.com | squareup.com |
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Subscription |
| Starting Price | Free | Free |
| FREE Trial | ✘ No free trial | ✘ No free trial |
| Free Plan | ✓ Has free plan | ✘ No free plan |
| Product Demo | ✓ Request demo here | ✓ Request demo here |
| Deployment | ||
| Integrations | ||
| Target Users | ||
| Target Industries | ||
| Customer Count | 0 | 0 |
| Founded Year | 2011 | 2009 |
| Headquarters | Boston, USA | San Francisco, USA |
Overview
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.
Square Payroll
Square Payroll simplifies how you pay your team by automating the most complex parts of business ownership. You can pay employees and contractors in just a few clicks, whether they are hourly or salaried. The platform automatically calculates, files, and pays your federal and state payroll taxes, ensuring you stay compliant without manual paperwork. Because it integrates directly with Square POS, your team's hours sync automatically, eliminating the need for manual data entry or messy spreadsheets.
You can manage everything from a single dashboard, including workers' compensation, health insurance, and 401(k) plans. The system supports flexible payment options like Instant Payments, allowing you to send funds to employees the same day they work. Whether you are running a single coffee shop or managing multiple retail locations, you get a straightforward tool that handles the back-office heavy lifting so you can focus on growing your business.
Overview
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.
Square Payroll Features
- Automated Tax Filings. Let the software calculate, file, and pay your state and federal payroll taxes automatically to ensure total compliance.
- Time Card Sync. Import employee hours directly from Square POS or the Team App to eliminate manual data entry errors.
- Instant Payments. Access your funds immediately and pay your team the same day they work using your Square Balance.
- Benefits Integration. Offer and manage health insurance, 401(k) plans, and workers' comp directly through your payroll dashboard.
- Contractor Payments. Pay your independent contractors via direct deposit and let the system generate and file 1099-NEC forms.
- Employee Mobile App. Give your team a dedicated app to track their hours, view pay stubs, and manage their tax forms.
Pricing Comparison
Toast POS Pricing
- Cloud-based POS software
- Payment processing
- Real-time reporting
- Standard support
- Menu management
- Everything in Starter, plus:
- Advanced reporting
- Multi-location management
- 24/7 customer support
- Customized hardware options
- Employee management tools
Square Payroll Pricing
- $5 per person paid monthly
- No monthly base fee
- Direct deposit included
- 1099-NEC generation and filing
- Self-service contractor account
- Everything in Contractor plan, plus:
- $6 per person paid monthly
- Full-service tax filings
- Time card and POS integration
- Health insurance and 401(k) access
- Live phone and chat support
Pros & Cons
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
Square Payroll
Pros
- Seamless integration with Square Point of Sale
- Automatic tax filing saves hours of manual work
- Simple and transparent per-employee pricing model
- Easy setup process for new business owners
Cons
- Customer support can be difficult to reach
- Limited advanced HR features for large corporations
- Account freezes can occasionally delay payroll processing