Toast POS Pricing Explained (2026)
TL;DR: Toast POS costs $69–$165/month for software, $627–$1,500+ for required proprietary hardware, and charges an extra 0.5% on every online order. For a food truck doing $15,000/month in sales, total Toast costs can exceed $580/month before payment processing — compared to $19/month for TrooNow.
Toast POS plans and pricing (2026)
| Plan | Monthly Cost | What's included / catch |
|---|---|---|
| Quick Start Bundle | $0/mo | Free software but requires Toast's payment processing at non-negotiable rates. Hardware ($627+) still required. Very limited features. |
| Point of Sale | $69/mo | Core POS. No online ordering included. Most operators need add-ons immediately, pushing cost higher. |
| Build Your Own | $110/mo | Customizable plan. Online ordering, loyalty, and scheduling are all separate paid add-ons. |
| Restaurant Basics | $110/mo | Includes POS + online ordering + some integrations. No loyalty or scheduling. |
| Point of Sale + Online Ordering | $165/mo | Includes online ordering, but still charges 0.5% per online order on top of this monthly fee. |
The hidden costs Toast doesn't lead with
Hardware (proprietary — cannot use your own device)
$627–$1,500+
Toast requires their hardware. A basic terminal + card reader starts at $627. Full setups run $800–$1,500+.
Online ordering fee
0.5% per order
On $5,000/month in online orders, Toast takes an extra $25/month — every month, on top of your subscription.
Payment processing
2.49% + 15¢ (card present)
Locked to Toast's processor. Card not present: 3.5% + 15¢. Cannot bring your own processor.
Setup / installation fee
$0–$500+
Self-setup is free but takes 1–3 days. Multi-location and assisted setups require paid onboarding.
Add-on modules
$25–$75/mo each
Loyalty, scheduling, inventory, and gift cards are each separate paid add-ons. A fully-featured setup adds $75–$200/month.
Toast vs. TrooNow — feature for feature
| Feature | Toast | TrooNow |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly software cost | $69–$165/mo | $19/mo |
| Hardware requirement | $627–$1,500+ (proprietary, required) | $0 — use any device you own |
| Online ordering fee | 0.5% per order | 0% |
| Loyalty program | Add-on ($25–$50/mo) | Included |
| Live location sharing | Not available | Included |
| Festival mode | Not available | Included |
| Food-truck-specific features | None | Built for trucks |
| Setup time | 1–3 days | 5 minutes |
| Contract | Annual contract common | Month-to-month |
Real cost example: Food truck: $15,000/month total sales, $3,000 in online orders
🍞 Toast — estimated monthly cost
| Software (POS + Online Ordering plan) | $165/mo |
| Hardware amortized (3 yr, $900 setup) | $25/mo |
| Online ordering fee (0.5% × $3,000) | $15/mo |
| Payment processing (2.49% × $15,000) | $374/mo |
| Estimated total | $579/mo |
✅ TrooNow — estimated monthly cost
| Software (all features included) | $19/mo |
| Hardware (use existing tablet) | $0/mo |
| Online ordering fee | $0/mo |
| Payment processing (Stripe 2.7% × $15,000) | $405/mo |
| Estimated total | $424/mo |
Switch to TrooNow — $19/month, built for food trucks
No proprietary hardware required. 0% commission on online orders. POS + live location + loyalty + festival mode included.
Try TrooNow free →Frequently asked questions about Toast pricing
How much does Toast POS cost per month?
Toast POS software costs $0–$165/month. The free Quick Start tier locks you into Toast's processing rates. Most plans run $69–$165/month. Add required hardware ($627–$1,500+), a 0.5% online ordering fee, and optional add-ons ($25–$75/month each), and total monthly cost often exceeds $300–$580.
Is Toast POS worth it for a food truck?
Generally no. Toast requires $627–$1,500+ in proprietary hardware, charges 0.5% on online orders, has no food-truck-specific features (no live location, no festival mode, no permit tracking), and costs $69–$165/month for software alone. Food-truck-specific platforms like TrooNow ($19/month, use any device, 0% online ordering fee) are significantly better value.
What is Toast's online ordering fee?
Toast charges 0.5% of every online order on top of your monthly software subscription and standard payment processing fees. On $5,000/month in online orders that's $25/month extra — $300/year — just in Toast's online ordering surcharge. TrooNow charges 0% on online orders.
Can I use my own tablet or hardware with Toast?
No. Toast uses proprietary hardware that only works with their system. You cannot use an iPad or Android tablet you already own. The minimum hardware bundle starts at $627. This hardware lock-in is one of the biggest complaints from food truck operators, since replacements must be purchased from Toast directly.
What is a cheaper alternative to Toast for food trucks?
TrooNow is $19/month flat — no hardware requirements, no commission on online orders, built specifically for food trucks with live location, festival mode, loyalty, and permit tracking included. Square is free-to-start but charges 2.6% + 10¢ per swipe. Both are dramatically cheaper than Toast for typical food truck operations.