The Best Toast Alternatives for Restaurants
Toast is a capable full POS, but the hardware, the platform lock-in and the custom-quoted processing rates send plenty of restaurants looking for something lighter. Here are the strongest alternatives, what each one is actually for, and where it wins.
7-day trial. No card required. Menu plans from $9/month after your trial.
What to consider
Competitor details are dated information. Confirm current terms directly with the provider before purchasing.
Information recorded: July 2026
Bistro
Menu, table & reservations OS
$9 to $180/mo
Bistro runs the front of house on phones and tablets you already own: a digital menu with one QR per table, pay-at-table through your own Stripe account, weekly menus and meal periods, and an AI voice agent that answers your phone 24/7 to book tables and private events with configurable deposits. Features depend on your plan. Voice requires separate activation and usage charges.
Best for: Independent restaurants that want a digital menu, pay-at-table and an AI phone agent without buying POS hardware.
See Bistro pricing →Square for Restaurants
Full POS on Square hardware
$0 Free, $49 Plus, $149 Premium per location
Square for Restaurants extends Square's POS and payments to restaurants, with a free tier and per-location paid plans. It runs on Square hardware, has native menu dayparting, and recently added AI voice ordering for pickup, though Square states it does not handle reservations. Payment processing is locked to Square.
Best for: Quick-service and counter-service spots already in the Square ecosystem.
Bistro vs Square for Restaurants →TouchBistro
iPad POS for full-service dining
From $69/mo per license, hardware required
TouchBistro is an iPad-based POS built for full-service restaurants, with strong table and floor management. Reservations, online ordering, loyalty and a kitchen display are separate paid add-ons: its reservations module runs $229 a month on top of the $69 base, and it has no AI agent that answers your phone. Payment rates are custom quoted, and it assumes iPad hardware.
Best for: Full-service restaurants that want an iPad POS and will pay for add-ons as they grow.
Bistro vs TouchBistro →Menubly
Digital menu & online ordering builder
Free tier, Pro $9.99/mo
Menubly is a lightweight digital menu and online ordering builder with a free forever tier. It gives you a mini website, a QR menu and commission-free pickup and delivery ordering, but no per-table QR, no tableside payment, no reservations and no team or floor management.
Best for: Takeout-first shops that need a clean digital menu and pickup or delivery ordering.
Bistro vs Menubly →
Let your guests see what’s on the menu.
Create your restaurant, add your dishes and share your first QR. Seven days to try it, with no card required.
Menu plans from $9/month after your trial.