Bistro vs Toast
Toast is a full restaurant POS with terminals, handhelds, and KDS. Bistro is a menu and table OS that runs on phones and tablets you already own. Different categories, different price tags. Here's how to choose.
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
| Criteria | Bistro | Toast |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly software | $9 to $180 | Starter Kit $0, Point of Sale $69/mo, Build Your Own on custom pricing. First terminal included, extra devices cost more. |
| Hardware required | None. Use your own phones and tablets. | Yes. Toast states its software may only be used on approved Toast hardware. A terminal is required, KDS and handhelds optional. |
| Payment processing | Connect your Stripe account. Processing rates depend on your country, payment method and Stripe terms. | Custom quoted. Toast does not publish a rate and builds one per restaurant. Third parties commonly report ≈ 2.49% + 15¢ on Point of Sale and 3.09%-3.69% + 15¢ on Starter Kit. |
| Bistro per-transaction fee | No platform fee on pay at table. Reservation deposits carry 1% + $1.00, paid by the guest. | Not applicable. Toast keeps you on Toast Payments. |
| Menu management | Included on every plan. AI menu import on Pro and up. | Included. |
| Weekly menus and meal periods | Included on every plan, per day and per meal period. | Native menu availability schedules and service periods. Menu level only, and scheduled publishing sits in a paid Essentials tier. |
| QR per table | Included on every plan. | Toast Mobile Order & Pay add-on. Additional fees apply, no public price. |
| Pay at the table | Included on every plan. | Toast Mobile Order & Pay or Toast Go handhelds. |
| Phone reservations | An AI agent can answer calls and book tables or events. Voice requires separate activation and usage charges. | Toast Tables handles reservations and waitlist, with no phone AI. Toast's voice AI is drive-thru only, through partner integrations, for brands with 15+ locations. |
| Tip tracking per waiter | Included on Multi ($129) and Full Bistro OS ($180). | Per employee tips in shift reports. Tip pooling and sharing needs Toast Tips Manager in a paid Team Management tier. |
| Online ordering | Coming soon as a separate feature. | Bundled into Starter Kit, or Digital Storefront Essentials/Pro on paid tiers. Third parties report around $75/mo. |
| Multi-location | Up to 5 on Multi. Unlimited on Full Bistro OS. | Available, generally through Build Your Own custom pricing. |
| Time to launch | Set up online using your existing devices. Timing depends on the menu and tools you configure. | Days to weeks, depends on hardware install. |
| Contract | Month to month. Cancel anytime. | Toast publishes 0% interest hardware financing by application. Multi-year terms with early termination fees are reported by third parties, not stated by Toast. |
Toast plan pricing and features verified July 2026 against Toast's own pricing and support pages. Toast does not publish payment processing rates and quotes them per restaurant, so any percentage here is reported by third parties, not by Toast. Add-on prices marked as reported come from third-party sources. Get a written quote from Toast before signing.
Menu and QR features are available by plan. Photo import is included in the trial; voice service requires separate activation.
Choose the tools your restaurant needs.
Pick Bistro if
- You don't want to replace your POS or add tablets to every table.
- You want a digital menu, QR per table, and pay-at-table without a hardware rollout.
- You run a food truck, café, taquería, or small independent restaurant.
- You want to keep your Stripe account and route payouts to your bank.
- You want to review processing fees directly in your own Stripe account.
- You want an AI agent answering your phone and booking tables and events.
Pick Toast if
- You need a full POS replacement with cash drawers, KDS, and handhelds.
- You want everything on one platform: payroll, scheduling, inventory, loyalty.
- You're a full-service restaurant ready to commit to a multi-year hardware lease.
- You're already running Toast Payments and processing volume justifies the platform.
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.