Looking past Toast?

Toast is built for restaurants, and plenty of restaurants run well on it. But payments, hardware and software all come from Toast, so if the costs or the contract stop working for you, the whole system is part of the decision.

Compare with your own statement

The short version

What to know first

Payments come with it

Toast describes itself as a payment facilitator, so card processing runs through Toast. You can't keep the POS and shop your processing separately.

Rates aren't on the price page

Toast's pricing page lists packages, not processing rates. Your agreement and monthly statement are where your real rates live.

Hardware ties you in

Third-party pricing roundups note that Toast hardware generally can't be moved to another system, so check what you own before you decide.

What to compare	Toast	SkyTab	Clover
Built mainly for	Restaurants	Restaurants and bars	Restaurants, retail and services
Pay at the table	Yes, with handhelds	Yes, with handhelds	Yes, with Flex handhelds
Online ordering	Yes	Yes, from your own website	Yes
Who sets your processing rate	Toast	The provider you sign with	The provider you sign with

Feature summary checked October 2026. Toast pricing details: Toast pricing page. Features and pricing change, so we confirm current details during your review.

Before you switch, read three things

Your agreement: look for the term length, auto-renewal and any early termination fee. Leaving mid-term can cost money, so know the number first.

Your hardware: find out what you own outright and what is leased or financed, and whether any of it can be used elsewhere.

Your statement: add up every fee for the month and divide by your card sales. That effective rate is what you're really paying, whatever rate was quoted.

When staying put makes sense

Your contract has a large early termination fee and little time left on it
Your staff knows the system well and the costs are in line with your volume
You depend on Toast features that the alternatives don't match for your setup

When it's worth comparing

Your effective rate is high for your volume
Your contract is up for renewal or close to it
You're adding a location and want to compare before buying more Toast hardware
Add-on fees for extra features are piling up

Options

What to compare

SkyTab

Restaurant and bar focused: pay at the table, kitchen displays, online ordering from your own site.

Learn more

Clover

Strong for counter service, cafes and spots that also sell retail.

Learn more

Restaurant payments

How we set up restaurants nationwide, by restaurant type.

Learn more

FAQ

Common questions

Can I keep Toast and just change processors?

Generally no. Toast processes the payments for its own system, so changing processors means changing systems.

How do I find my Toast processing rate?

Check your Toast agreement and your monthly statement. Add up all the fees and divide by your card sales to get your effective rate.

Will switching shut down service?

It shouldn't. We plan the change around your slow hours, build your menu ahead of time and help you test before your first busy shift.

What if I have time left on my Toast contract?

Send us the agreement. We'll look at the early termination terms with you so you know the full cost of leaving before you decide anything.

What do I need for a rate review?

A recent monthly statement with all of its pages. A clear photo or PDF is fine.

Ready to get your money right?

Tell us about your business. It only takes a few minutes.

Get a free rate review Call 1-855-GET-UPWARD

$500 rate guaranteeNext-day funding24/7/365 support

$500 guarantee: Requires a recent processing statement from your current provider. See guarantee terms.