Per-terminal pricing, own hardware
MinimalPOS vs Toast
Toast is built for high-volume operations and priced for them: per-terminal software, its own hardware and its own card processing. For a single venue or a small group, MinimalPOS covers the same daily workflow.
The verdict
MinimalPOS vs Toast
MinimalPOS
- Free on every terminal
- Add tills at no extra cost
- Runs in the browser on your own devices
- Keep your current payment provider
- Set up and run a service for free
$0
MinimalPOS is free
Toast
- $69/mo for each terminal
- Doubles the software bill to $138/mo
- Their hardware, $449–$1,024 up front
- Toast processing required, cannot be moved
- Priced for high-volume operations
$138+
per month, two terminals, before hardware
Best for single venues and small groups that want the full restaurant workflow without paying per terminal or replacing their hardware.
Start freeToast is worth a look if you run a high-volume operation with several kitchen stations and want payroll and scheduling from the same vendor.
Why restaurants pick MinimalPOS over Toast
- You run one venue or a small group and do not need platform-scale depth
- You would rather not buy new hardware to change point of sale
- Adding a second till should not double what you pay
- You want to run a full service on the system before committing anything
Published pricing
What Toast charges.
- Starter Kit · processing at 2.99% + 15¢
- $0/month
- Point of Sale · per terminal, processing at 2.49% + 15¢
- $69/month
- Build Your Own
- from ~$165/month
- Hardware
- $449–$1,024
Where they differ
Only the rows that are not the same.
| Criterion | MinimalPOS | Toast |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | $0 / $69 per terminal |
| QR ordering | Included | Paid add-on |
| Kitchen display | Included | Paid module |
| Multi-outlet management | Included | Per location |
| White label | Available | No |
| Card payments | Keep your current providerRecords any payment method; does not process cards itself | Toast processing required |
| Delivery orders | Built into the order flowEntered as delivery orders; no automatic sync from delivery apps | Platform sync included |
| Repeat customers | History, feedback and bookingsNo points or cashback programme | Points programme |
| Add-ons and extensions | Core features built inNo third-party app marketplace | App marketplace |
What to weigh up with Toast
- Software is charged per terminal, so a second till doubles the software bill
- Requires Toast's own hardware, at $449–$1,024 up front
- Card processing must go through Toast and cannot be moved
- Strongly oriented towards the United States market
In fairness: Toast has the deepest feature set here, with handhelds, kitchen displays, online ordering and payroll under one roof.
If you decide to move
Switch without disrupting your restaurant.
- 01
Set up your menu
Recreate your categories, items, variants, and add-ons in MinimalPOS.
- 02
Test before switching
Run MinimalPOS alongside your current POS and compare orders, reports, and daily totals before making the full switch.
- 03
Move when you're ready
Once your team is comfortable and everything checks out, move the remaining terminals and kitchen screens to MinimalPOS.
Hardware note: MinimalPOS runs in the browser, with browser-based printing. Hardware compatibility for printers, scanners, cash drawers, and other equipment depends on your setup, so confirm your equipment with us before switching.
Common questions
MinimalPOS and Toast.
- Is there a cheaper alternative to Toast for a small restaurant?
- MinimalPOS is free, and covers the workflow a single venue or small group actually uses every day: counter, table, takeaway and delivery orders, QR ordering, a live kitchen display, billing, staff roles and reports. Toast's Point of Sale plan is $69 per month per terminal before hardware and card processing.
- Do I need to buy new hardware to switch from Toast?
- MinimalPOS runs in the browser, so there is no proprietary terminal to buy. We have not published a verified hardware compatibility list, so if you plan to reuse specific printers, scanners or cash drawers, ask us first.
- Can I keep my card processor if I leave Toast?
- Yes. Toast requires its own payment processing. MinimalPOS records custom payment methods instead, so you are free to keep whatever arrangement you move to. MinimalPOS does not process card payments itself.
Other comparisons
Free POS for restaurants
Everything above, free.
Set up your menu, run a service, and see the reports for yourself before you decide.
Start free