PosNova

Restaurant POS Comparison

PosNova vs Toast – Which Restaurant POS is Better?

Toast charges $69/mo with a 2-year contract. PosNova offers a free restaurant POS with advanced inventory, kitchen display, and online ordering — no contracts, no hidden fees.

Start Free Restaurant POS See Full Comparison

Feature-by-Feature Restaurant Comparison

Table Management

Both offer visual floor plans and table tracking. PosNova includes reservations and waitlist management on all plans — Toast charges extra for advanced features.

Kitchen Display System

Both include built-in KDS. PosNova routes orders to kitchen stations in real-time with course sequencing. Toast requires $150+ hardware per station.

Inventory Tracking

PosNova includes advanced ingredient-level inventory with recipe costing on all plans. Toast offers basic inventory only on premium plans at $165/mo+.

Pricing & Contracts

PosNova is free or $29/mo with no long-term contracts. Toast starts at $69/mo with 2-year contracts and early termination fees.

Online Ordering

PosNova includes commission-free online ordering built-in. Toast charges 2.5% commission on online orders plus monthly fees.

Analytics & Reporting

Both provide sales analytics. PosNova includes per-item profitability, food cost analysis, and trend forecasting on all plans.

Mobile & Offline

PosNova PWA works fully offline on any device. Toast requires proprietary hardware and has limited offline capabilities.

B2B Wholesale

PosNova includes wholesale ordering, bulk pricing, and B2B customer management. Toast has no B2B features whatsoever.

PosNova vs Toast – Pricing & Features Breakdown

FeaturePosNovaToast
Monthly PriceFree / $29/mo$69/mo+
Contract Required✓ No contract✗ 2-year contract
Early Termination Fee✓ None✗ Up to $750
Table Management✓ Built-in✓ Built-in
Kitchen Display✓ Free software⚠️ $150+ hardware
Inventory Management✓ Advanced (Free)⚠️ Basic ($165+/mo)
Online Ordering✓ Commission-free⚠️ 2.5% commission
B2B Wholesale✓ Built-in✗ Not available
Offline Mode✓ Full offline⚠️ Limited
Hardware Required✓ Any device✗ Toast hardware only
Staff Scheduling✓ Free⚠️ Paid add-on
Customer Support✓ 24/7 included⚠️ Business hours

Toast POS Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Purpose-built for restaurants
  • Strong kitchen display hardware
  • Good for large chain restaurants
  • Integrated payroll (paid add-on)

Cons

  • $69/mo minimum with 2-year contract
  • $750+ early termination fee
  • Inventory management costs $165+/mo extra
  • 2.5% commission on online orders
  • Proprietary hardware required
  • No B2B or wholesale features
  • Hidden fees for advanced features
  • Poor offline capabilities

Frequently Asked Questions: PosNova vs Toast

Get answers to common questions about comparing PosNova and Toast restaurant POS systems.

Is PosNova really free for restaurants?
Yes. PosNova offers a free restaurant POS plan with table management, kitchen display integration, menu management, online ordering, and basic analytics. No credit card required, no contracts, no hidden fees.
Why is Toast more expensive than PosNova?
Toast charges $69/mo minimum with a 2-year contract. Their pricing includes restaurant-specific features, but inventory, advanced analytics, and online ordering cost extra. PosNova includes all features free or at $29/mo with no contracts.
Does PosNova have a kitchen display system like Toast?
Yes. PosNova includes a built-in kitchen display system (KDS) that routes orders to kitchen stations in real-time. You can use any tablet or screen — no proprietary hardware required. Toast charges $150+ per KDS station.
Can PosNova handle restaurant inventory like Toast?
PosNova offers more advanced inventory than Toast. Track ingredients per dish, manage recipes, set par levels, and generate purchase orders — all free. Toast charges $165+/mo for comparable inventory features.
Does Toast have hidden fees?
Yes. Toast charges for advanced inventory ($165+/mo), online ordering commission (2.5%), hardware ($150+ per device), early termination ($750+), and premium support. These add up quickly compared to PosNova's transparent pricing.
Can I switch from Toast to PosNova without losing data?
Absolutely. PosNova provides free data migration from Toast. Import your menu items, customer data, and sales history. Our team handles the entire transition at no cost.
Does PosNova work offline for restaurants?
Yes. PosNova PWA technology allows full offline operation — process orders, manage tables, and track sales even without internet. Data syncs automatically when you reconnect. Toast has limited offline capabilities.
Which is better for small restaurants — PosNova or Toast?
PosNova is ideal for small restaurants. It is free, requires no long-term contract, works on any device, and includes features Toast charges extra for. Start with PosNova and upgrade as your restaurant grows.

Ditch Toast's $69/mo Contract — Switch to PosNova Free

Join thousands of restaurants using PosNova for free. Get advanced inventory, kitchen display, and commission-free ordering — no contracts, no hidden fees.

Start Free Today