Scope and honesty: Toast is a full restaurant POS platform; online ordering is one part of it. This page covers only online ordering and uses only what Toast and others publish (checked 2026-10-11). We could not find online ordering prices on Toast's pages, so we do not give any. We are a competing product and not a POS replacement.
What Toast says about its online ordering
- Commission-free ordering and flat delivery fees: "No commissions. No hidden fees." Source: Toast online ordering.
- POS integration with real-time menus, Order with Google in Search and Maps, loyalty and push notifications through a branded app or SMS, and promotions and upsells.
- A higher "embedded" tier hosted on your own domain with design templates, pixel tracking and time-based ordering rules.
- Toast's pricing FAQ says services work only on approved Toast hardware. Source: Toast pricing.
When staying with Toast ordering makes sense
If you run Toast POS, its ordering is built to send orders straight into your tickets, menus and reports, which removes a whole class of integration problems. For many Toast restaurants the simplest answer is to use it and ask for the full online ordering price in writing.
Why restaurants look for a Toast alternative for online ordering
- Cost or structure. You want a quote for ordering alone and a comparison with flat-fee platforms such as ChowNow, Owner.com or Menufy, whose published prices are in our comparison of online ordering systems.
- Your POS is not Toast. Toast ordering is tied to Toast hardware and POS. If you run Square, Square's own online ordering profile is available on any Square plan; see Square online ordering.
- You want a separate ordering layer. Some restaurants keep their POS and add a dedicated ordering platform; confirm the integration with both vendors and test orders.
- You are an agency or reseller. You want white-label ordering under your own brand. See our white label page.
A fair comparison checklist
| Question | Ask Toast | Ask any alternative |
|---|---|---|
| What is the full monthly cost of online ordering? | Written quote including any add-ons | Same, including setup and card fees |
| How do orders reach my kitchen? | Integrated with Toast POS | Printer, screen or POS integration, and a test |
| What hardware is required? | Approved Toast hardware | Your existing printer or tablet? |
| Can I order from my own site and Google? | Embedded tier and Order with Google are listed | Ask to see each working |
| What happens to my data if I leave? | Ask for export options | Ask for export options |
Where FoodOrderingSystem fits
FoodOrderingSystem is a direct ordering platform for your website, link and QR codes, with pickup and delivery, menu management and kitchen printing and display. We are not a POS. We do not list POS integrations we cannot confirm, so tell us whether you want to keep Toast and we will say plainly what is possible. Pricing is by quote.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to leave Toast POS to use a different online ordering system?
Not necessarily. Some ordering platforms say they integrate with Toast; ChowNow's pricing page lists Toast among the POS systems its orders integrate with. Whether a specific platform works with your Toast setup is something to confirm with both vendors.
Does Toast charge commission on online orders?
Toast's online ordering page says "No commissions. No hidden fees." and describes flat delivery fees. Online ordering plan prices were not shown on the Toast pages we could read, so ask for a written quote.
Can I use my own hardware with Toast?
Toast's pricing FAQ says its services may be accessed only through devices Toast identifies as compatible and that the services may only be used on approved Toast hardware.
Sources, checked 2026-10-11: Toast online ordering; Toast pricing; ChowNow pricing. Toast is a trademark of its owner; no affiliation or endorsement is implied. Written by the FoodOrderingSystem Team.