US PRODUCT RESEARCH

Toast

POS platform with restaurant workflows, hardware and connected digital ordering.

Checked Oct 15, 2026 · 9 official sources · Desk research

Point of Sale

A GOOD FIT WHEN

Hospitality operators evaluating a connected front- and back-of-house system.

Restaurant-oriented POS
Online ordering and kitchen tools
Toast IQ business assistance

LOOK MORE CLOSELY WHEN

You want a software-only price without hardware and implementation scope.

Hardware and implementation vary
Modules affect package cost
Processing terms need a full quote

CATEGORY-SPECIFIC EVIDENCE

Capabilities, controls and depth.

Scores combine core capabilities and workflow depth. Full support earns full points; limited support earns half. Unverified features create a range, and paid-plan requirements are shown in the evidence. How scoring works →

Point of Sale · 28 features

64–100/100 documented fit

Core capabilities32 / 32 pts10/10 checks with established status

Workflow depth32–68 / 68 pts6/18 checks with established status

Show checksShowing fewer rows does not change the score.

Point of Sale · 28 weighted capability checks
Feature / weight	Support, evidence & points
Core capabilityIn-person checkoutCreate an in-person sale and accept a connected payment. 4.8 points maximum	Supported4.8 / 4.8 pts Toast provides restaurant checkout and payment hardware. Official documentation · Oct 15, 2026Source
Core capabilityRefunds & returnsProcess refunds or returned sales through the supported POS workflow. 4.8 points maximum	Supported4.8 / 4.8 pts Refunds can be issued in Toast POS or Toast Web by an authorized employee. Official documentation · Oct 15, 2026Source
Depth checkPartial sale refundsRefund selected items or an amount below the original sale total. 7.2 points maximum Ask for a demonstration Refund one item and show the updated sale and refundable balance. A scenario to run with the supplier; not a completed product test.	Supported7.2 / 7.2 pts Partial refunds are supported; an additional refund on the same card payment is restricted. Official documentation · Oct 15, 2026Source
Depth checkOffline sale recoveryCapture a sale or eligible payment offline and synchronize it after connectivity returns. 7.2 points maximum Ask for a demonstration Disconnect a terminal, record an eligible sale, then show synchronization. A scenario to run with the supplier; not a completed product test.	Supported7.2 / 7.2 pts Offline card payments are stored and submitted after reconnection; authorization is deferred. Official documentation · Oct 15, 2026Source
Core capabilityProduct or menu catalogManage sellable items, variants, categories or menu modifiers. 3.2 points maximum	Supported3.2 / 3.2 pts Restaurant menu-management capability is documented. Official documentation · Oct 15, 2026Source
Core capabilityStock or menu availabilityTrack retail stock or control the availability of restaurant menu items. 3.2 points maximum	Supported3.2 / 3.2 pts Inventory and menu availability scope depends on selected modules. Official documentation · Oct 15, 2026Source
Depth checkLow-stock or availability alertsSurface a low-stock threshold or item-availability warning to staff. 4.8 points maximum Ask for a demonstration Reach an item threshold and show the alert or availability warning. A scenario to run with the supplier; not a completed product test.	Supported4.8 / 4.8 pts The 86 report displays out-of-stock items and quantities below a configured threshold. Official documentation · Oct 15, 2026Source
Depth checkStock adjustment historyInspect recorded inventory adjustments or stock movements for an item. 4.8 points maximum Ask for a demonstration Adjust an item quantity and locate the resulting movement record. A scenario to run with the supplier; not a completed product test.	Not verified0–4.8 / 4.8 pts The reviewed documentation does not establish this specific workflow: stock adjustment history. Not verified · Oct 15, 2026Source
Core capabilityStaff access controlsGive staff or managers defined access to POS operations. 3.2 points maximum	Supported3.2 / 3.2 pts Manager permissions separately control finding checks and refunding payments. Official documentation · Oct 15, 2026Source
Core capabilityMultiple-location oversightOperate or report on more than one business location. 3.2 points maximum	Supported3.2 / 3.2 pts The pricing catalog offers multi-location management. Official documentation · Oct 15, 2026Source
Depth checkManager authorization for sensitive actionsRequire manager permission or an approval step for sensitive POS actions such as refunds. 4.8 points maximum Ask for a demonstration Attempt a restricted refund as a cashier and demonstrate manager authorization. A scenario to run with the supplier; not a completed product test.	Supported4.8 / 4.8 pts Refunds require the relevant manager permission. Official documentation · Oct 15, 2026Source
Depth checkConsolidated location reportingCompare or aggregate sales across multiple business locations. 4.8 points maximum Ask for a demonstration Show combined sales and drill into a specific location. A scenario to run with the supplier; not a completed product test.	Supported4.8 / 4.8 pts Enterprise reports aggregate locations; some cash and card reports remain single-location. Official documentation · Oct 15, 2026Source
Core capabilityOnline selling or orderingAccept orders through a connected online store or ordering channel. 2.4 points maximum	Supported2.4 / 2.4 pts Online ordering and delivery connections are documented. Official documentation · Oct 15, 2026Source
Core capabilityConnected catalog or order dataShare catalog, stock or orders between the POS and an online channel. 2.4 points maximum	Supported2.4 / 2.4 pts Online ordering is connected to the restaurant platform. Official documentation · Oct 15, 2026Source
Depth checkOnline pickup fulfillmentHandle an online order through a pickup preparation and completion workflow. 3.2 points maximum Ask for a demonstration Place an online pickup order and move it through preparation and collection. A scenario to run with the supplier; not a completed product test.	Not verified0–3.2 / 3.2 pts The reviewed documentation does not establish this specific workflow: online pickup fulfillment. Not verified · Oct 15, 2026Source
Depth checkReturn an online sale in storeProcess a return or refund of a connected online order from the store workflow. 4 points maximum Ask for a demonstration Find an online order at the POS and return one item. A scenario to run with the supplier; not a completed product test.	Not verified0–4 / 4 pts The reviewed documentation does not establish this specific workflow: return an online sale in store. Not verified · Oct 15, 2026Source
Core capabilityAI questions about business resultsAsk AI questions using sales, stock or operating data. 2.4 points maximum	Supported2.4 / 2.4 pts Toast IQ answers performance questions using platform data. Official documentation · Oct 15, 2026Source
Core capabilityAI operational recommendationsReceive documented AI suggestions for reports, stock or other store operations. 2.4 points maximum	Supported2.4 / 2.4 pts Toast IQ documents operational suggestions and supported actions. Official documentation · Oct 15, 2026Source
Depth checkAI grounded in operating recordsAI uses the merchant actual sales, stock or business records in its response. 3.2 points maximum Ask for a demonstration Ask AI a stock or sales question and show the business data used. A scenario to run with the supplier; not a completed product test.	Supported3.2 / 3.2 pts Toast IQ checks the current location stock and menu-item quantities. Official documentation · Oct 15, 2026Source
Depth checkHuman control over POS AIReview proposed AI changes or control assistant access before operational changes take effect. 4 points maximum Ask for a demonstration Show an AI suggestion and where staff approve it or disable access. A scenario to run with the supplier; not a completed product test.	Not verified0–4 / 4 pts IQ stock actions are documented; a pre-commit approval or disable control was not established. Not verified · Oct 15, 2026Source
Depth checkRevert a promotion created with AIDemonstrate “Revert a promotion created with AI” with a sample record; show the result, permissions and required plan. 2.5 points maximum Ask for a demonstration Demonstrate “Revert a promotion created with AI” with a sample record; show the result, permissions and required plan. A scenario to run with the supplier; not a completed product test.	Not verified0–2.5 / 2.5 pts This specific check has not been verified. Missing evidence does not mean the capability is absent. Ask for a demonstration in the proposed plan. Not verified · Oct 21, 2026Source
Depth checkPark and resume an unpaid basket on another deviceDemonstrate “Park and resume an unpaid basket on another device” with a sample record; show the result, permissions and required plan. 2.5 points maximum Ask for a demonstration Demonstrate “Park and resume an unpaid basket on another device” with a sample record; show the result, permissions and required plan. A scenario to run with the supplier; not a completed product test.	Not verified0–2.5 / 2.5 pts This specific check has not been verified. Missing evidence does not mean the capability is absent. Ask for a demonstration in the proposed plan. Not verified · Oct 21, 2026Source
Depth checkApply quantity-based price breaks at checkoutDemonstrate “Apply quantity-based price breaks at checkout” with a sample record; show the result, permissions and required plan. 2.5 points maximum Ask for a demonstration Demonstrate “Apply quantity-based price breaks at checkout” with a sample record; show the result, permissions and required plan. A scenario to run with the supplier; not a completed product test.	Not verified0–2.5 / 2.5 pts This specific check has not been verified. Missing evidence does not mean the capability is absent. Ask for a demonstration in the proposed plan. Not verified · Oct 21, 2026Source
Depth checkDeduct container tare when selling by weightDemonstrate “Deduct container tare when selling by weight” with a sample record; show the result, permissions and required plan. 2.5 points maximum Ask for a demonstration Demonstrate “Deduct container tare when selling by weight” with a sample record; show the result, permissions and required plan. A scenario to run with the supplier; not a completed product test.	Not verified0–2.5 / 2.5 pts This specific check has not been verified. Missing evidence does not mean the capability is absent. Ask for a demonstration in the proposed plan. Not verified · Oct 21, 2026Source
Depth checkRoute items to separate preparation stationsDemonstrate “Route items to separate preparation stations” with a sample record; show the result, permissions and required plan. 2.5 points maximum Ask for a demonstration Demonstrate “Route items to separate preparation stations” with a sample record; show the result, permissions and required plan. A scenario to run with the supplier; not a completed product test.	Not verified0–2.5 / 2.5 pts This specific check has not been verified. Missing evidence does not mean the capability is absent. Ask for a demonstration in the proposed plan. Not verified · Oct 21, 2026Source
Depth checkAllocate tips by employee hours or roleDemonstrate “Allocate tips by employee hours or role” with a sample record; show the result, permissions and required plan. 2.5 points maximum Ask for a demonstration Demonstrate “Allocate tips by employee hours or role” with a sample record; show the result, permissions and required plan. A scenario to run with the supplier; not a completed product test.	Not verified0–2.5 / 2.5 pts This specific check has not been verified. Missing evidence does not mean the capability is absent. Ask for a demonstration in the proposed plan. Not verified · Oct 21, 2026Source
Depth checkInspect a gift card's balance and redemption historyDemonstrate “Inspect a gift card's balance and redemption history” with a sample record; show the result, permissions and required plan. 2.5 points maximum Ask for a demonstration Demonstrate “Inspect a gift card's balance and redemption history” with a sample record; show the result, permissions and required plan. A scenario to run with the supplier; not a completed product test.	Not verified0–2.5 / 2.5 pts This specific check has not been verified. Missing evidence does not mean the capability is absent. Ask for a demonstration in the proposed plan. Not verified · Oct 21, 2026Source
Depth checkRecord reasons for complimentary or voided itemsDemonstrate “Record reasons for complimentary or voided items” with a sample record; show the result, permissions and required plan. 2.5 points maximum Ask for a demonstration Demonstrate “Record reasons for complimentary or voided items” with a sample record; show the result, permissions and required plan. A scenario to run with the supplier; not a completed product test.	Not verified0–2.5 / 2.5 pts This specific check has not been verified. Missing evidence does not mean the capability is absent. Ask for a demonstration in the proposed plan. Not verified · Oct 21, 2026Source

Compare in Point of Sale →

AI CAPABILITY CHECK

What does its AI actually do?

Native AI capabilities

Toast IQ answers business questions and supports approved actions using platform data.

Official AI source

Documented capabilities

Performance questions
Operational suggestions
Supported guest and reservation actions

Limits to check

Action scope depends on connected modules
Verify proposed package capabilities

Understand the full price

Obtain a complete hardware, software, processing and implementation quote; pay-as-you-go options change upfront costs.

Billing basis: quote. Unit: configured location package. Currency: USD.

Hardware and installation
Additional operational modules
Processing and digital-ordering services

Verify current pricing with the vendor

Integrations and deployment

Delivery integrations
Toast integrations

Validate roles, export and retention against your own requirements; this profile is not a security certification.

US buying context

US product or US-facing official documentation reviewed. Confirm your required edition and account eligibility.

The evidence record

Restaurant checkout with dedicated hardware.

Official evidence

Menu and inventory scope depends on modules.

Official evidence

Multi-location management is offered.

Official evidence

Online ordering and delivery connections.

Official evidence

Toast IQ is documented as included platform AI assistance.

Official evidence

Source library

Research is based on documentation, not a hands-on performance test. Report a correction.

EXPLORE THE ALTERNATIVES

Keep your options open.

Point of Sale alternatives · highest documented score first.

74–100/100 documented fit

Square

Connected US payments, point of sale and service-booking tools.

Good fit forSmall operators connecting checkout and everyday business workflows.

$0.00location/month

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73–100/100 documented fit

Shopify

Hosted commerce platform connecting an online store, payments and physical selling.

Good fit forMerchants seeking a shared catalog across online and retail channels.

$29.00store/month · billed annually

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59–100/100 documented fit

Lightspeed Retail

Retail POS with inventory, purchasing and connected ecommerce capabilities.

Good fit forInventory-focused retailers comparing multi-location operations.

Custom quoteconfigured retail package

View research