Best Toast Online Ordering Alternatives for Restaurants
Break free from Toast's ecosystem lock-in. Discover flexible, commission-free ordering platforms that work with any POS system.
12 min read
Updated Jan 1, 2026
2,850 words
Table of Contents
Introduction
Why Look for Toast Online Ordering Alternatives
Quick Comparison
Top Alternatives
Feature Comparison
Pricing Breakdown
How to Switch
FAQs
Toast Online Ordering has become a popular choice for restaurants already using Toast POS, offering seamless integration and consolidated reporting. However, many restaurant owners are discovering that Toast's ecosystem comes with significant limitations and hidden costs that make it less attractive than it initially appears. **The Toast Lock-In Problem:** - Requires expensive Toast POS subscription ($119-234/month) - Limited to Toast ecosystem only - No branded mobile apps for customers - Basic marketing features compared to competitors - Higher payment processing fees than alternatives - Difficult to switch away once committed **Real Cost Example:** A restaurant paying $165/month for Toast POS + $50/month for Online Ordering = $215/month ($2,580/year) just for basic functionality. Compare this to standalone platforms offering more features for $99/month ($1,188/year) that work with ANY POS system. Whether you're already locked into Toast's ecosystem or considering it, understanding the alternatives can help you make better decisions about your restaurant's ordering technology and avoid vendor lock-in.
Why Restaurants Look for Toast Online Ordering Alternatives
Requires Expensive Toast POS System
Toast Online Ordering only works if you use Toast POS, which costs $119-234/month depending on the plan. You can't use it with Square, Clover, or any other POS system. This forces you into their entire ecosystem even if you prefer another POS.
💡 Total cost for Toast POS + Online Ordering averages $200-280/month, versus $99/month for standalone platforms that integrate with any POS.
No Branded Mobile Apps
Toast Online Ordering provides web-based ordering but no native iOS or Android mobile apps for your restaurant. Customers can only order through your website, limiting engagement and making it harder to build brand loyalty.
💡 Mobile apps generate 3-5x more repeat orders than web-only ordering, according to restaurant industry studies.
Limited Marketing Features
Toast's marketing capabilities are basic compared to competitors. You get email marketing but no SMS campaigns, limited loyalty program features, no push notifications, and basic customer segmentation.
Higher Payment Processing Fees
Toast charges payment processing fees that are typically 0.3-0.5% higher than alternatives like Stripe or Square. On $50,000 in monthly orders, this adds $150-250/month in additional costs ($1,800-3,000/year).
💡 Toast processing: 2.49% + $0.15 for card-present, 3.5% + $0.15 for online orders. Alternatives: 2.6% + $0.10 (Stripe) or 2.9% + $0.30 (standard).
Vendor Lock-In Makes Switching Difficult
Once you commit to Toast's ecosystem, switching becomes complicated and expensive. Your POS, online ordering, and payments are all interconnected, making it hard to migrate to better solutions as they emerge.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Toast Online Ordering | RestauNax | ChowNow | Square Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly Cost | $50 + Toast POS ($119-234) | $99/mo | $149/mo | Free-$72/mo |
| POS Requirement | Toast only | Any POS | Any POS | Square only |
| Branded Mobile Apps | ❌ No | ✅ iOS & Android | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Commission Rate | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| Marketing Tools | Email only | Email + SMS + Push | Email only | Basic |
| Loyalty Program | Basic | Advanced | Basic | Basic |
| Customer Data | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Payment Processing | Toast only (higher fees) | Any processor | Any processor | Square only |
Top Toast Online Ordering Alternatives for 2026
1. RestauNax
Complete commission-free ordering platform with branded mobile apps, advanced marketing automation, and integration with ANY POS system. Best alternative for restaurants wanting flexibility and advanced features.
Pricing
$99/month, unlimited orders, works with any POS
Best For
Restaurants wanting full-featured platform without vendor lock-in
Pros
• Works with any POS system (Toast, Square, Clover, etc.)
• Branded iOS & Android mobile apps included
• Advanced marketing: Email, SMS, push notifications
• Sophisticated loyalty program with point systems
• Lower total cost than Toast POS + Online Ordering
• Complete customer data and analytics
• Choose your own payment processor
• No vendor lock-in - easy to switch
• Dedicated onboarding and support
Cons
• Monthly subscription required
• Need to drive customer acquisition
• Setup takes 3-5 days (vs instant with existing Toast)
2. ChowNow
Commission-free ordering platform with branded experience and strong Google Food Ordering integration. Works independently of your POS choice.
Pricing
$149/month + $399 setup fee
Best For
Restaurants focused on Google/Facebook discovery
Pros
• No POS requirement - works with any system
• Commission-free ordering
• Google Food Ordering integration
• Facebook/Instagram ordering
• Branded ordering experience
• Customer data ownership
Cons
• Higher monthly cost than RestauNax
• Setup fee required
• Email marketing only (no SMS)
• Limited mobile app features
• Fewer POS integrations than competitors
3. Square Online for Restaurants
Online ordering solution for restaurants using Square POS. Similar to Toast's model but with lower costs and simpler setup.
Pricing
Free plan available, Premium $72/month
Best For
Small restaurants using or willing to switch to Square POS
Pros
• Free basic plan available
• Lower cost than Toast ecosystem
• Easy Square POS integration
• Simple setup process
• Standard payment processing rates
Cons
• Requires Square POS (different lock-in)
• No branded mobile apps
• Limited restaurant-specific features
• Basic marketing capabilities
• Better for retail than restaurants
4. Owner.com
Comprehensive restaurant commerce platform with commission-free ordering, advanced marketing automation, and multi-location support. Works with any POS.
Pricing
$99-299/month depending on features
Best For
Multi-location restaurants needing advanced marketing
Pros
• Works with any POS system
• Advanced marketing automation
• Customer data platform with analytics
• Google Ads management
• Multi-location support
• Delivery integrations
Cons
• Higher pricing tiers for full features
• Complex setup and learning curve
• May be overkill for single locations
• Requires marketing expertise to maximize
5. Incentivio
Mobile-first ordering platform with strong focus on loyalty and customer engagement. Works with major POS systems including Toast competitors.
Pricing
Custom pricing, typically $200-400/month
Best For
Restaurants prioritizing mobile app and loyalty
Pros
• Excellent mobile app experience
• Advanced loyalty and gamification
• Works with multiple POS systems
• Strong customer engagement tools
• White-label mobile apps
Cons
• Higher cost than most alternatives
• Custom pricing (less transparent)
• Setup complexity
• Better for chains than independents
6. Keep Toast POS, Use Alternative Ordering
Continue using Toast POS (if you like it) but add a better online ordering platform like RestauNax that integrates with Toast. Get better features without abandoning your POS investment.
Pricing
Toast POS fee + ordering platform ($99-149/mo)
Best For
Restaurants happy with Toast POS but wanting better ordering features
Pros
• Keep Toast POS if you like it
• Get better ordering features
• Branded mobile apps
• Advanced marketing tools
• Lower total cost than Toast Online + upgrades
• Flexibility to switch POS later
Cons
• Still paying for Toast POS
• Need integration between systems
• Slightly more complex than all-in-one
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I keep Toast POS and just replace Toast Online Ordering?
Yes, absolutely. RestauNax integrates seamlessly with Toast POS. You can keep the POS system you like while getting better online ordering features, branded mobile apps, and advanced marketing tools. Many restaurants do exactly this.
How does RestauNax cost compare to Toast's total pricing?
Toast POS ($119-234/mo) + Online Ordering ($50/mo) = $169-284/month total. RestauNax is $99/month and works with any POS. If you switch from Toast POS to a lower-cost alternative like Square ($60/mo), your total is $159/month vs Toast's $169-284/month, with better features.
Will I lose customer data when switching from Toast?
You can export customer data from Toast and import it into RestauNax. We provide migration support to ensure smooth data transfer including customer contact info, order history, and loyalty points.
What if I'm in a Toast contract? Can I still switch ordering?
Yes. Even if you're contracted for Toast POS, you can use RestauNax for online ordering. Toast Online Ordering is typically a separate add-on you can cancel. Alternatively, keep both during your contract period and switch fully when contract ends.
Do I get mobile apps with Toast Online Ordering?
No. Toast provides web-based ordering only. RestauNax includes branded iOS and Android mobile apps, which typically generate 3-5x more repeat orders than web-only platforms due to push notifications and easier reordering.
How do Toast's payment processing fees compare to alternatives?
Toast charges 2.49% + $0.15 (card-present) and 3.5% + $0.15 (online). This is higher than standard processors (2.6-2.9% + $0.10-0.30). On $50,000 monthly orders, this costs an extra $150-300/month. RestauNax lets you use any processor with better rates.
Is switching from Toast complicated?
Not at all. If keeping Toast POS, integration takes 1-2 days. If switching POS too, it takes 5-7 days total. Our team handles technical setup, data migration, and staff training. Most restaurants are fully operational within 2 weeks.
Ready to Make the Switch?
Join thousands of restaurants that switched to RestauNax and started keeping 100% of their revenue.