In 2025, restaurant owners find themselves facing a landscape where digital tools don’t just support the business—they drive it. With packed dining rooms, growing online orders, and constant staff changes, choosing a reliable point-of-sale (POS) system is increasingly essential for keeping everyday operations smooth. As two of the most trusted names for restaurants, CAKE POS and Toast POS provide robust, industry-specific platforms, but they each take a different approach to streamlining service, managing workflows, and helping you keep up with today’s fast-moving restaurant demands.
A modern restaurant requires more functionality out of a POS than ever before. Systems are no longer just for transaction processing—they now support inventory management, labor scheduling, customer relationship management, and online ordering in a single ecosystem. Today’s restaurant technology enables businesses to achieve up to 30% higher efficiency and up to 20% more revenue due to improved workflows and actionable insights. Comparing CAKE POS and Toast POS across usability, cost, features, integrations, and support is your first step toward a more competitive and profitable operation in 2025.
How your team interacts with the POS system directly influences operational smoothness, training time, and order accuracy. Toast POS is designed with the busy restaurant in mind, using an interface that most servers can master quickly. Its intuitive, Android-based hardware platform is both robust and responsive, helping ensure orders are entered rapidly even during dinner rushes. A standout for Toast is its tableside ordering functionality, which lets servers spend more time with customers—leading to faster service and greater accuracy.
On the other hand, CAKE POS prioritizes simplicity and straightforward workflows, making it perfect for venues where staff turnover is high. The interface can be customized to match the restaurant’s layout, and real-time floor maps help hosts juggle table turns effortlessly. While CAKE is praised for ease of onboarding and day-to-day management, some users wishing for more advanced features may find this simplicity slightly limiting.
Both systems offer offline modes, letting staff continue taking orders and processing payments even if the internet drops. Toast’s approach to offline functionality is seen as more robust by most operators, offering comprehensive coverage during outages. Ultimately, your decision may hinge on whether your team values a sleek interface packed with advanced tools (Toast) or a focused, easy-to-learn option (CAKE) that minimizes the training curve.
For restaurants of every size, pricing is a crucial factor when introducing new technology. Toast POS follows a tiered subscription model that scales with the level of service and features your business needs. Monthly fees start at $69 and can reach $189 per terminal if you need advanced modules. A key detail: Toast requires all customers to use its in-house payment processing at rates of approximately 2.49% + $0.15 per transaction. Hardware costs, usually between $799 and $1,350 per terminal, can be paid upfront or financed over time.
CAKE POS delivers more flexibility with its pricing structure, which combines monthly subscription costs—beginning around $69—with a la carte add-ons for extra features. This approach lets operators choose only what they need, preventing expensive, unnecessary upgrades. CAKE’s hardware typically costs $700 to $1,200 per terminal. Importantly, CAKE supports third-party payment processors, granting restaurants more negotiating power for merchant rates—though managing multiple vendor relationships brings extra complexity.
Both point-of-sale systems charge initial implementation fees for setup and training, but Toast’s are often higher due to more involved installations, especially for larger or multi-unit groups. Calculating your total cost of ownership over a three-year period—factoring in software, hardware, and payment processing—will reveal the true long-term value.
Many owners find these practical pricing considerations helpful when comparing their options:
A future-ready POS needs to do much more than ring up sales—it’s your central portal for running an efficient kitchen and keeping guests happy. Toast distinguishes itself with its back-of-house prowess, offering an advanced Kitchen Display System (KDS) that quickly communicates orders from servers to chefs. Unique course management and meal timing tools make Toast ideal for fine dining, where a smooth kitchen flow is critical. Its built-in inventory management automates tracking, purchasing, and cost calculation, while integrated payroll and scheduling streamline workforce management.
CAKE POS shines on the guest-facing side, delivering stellar table and reservation management. Hosts and servers have a real-time floor overview to maximize seating and reduce wait times, making it easy to handle sudden rushes. The reporting suite in CAKE is particularly strong, providing insights into peak periods, menu performance, and sales trends. Both systems offer the essentials, such as menu management, time-based pricing, split checks, customizable receipts, and support for gift card programs and loyalty plans.
Choosing between Toast and CAKE often comes down to these key functional priorities:
Today, online engagement is vital for restaurant survival, with delivery and takeout making up an increasing percentage of revenue. Toast POS streamlines operations with built-in online ordering that syncs updates across your POS, web, and third-party delivery partners. Its Toast Delivery Services platform merges orders from apps like DoorDash, Grubhub, and Uber Eats into a single digital workflow, reducing errors from manual entry or scattered tablets. Toast charges a flat order fee—potentially saving money as order sizes grow.
As for CAKE POS, the platform emphasizes digital flexibility. Restaurants can easily customize the online ordering interface to reflect their brand and ensure a seamless customer experience. The system supports both pick-up and delivery, with route mapping and easy handling of custom instructions or dietary needs. CAKE integrates with various third-party delivery apps, but connections may not be as “plug-and-play” smooth as those offered by Toast.
A few of the distinct digital ordering advantages include:
Your final decision may rest on whether you want the simplicity and operational gains of Toast’s native platform or the customization options and branding power of CAKE.
For restaurant owners eager to stay on the cutting edge, modern solutions like AI for restaurants are transforming how businesses engage with customers and manage calls. Loman, positioned as a specialized option alongside platforms like CAKE and Toast POS, uses an AI phone agent designed for the unique demands of hospitality. Available around the clock, Loman reduces missed calls, routes orders accurately, and shortens customer wait times—all while seamlessly integrating with leading POS systems such as Square, Toast, and Clover.
Unlike traditional POS platforms, Loman’s AI isn’t just reactive—it proactively learns your menu, policies, promotions, and even customer preferences. Paired with built-in analytics and real-time business insights, Loman makes it easier to spot new opportunities and improve guest experiences. With rapid setup (usually under a day) and instant scalability, you can quickly enhance operations whether you own a single location or a growing multi-unit group.
What truly sets Loman apart is its specialized focus:
Compared to the comprehensive but generalized approach of CAKE and Toast POS, Loman zooms in on restaurant-specific call management and efficiency. Its AI-driven design works alongside your main POS, handling phone orders, FAQs, and reservations so your staff can focus on delivering great in-person service. This focus on automation, customer engagement, and actionable analytics positions Loman as a go-to solution for operators looking to maximize every guest interaction and set themselves apart from competitors relying only on traditional POS hardware and software.
A reliable, responsive support network is essential for busy restaurants where downtime can cost more than dollars—it can hurt your reputation. Toast POS rises to the challenge with 24/7/365 technical support via phone, email, and live chat. Its specialized teams, knowledgeable in restaurant workflows, resolve issues quickly and efficiently. For larger clients or multi-location groups, Toast provides dedicated account management for personalized assistance and proactive problem-solving.
CAKE POS also serves restaurants with excellent support for phone and email queries during extended business hours. Many users highlight CAKE’s fast response times and knowledgeable service staff, and the company’s remote troubleshooting tools reduce the need for on-site visits or lengthy outages. Both CAKE and Toast provide ongoing software updates and scheduled maintenance—typically during off-peak times to prevent disruptions.
Important differences between the two POS systems when it comes to customer support include:
When evaluating your options, prioritize support quality alongside hardware and software, particularly if your business relies on technology during peak service hours.
As restaurants become more digitally connected, POS platforms need to play nicely with a growing array of third-party tools. Toast leads the market with a robust integration marketplace, featuring over 100 app partners in categories like accounting, inventory, reservations, marketing, and payroll. Highlights include deep integration with QuickBooks, OpenTable, and popular scheduling platforms. By providing open APIs, Toast allows tech-savvy teams to custom-build connections—though this may require outside development support.
Conversely, CAKE POS prefers a more curated approach, partnering with approximately 18 tightly integrated software providers. These integrations are handpicked to maximize reliability and minimize “tech stack sprawl,” making CAKE particularly appealing to restaurants wanting a straightforward technology suite.
Consider this when weighing your integration needs:
Your current and future technology ecosystem should inform your platform of choice—think strategically about how much flexibility, independence, or vendor support you want as you expand.
Remote management capabilities are increasingly critical, especially for owners and managers overseeing operations from afar or managing multiple venues. Toast POS delivers robust mobile tools on iOS and Android, giving stakeholders real-time access to sales data, labor costs, inventory, and critical alerts—even when offsite. Menu changes, pricing adjustments, and promotion launches can all be done remotely.
Similarly, CAKE POS provides cloud-based access to all operational metrics, allowing management teams to review key performance indicators without being tied to a back office terminal. You can view real-time alerts on inventory status, staff scheduling, and daily reports, enabling agile decision-making during unscheduled absences or emergencies.
Key mobile and remote management benefits found in both Toast and CAKE include:
Toast’s dedicated mobile apps offer slightly more features and custom alerting, while CAKE’s approach maximizes browser-based accessibility and reporting. For operators who value flexibility and on-the-go management, these modern capabilities are now essential.
Modern restaurants thrive on actionable insights. Toast POS is a powerhouse in this regard, offering over 70 built-in reports to dissect sales, staffing, inventory, and guest behavior. Customizable dashboards provide deep dives into performance metrics, letting you quickly adapt to shifts in trends or demand. Toast’s analytics even factor in weather and local events—helpful for long-term planning.
CAKE POS delivers a focused reporting suite tailored to operational efficiency and sales growth. Real-time reports break down sales by server, time slot, or menu category, and highlight potential waste or theft with detailed inventory tracking. CAKE helps optimize labor by revealing peak periods and calculating sales-per-labor-hour, empowering operators to make smarter scheduling moves.
Both solutions email automated reports to stakeholders and provide mobile-friendly data access. However, Toast’s reporting shines for franchises and multilocation groups with consolidated and location-specific tracking, while CAKE is best suited for operators seeking detailed, no-frills business intelligence.
Points to weigh when comparing reporting capabilities:
The journey to the ideal POS hinges on a clear-eyed evaluation of your restaurant’s business priorities, service model, and long-term goals. Toast POS impresses with its comprehensive features, robust integrations, and unrivaled analytics—making it an outstanding choice for fast-growing enterprises, fine dining, or groups needing powerful kitchen and multi-location management. Designed for operational rigor, Toast’s all-in-one approach streamlines processes, though its mandatory payment processing and setup fees call for thoughtful budget planning.
CAKE POS wins on the front line, offering a streamlined, intuitive interface and exceptional guest management. Perfect for operators seeking customizable, à la carte features without sacrificing must-have functionality, CAKE’s flexibility on payment partners opens the door to better merchant rates and leaner operations. It stands out for its simplicity—attractive to those who want a practical, easily managed solution to drive guest satisfaction and seamless service.
Regardless of platform, take the time to connect with current users in your restaurant category, schedule live system demos, and scrutinize true total costs over three years. A POS system is a foundational decision influencing both day-to-day success and your restaurant’s future prospects.
Operators eyeing immediate improvements and lasting efficiency should explore solutions like Loman. Fast to deploy, Loman’s AI call handling and analytics are a perfect fit for single stores, multi-unit chains, and franchises seeking higher efficiency, improved guest experience, and cutting-edge operational insights—making it a scalable choice for restaurants poised for the next level.
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