Restaurant technology has evolved dramatically over the past few years, with modern POS systems now handling everything from inventory tracking to customer loyalty programs. As inflation continues to squeeze profit margins and labor costs remain high, choosing the right point-of-sale system becomes even more critical for restaurant success. Toast and Revel have emerged as two leading solutions, each designed to help restaurants streamline operations while maximizing revenue potential.
Toast POS distinguishes itself through restaurant-specific design that addresses the unique challenges food service establishments face daily. The platform provides robust table management capabilities, comprehensive menu customization options, and seamless kitchen display integration that keeps orders flowing smoothly. Staff members find the interface remarkably intuitive, regardless of their technical background, which significantly reduces training time and errors during busy service periods. The system handles everything from initial order taking to final payment processing with features like tableside ordering and split checks that enhance customer satisfaction.
Built exclusively for Android devices, Toast offers purpose-engineered hardware designed to withstand the demanding conditions of commercial kitchens. Their terminals resist spills, heat, and constant use while maintaining consistent performance throughout service rushes. The hardware ecosystem includes countertop terminals, handheld devices for servers, kitchen display screens, and self-ordering kiosks that create a complete operational solution. This Android-exclusive approach allows Toast to maintain strict quality control over user experiences, though it limits flexibility for establishments already invested in iOS devices.
Toast operates as an integrated payment processing solution, meaning restaurants must use their payment services rather than shopping for alternative processors. While this limits pricing flexibility, it simplifies setup and support by eliminating compatibility issues between different systems. Processing rates start around 2.49% plus $0.15 per transaction for monthly subscribers, with higher rates for pay-as-you-go plans that charge no monthly fees.
The platform’s online ordering system integrates directly with the POS, eliminating manual order entry and reducing errors during peak periods. Toast provides branded ordering websites, delivery management tools, and access to their consumer-facing Toast Takeout app that helps restaurants reach new customers. Monthly fees for these services typically range from $50-75, but the seamless integration ensures accurate menu updates and streamlined operations across all sales channels.
Revel Systems positions itself as a versatile solution capable of serving restaurants while maintaining flexibility for other business types. The platform excels in inventory management with real-time stock tracking, automated purchase orders, and ingredient-level monitoring that helps restaurants maintain precise cost controls. Revel offers extensive customization options that allow businesses to tailor workflows, interface layouts, and operational processes to match their specific requirements. The system particularly shines for larger establishments with sophisticated operational needs that demand granular control over every aspect of service.
Designed primarily for iOS devices, Revel runs on iPads and compatible peripherals, which can benefit restaurants already invested in Apple’s ecosystem. However, standard iPads aren’t specifically engineered for harsh restaurant environments, often requiring protective cases and specialized stands to prevent damage in busy kitchen settings. The platform does offer comprehensive hardware options including iPad stands, thermal printers, cash drawers, and card readers that create complete POS stations.
Revel provides payment processing flexibility, allowing restaurants to choose between their in-house solution (Revel Advantage) or integrate with third-party processors. This flexibility enables restaurants to negotiate better rates or maintain existing merchant services relationships, though it can introduce complexity when troubleshooting payment issues. The system supports various payment methods including EMV chip cards, contactless payments, and mobile wallets with robust end-to-end encryption.
Revel’s inventory management capabilities extend across multiple locations with centralized control, vendor performance tracking, and integrated ordering systems. Their delivery management tools provide sophisticated zone management, estimated delivery times, and driver assignment for restaurants operating in-house delivery teams. The platform’s extensive marketplace connects with numerous third-party applications across accounting, inventory management, employee scheduling, and marketing categories through open APIs.
Restaurant owners exploring POS solutions should also evaluate specialized AI for restaurants technology that addresses communication gaps these traditional systems don’t handle. Loman offers a 24/7 AI phone agent specifically designed for restaurants, seamlessly integrating with existing POS systems like Square, Toast, and Clover without disrupting current operations. The system trains on your restaurant’s specific menu, policies, and customer preferences to provide accurate responses that match your brand voice and service standards.
This specialized solution reduces missed calls that cost restaurants potential revenue while shortening customer wait times during peak hours. Built-in analytics and real-time insights help owners understand call patterns, popular menu items, and customer preferences that inform better business decisions. The fast setup process gets restaurants live in under a day, with scalability that works equally well for single locations or multi-location businesses requiring consistent customer service standards.
Toast offers multiple pricing tiers designed to accommodate different restaurant budgets and processing volumes. Their Starter Kit eliminates monthly software fees but charges higher payment processing rates around 3.09% per transaction. Restaurants seeking lower processing costs can choose monthly plans starting at $69 with reduced rates of approximately 2.49% plus $0.15 per transaction. Hardware costs represent a significant investment with terminals priced around $699, though Toast frequently offers promotions including free hardware with payment processing commitments.
Revel Systems follows traditional pricing structures with monthly plans starting around $99 per terminal, requiring three-year contracts that represent longer commitments than Toast’s flexible terms. Processing rates can be negotiated based on business volume and transaction types, potentially offering savings for high-volume establishments. Installation fees often reach $649, covering setup and implementation support, though restaurants using existing iPads can reduce hardware expenses.
Additional costs affect both systems’ total ownership expenses. Toast charges extra for online ordering, loyalty programs, and gift card functionality, while Revel may require premium fees for advanced inventory management and enterprise-grade features. Restaurant owners must calculate monthly fees, processing rates, hardware expenses, and contract obligations to determine which system provides better long-term value for their specific business model.
When evaluating total ownership expenses, restaurant owners should consider these essential elements:
Toast has developed a focused ecosystem of third-party integrations connecting with popular accounting software like QuickBooks and Xero, payroll systems, and reservation platforms. Their approach emphasizes building native functionality rather than relying heavily on external solutions, creating cohesive experiences but potentially limiting specialized tool options. The platform offers APIs for custom integrations when restaurants need connections with unique business applications.
Revel Systems maintains an extensive marketplace connecting with numerous third-party applications across multiple business categories. Their open API supports custom integrations for unique operational requirements, allowing restaurants to build tailored technology stacks addressing specific challenges. This approach emphasizes flexibility and choice, particularly valuable for businesses with specialized needs not addressed by standard POS features.
The integration philosophy reflects fundamental differences between these platforms’ approaches to restaurant technology. Toast prioritizes unified experiences with carefully selected, well-tested integrations, while Revel offers broader connectivity supporting diverse operational requirements.
Consider whether your restaurant benefits more from a controlled ecosystem with fewer but deeply integrated options, or a flexible platform connecting with specialized tools. Integration quality often matters more than quantity, especially when staff members need to navigate between different systems during busy service periods.
Both platforms feature offline functionality essential for maintaining operations during internet disruptions. Toast operates on a hybrid cloud system allowing continued order taking and payment processing when connectivity fails, synchronizing data once connections restore. Users report generally good system stability, though updates occasionally introduce temporary glitches. Purpose-built hardware contributes to reliable performance in demanding restaurant environments.
Revel Systems also provides offline capabilities through local server installations called Revel Advantage that maintain critical functions during cloud connectivity issues. Some users note that the platform’s complexity can occasionally cause performance issues, particularly on older iPad models or in establishments with extensive customizations. System sophistication sometimes requires increased technical management to maintain optimal reliability.
Reliability proves paramount in fast-paced restaurant environments where service interruptions directly impact revenue. Toast’s streamlined, purpose-built approach may offer consistent performance advantages, while Revel’s flexible but complex system might require more technical oversight.
Toast earns consistent praise for its intuitive, restaurant-focused interface requiring minimal staff training. The system uses logical workflows mirroring natural restaurant operations from order taking through payment processing. Design elements emphasize speed and efficiency with large buttons, clear category organization, and customizable layouts adapting to different service styles. User experiences remain consistent across devices, whether using countertop terminals or handheld devices for tableside service.
Revel Systems offers highly customizable interfaces tailored to specific restaurant needs, though flexibility comes with steeper learning curves. The platform provides detailed controls for order modifications, table management, and customer interactions with extensive personalization options. Interface customization includes button layouts, color schemes, and workflow configurations that require more initial setup and comprehensive staff training.
The interface distinction reflects broader platform philosophies regarding restaurant operations. Toast prioritizes immediate usability with streamlined workflows, while Revel offers deeper customization and control requiring greater complexity management.
Restaurants with frequent staff changes benefit from Toast’s simplified training requirements, while establishments with stable teams can leverage Revel’s advanced customization capabilities. Consider your typical training timeframes and operational complexity when evaluating which interface approach better serves long-term staffing needs.
Toast provides essential inventory management capabilities including stock level tracking, low inventory alerts, and food cost monitoring. Their system includes recipe costing tools, vendor management features, and inventory reconciliation processes. The 2021 acquisition of xtraCHEF enhanced inventory management with advanced features like invoice digitization and cost intelligence reporting, though some capabilities require additional subscription fees.
Revel Systems delivers more comprehensive native inventory management with real-time tracking across multiple locations, automated purchase order generation, and ingredient-level inventory control. The platform supports barcode scanning for efficient receiving processes and physical count management. Advanced features extend to complex recipes with nested ingredients and portion control tools helping restaurants maintain quality consistency while controlling costs.
Both systems provide core inventory tracking capabilities, but their approaches differ significantly:
Inventory management represents an area where Revel traditionally maintained advantages, though Toast’s xtraCHEF acquisition has narrowed this gap considerably. Restaurants managing complex inventory needs, particularly multi-location operations dealing with high-value ingredients, might find Revel’s native capabilities more comprehensive.
Multi-location restaurants require centralized inventory control, standardized pricing, and consistent reporting across all sites. Revel’s native multi-location features provide comprehensive management tools, while Toast offers solid multi-location support with growing capabilities in this area.
Toast built a reputation for comprehensive customer support offering 24/7 assistance through phone, email, and chat channels. New customers receive personalized onboarding including menu building assistance and staff training support. Extensive online resources include knowledge bases, video tutorials, and community forums where users share operational best practices. Strong local presence with representatives in major markets provides in-person support when necessary.
Revel Systems provides 24/7 technical support across multiple communication channels with guided setup and implementation training. The platform’s complexity requires more substantial learning curves, though detailed documentation, webinars, and training videos help restaurants maximize system utilization. Some users report variable response times, particularly during peak hours, which may concern restaurants operating during non-standard business hours.
Support quality significantly impacts POS implementation success and ongoing satisfaction. Toast generally receives higher marks for user-friendly support and streamlined onboarding processes, while Revel offers comprehensive assistance for their more sophisticated system requirements.
Both platforms provide extensive support options, but their approaches cater to different restaurant needs:
Toast excels for restaurants prioritizing intuitive operation, integrated simplicity, and comprehensive support with purpose-built hardware designed for demanding food service environments. The platform suits independent restaurants, small to medium operations, and businesses with frequent staff turnover where training simplicity proves valuable. Integrated payment processing and streamlined workflows reduce complexity while maintaining essential functionality for most restaurant operations.
Revel Systems stands out for establishments requiring extensive customization, sophisticated inventory management, and payment processing flexibility. Robust feature sets and integration capabilities serve larger operations, multi-location restaurants, and businesses with complex operational requirements effectively. Higher learning curves offset by greater control and adaptability for specific business models requiring specialized functionality.
Both platforms continue evolving rapidly through feature additions, acquisitions, and user experience improvements. Restaurant owners should evaluate not only current operational needs but future growth plans when selecting long-term POS partners that will scale with business expansion.
Whether you choose Toast’s integrated simplicity or Revel’s customization depth, consider Loman’s specialized restaurant communication solution that complements any POS system. Fast implementation gets you live in under a day, with scalable solutions perfect for single locations, chains, or franchises seeking improved efficiency and enhanced customer experiences that drive revenue growth.
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