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Epos Now vs Toast

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Pros
  • Intuitive interface
  • Live support and training
  • Cloud-based POS
  • Robust integration capabilities
Pros
  • Free introductory plan
  • 24/7 support, year-long
  • Detailed analytics and real-time reports
  • Menu and inventory management
  • POS system can work offline
  • Free demo available
Cons
  • Complex pricing structure
  • Limited design options and customization issues
Cons
  • Payroll and team management only available as add-on
  • Limited to the restaurant industry
  • Payment processing is inflexible
  • Requires long contract commitments
Summary

Epos Now is a leading global provider of payment and POS systems that cater to businesses of all sizes and types. The company was founded in 2011 by Jacyn Heavens, and its headquarters is in Norwich, United Kingdom. With their system, businesses can manage operations, process sales, and accept online and offline payments. The company's user-friendly approach to POS technology has been well-received by customers, improving their operational efficiency and customer service experience. Epos Now is renowned for its reliability and innovation, and it continues to enhance its offerings to satisfy the evolving demands of businesses worldwide. They offer a range of features designed to fulfill the needs of retail and hospitality businesses, including point-of-sale functions, inventory management, reporting, and staff management. The provider also offers table management, online ordering, e-commerce integration, loyalty programs, barcode scanning, mobile POS, and integrations with various third-party services. They have received accolades for their capabilities and leadership in the industry, including Best Capabilities for the best restaurant POS system in Money.com’s 2023's list, Frost & Sullivan's 2021 Global Competitive Strategy Leadership Award 2021, and "Leader" in the G2 Crowd Grid Report for Retail POS Systems (Fall 2023).

Summary

Toast is a Boston-based software development company specializing in providing POS products and services for the restaurant industry. They cater to around 100,000 restaurants of all sizes in the United States, Canada, Ireland, and the United Kingdom. Their offerings include tools for in-location, takeout, and online point-of-sale, orders, payment processing, bookkeeping, marketing, team management, and integration capabilities. Toast POS is a user-friendly platform that offers solutions to help restaurant owners manage their business better, attract more customers, and keep their employees productive. They are compliant with PCI-DSS as a Level 1 service provider, ensuring the highest payment card security standards. They have an excellent reputation among their peers and have won several awards, including the Hottest Startup at the 2016 NEVY awards. They are also featured on Deloitte's Technology Fast 500 list. Moreover, they have a B rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and are accredited. While their customer service receives mixed reviews from clients, scoring 3.7 out of 5 on Trustpilot, they are generally praised for their software and features.

Quick Stats
  • Trustpilot Score : 4.4 out of 5
  • Customer Experience : Good
  • Transparent Pricing : True
  • Pricing Model : Subscription-based model with add-ons
  • BBB Rating : N/R
Quick Stats
  • Trustpilot Score : 3.7 out of 5
  • Customer Experience : Good
  • Transparent Pricing : True
  • Pricing Model : Monthly fee, flat rate, separate feature rates & charges
  • BBB Rating : B
  • Money-Back Guarantee : False
Selling Points
  • Inclusive and specialized packages
  • Accessible from mobile and desktop devices
  • Regular software maintenance
Selling Points
  • Automatic tax calculation and filing
  • Benefits administration
  • Employee timesheets and scheduling
  • Detailed analytics and real-time reports
  • Employee scheduling
  • Mobile apps available for managers, staff, & guests
  • No upfront fees to start using the system
System Features
  • Undisclosed
    Automated Payroll
  • Undisclosed
    Automated Tax Filing
  • Billing & Invoicing
  • Cloud-Based Services
  • Customizable Hardware
  • Electronic Receipts
  • Free Hardware
  • Undisclosed
    HR Add Ons
  • Inventory Management
  • Inventory Tracking
  • Loyalty Program
  • Mobile App
  • Mobile Card Reader
  • Real-Time Reports
  • Third-Party Software Integration
  • Undisclosed
    Time Tracking
  • Virtual Terminal
System Features
  • Automated Payroll
  • Automated Tax Filing
  • Billing & Invoicing
  • Cloud-Based Services
  • Customizable Hardware
  • Electronic Receipts
  • Free Hardware
  • HR Add Ons
  • Inventory Management
  • Inventory Tracking
  • Loyalty Program
  • Mobile App
  • Mobile Card Reader
  • Real-Time Reports
  • Third-Party Software Integration
  • Time Tracking
  • Virtual Terminal
Data Security
  • EMV Compliant
  • NFC
  • Payment Fraud Protection
  • PCI Compliance
Data Security
  • EMV Compliant
  • NFC
  • Payment Fraud Protection
  • PCI Compliance
Third-Party Integrations
  • Accounting Software
  • Processing Services
  • Productivity Software
Third-Party Integrations
  • Accounting Software
  • Processing Services
  • Productivity Software
Hardware
  • Barcode Scanner
  • Credit Card Reader
  • Customer-Facing Display
  • Display Screen
  • POS Terminal
  • Receipt Printer
  • Self-Service Kiosk
Hardware
  • Barcode Scanner
  • Credit Card Reader
  • Customer-Facing Display
  • Undisclosed
    Display Screen
  • POS Terminal
  • Receipt Printer
  • Self-Service Kiosk
Hardware & Software Compatability
  • Android
  • Cloud-Based
  • iOS
  • macOS
  • Undisclosed
    On-Site Installation
  • Windows
Hardware & Software Compatability
  • Android
  • Cloud-Based
  • iOS
  • macOS
  • On-Site Installation
  • Windows
Pricing Options
  • Annual Subscription
  • Free Trial
  • Undisclosed
    Freemium
  • Monthly Subscription
  • One-Time License
Pricing Options
  • Annual Subscription
  • Free Trial
  • Freemium
  • Monthly Subscription
  • One-Time License
Training
  • Documentation
  • In-Person
  • Live Online
  • Videos
  • Webinars
Training
  • Documentation
  • In-Person
  • Live Online
  • Videos
  • Webinars
Supported Payment Options
  • ACH Processing
  • Cash Transactions
  • Check
  • Credit Card Terminals
  • Electronic Signature
  • Gift Cards
  • In-Person Payments
  • Mobile Payments
  • Online Payment Processing
Supported Payment Options
  • ACH Processing
  • Cash Transactions
  • Check
  • Credit Card Terminals
  • Electronic Signature
  • Gift Cards
  • In-Person Payments
  • Mobile Payments
  • Online Payment Processing
Customer Support
  • Demos
  • Email
  • FAQs/Forum
  • Help Guides
  • Live Chat
  • Mobile App
  • Phone
  • Social Media
Customer Support
  • Demos
  • Email
  • FAQs/Forum
  • Help Guides
  • Live Chat
  • Mobile App
  • Phone
  • Social Media

Epos Now vs. Toast

Selecting the right Point of Sale (POS) system for your business can help improve client service, boost performance, and streamline operations. When comparing Epos Now and Toast, explore the following key aspects to discover which POS system matches your needs.

Range of services and customization choices

Epos Now and Toast offer services that meet businesses' diverse needs. Their POS systems support managing inventory, creating employee schedules, generating reports, and handling customer relationships. They provide solutions for invoicing and online payments to facilitate transactions. Both systems offer subscription-based billing and appointment scheduling to help businesses manage bookings efficiently and generate recurring revenue.

Epos Now has more elaborate features that benefit the retail, hospitality, and service industries. They provide high flexibility regarding receipts, invoices, and payments that can be tailored to meet different business requirements. On the other hand, Toast is created for restaurant businesses and has features like menu management, table layout customization, and integrated rewards. Although both Toast and Epos Now include API integration, Toast’s developer tools have features designed to optimize the restaurant experience, while Epos Now has more general customization features.

Ease of use and integration

Both systems focus on creating interfaces that users can easily navigate, ensuring their POS systems are user-friendly and intuitive. They offer training materials, like tutorials and customer assistance, to help businesses get up and running with the systems efficiently.

Epos Now is compatible with business applications, including accounting systems, e-commerce platforms, and various payment gateways. This makes implementation highly flexible, depending on the kind of business. On the other hand, Toast prioritizes integrations that optimize restaurant operations by including third-party delivery services, inventory management systems, and kitchen display systems. While Epos Now offers a range of integration options, Toasts' focus is on enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of restaurant management.

Security and compliance

Security is a critical aspect of any POS system, and Epos Now and Toast provide adequate measures to secure the transactions and data entered. They use encrypted instruments, fraud prevention tools, and protected cloud data storage to protect client information. Both systems follow the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) to ensure they meet the required standards for data protection.

Epos Now highlights their compliance with industry standards beyond PCI DSS to cater to specific sectors. Their security features include user permissions and regular system updates to address emerging threats. Toast also complies with PCI DSS and focuses their security efforts on meeting the needs of the restaurant industry. They provide functions such as payments and complete encryption to boost the safety of transactions in the food industry.

Pricing

Epos Now and Toast provide transparent pricing models that include ongoing support and hardware and software elements. Their pricing strategies typically involve hardware expenses, monthly subscription charges for software, and transaction fees for payment processing. Both systems provide pricing options that enable businesses to select a strategy that matches their constraints and operational requirements.

Epos Now utilizes a pricing system that lets clients choose from various hardware and software packages based on their needs. Their basic plans start at $39 per month, with charges for hardware and optional add-ons. Transaction fees vary depending on the chosen payment processor. They provide pricing structures with tiers and pay-as-you-go alternatives. In contrast, Toast follows an integrated pricing strategy tailored to the restaurant sector. They present pricing tiers, including a starter plan with extra advanced features and associated hardware expenses. Paid plans at Toast begin at $69 per month with customized restaurant sizes and requirements options.

Conclusion

Epos Now and Toast have advantages catering to various business needs. Epos Now offers a POS with features suitable for retail, hospitality, and service-oriented businesses. On the other hand, Toast is dedicated to the needs of the restaurant industry and offers tailored solutions with user-friendly interfaces, industry-specific integrations, and robust security measures. Therefore, the choice between Epos Now and Toast depends on the specific needs and preferences of the business.
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