Toast vs Revel POS

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Our analysts compared Toast vs Revel POS based on data from our 400+ point analysis of POS Software, user reviews and our own crowdsourced data from our free software selection platform.

Revel POS Software Tool

Product Basics

Toast is a cloud-based point-of-sale (POS) system designed to streamline operations for restaurants and businesses in the hospitality industry. It offers a comprehensive suite of features, including order processing, inventory management, employee scheduling, and customer relationship management (CRM) tools. Toast caters to businesses of all sizes, from independent cafes to multi-location restaurant chains. One of its key strengths lies in its ease of use and intuitive interface, making it suitable for both tech-savvy and non-technical users. Additionally, Toast boasts robust reporting capabilities, providing valuable insights into sales trends, customer behavior, and staff performance. Integration with third-party delivery services and online ordering platforms further enhances its functionality. While Toast offers a free basic plan with limited features, paid subscriptions are required to access its full potential. Pricing varies depending on the number of users, terminals, and desired functionalities. Compared to similar POS systems, Toast generally falls within the mid-range price bracket, offering a good balance between affordability and feature richness. However, user reviews highlight that its pricing structure can become complex for businesses with intricate needs.

Pros
  • Easy to use interface
  • Robust reporting tools
  • Third-party integrations
  • Scalable for all businesses
  • Free basic plan option
Cons
  • Mid-range pricing complexity
  • Limited customization options
  • Occasional technical issues
  • Long customer support wait times
  • Not ideal for complex inventory
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Revel Systems is a cloud-based business solution that unifies operations, customer channels and POS functionality into a single dashboard. It is designed for small to medium-sized businesses and restaurants. It includes a POS module with integrated inventory, social media and customer management support. Its reporting and analytics suite gives users real-time access to inventory, customer insights and sales data to make better business decisions.

It integrates with in-house services and third-parties to fit organizations’ needs. It serves all businesses, from small merchants to global enterprises. It runs on iPads and helps users access reports from any device via a browser.

Pros
  • Intuitive interface
  • iPad-based system
  • Comprehensive features
  • Scalability
  • Good customer support
Cons
  • Higher starting price
  • iPad dependency
  • Limited customization
  • Reporting challenges
  • Occasional bugs
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$69/Terminal, Monthly, Freemium
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Tailored to your specific needs
$99 Monthly
Get a free price quote
Tailored to your specific needs
Small 
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Large 
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Small 
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Medium 
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Large 
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Windows
Mac
Linux
Android
Chromebook
Windows
Mac
Linux
Android
Chromebook
Cloud
On-Premise
Mobile
Cloud
On-Premise
Mobile

Product Assistance

Documentation
In Person
Live Online
Videos
Webinars
Documentation
In Person
Live Online
Videos
Webinars
Email
Phone
Chat
FAQ
Forum
Knowledge Base
24/7 Live Support
Email
Phone
Chat
FAQ
Forum
Knowledge Base
24/7 Live Support

Product Insights

  • Smooth Onboarding: Simplify the training process with access to a knowledge base in Toast University that offers informative videos and interactive tutorials. 
  • Tech-Enabled: Allow dine-in guests to order and pay from their own devices. Save time and expedite processes by accepting payments for orders made using the in-store kiosk, on the app or in the restaurant with the Order & Pay tool. 
  • Ideal for the Enterprise: Improve capabilities and enhance the performance of the new business with Starter Kit. Place orders in less than 15 minutes and customize with preferred hardware and software solutions available at flat-rate pricing. 
  • Profitable: Integrate with third-party software providers, including Grubhub and OpenTable, to expand the customer base and boost sales. 
  • Accessible: Save efforts and complete time-sensitive tasks by storing information for multiple outlets, viewing data by location, updating menus, accessing employee activity, monitoring performance reports and more with remote and offline accessibility. 
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  • Smooth Payments: Ensure secure and fast payments at competitive rates using Revel Advantage. Provides payment reporting, data security and support from a single vendor. 
  • New Revenue Channels: Make greater profits with a drive-thru solution for customers who prefer off-premise dining. Add menu boards and streamline processes with mobile ordering and payments. Improve business performance with detailed reporting and insights by integrating with Delphi Display Systems. 
  • Enhance Security: Securely access data anywhere with Revel Guard XT. Protect business operations by receiving alerts about security threats. 
  • Innovative API: Expand business capabilities, add flexibility to operations and evolve services with a tailor-made, open API. Integrate important business aspects like marketing, CRM, inventory, reporting, payments and more with leading partners and ensure seamless workflow. 
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  • Online Ordering: Allow guests to order food online for takeout and delivery, schedule orders in advance, access the online menu and make contactless payments. Receive new orders directly in the restaurant’s point of sale system, customize the online ordering page, access customer insights and request guest feedback to modify services. 
  • Gift Cards and Rewards: Boost customer influx and increase revenue by selling modern e-Gift Cards. Allow users to text or email cards for in-store and online purchases. Check card balance and schedule gift cards in advance to build relationships with customers. Sell customized physical gift cards and review detailed reports on gift card sales. 
  • Expedited Delivery: Create an on-demand delivery network with local drivers at a single per-order fee. Simplify the process with real-time order tracking and advance scheduling, online payment options and review restaurant services based on customer behavior with reporting and analytics. 
  • Email Marketing: Improve communication and drive customer retention with emails. Run targeted promotions, increase revenue, automate outreach and campaigns, create custom email lists, run A/B tests to refine communication, and send customized messages to deepen brand loyalty. 
  • Self-help Services: Accelerate the online ordering experience with self-help kiosks. Leverage quick restaurant service, reduce wait times and increase staff productivity. Offer a personalized dining experience with order add-ons, SMS notifications and real-time menu updates. 
  • Workspace Management: Facilitate efficient team regulation with a centralized labor management system. Log and track work hours, monitor timesheets, calculate tips, ensure paycheck accuracy with automated wage recording, register new staff electronically and more. Get insight into employee performance with detailed reports and analytics. 
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  • iPad-based POS system: Runs on Apple iPads, providing a modern and intuitive interface with touchscreen capabilities.
  • Cloud-based platform: Accessible from anywhere with internet access, enabling remote management and real-time data updates.
  • Inventory management: Track stock levels, set low stock alerts, create purchase orders, and manage multiple warehouses.
  • Employee management: Create employee profiles, assign permissions, track hours, manage payroll, and schedule shifts.
  • Customer relationship management (CRM): Store customer information, track purchase history, run targeted marketing campaigns, and manage loyalty programs.
  • Reporting and analytics: Generate reports on sales, inventory, customers, employees, and finances.
  • Payment processing: Integrates with various payment gateways to accept credit cards, debit cards, contactless payments, and gift cards.
  • Kitchen display system (KDS): Streamlines kitchen operations with digital order tickets and visual cues for efficient preparation.
  • Table management: Track table status, manage reservations, split checks, and transfer orders between tables.
  • Online ordering: Accept orders through a branded website or mobile app for pickup or delivery.
  • Loyalty programs: Reward customers with points, discounts, and special offers to encourage repeat business.
  • Gift card management: Sell, track, and redeem physical and digital gift cards.
  • Integrations: Connects with popular accounting software, payment processors, marketing platforms, e-commerce platforms, and delivery services.
read more...

Product Ranking

#5

among all
POS Software

#58

among all
POS Software

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Analyst Rating Summary

79
76
67
67
100
93
100
80
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Customer and Loyalty Management
Employee Management
POS Hardware
Integration and Extensibility
Reporting and Insights
Reporting and Insights
Customer and Loyalty Management
Integration and Extensibility
Inventory Management

Analyst Ratings for Functional Requirements Customize This Data Customize This Data

Toast
Revel POS
+ Add Product + Add Product
Compliance And Security Customer And Loyalty Management Employee Management Inventory Management Items And Service Management Payment Transactions And Cash Management POS Hardware Reporting And Insights Sales And Marketing Management Store Management Types Of POS 67 100 100 68 85 76 93 88 52 54 85 67 93 80 87 75 78 50 100 62 63 78 0 25 50 75 100
67%
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80%
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11%
86%
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14%
71%
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29%
78%
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22%
78%
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90%
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88%
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12%
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44%
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56%
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75%
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Analyst Ratings for Technical Requirements Customize This Data Customize This Data

100%
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80%
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20%

User Sentiment Summary

Great User Sentiment 451 reviews
Good User Sentiment 735 reviews
86%
of users recommend this product

Toast has a 'great' User Satisfaction Rating of 86% when considering 451 user reviews from 4 recognized software review sites.

77%
of users recommend this product

Revel POS has a 'good' User Satisfaction Rating of 77% when considering 735 user reviews from 5 recognized software review sites.

4.7 (27)
4.0 (8)
4.4 (144)
4.2 (127)
n/a
3.7 (298)
4.2 (270)
3.8 (288)
4.3 (10)
4.6 (14)

Awards

SelectHub research analysts have evaluated Toast and concluded it earns best-in-class honors for Customer and Loyalty Management and POS Hardware.

Customer and Loyalty Management Award
POS Hardware Award

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Synopsis of User Ratings and Reviews

Intuitive interface: Users consistently praise Toast's easy-to-learn and navigate interface, with clear menus, large buttons, and simple workflows, making it accessible for staff of all technical levels.
Robust reporting: Toast's comprehensive reporting tools provide valuable insights into sales, inventory, labor costs, customer behavior, and more, empowering data-driven decision-making.
Mobile flexibility: Staff can take orders, process payments, and manage tables directly from tablets or smartphones, enhancing tableside service and flexibility during busy periods.
Reliable payment processing: Users commend Toast's integrated payment processing for its speed, reliability, and security, ensuring smooth transactions and minimizing downtime.
Scalability for growth: Toast's ability to accommodate multiple locations, expanding menus, and growing staff needs makes it a popular choice for businesses with expansion plans.
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Intuitive iPad interface: Users appreciate the sleek and user-friendly touchscreen interface, making it easy to navigate and train staff on.
Comprehensive features: Revel POS offers a robust set of features, covering core POS functions, inventory management, employee management, customer relationship management, reporting, payment processing, and more.
Cloud-based platform: Revel POS operates in the cloud, enabling remote access, real-time data updates, and automatic backups.
Industry-specific strengths: Revel POS excels in serving restaurants and retail businesses, with tailored features like table management, kitchen display systems, loyalty programs, and age verification for restricted items.
Scalability: Revel POS can grow with your business, supporting multiple locations and expanding needs.
Integrations: Revel POS integrates with various popular software, including accounting, payment processing, marketing, and e-commerce platforms.
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Pricing complexity: Users express frustration with Toast's tiered pricing structure, which can become confusing and expensive, especially for businesses with multiple locations or add-on features.
Limited customization: Some users find Toast's customization options for menus, reporting, and workflows to be somewhat restrictive, hindering their ability to tailor the system to unique business processes.
Technical glitches: Users occasionally report software glitches, hardware issues, or slow performance during peak hours, leading to temporary disruptions in operations.
Customer support wait times: While Toast offers 24/7 support, users sometimes experience long wait times for phone assistance or delayed responses to inquiries, causing frustration when urgent issues arise.
Inventory management limitations: Users with complex inventory needs, such as multiple suppliers or intricate recipe tracking, find Toast's inventory management capabilities to be somewhat basic and lacking in advanced features.
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Higher starting price: Revel POS's monthly subscription fees tend to be higher than some competitors, especially for their Pro plan with advanced features.
iPad dependency: The system relies exclusively on Apple iPads, which might not suit those who prefer Android devices or traditional desktop-based POS systems.
Limited customization: Users have noted some restrictions in tailoring the system's appearance and functionality to match highly specific business workflows or branding preferences.
Reporting challenges: While offering various reports, some users find the built-in reporting features less customizable and in-depth compared to competitors, making it harder to generate tailored insights.
Occasional bugs and glitches: Users have reported occasional software glitches or bugs, sometimes impacting operations, though customer support generally assists with troubleshooting.
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Toast garners praise for its user-friendly interface, robust reporting, and mobile capabilities, making it a popular choice for restaurants of various sizes. Users appreciate its intuitive design, which simplifies training and streamlines daily operations compared to competitors like Square and Lightspeed POS. Toast's extensive reporting, often highlighted as superior to competitors, empowers data-driven decision-making by offering detailed insights into sales, labor, and customer behavior. Additionally, the ability to manage orders and payments tableside using mobile devices sets Toast apart, enhancing staff flexibility and customer service during peak hours. However, concerns arise regarding Toast's pricing structure, customization options, and technical glitches. The multi-tiered pricing, perceived as more complex than competitors, can become expensive for businesses with specific needs or multiple locations. While Toast offers various features, users sometimes find them less customizable than those in competitors like Revel Systems, restricting their ability to tailor the system to their unique workflows. Occasional technical issues and reported long wait times for customer support raise concerns about reliability compared to competitors known for their robust technical support, such as Micros. Ultimately, Toast's strengths in user-friendliness, reporting, and mobility resonate with many users, but its pricing complexity, limited customization, and potential technical issues demand careful consideration. Deciding factors often boil down to individual business needs, budget constraints, and desired level of customization. Weighing Toast's strengths against its potential drawbacks alongside competitor offerings becomes crucial for making an informed decision.

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Revel POS draws praise for its user-friendly iPad interface, rich feature set, and cloud-based accessibility, making it a strong choice for businesses seeking a modern POS solution. Users particularly appreciate its strengths in serving restaurants and retail stores, with features like table management, kitchen displays, and age verification resonating well. Additionally, its scalability and integrations with popular software are seen as valuable assets. However, some find the starting price steeper than competitors, and the iPad dependency might not suit everyone. Customization limitations and less advanced reporting compared to pricier options are also mentioned as drawbacks. Ultimately, users perceive Revel POS as a user-friendly and well-rounded POS system, but those needing extensive customization, in-depth reporting, or a wider device compatibility might consider alternatives like Square or Shopify POS, depending on their specific priorities and budget.

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Screenshots

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