Choosing the right restaurant ordering system is one of the most important decisions a restaurant owner can make. While platforms like Toast POS are widely used, many restaurants are now looking into commission-free ordering systems to cut costs and boost profits.

If you’re wondering whether Toast or a commission-free solution is better for your business, the real question is:
Which one actually saves you more money in the long run?

In this blog, we’ll compare Toast and commission-free restaurant ordering systems based on pricing, features, and return on investment (ROI) to help you make the right choice for your business.

Understanding Toast POS Pricing

Toast is a popular restaurant POS system that offers ordering, payment processing, and management tools. While it provides a complete solution, the cost structure can add up quickly.

Typical Toast Costs Include:

• Monthly subscription fees
• Payment processing fees
• Add-on charges for marketing, loyalty, and online ordering
• Hardware costs (POS devices, terminals)

For many small restaurants, these recurring costs can significantly impact profitability over time.

What Are Commission-Free Ordering Systems?

Commission-free ordering systems allow restaurants to accept orders directly from their own website without paying high third-party fees.

Instead of losing 20–30% per order, restaurants keep most of their revenue and maintain full control over their operations.

Platforms like myRestro are designed to provide:

• Direct online ordering
• Branded restaurant websites
• Integrated marketing tools
• Flexible delivery and payment integrations

This approach shifts restaurants away from dependency on third-party platforms and toward direct-to-customer ordering.

Cost Comparison: Toast vs Commission-Free Systems

Let’s look at a simple example:

Scenario:

• Average order value: $50
• Monthly orders: 300

Using Toast (Estimated Costs):

• Monthly subscription: $100+
• Payment processing: ~2.9% per order
• Add-ons (marketing, loyalty): extra

Total cost adds up quickly, reducing overall profit margins.

Using Commission-Free System (Like myRestro):

• 0% commission during free trial
• Only 10% per order after trial
• No monthly subscription fee
• No setup cost

Restaurants keep significantly more revenue per order and avoid recurring expenses.

Feature Comparison

Feature	Toast POS	Commission-Free Systems (myRestro)
Monthly Fees	Yes	No
Commission on Orders	Yes (processing + add-ons)	0% trial / 10% after
Branded Website	Limited	Fully branded
Customer Data Access	Limited	Full access
Marketing Tools	Paid add-ons	Free tools included
Online Ordering	Yes	Yes (direct ordering)
Contracts	Often required	No contracts

Why Commission-Free Systems Save More

1. No Monthly Fees

With Toast, you pay every month regardless of performance. Commission-free systems eliminate this fixed cost.

2. Lower Overall Costs Per Order

Even with a small commission after trial, commission-free systems are often cheaper than combined POS + delivery + marketing costs.

3. Built-In Marketing Tools

Instead of paying extra, platforms like myRestro include:

• Email campaigns
• SMS marketing
• Coupons and promotions

These tools help increase repeat orders without additional expenses.

4. Direct Customer Relationships

With Toast and third-party platforms, customer data is often limited.

With commission-free systems:

• You own your customer data
• You can build loyalty programs
• You can market directly to customers

The Hidden Cost of Traditional Systems

Many restaurant owners focus only on visible costs like subscriptions, but the hidden costs are often bigger:

• Lost revenue from third-party commissions
• Missed marketing opportunities
• Lack of repeat customers
• Limited brand visibility

Over time, these hidden factors can reduce your growth potential.

ROI Comparison: Which System Wins?

Let’s compare ROI in simple terms:

Toast

• Higher upfront and ongoing costs
• Additional fees for growth tools
• Slower return on investment

Commission-Free Systems

• Low or zero upfront cost
• Higher profit per order
• Built-in growth tools
• Faster ROI

Commission-free systems provide better long-term value and higher profitability, especially for small and medium-sized restaurants.

Who Should Choose Toast?

Toast may be suitable for:

• Large restaurants with high budgets
• Businesses needing advanced POS hardware
• Restaurants comfortable with ongoing monthly costs

Who Should Choose Commission-Free Ordering Systems?

Commission-free systems like myRestro are ideal for:

• Small restaurants
• Growing businesses
• Multi-location restaurants
• Owners who want to reduce costs and increase control

Final Verdict: Which Saves More?

If your goal is to:

• Reduce costs
• Keep more profit per order
• Build your brand
• Own your customer relationships

Then commission-free ordering systems clearly save more than Toast.

While Toast offers strong POS functionality, its pricing structure makes it less cost-effective for many restaurants compared to modern, direct-ordering platforms.

Take Control of Your Restaurant Profits

Stop losing money to high fees and subscriptions. Switch to a commission-free restaurant ordering system and start maximizing your revenue today.

With myRestro, you get:
✔ Branded restaurant website
✔ Direct online ordering
✔ Free marketing tools
✔ No monthly fees
✔ 90-day free trial

Start Growing Your Restaurant Today

Phone: +1 (562) 366-0646
Email: info@myrestro.io
Address: 18000 Pioneer Blvd, Suite #203, Artesia, CA 90701
Website: https://myrestro.io

Start your FREE trial today and see how much you can save!