Spatula vs Toast

A better deal than Toast.

Toast runs on its own terminals, usually under contract, and lists online processing at 3.50% + US$0.15 per order. Spatula needs no special hardware, has no contract, and adds no fee of its own to card payments.

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The maths

What each really costs

ToastUS$300 to US$2,000+/mo all-in (software + processing + hardware)

SpatulaFree or $149/mo flat, no hardware, no contract, card processing at Stripe's standard rate

Software (Starter)	US$0/mo
Software (Standard)	US$69/mo per terminal
Online ordering add-on	~US$75/mo
Online processing	3.50% + US$0.15/order
Hardware (terminals)	US$494 to US$1,034 each
Early termination fee	US$1,000 to US$5,000+

Feature by feature

Feature	Spatula	Toast
Card processing	Stripe: 1.75% + 30c for Australian cards	3.50% + US$0.15 per online order
No hardware required	✓	✗
No long-term contracts	✓	✗
Custom domain	✓	✗
True white-label	✓	✗
Full customer data ownership	✓	✗
Built-in merchant app (Android)	✓	Proprietary app
Group ordering	✓	✓
Scheduled orders with smart prep time	✓	✗
Half-and-half pizza builder	✓	✓
Meal deal / combo builder	✓	✗
Built-in loyalty program with tiers	✓	Paid add-on (US$175/mo)
Real-time order tracking + chat	✓	Tracking only
Menu import from competitors	✓	✗
Customer allergen profiles	✓	✗
Honest deal detection	✓	✗
Daily specials system	✓	✗
Australian market support	✓	✗
Kitchen display system	✓	✓
Integrated POS	✗	✓

Why restaurants switch

Toast's own hardware

Toast runs on its own terminals (US$494 to US$1,034 each), built to run Toast. Spatula's merchant app runs on Android phones, tablets and Sunmi terminals you may already own.

3.50% + US$0.15 on every online order

Toast lists online processing at 3.50% + US$0.15 per order. On US$20k/mo in online orders, that's about US$730/mo. On Spatula, card payments go through Stripe at its standard rate (1.75% + 30c for Australian cards), paid to Stripe, with no Spatula fee on top.

Multi-year contracts and exit fees

Toast agreements can run for multiple years, with early termination fees of US$1,000 to US$5,000+. Spatula has no contract: cancel any time.

A consumer marketplace too

Toast also runs Toast TakeOut, a consumer app that lists Toast restaurants. Spatula doesn't run a marketplace: customers order on your own site, and your customer list is yours to export.

Frequently asked questions

How much does Toast really cost?

A typical Toast setup costs US$300 to US$2,000+/month when you factor in terminal fees, online ordering add-on, processing fees (3.50% + US$0.15 on online orders), and hardware payments. Spatula is free, or $149/mo flat on Pro, with no commission, no per-order fee and no hardware to buy. Card payments cost Stripe's standard rate, paid to Stripe.

What happens to my Toast hardware if I switch?

Toast terminals are built to run Toast, so they may not be reusable with another system. Spatula's merchant app runs on Android phones, tablets and Sunmi terminals, and the dashboard runs in any web browser.

Can I get out of my Toast contract?

Toast contracts typically have early termination fees of US$1,000 to US$5,000+. Check your agreement for specifics. Spatula has no contracts and no cancellation fees, cancel anytime.

Does Spatula replace Toast completely?

Spatula replaces Toast's online ordering, website, and order management. If you need a full POS for in-person payments, you can pair Spatula with any POS you choose, you're not locked into one ecosystem.

Is Spatula set up for Australian restaurants?

Yes. Spatula is Australian, with GST handled, local payment methods and support in your time zone. Toast publishes its pricing in US dollars.