Let me be straight with you: I built Outbites because I got tired of watching food truck operators bleed money to bloated platforms.
But that doesn't mean Toast is bad. It's just not for everyone.
This isn't one of those "our product is better" comparison articles. Toast is an excellent platform they've invested hundreds of millions building a comprehensive restaurant management system. Their tech is solid. Their support is professional.
But you might be paying for a Ferrari when you need a pickup truck.
So let's cut through the marketing BS and talk real numbers, actual features, and which platform makes sense for your specific situation.
Let's Talk Money: The REAL Costs
Most comparison articles dance around pricing. Not here. We're showing you actual line-item costs based on current public pricing.
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Toast Starter
The "basic" tier
$69/month
Base platform fee (you pay, no matter what)
Online ordering
Included
Loyalty program
+$50/mo
Marketing suite
+$45/mo
Hardware (terminal)
$799-1,200
Total Monthly:
$164/mo
*Plus 2.49% + 15¢ per transaction via Toast Payments
⚡
Outbites
You choose who pays
$0 - $1/order
Pass the $1 fee to customers = $0 cost to you
Online ordering
$0-$1/order
Loyalty program
Included
SMS updates
Included
Hardware needed
$0 (any device)
Monthly platform fee
$0
💡 Your Choice:
- • Pass to customer: They pay $1, you pay $0
- • You absorb: You pay $1/order
- • Split it: Customer pays $0.50, you pay $0.50
Your cost @ 100 orders:
$0 - $100/mo
*Plus your Stripe/Square rate (no markup from us)
🎯 The Real Pricing Difference
Toast charges you $164/month whether you get 10 orders or 1,000. That money comes out of YOUR pocket no matter what.
Outbites? You decide who pays. Pass the $1 fee to customers and your platform cost is literally zero. Even if you absorb it, you only pay when you make money. No orders? No cost. That's the difference.
⚠️ Hidden Toast Costs Nobody Talks About
- Hardware requirement: You NEED their POS terminal even if you only want online ordering. That's $799-1,200 upfront OR $75+/month rental.
- Contract commitment: Typically 1-3 years. Want to cancel early? Expect fees.
- Setup time: 5-7 days minimum for hardware delivery + installation.
- Training required: Your team needs to learn a new system. That's time and lost productivity.
The Feature-by-Feature Breakdown
Let's get into the actual features. What do you get with each platform? Where do they overlap? Where do they differ?
| Feature |
Toast |
Outbites |
| Monthly Platform Fee |
$69+ per month |
$0/month |
| Per-Order Fee |
None |
$1 per order |
| Credit Card Processing |
2.49% + 15¢ |
Your rate (no markup) |
| Setup Time |
5-7 days |
15 minutes |
| Hardware Required |
Yes ($799-1,200) |
No |
| QR Code Ordering |
Yes |
Yes |
| Loyalty Program |
+$50/month |
Included |
| SMS Notifications |
+$45/month |
Included |
| Own Customer Data |
Yes |
Yes |
| Full POS System |
Yes |
No |
| Inventory Management |
Yes |
No |
| Employee Management |
Yes |
No |
| Multi-Location Support |
Yes |
Yes |
| Contract Required |
1-3 years |
None |
| Customer Support |
24/7 phone |
Email support |
Notice the pattern? Toast is a full restaurant management system. Outbites started with ruthless focus on online ordering, and we're stacking the rest of the restaurant OS, slowly but surely. Different tools for different jobs.
The Math: When Does Each Make Sense?
Forget the feature lists. Let's talk actual dollars over 12 months at different order volumes. Use the slider to choose how much of the $1 Outbites fee you absorb versus passing along to guests.
Annual Cost Comparison
Toast base ($69) + Loyalty ($50) + Marketing ($45) = $164/month. Outbites starts at $1/order — split it however you want.
How much of the $1 Outbites fee do you cover?
0% vendor share — every guest covers the convenience fee.
0%
You cover $0.00/order.
Guests cover the rest.
| Monthly Orders |
Toast Annual |
Outbites Annual |
Savings |
| 50/month |
$1,968 |
$0 |
$1,968 saved ✓ |
| 100/month |
$1,968 |
$0 |
$1,968 saved ✓ |
| 165/month |
$1,968 |
$0 |
~Break Even |
| 200/month |
$1,968 |
$0 |
Toast cheaper |
| 300/month |
$1,968 |
$0 |
Toast cheaper |
The Break-Even Point:
When guests cover the whole fee, you're instantly up $1,968/year versus Toast. Slide the control to see where that crossover lands as you absorb more of the dollar.
"But Joe, Toast becomes cheaper at high volume!"
True. But if you're doing 300+ orders/month, do you really just need online ordering? Or do you need the full POS, inventory tracking, and employee management that Toast provides? That's the real question.
Real-World Scenarios: Which Platform Fits?
Stop thinking in features. Start thinking in situations. Here's who should choose what.
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Food Truck: 50-150 Orders/Month
You're mobile. Margins are tight. You need customers to order ahead so the line moves faster. You don't need inventory management or employee scheduling you're wearing all the hats anyway.
Winner: Outbites.
Save $1,000+ annually. Launch today.
🏪
Brick-and-Mortar: 3 Locations
You need to track inventory across stores, manage 15+ employees, sync in-store POS with online ordering, and integrate with accounting software. You're running a real operation.
Winner: Toast.
You need the full ecosystem. Worth the cost.
👻
Ghost Kitchen: 2-3 Virtual Brands
Running multiple menus from one kitchen. Volume is 100-300 orders/month. Need separate ordering pages for each brand but no in-person POS.
Winner: Outbites.
Create multiple pages. Pay only per order.
🍕
Pizzeria: Dine-In + Delivery
Storefront with tables. Need tableside ordering, kitchen display system, inventory tracking for dough and toppings, and employee management. Online orders are 40% of revenue.
Winner: Toast.
Integrated POS justifies the cost.
🥗
Pop-Up: 2-3 Days/Week
Testing a concept or running weekend markets. Orders vary wildly sometimes 20, sometimes 80. Can't justify $164/month when you're not operating full-time.
Winner: Outbites.
Pay per order. No fixed costs.
What People Get Wrong About This Comparison
Myth #1: "Toast is enterprise, Outbites is basic"
Not exactly. Toast is a full POS ecosystem. Outbites is a focused online ordering tool. Different tools for different jobs. A food truck doesn't need "enterprise" anything they need customers to order faster without paying 30% to DoorDash.
Myth #2: "You get what you pay for"
Sometimes. But often you're paying for features you'll never use. If you don't need employee scheduling, inventory tracking, or multi-location sync, why pay for them? It's like buying a pickup truck when you need a motorcycle.
Myth #3: "Toast has better support"
True. Toast has 24/7 phone support and dedicated reps. Outbites is a small team with email support. If you need hand-holding, Toast wins. If you're tech-savvy, Outbites' simplicity means there's less to break.
Myth #4: "Outbites is only for food trucks"
False. While food trucks are the core market, any single-location operator who wants commission-free ordering can benefit. Ghost kitchens, pop-ups, small cafes, bakeries if you don't need a full POS, you don't need Toast.
The Setup Experience: Time to First Order
Toast Setup Process
1.
Schedule demo with sales rep
2.
Go through needs analysis
3.
Sign contract (1-3 years)
4.
Wait 5-7 days for hardware
7.
Integrate with existing tools
Outbites Setup Process
1.
Sign up online (2 minutes)
2.
Add menu + photos (5 minutes)
3.
Connect Stripe/Square (3 minutes)
4.
Get QR code + link (instant)
5.
Share on Instagram/website (5 min)
✓
Start taking orders immediately
The Honest Truth
Toast is an excellent platform. They've built something comprehensive and powerful. Their hardware is solid. Their support is professional. Their integrations are extensive.
But (and this is critical) most food truck operators, ghost kitchens, and small single-location spots don't need all that complexity.
They need:
- A way to take orders online
- To own their customer data
- To avoid paying 30% to DoorDash
- To keep their costs low while they grow
That's exactly what Outbites does. Nothing more. Nothing less.
Think of it this way: Toast is a Swiss Army knife with 47 tools. Powerful. Versatile. Heavy. Expensive.
Outbites is a single sharp blade. Does one job perfectly. Light. Affordable.
Neither is "better." They're different tools for different needs.
How to Actually Decide
Stop reading reviews. Ask yourself these questions:
Your Decision Framework
1. What's my order volume?
Under 165/month? Outbites cheaper. Over 200/month? Toast might make sense IF you need their features.
2. Do I need a full POS?
Dine-in service? Inventory? Multiple locations? You need Toast. Just online orders? Outbites.
3. Tech comfort level?
Need hand-holding? Toast's support is worth it. Tech-savvy? Outbites' simplicity = less to break.
4. Locked into a processor?
Toast uses Toast Payments (mostly). Outbites works with your existing Stripe/Square. No switching.
5. How fast to launch?
Toast = 1-2 weeks (hardware). Outbites = 15 minutes (works on your phone now).
6. Growth plans?
Multiple locations coming? Toast grows with you. Staying focused? Outbites keeps costs low.
The Bottom Line
This isn't about which platform is "better." It's about which one fits your actual needs right now.
If you're running a multi-location restaurant with dine-in service, complex inventory, and a team of 20+ employees Toast is probably the right choice. The features justify the cost.
If you're a food truck operator doing 100 orders a month and you just need customers to order online without paying DoorDash 30% Outbites will save you $768/year and you can launch this afternoon.
That's it. That's the comparison.
No marketing spin. No hidden agenda. Just real numbers and honest trade-offs.
Choose the tool that fits your business. Not the one with the biggest marketing budget.
Ready to Own Your Ordering?
Set up Outbites in 15 minutes. First 50 orders every month are free, forever. No credit card. No contracts. No BS.
First 50 orders free every month • Cancel anytime • $1 per order after that
About the Author: Joe Scott is the founder of Outbites. He built this platform after watching too many food truck operators bleed money to delivery apps. This comparison is based on publicly available pricing as of November 2025 and real conversations with operators using both platforms. Toast is a registered trademark of Toast, Inc. This is an independent comparison, we're not affiliated with Toast.
