vsShopify POS vs Toast POS
POS integration head-to-head for ERP teams: evidenced capabilities, published pricing, and which ERPs each actually integrates with.
 Shopify POS | ||
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | Freemium + per-location subscription add-on | Tiered software subscription plus hardware and payment-processing fees, with a Pay-As-You-Go option |
| Deployment | Cloud | Cloud |
| Company size | SMB, Mid-market | SMB, Mid-market, Enterprise |
| Stated ERP integrations | NetSuite, Microsoft Dynamics 365, Acumatica, SAP | QuickBooks |
| Vendor | Shopify | Toast, Inc. |
Our take
Where Shopify POS leads
- Stronger evidenced coverage on 18 of the 30 capabilities where they differ (led by digital wallet support and demand forecasting).
- Stated NetSuite, Microsoft Dynamics 365, Acumatica, SAP integration the alternative doesn't list.
Where Toast POS leads
- Stronger evidenced coverage on 12 of the 30 capabilities where they differ (led by offline-resilient checkout and ai-assisted insights).
- Stated QuickBooks integration the alternative doesn't list.
Where they differ
The 30 capabilities (of 54 in the POS integration taxonomy) where the evidence separates them, biggest gaps first. “Not evidenced” means our research found no public documentation of this capability — the vendor may still offer it. Confirm on a demo.
| Capability | Shopify POS | |
|---|---|---|
| Offline-resilient checkoutCheckout & Transactions | Not evidenced | Core strength Offline mode keeps orders, tickets and card payments running without internet |
| Digital wallet supportPayments & Payment Processing | Core strength Tap to Pay on iPhone and Android | Not evidenced |
| Demand forecastingInventory & Stock Management | Core strength AI-assisted demand forecasting and rebalancing (Shopify Sidekick) | Not evidenced |
| Ship-from-storeOmnichannel & eCommerce Fulfillment | Core strength Buy in store ship to customer; ship from store; local delivery order management | Not evidenced |
| Unified catalog & pricingOmnichannel & eCommerce Fulfillment | Core strength Real-time multi-location inventory sync across in-store and online channels | Not evidenced |
| AI-assisted insightsReporting & Analytics | Not evidenced | Core strength Toast IQ: sales forecasting, menu insights, labor-hours optimization, guest win-back |
| Payroll integrationStaff & Workforce Management | Not evidenced | Core strength Payroll with hours and tips flowing directly from terminal closeouts |
| Kitchen Display SystemHospitality & Vertical Operations | Not evidenced | Core strength Kitchen Display System |
| Menu managementHospitality & Vertical Operations | Not evidenced | Core strength Menu management with real-time updates across locations |
| Delivery order routingHospitality & Vertical Operations | Not evidenced | Core strength Third-party delivery orders (Grubhub, Uber Eats, DoorDash) routed to a single kitchen screen |
| Returns, exchanges & layawayCheckout & Transactions | Supported Returns, exchanges, and order cancellations/voids | Not evidenced |
| Quotes & draft ordersCheckout & Transactions | Supported Draft orders and custom line items/bundling | Not evidenced |
| Alternative payment methodsPayments & Payment Processing | Supported Shop Pay Installments at checkout | Not evidenced |
| Purchase order automationInventory & Stock Management | Supported Purchase order creation and tracking | Not evidenced |
| Inter-location stock transfersInventory & Stock Management | Supported Inventory transfers between locations | Not evidenced |
| Low-stock alertsInventory & Stock Management | Supported Low-stock alerts via Shopify Flow | Not evidenced |
| Built-in loyalty programCustomer Engagement & Loyalty | Not evidenced | Supported Loyalty program with tiered rewards and sign-up bonuses |
| Promotions & discount engineCustomer Engagement & Loyalty | Supported Dollar and percentage discounts with manager approval controls | Not evidenced |
| Role-based permissionsStaff & Workforce Management | Supported Custom roles and permissions (POS Pro) | Not evidenced |
| Shift scheduling & timeclockStaff & Workforce Management | Not evidenced | Supported Employee scheduling |
| Staff PIN / individual loginStaff & Workforce Management | Supported Unique staff PINs for login | Not evidenced |
| GL journal syncPlatform, Accounting & Integrations | Not evidenced | Supported Daily sales journal entries created in QuickBooks Online via xtraCHEF Sync |
| Public APIPlatform, Accounting & Integrations | Supported Reached via third-party connector apps and iPaaS platforms | Not evidenced |
| Certified ERP connectorPlatform, Accounting & Integrations | Core strength Global ERP Program partners for NetSuite, Dynamics 365 Business Central and Acumatica | Partial xtraCHEF Sync for QuickBooks Online requires a premium xtraCHEF subscription |
| Customizable checkout UICheckout & Transactions | Core strength Customizable Smart Grid checkout interface | Supported Configurable display modes and order views, including dark/light mode |
| Integrated card paymentsPayments & Payment Processing | Supported Shopify Tap & Chip Bluetooth card reader; tap, dip, swipe | Core strength Integrated, PCI-compliant payment processing built into every terminal |
| Integrated payment processingPayments & Payment Processing | Supported Payouts in 1-3 business days via Shopify's own processing | Core strength Toast is a payment facilitator, not a pass-through gateway |
| Real-time multi-location inventoryInventory & Stock Management | Core strength Real-time multi-location inventory sync | Supported xtraCHEF inventory management with actual-vs-theoretical variance analysis |
| BOPIS & curbside fulfillmentOmnichannel & eCommerce Fulfillment | Core strength Buy online pick up in store; buy online exchange or return in store | Supported Toast Mobile Order & Pay; Toast Delivery Services |
| Commission & tip trackingStaff & Workforce Management | Supported Sales commission attribution and tipping | Core strength Tips management and pooling with an approval workflow; Toast Pay Card & PayOut |
Both grade identically on the other 24 capabilities — see each product's full profile: Shopify POS, Toast POS.
Shopify POS vs Toast POS — FAQs
Is Shopify POS or Toast POS better for ERP integration?
They state different ERP coverage: Shopify POS lists NetSuite, Microsoft Dynamics 365, Acumatica, SAP; Toast POS lists QuickBooks.
Which is cheaper, Shopify POS or Toast POS?
Neither publishes a list price — both quote. Ask each for the all-in first-year cost at your seat count, as one number, and compare those.
Get pricing for both
Tell us your ERP, seat count and must-haves and we'll come back with an independent view of what Shopify POS and Toast POS should each cost you — and whether a third option belongs on your shortlist.