When comparing Revel Systems and Toast, two prominent point-of-sale (POS) systems, it’s essential to consider various aspects, including their features, hardware compatibility, pricing, customer support, and suitability for different types of businesses. Both companies offer robust POS solutions, but they cater to slightly different needs and markets. Here’s a detailed comparison:
Overview
Revel Systems
Revel Systems, founded in 2010, is a cloud-based POS and business management system. It is particularly well-known for its comprehensive feature set and is suitable for a variety of businesses, including restaurants, retail stores, and enterprises. Revel Systems is designed to streamline operations and provide in-depth analytics to help businesses make data-driven decisions.
Toast
Toast, established in 2012, is a cloud-based POS system specifically designed for the restaurant industry. Toast aims to simplify restaurant operations, enhance the guest experience, and provide actionable insights to drive growth. Toast is known for its ease of use and robust restaurant-specific features.
Features
Revel Systems
- Customization: Highly customizable to fit various business needs, whether for retail, quick-service, or full-service restaurants.
- Inventory Management: Advanced inventory tracking, including ingredient-level management for restaurants.
- Employee Management: Scheduling, time tracking, and payroll integration.
- Reporting and Analytics: Detailed reports on sales, labor, inventory, and customer behavior.
- Customer Relationship Management (CRM): Tools for managing customer data and loyalty programs.
- Multi-Location Management: Centralized control for businesses with multiple locations.
- Kiosk and Online Ordering: Self-service kiosks and integration with online ordering platforms.
- Integrations: Extensive third-party integrations for accounting, marketing, and more.
Toast
- Ease of Use: User-friendly interface designed specifically for restaurant operations.
- Order Management: Efficient order taking and processing, including tableside ordering with handheld devices.
- Menu Management: Easy menu updates and modifications, including special promotions and seasonal items.
- Kitchen Display System (KDS): Streamlined kitchen operations with digital order display and tracking.
- Online Ordering and Delivery: Integrated online ordering and delivery management.
- Loyalty and Gift Cards: Built-in loyalty programs and gift card functionality.
- Reporting and Analytics: In-depth reports on sales, labor, and menu performance.
- Employee Management: Scheduling, time tracking, and payroll integration.
Hardware
Revel Systems
- iPad-Based: Primarily uses iPads for the POS terminals, offering flexibility and ease of use.
- Peripherals: Supports a variety of peripherals, including printers, cash drawers, barcode scanners, and more.
- Self-Service Kiosks: Available for quick-service environments to reduce wait times and improve order accuracy.
Toast
- Proprietary Hardware: Toast offers its proprietary hardware, including terminals, handheld devices, and KDS.
- Durability: Toast hardware is designed to withstand the rigors of a restaurant environment.
- Integrated Payments: Toast’s hardware seamlessly integrates with its payment processing services.
Pricing
Revel Systems
- Subscription Model: Monthly subscription fees, typically starting around $99 per terminal.
- Custom Quotes: Pricing can vary based on the specific needs and size of the business, with custom quotes available.
- Additional Costs: Potential additional costs for hardware, integrations, and advanced features.
Toast
- Subscription Model: Monthly subscription fees, starting around $69 per terminal for basic plans.
- Custom Quotes: Pricing varies based on the selected features and the size of the restaurant, with custom quotes provided.
- Hardware Costs: Additional costs for proprietary hardware, which can be purchased or leased.
- Payment Processing Fees: Transaction fees for integrated payment processing services.
Customer Support
Revel Systems
- 24/7 Support: Available via phone, email, and chat.
- Training Resources: Extensive online resources, including training videos, webinars, and documentation.
- Onboarding Assistance: Dedicated onboarding support to help new customers get up and running.
Toast
- 24/7 Support: Available via phone, email, and chat.
- Training Resources: Comprehensive online training materials, including videos, guides, and live webinars.
- Onboarding Support: Personalized onboarding services, including hardware setup and software configuration.
Suitability for Businesses
Revel Systems
- Versatility: Suitable for a wide range of businesses, including restaurants, retail stores, and multi-location enterprises.
- Customization: Ideal for businesses that require a highly customizable solution to meet specific operational needs.
- Scalability: Well-suited for growing businesses that need advanced features and multi-location management.
Toast
- Restaurant Focus: Specifically designed for restaurants, including quick-service, full-service, and fast-casual establishments.
- Ease of Use: Perfect for restaurant operators looking for an intuitive, easy-to-use system with minimal training required.
- Integrated Features: Great for restaurants that want a comprehensive solution with integrated online ordering, delivery, and loyalty programs.
Pros and Cons
Revel Systems
Pros:
- Highly customizable and versatile for various business types.
- Robust inventory and employee management features.
- Extensive third-party integrations.
- Strong reporting and analytics capabilities.
Cons:
- Higher learning curve due to extensive customization options.
- Potentially higher costs for advanced features and integrations.
Toast
Pros:
- Specifically designed for the restaurant industry, with industry-specific features.
- User-friendly interface and ease of use.
- Comprehensive suite of restaurant management tools.
- Integrated online ordering and delivery management.
Cons:
- Limited to the restaurant industry, not suitable for retail or other business types.
- Dependence on proprietary hardware can lead to higher initial costs.
- Potentially higher transaction fees for integrated payment processing.
Conclusion
Both Revel Systems and Toast offer powerful POS solutions, but they cater to different markets and business needs. Revel Systems is ideal for businesses that require a versatile, highly customizable POS system that can handle various operational requirements. It is suitable for restaurants, retail stores, and enterprises with multiple locations.
On the other hand, Toast is specifically designed for the restaurant industry, providing an intuitive, user-friendly system with a comprehensive suite of restaurant-specific features. It is perfect for restaurant operators looking for an integrated solution to streamline their operations, enhance the guest experience, and drive growth.
Ultimately, the choice between Revel Systems and Toast depends on the specific needs and goals of your business. If you run a restaurant and want a tailored solution with seamless integration of online ordering, delivery, and loyalty programs, Toast is likely the better choice. If you need a versatile POS system that can be customized to fit a variety of business types and operational requirements, Revel Systems may be the better option.
