PortalPay vs Toast: Restaurant Payment Processing

Pay 70% less in fees, get free kitchen display system, and accept crypto payments. Purpose-built for restaurants without the Toast price tag.

70%

Lower Fees

$4,428

Average Annual Savings

Instant

Settlement Time

Feature Comparison

Feature	PortalPay	Toast
Processing Fee	0.5-1%	2.49% + 15¢
Monthly Software Fee	$0	$165/mo per terminal
Annual Software Cost	$0	$1,980+
Kitchen Display	Free	Included
Table Management	Free	Included
Menu Management	Free	Included
Online Ordering	Free	Extra fee
Gift Cards	Free	$50/mo
Loyalty Program	Free	$50/mo
Settlement Speed	Instant	2-3 days
Hardware Required	Any device	Toast hardware ($799+)
Contract	None	Often required
Setup Fee	$0	$0-500

Real-World Savings Examples

Small Cafe ($7k/month)

With Toast:$4,254/year

With PortalPay:$630/year

You Save:$3,624

85% annual savings

Casual Dining ($15k/month)

With Toast:$6,708/year

With PortalPay:$1,350/year

You Save:$5,358

80% annual savings

Fast Casual ($12k/month)

With Toast:$5,868/year

With PortalPay:$1,080/year

You Save:$4,788

82% annual savings

Fine Dining ($25k/month)

With Toast:$10,230/year

With PortalPay:$2,250/year

You Save:$7,980

78% annual savings

How to Switch from Toast to PortalPay

1
Export menu from Toast system
2
Set up PortalPay with crypto wallet
3
Import menu with modifiers and pricing
4
Set up kitchen display on tablet
5
Configure table layout
6
Train staff on QR code system
7
Run parallel for one week
8
Complete switch to PortalPay

Why Businesses Switch to PortalPay

Problems with Toast

✗High processing fees (2.49% + 0.15¢)
✗Monthly software fees ($165+)
✗Slow settlement (1-3 business days)
✗Chargeback losses
✗Requires traditional bank account
✗Limited crypto support

Benefits of PortalPay

✓Ultra-low fees (0.5-1% total)
✓No monthly fees ever
✓Instant settlement (seconds)
✓Zero chargebacks
✓No bank account required
✓Accept both crypto and cards
✓Free enterprise features included

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it hard to switch from Toast to PortalPay?

No! Most businesses complete the switch in under an hour. You can export your data from Toast, set up your PortalPay account, and start accepting payments the same day. Many merchants run both systems in parallel for a week to ensure a smooth transition. Our support team helps with the migration.

Will my customers need crypto wallets?

No. While crypto enthusiasts can pay directly with their wallets, any customer can pay using credit/debit cards, Apple Pay, or Google Pay through our onramp. We handle the crypto conversion instantly. Your customers won't even know it's crypto - they just see a simple payment experience.

How much will I really save?

On average, businesses save 70-85% on total payment processing costs. The exact savings depend on your monthly volume and current Toast plan. Use our cost calculator above to see your specific savings. Most businesses save between $2,000-10,000 annually.

Do I need a bank account to use PortalPay?

No! This is a major advantage over Toast. Payments go directly to your crypto wallet. You can hold as crypto, convert to stablecoins, or cash out to your local currency. Perfect for international businesses or new companies that struggle with traditional banking.

What about features I use in Toast?

PortalPay includes all essential features for your industry - and they're all free. We have specialized POS systems for restaurants, retail, hotels, and more. Check the feature comparison table above to see specific capabilities. In most cases, you'll get more features than Toast offers, at no extra cost.

Is settlement really instant?

Yes! Crypto transactions settle in seconds, not days. Compare this to Toast's 1-3 business day wait. You have immediate access to your funds for restocking, payroll, or any other needs. No more waiting for batch processing or dealing with hold times.