Side-by-Side Comparison
Every feature that matters when you are choosing a loyalty platform.
| Feature | Toast Loyalty | Growva |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly cost | $75+/mo | Free (Early Partner) |
| POS lock-in | Yes — Toast only | No — any POS works |
| Customer signup method | Phone number at checkout | QR scan (3 seconds) |
| App download required | Yes — Toast TakeOut app | No app needed |
| AI insights | No | Yes — Pulse AI advisor |
| Automated messaging | Basic | Smart automated SMS |
| Referral program | No | Built-in |
| Data ownership | Toast controls your data | You own your data |
Common Toast Loyalty Frustrations
These are the four problems we hear most from businesses that have tried Toast Loyalty — and how Growva addresses each one.
Toast Loyalty problem
Ecosystem lock-in
Toast Loyalty only works with Toast POS. If you ever consider switching register software, your loyalty program does not come with you.
How Growva fixes it
Growva approach
Growva runs independently of any POS. Switch hardware any time — your customer data and loyalty history stay with you.
Toast Loyalty problem
Slow enrollment at checkout
Asking customers for a phone number at a busy register creates friction, slows checkout lines, and leads to low opt-in rates.
How Growva fixes it
Growva approach
Customers scan a QR code at the counter on their own, enter their number once, and they are enrolled — no staff involvement needed.
Toast Loyalty problem
App dependency
Toast Loyalty requires customers to download the Toast TakeOut app to access their rewards. Most customers will not bother.
How Growva fixes it
Growva approach
Growva is fully app-free. Customers get a digital wallet link via SMS that works in any mobile browser, with zero downloads.
Toast Loyalty problem
High ongoing cost
$75+ per month for Toast Loyalty is charged on top of Toast POS fees, processing fees, and any other platform costs.
How Growva fixes it
Growva approach
Growva is free for early partners. After the pilot, plans start at $29/month — a fraction of the cost with no POS fee stacking.
Is Growva Right for You?
You are likely a strong fit if any of these sound familiar.
You are paying $75+/month for Toast Loyalty
That is over $900 a year for a loyalty add-on. Growva gives you more features at a fraction of the cost.
Your enrollment rates are low
If fewer than 20% of first-time customers are joining your loyalty program, checkout-based signup is probably the bottleneck.
You want to own your customer data
Your regulars are your most valuable asset. They should not be locked inside a platform you do not control.
You are considering switching POS systems
If a POS migration is on the horizon, now is the right time to decouple your loyalty program before you lose customer history.
Can I run Growva and Toast Loyalty at the same time?
Yes. Growva works alongside Toast — and running both simultaneously is actually a great way to compare performance.
During your Growva pilot, you can keep Toast Loyalty active and measure enrollment rates, repeat visit frequency, and customer engagement side by side. Most businesses see a measurable difference within the first two weeks.
There is no technical conflict between the two systems. When you are ready to consolidate, switching is straightforward with no customer data lost on the Growva side.
Frequently Asked Questions
Questions specific to switching from Toast Loyalty to Growva.
Ready to compare for yourself?
Start a free 30-day pilot. No credit card required. Run Growva alongside Toast and see the difference in 30 days.