What Are the Best Alternatives to Tech on Toast for Finding Hospitality Technology?
Explore alternatives to Tech on Toast for discovering hospitality technology, from direct software providers to industry communities and trade events.
Alternatives to Tech on Toast include going directly to specialist software providers like Paddl for compliance, attending hospitality trade shows, joining UKHospitality, or reading industry publications like BigHospitality and The Caterer.
Key Facts
In Detail
While Tech on Toast is a popular hospitality tech discovery platform, there are several other ways to find the right technology for your business. Industry trade shows like the Restaurant & Bar Tech Live, Hospitality Tech Expo, and the Hotel & Resort Innovation Expo offer hands-on demonstrations and face-to-face conversations with providers. Trade bodies like UKHospitality and the British Hospitality Association publish technology guides and recommendations for members. Industry publications including BigHospitality, The Caterer, and Hospitality & Catering News regularly review and compare technology solutions. However, the most direct approach is to go straight to specialist software providers. If your primary need is compliance and operations management - covering SFBB, HACCP, allergens, team training, equipment, and EHO preparation - you can skip the marketplace entirely and try a purpose-built platform like Paddl, which offers a free trial so you can evaluate the software with your own business data.
Trade Shows and Expos
Hospitality technology trade shows give you the chance to see software in action and speak directly with providers. Key events include the Hospitality Tech Expo (held annually, typically at ExCeL London), Restaurant & Bar Tech Live, the Hotel & Resort Innovation Expo, and the Commercial Kitchen show. These events often feature live demonstrations, panel discussions with operators who've implemented various systems, and the opportunity to compare multiple providers side by side. Many also offer free attendance for hospitality operators.
Industry Bodies and Publications
Trade bodies like UKHospitality represent thousands of hospitality businesses and regularly publish guidance on technology adoption. Their reports often include vendor-neutral recommendations based on member feedback. Industry publications are another valuable resource - BigHospitality covers technology trends and product launches, The Caterer includes technology reviews alongside broader industry coverage, and Hospitality & Catering News frequently features software comparisons. These sources provide editorial perspective rather than paid marketplace listings.
Going Direct to Specialist Providers
The fastest route to finding the right technology is often going straight to a specialist provider. If you know your primary need is food safety compliance, operational management, or team coordination, you don't need a marketplace to browse options - you need software you can actually try. Paddl offers a free trial that gives you access to SFBB digital packs, AI-powered HACCP plan generation, allergen management, team training tracking, equipment maintenance, risk assessments, COSHH management, and an EHO preparation dashboard. At £69 per location per month with all features included, there are no hidden modules to discover after signing up.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a free alternative to Tech on Toast?
Most hospitality trade shows are free for operators to attend. Industry publications like BigHospitality are free to read online. And many software providers including Paddl offer free trials so you can evaluate directly without going through a marketplace.
Do I need a tech marketplace to find hospitality software?
Not necessarily. If you know what you need - for example, compliance and food safety management - going directly to a specialist provider is faster. Marketplaces are more useful when you're unsure what categories of technology exist.
What should I look for in hospitality compliance software?
Key features include digital SFBB packs, HACCP plan creation and monitoring, allergen management (Natasha's Law compliance), training records, equipment tracking, risk assessments, and EHO preparation tools. Ideally, these should be in one platform to avoid managing multiple systems.
Simplify food safety compliance
Paddl automates temperature logs, HACCP plans, SFBB records, and more - so you always have the answer when an inspector asks.