Best restaurant booking systems 2026

The best restaurant booking system for most restaurants is Resos because it offers a free tier and paid plans from $24/month with no per-cover fees. For restaurants prioritizing network reach over cost, OpenTable remains the largest platform despite fees of $0.25-$1.50 per cover.

Key takeaways

• Best overall: Resos, free tier with no cover fees and transparent pricing
• Best value: Resos, paid plans from $24/month with unlimited bookings
• Best for network exposure: OpenTable, largest diner network with 31 million seated diners monthly
• Best for upscale dining: Resy, premium positioning with American Express integration
• Best for ticketed events: Tock, prepaid dining eliminates no-shows

Best restaurant booking systems at a glance 2026

How we evaluated

Our evaluation focused on the factors that matter most to restaurant operators:

Pricing transparency. We looked beyond headline subscription prices to understand total cost of ownership, including per-cover fees, transaction fees, and hidden charges.

Feature completeness. We assessed core functionality: online reservations, table management, waitlist management, guest profiles, reporting, and mobile accessibility.

Ease of use. We considered the learning curve for staff, the guest booking experience, and interface quality.

Value for different restaurant types. A system perfect for fine dining may be overpriced for a neighborhood bistro. We evaluated each platform’s fit for different use cases.

1. Resos, best overall value

Resos has emerged as the value leader in the restaurant booking space, offering genuine affordability with no hidden costs. Unlike legacy platforms that charge per-cover fees, Resos provides straightforward subscription pricing.

Key features:

• Free tier with 25 bookings per month, no credit card required
• No per-cover fees on any plan
• Modern interface built with current technology
• Visual floor plan and table management
• Guest profiles with preference tracking

Pricing: Free (25 bookings/month), Basic $47/month ($24 promo), Plus $98/month ($49 promo), Unlimited $149/month ($75 promo). No per-cover fees. No contracts.

Pros:

• Generous free tier for testing or low-volume restaurants
• Predictable costs with no usage-based surprises
• Quick setup under 30 minutes

Cons:

• Smaller diner network than OpenTable
• Newer platform with less brand recognition
• Fewer enterprise integrations

Best for: Small to medium restaurants seeking affordable booking software with transparent pricing and no hidden fees.

2. OpenTable, largest network

OpenTable remains the dominant player with over 60,000 restaurant partners and 31 million seated diners monthly. For restaurants seeking maximum exposure, OpenTable’s reach is unmatched, though the cost is significant.

Key features:

• Massive diner network with millions of active users
• Full table management and guest profiles
• Marketing tools and advanced analytics
• Strong brand recognition among diners

Pricing: Basic $149/month + $1.50 per network cover (website covers $0.25 each or $49/month flat), Core $299/month + $1 per network cover (website included), Pro $499/month + $1 per network cover (website included). See OpenTable pricing for current rates (as of February 2026).

Pros:

• Largest diner network drives discovery
• Well-known brand diners trust
• Detailed reporting and analytics

Cons:

• Per-cover fees add up quickly (can exceed $500/month for busy restaurants)
• Complex pricing structure makes budgeting difficult
• Diners often identify as “OpenTable customers” rather than yours

Best for: High-volume restaurants in competitive markets that need discovery and can absorb per-cover fees.

3. Resy, premium choice for upscale dining

Resy has built a strong brand in the upscale dining segment. Acquired by American Express in 2019, Resy offers unique benefits for Amex cardholders, creating a symbiotic relationship with the premium dining market.

Key features:

• No per-cover fees on flat subscription
• American Express integration with cardholder perks
• Clean, modern interface matching upscale positioning
• Strong VIP recognition features

Pricing: Basic $249/month, Pro $399/month, Enterprise $899/month. No per-cover fees. No free trial. See Resy pricing for details (as of February 2026).

Pros:

• Flat pricing with no variable costs
• Attracts affluent Amex cardholder clientele
• Elegant design and premium positioning

Cons:

• High entry price of $249/month minimum
• No free trial to evaluate before committing
• Smaller network than OpenTable

Best for: Upscale and fine dining restaurants where the $249+/month is justified as a brand investment.

4. Yelp Guest Manager, best for Yelp integration

Yelp Guest Manager integrates reservation and waitlist management directly with Yelp’s review platform. For restaurants receiving significant Yelp traffic, this integration reduces booking friction.

Key features:

• Reservations directly from your Yelp business page
• Access to Yelp’s millions of users
• Strong waitlist management for walk-ins
• Review management connection

Pricing: Contact for pricing (not publicly available). Visit Yelp Guest Manager for more information.

Pros:

• Seamless integration with Yelp listings
• Large existing user base for discovery
• Handles walk-ins and reservations together

Cons:

• No public pricing transparency
• Value depends heavily on your Yelp traffic
• Mixed customer support reviews

Best for: Restaurants heavily invested in the Yelp ecosystem with significant Yelp-driven traffic.

5. Tock, best for ticketed dining and events

Tock pioneered the prepaid and ticketed dining model, making it the go-to platform for prix fixe menus, tasting experiences, and special events. The prepaid approach dramatically reduces no-shows.

Key features:

• Purpose-built for ticketed and prepaid reservations
• No-show reduction through prepayment requirement
• Event management for wine dinners and chef’s tables
• Strong fine dining reputation

Pricing: Plus $199/month + 2% transaction fee on prepaid reservations, Pro $699/month with no transaction fee. See Tock pricing for current rates (as of February 2026).

Pros:

• Eliminates no-shows with prepayment
• Excellent for special experiences and events
• Popular among Michelin-starred restaurants

Cons:

• 2% transaction fee on Plus plan (waived on Pro at $699/month)
• High entry price for casual dining
• Features are overkill without ticketed dining

Best for: Fine dining and experiential restaurants offering tasting menus, ticketed events, or prepaid reservations.

How to choose the right restaurant booking system

Choose Resos if you:

• Want predictable costs with no per-cover fees
• Are a small to medium restaurant or just starting with online reservations
• Prefer testing with a free tier before committing
• Value owning your customer relationships

Choose OpenTable if you:

• Prioritize maximum exposure and discoverability
• Have the budget to absorb per-cover fees
• Operate in a competitive market where OpenTable presence is expected

Choose Resy if you:

• Run an upscale or fine dining establishment
• Can justify $249+/month as a brand investment
• Value the American Express partnership

Choose Yelp Guest Manager if you:

• Already receive significant traffic through Yelp
• Want tight integration between reservations and Yelp presence

Choose Tock if you:

• Offer ticketed dining experiences or tasting menus
• Want to eliminate no-shows through prepayment
• Can absorb the 2% transaction fee

What to look for in restaurant booking software

Essential features:

• Online booking widget for your website
• Automated confirmation and reminder emails
• Calendar view for daily reservations
• Basic table management
• Mobile access for checking bookings

Nice-to-have features:

• Guest profiles with preferences and history
• Waitlist management for walk-ins
• Reporting and analytics
• POS integration

Red flags to avoid:

• Hidden per-cover fees not disclosed upfront
• Long-term contracts with cancellation penalties
• No data export (your guest data belongs to you)
• Complex pricing that makes budgeting impossible

The bottom line

For most restaurants, Resos offers the best combination of value, features, and transparency. The free tier lets you test without risk, and paid plans stay affordable as you grow. OpenTable makes sense if network exposure is critical to your business model and you can absorb the fees. Resy is the right choice for upscale establishments where premium positioning matters. Tock is purpose-built for ticketed experiences.

The right choice depends on your specific situation: budget, volume, positioning, and how much network discovery matters to your business.

Methodology

This guide was compiled using official pricing pages and documentation from each platform (accessed February 2026), user reviews from G2, Capterra, and industry forums, direct platform testing where free trials or demos were available, and interviews with restaurant operators using each system.

Pricing and features are subject to change. Confirm current pricing directly with each provider before deciding.

Related guides: Best free restaurant booking software | Best reservation systems for small restaurants | Best table management software

Sources

• OpenTable pricing
• Resy for restaurants
• Yelp Guest Manager
• Tock for restaurants
• Resos pricing