Best table management software 2026

The best table management software for most restaurants is Resos because it combines visual floor plans, real-time table tracking, and reservation management in one affordable platform starting with a free tier. For high-volume restaurants needing advanced pacing controls, OpenTable offers more sophisticated tools despite higher costs.

Key takeaways

• Best overall: Resos, table management included with reservations at affordable pricing
• Best value: Resos, free tier includes basic table management
• Best for high volume: OpenTable, advanced pacing and section management
• Best for upscale dining: Resy, premium interface with VIP recognition
• Best for enterprise: SevenRooms, multi-location floor plan standardization

Best table management software at a glance 2026

How we evaluated

We assessed table management capabilities on these factors:

Floor plan functionality. Can you create accurate visual representations of your dining room with real-time status tracking?

Reservation integration. Does table management connect seamlessly with booking, or is it a separate system?

Waitlist tools. How well does the software manage walk-ins alongside reservations?

Pacing and optimization. Can you control seating flow to manage kitchen capacity?

Value for different scales. Enterprise features are overkill for a 40-seat bistro.

1. Resos, best value table management

Resos includes visual floor plan management with every plan, including the free tier. You get the core table management features most restaurants need without paying enterprise prices.

Key features:

• Visual floor plan with drag-and-drop table management
• Real-time status updates (available, occupied, reserved)
• Reservation-to-table assignment
• Waitlist with estimated wait times
• Table combination tools for larger parties

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

Pros:

• Table management included even on free tier
• No per-cover fees
• Simple interface requiring minimal training
• Handles both reservations and walk-ins

Cons:

• Basic pacing controls compared to enterprise platforms
• Fewer advanced analytics options
• Best for single locations

Best for: Small to medium restaurants wanting table management without enterprise pricing.

2. OpenTable, best for network plus table management

OpenTable offers advanced table management features backed by their large diner network. For high-volume restaurants, the pacing controls and section management justify the cost.

Key features:

• Floor plan management with section assignments
• Advanced pacing controls
• Server section optimization
• Integration with OpenTable’s diner network
• Turn time analytics

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:

• Sophisticated pacing and section tools
• Network exposure drives bookings
• Strong analytics and reporting
• Well-established platform

Cons:

• Per-cover fees add up significantly
• Best features require expensive plans
• Complex pricing structure

Best for: High-volume restaurants that value network exposure and can absorb cover fees.

3. Resy, best for upscale table management

Resy delivers premium table management with an interface matching upscale positioning. Guest recognition features help staff provide personalized service.

Key features:

• Clean, modern floor plan interface
• Sophisticated table assignment logic
• Guest recognition on seating
• VIP alerts and preferences displayed
• American Express integration

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

Pros:

• Elegant interface staff enjoy using
• Strong VIP recognition and service tools
• No per-cover fees on flat subscription
• Premium brand positioning

Cons:

• High entry price of $249/month
• Advanced features require higher tiers
• No free trial to evaluate

Best for: Fine dining and upscale casual restaurants wanting premium tools and positioning.

4. SevenRooms, best for enterprise and multi-location

SevenRooms provides enterprise-grade table management for restaurant groups and hotels needing consistency across locations.

Key features:

• Enterprise floor plan management
• Multi-location standardization
• Advanced CRM integration with seating
• Detailed guest profiles at table assignment
• Cross-property guest recognition

Pricing: Custom enterprise pricing. Visit SevenRooms for more information.

Pros:

• Multi-location management
• Deep CRM and guest data integration
• Strong reporting across properties
• Enterprise-grade reliability

Cons:

• Enterprise pricing excludes small restaurants
• Complex implementation
• Overkill for single locations

Best for: Restaurant groups, hotels, and hospitality companies needing multi-location management.

5. Yelp Guest Manager, best for Yelp-integrated table management

Yelp Guest Manager combines table management with Yelp’s booking ecosystem. For restaurants with strong Yelp presence, the integration adds value.

Key features:

• Floor plan management
• Yelp booking integration
• Waitlist with Yelp visibility
• Guest messaging

Pricing: Quote-based (contact for pricing). Visit Yelp Guest Manager for more information.

Pros:

• Direct integration with Yelp listings
• Strong waitlist features
• Leverages Yelp traffic

Cons:

• No public pricing
• Value depends on Yelp traffic
• Less useful without strong Yelp presence

Best for: Restaurants heavily invested in Yelp ecosystem.

Table management feature comparison

What table management software does

Core functionality

Visual floor plan. See your dining room digitally with tables showing current status (available, occupied, reserved), party size and time seated, server section assignments, and table combination options.

Real-time status tracking. Track every table through the dining journey: reserved, seated, eating, dessert, check, clearing, available.

Reservation integration. Link reservations to specific tables, assign tables in advance, and optimize party-to-table matching.

Waitlist management. Manage walk-ins when tables aren’t immediately available with accurate wait time quotes and text notifications.

Advanced features

Table combinations. Merge tables for larger parties, split them for smaller groups, with the system tracking availability accordingly.

Pacing controls. Manage kitchen flow by controlling how many parties are seated within time windows.

Turn time analytics. Track how long parties stay at each table, identify patterns, and optimize future timing.

Server section optimization. Balance covers across server sections for fair workload and better service.

Table management best practices

Table assignment

Match party size to table size. Don’t seat a couple at a 6-top during rush. Optimize to maximize capacity.

Consider timing. A 4-top at 6pm might work for a 2-top if they’ll be gone by 7:30 when you need the space.

Balance server loads. Distribute parties across sections to ensure consistent service quality.

Plan for combinations. Keep combinable tables near each other. Don’t seat someone between them during peak hours.

Reducing table time without rushing

Streamline ordering. Pre-visit menu access, well-trained servers, efficient kitchen communication.

Optimize payment. Tableside payment options, QR code check access, fast payment processing.

Read the table. Train staff to recognize when guests are ready to move forward vs. lingering.

Managing the waitlist

Accurate quotes. Underquote slightly. Guests prefer being called early to waiting past the estimated time.

Communication. Text updates keep guests informed and prevent walk-aways.

Offer alternatives. Bar seating, outdoor tables, or specific times can convert potential walk-aways.

Metrics to track

Turn time. How long tables stay occupied on average. Calculate: Total seat time divided by number of parties.

Covers per hour. How many guests you’re serving per hour. Calculate: Total covers divided by hours of service.

RevPASH. Revenue per available seat hour. Calculate: Revenue divided by (seats times hours).

Table utilization. What percentage of available seat-hours are actually used. Calculate: (Occupied seat-hours divided by total seat-hours) times 100.

Implementation tips

Setting up your floor plan

1. Measure accurately and get table counts and sizes right
2. Include all sections: bar, patio, private dining
3. Mark which tables can be combined
4. Assign server sections to balance workload

Training staff

1. Practice before going live with test services
2. Keep it simple initially and add complexity later
3. Designate someone who knows the system well
4. Document procedures for common scenarios

Going live

1. Start during a slow period, not Saturday night
2. Have paper backup ready just in case
3. Gather feedback on what’s working
4. Iterate quickly as you learn

The bottom line

Table management software has become essential for restaurants serious about maximizing seating capacity. The good news: you don’t need to pay enterprise prices for functional table management.

For most restaurants, Resos offers table management integrated with reservations at affordable pricing (including a free tier). High-volume restaurants may benefit from OpenTable’s sophisticated tools if they can justify the cover fees. Upscale dining often warrants Resy’s premium platform. Enterprise operations should evaluate SevenRooms for multi-location needs.

The right choice depends on your scale, budget, and specific requirements. Start with a platform that fits your current operation. You can always upgrade as you grow.

Methodology

This guide was compiled using official platform documentation, feature testing where trials were available, user reviews from restaurant operators, and pricing verification (February 2026). We focused on table management capabilities rather than general reservation features.

Pricing and features change frequently. Verify current details with each provider.

Related guides: Best restaurant booking systems 2026 | Best reservation systems for small restaurants | Best restaurant CRM software

Sources

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