GuestOnline vs Resos: Complete comparison 2026

For most restaurants, Resos is the more affordable and flexible choice with its free tier, transparent pricing, and worldwide availability. GuestOnline is the stronger pick for French fine dining and upscale restaurants that value the Michelin Group backing and direct integration with the Michelin Guide.

Key takeaways

• GuestOnline: Backed by the Michelin Group, strong in French fine dining, EUR 59-99/month, no per-cover fees, integration with the Michelin Guide, focused on France/Belgium/Switzerland/Luxembourg
• Resos: Independent reservation platform, transparent pricing ($0-149/month), free tier available, no per-cover fees, worldwide availability, Copenhagen-based
• Cost difference: Resos starts at $0/month with a permanent free tier. GuestOnline starts at EUR 59/month with no free option
• Market focus: GuestOnline serves French-speaking European markets. Resos serves restaurants globally with no geographic restrictions

GuestOnline vs Resos at a glance

Quick verdict

GuestOnline is the right choice if your restaurant is in France (or Belgium, Switzerland, Luxembourg), operates in the fine dining or upscale segment, and values the credibility that comes with the Michelin Group name. The Michelin Guide integration is a genuine differentiator that no other reservation platform can match. If starred restaurants are your peers and your guests associate quality with the Michelin brand, GuestOnline speaks their language.

Resos is the right choice if you want the lowest possible entry cost, transparent pricing without a sales conversation, or if your restaurant is outside GuestOnline’s core French-speaking markets. The free tier eliminates financial risk entirely, and the self-service setup means you can be accepting bookings within an hour.

Both platforms charge zero per-cover fees, which puts them ahead of marketplace platforms like TheFork or OpenTable. The comparison here is not about commission models. It is about market fit, pricing, and whether the Michelin connection matters for your restaurant.

GuestOnline vs Resos pricing comparison 2026

GuestOnline pricing

GuestOnline offers two straightforward plans:

Both plans include zero per-cover fees. GuestOnline also offers a free trial so restaurants can test the platform before committing. Pricing is in euros, reflecting GuestOnline’s European focus.

Visit GuestOnline for current pricing (as of February 2026).

Resos pricing

Promotional pricing is 50% off for the first 6 months. No cover fees on any plan. No contracts required.

The pricing philosophy

Both platforms deserve credit for transparent, commission-free pricing. Neither charges the per-cover fees that eat into margins on marketplace platforms. The key difference is the entry point: Resos lets you start at $0 with a permanent free tier, while GuestOnline requires a minimum EUR 59/month commitment.

For restaurants processing high volumes, the cost gap narrows. GuestOnline’s Business plan at EUR 99/month and Resos’ Plus plan at $98/month (or $49 during the promo period) are in a similar range. The decision at that level becomes less about price and more about features and market fit.

GuestOnline vs Resos features compared

Core reservation features

Both platforms cover the fundamentals every restaurant needs:

For core reservation management, both platforms are capable. A restaurant that needs online booking, table management, guest profiles, and automated confirmations will find either option fully functional.

Where GuestOnline wins: Michelin credibility and fine dining tools

GuestOnline’s biggest differentiator is not a feature. It is an association. Being part of the Michelin Group gives GuestOnline advantages that no competing reservation platform can replicate.

Michelin Guide integration. GuestOnline connects directly with the Michelin Guide, the most recognized quality marker in global dining. For restaurants that hold Michelin stars or aspire to recognition, this integration places your booking link where serious food enthusiasts are already looking. Diners browsing Michelin-recommended restaurants can book directly through GuestOnline, creating a high-intent booking channel that marketplace platforms cannot match.

Fine dining credibility. The Michelin name carries weight with upscale guests. Having a reservation system backed by the same group that awards stars signals a level of seriousness and quality. For fine dining restaurants where brand perception matters at every touchpoint, this association has real value.

Guest relationship management. GuestOnline includes tools for building detailed guest profiles, tracking preferences, and managing VIP relationships. The Business plan adds marketing capabilities and multi-channel booking management, helping fine dining restaurants maintain the personalized service their guests expect.

French market expertise. GuestOnline was built for the French restaurant market and understands its nuances. Language support, local payment methods, and integration with the French dining ecosystem are native rather than afterthoughts.

Geographic focus. With strong presence in France, Belgium, Switzerland, and Luxembourg, GuestOnline offers localized support and regional expertise. For restaurants in these markets, working with a platform that understands local dining culture is a practical advantage.

Where Resos wins: affordability, flexibility, and reach

Resos takes a different approach: make professional reservation management accessible to every restaurant, everywhere.

Free tier with real functionality. Resos offers 25 bookings per month at zero cost, permanently. This is not a trial. It is a lasting plan that lets small restaurants or those testing online reservations get started with no financial risk. For restaurants exploring online booking for the first time, see our guide on how to get more reservations.

Published, predictable pricing. Every Resos plan and its price is listed on the website. There is no sales call, no discovery process, and no negotiation. You know exactly what you will pay before you sign up.

Self-service setup. Create an account, configure your tables and hours, embed the widget on your website, and start accepting bookings. The process takes under an hour with no onboarding call required.

Worldwide availability. Resos is not limited to specific geographic markets. Whether your restaurant is in Paris, Copenhagen, New York, or Tokyo, you can use the platform. GuestOnline’s strength is also its limitation: it is built for and focused on French-speaking European markets.

Month-to-month flexibility. No annual contracts. Scale up or down as your business needs change.

Focus on reservations. Resos does not try to be an all-in-one platform. If you already have systems you like for POS, payments, and marketing, Resos fits alongside them without conflict. For restaurants evaluating tool consolidation versus best-of-breed approaches, our article on how to choose a booking system covers the key decision factors.

Who should choose GuestOnline

GuestOnline makes sense if:

• You operate fine dining in France. The Michelin Group backing and Michelin Guide integration are genuinely valuable for upscale French restaurants. No other reservation platform offers this connection.
• Your guests care about the Michelin brand. If your clientele associates quality with Michelin, a reservation system from the same group reinforces that perception at the point of booking.
• You are in GuestOnline’s core markets. France, Belgium, Switzerland, and Luxembourg are where GuestOnline has the deepest support, the strongest integrations, and the most relevant feature set.
• Guest relationship management is central to your operations. Fine dining restaurants that track detailed guest preferences, dietary requirements, and VIP status across visits will find GuestOnline’s guest management tools built for that purpose.
• You want a commission-free model designed for European fine dining. GuestOnline understands the European upscale restaurant market in ways that American-focused platforms do not.

Who should choose Resos

Resos makes sense if:

• You want transparent, low-cost pricing. Know what you pay from day one, starting at $0. No surprises, no sales conversations, no hidden fees.
• You are starting with online reservations. The free tier is the lowest-risk way to go digital with your bookings.
• Your restaurant is outside French-speaking Europe. If you are in the Nordics, the UK, North America, or anywhere outside GuestOnline’s core markets, Resos has no geographic restrictions.
• You already have a POS and marketing tools you like. Resos handles reservations alongside your existing tools without requiring you to change anything else.
• You want fast, self-service setup. Get running in under an hour without waiting for an onboarding call or implementation process.
• You are budget-conscious. Every euro saved on software is a euro reinvested in food, staff, or guest experience. Resos’ free tier and affordable paid plans keep overhead low.
• You want month-to-month flexibility. No annual commitments. Scale your plan up or down as bookings fluctuate seasonally.

The bottom line

GuestOnline and Resos both deliver commission-free reservation management, but they serve different restaurants in different markets.

GuestOnline is purpose-built for the French fine dining ecosystem. The Michelin Group backing is not marketing fluff. It is a structural advantage that gives restaurants direct integration with the Michelin Guide, credibility with discerning diners, and a platform that understands the standards and expectations of upscale European dining. If you run a fine dining restaurant in France, Belgium, Switzerland, or Luxembourg, GuestOnline offers something genuinely unique. The EUR 59-99/month pricing is reasonable for the value delivered to that specific audience.

Resos is built for accessibility. The free tier, published pricing, self-service setup, and worldwide availability make it the more practical choice for the vast majority of restaurants. You do not need to be in a specific country, operate a specific cuisine, or meet a specific prestige threshold. If you need reliable reservation management at the lowest possible cost, Resos delivers.

For fine dining restaurants in French-speaking Europe that value the Michelin association, GuestOnline is worth the investment. For everyone else, Resos offers more flexibility, lower costs, and fewer barriers to getting started.

Related comparisons: TheFork vs Resos | Superb vs Resos | Best TheFork alternatives | Best restaurant booking systems 2026

Sources

• GuestOnline
• Michelin Group digital services
• Michelin Guide
• Resos pricing