For most restaurants, Resos is the better choice because it offers the same core features without per-cover fees, saving typical restaurants $5,000-$10,000+ annually. OpenTable makes sense only if you specifically need their diner network for customer discovery and have the budget to pay $149/month plus $1.50 per network booking.
Key takeaways
- OpenTable: Largest diner network, $149-499/month subscription plus $1.00-$1.50 per network cover
- Resos: No cover fees, free tier available, paid plans $24-149/month
- Cost difference: Most restaurants save $5,000-$10,000+ annually with Resos
- Setup: Both platforms take under an hour to configure
OpenTable vs Resos at a glance
| OpenTable | Resos | |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Discovery-focused restaurants | Cost-conscious restaurants |
| Pricing | $149-499/mo + cover fees | $0-149/mo flat |
| Free tier | No | Yes (25 bookings/mo) |
| Per-cover fees | $0.25-$1.50 | None |
| Contracts | Often annual | Month-to-month |
| Setup time | 30-60 minutes | Under 1 hour |
Quick verdict
OpenTable works best for new restaurants in competitive markets that need exposure through the largest diner network and can budget for per-cover fees. The network can drive meaningful new business, but you pay for every reservation.
Resos works best for established restaurants, independent operators, and anyone who wants predictable costs. The free tier removes all risk from getting started, and paid plans deliver everything most restaurants need without variable fees eating into margins.
OpenTable vs Resos pricing comparison 2026
OpenTable pricing
OpenTable uses a subscription-plus-fees model:
| Plan | Monthly fee | Network cover fee | Website covers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic | $149/mo | $1.50 | $0.25 each or $49/mo flat |
| Core | $299/mo | $1.00 | Included |
| Pro | $499/mo | $1.00 | Included |
Network covers come through OpenTable’s app and website. Direct covers come through your own booking widget. See OpenTable pricing for current rates (as of February 2026).
Resos pricing
Resos uses flat subscription pricing with zero cover fees:
| Plan | Regular price | Promo price | Bookings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free | $0/mo | $0/mo | 25/month |
| Basic | $47/mo | $24/mo | 350/month |
| Plus | $98/mo | $49/mo | 750/month |
| Unlimited | $149/mo | $75/mo | Unlimited |
Promotional pricing is 50% off for the first 6 months.
Real cost example: 500 covers per month
OpenTable Basic Plan:
- Monthly subscription: $149
- Network bookings (300 x $1.50): $450
- Website bookings (200 x $0.25): $50
- Total monthly cost: $649
Resos Basic Plan:
- Monthly subscription: $24 (promo) or $47 (regular)
- Cover fees: $0
- Total monthly cost: $24-$47
Annual savings with Resos: $7,224-$7,500
OpenTable vs Resos features compared
| Feature | OpenTable | Resos |
|---|---|---|
| Online reservations | Yes | Yes |
| Table management | Yes | Yes |
| Waitlist management | Yes | Yes |
| Guest profiles | Yes | Yes |
| Email confirmations | Yes | Yes |
| SMS reminders | Paid add-on | Included |
| Diner network | 60,000+ restaurants | No network |
| Mobile app for hosts | Yes | Yes |
| Basic reporting | Yes | Yes |
| No cover fees | No | Yes |
| Free tier | No | Yes |
| Month-to-month billing | Limited | Yes |
Is OpenTable right for your restaurant?
OpenTable makes sense if:
- You need customer discovery. New restaurants in competitive markets may benefit from OpenTable’s 60,000+ restaurant network and millions of active diners.
- Your target market expects OpenTable. Some demographics, especially in major cities, default to booking through OpenTable.
- You have budget for variable costs. If cover fees are acceptable as a marketing expense, the network exposure may be worth it.
- You operate a high-volume urban restaurant. The network effect becomes more valuable when you’re competing for visibility in dense markets.
Is Resos right for your restaurant?
Resos makes sense if:
- You want predictable costs. Flat pricing means your software costs stay the same whether you process 100 or 1,000 covers.
- You’re budget-conscious. Every dollar counts in restaurants. Saving $3,000-$9,000+ annually can fund staff bonuses, better ingredients, or marketing.
- You already have traffic. If customers find you through Google, social media, or word of mouth, you don’t need OpenTable’s network.
- You’re new to online reservations. The free tier lets you test digital booking at zero risk.
- You value data ownership. Your customer relationships stay yours, not OpenTable’s.
Stop paying cover fees
Join thousands of restaurants saving money with Resos. Get everything you need to manage reservations without the per-cover charges that eat into your margins.
Try Resos freeNo credit card required. No cover fees. No contracts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does OpenTable charge cover fees?
Does Resos have a free plan?
Which is better for small restaurants?
Can I switch from OpenTable to Resos?
How much can I save switching from OpenTable to Resos?
The bottom line
OpenTable built the restaurant reservation industry, but their per-cover pricing model has become a burden for many restaurants. Paying $1.50 for every network booking means your costs increase with success.
Resos offers a simpler proposition: pay a flat monthly fee, keep all your margin, and own your customer relationships. For small to medium restaurants, independent operators, and anyone who values cost control, the savings are substantial and the features are comparable.
The question is simple: do you need OpenTable’s diner network enough to pay $0.25-$1.50 per reservation? For most restaurants, the answer is no.
Related comparisons: OpenTable vs Resy | Resy vs Resos | OpenTable alternatives