For high-volume restaurants, Resy is usually the better choice because flat pricing beats per-cover fees once you exceed 175 reservations monthly. For discovery-focused restaurants willing to pay for exposure, OpenTable’s larger network may justify the variable costs. Neither platform is ideal for budget-conscious operators.
Key takeaways
- OpenTable: Largest diner network, $149-499/month plus $1.00-$1.50 per network cover
- Resy: No cover fees, flat $249-899/month, premium brand positioning
- Cost difference: Resy is cheaper above ~80 covers/month due to OpenTable’s higher base; saves $400/month at 500 covers
- Setup: Both require onboarding, Resy often needs annual commitment
OpenTable vs Resy at a glance
| OpenTable | Resy | |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Discovery, new restaurants | Upscale dining, high volume |
| Pricing | $149-499/mo + fees | $249-899/mo flat |
| Free tier | No | No |
| Per-cover fees | $0.25-$1.50 | None |
| Contracts | Often annual | Often annual |
| Network size | 60,000+ restaurants | Smaller, upscale focus |
Quick verdict
OpenTable is the right choice if you prioritize maximum exposure through the largest diner network and are willing to pay per-cover fees for that reach. It works best for restaurants where discovery through the OpenTable app drives significant new business.
Resy is the right choice if you want predictable costs without cover fees and value premium brand positioning. It works best for upscale restaurants processing 200+ covers monthly where the flat fee saves money compared to OpenTable’s variable costs.
Neither platform is ideal for small or budget-conscious restaurants. Both are expensive in different ways. Consider alternatives like Resos if cost is a primary concern.
OpenTable vs Resy pricing comparison 2026
OpenTable pricing
| 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 |
See OpenTable pricing for current rates (as of February 2026).
Resy pricing
| Plan | Monthly fee | Key features |
|---|---|---|
| Basic | $249/mo | Reservations, table management, guest profiles |
| Pro | $399/mo | Advanced CRM, marketing tools, priority support |
| Enterprise | $899/mo | Custom integrations, dedicated account manager |
No cover fees on any Resy plan. See Resy for restaurants for details (as of February 2026).
Real cost comparison: 500 covers monthly
| Platform | Calculation | Monthly total |
|---|---|---|
| OpenTable Basic | $149 + (300 x $1.50) + (200 x $0.25) | $649 |
| OpenTable Core | $299 + (500 x $1.00) | $799 |
| Resy Basic | $249 flat | $249 |
At 500 covers, Resy saves $400/month vs OpenTable Basic
Break-even analysis
| Monthly covers | OpenTable Basic | Resy Basic | Better value |
|---|---|---|---|
| 50 | $224 | $249 | OpenTable |
| 80 | $249 | $249 | Even |
| 200 | $399 | $249 | Resy |
| 500 | $649 | $249 | Resy |
| 750 | $899 | $249 | Resy |
OpenTable vs Resy features compared
| Feature | OpenTable | Resy |
|---|---|---|
| Online reservations | Yes | Yes |
| Table management | Yes | Yes |
| Guest profiles | Yes | Yes |
| Waitlist management | Yes | Yes |
| Email confirmations | Yes | Yes |
| Diner network | 60,000+ restaurants | Smaller, premium |
| Cover fees | $0.25-$1.50 | None |
| Brand positioning | Mass market | Premium/upscale |
| Amex integration | No | Yes |
| Global presence | Strong | North America focus |
| POS integrations | Extensive | Good |
Is OpenTable right for your restaurant?
OpenTable makes sense if:
- You need discovery exposure. New restaurants or those in competitive markets may benefit from OpenTable’s network of millions of active diners.
- Your market expects OpenTable. Some demographics and cities default to OpenTable for bookings.
- You process fewer than 80 covers monthly. Below this threshold, OpenTable Basic costs less than Resy.
- You need global reach. OpenTable operates worldwide while Resy focuses on North America.
Is Resy right for your restaurant?
Resy makes sense if:
- You want predictable costs. Flat pricing means no surprises regardless of reservation volume.
- You process 100+ covers monthly. The math favors Resy over OpenTable at moderate to higher volumes.
- You value premium positioning. Resy has cultivated an association with trendy, upscale dining.
- Your clientele uses American Express. Amex ownership means integration with cardholder benefits.
- You’re an upscale restaurant. Fine dining establishments where $249/month is negligible relative to revenue.
Looking for a more affordable option?
Not every restaurant needs OpenTable's network or Resy's premium pricing. Resos offers transparent, affordable pricing with a free tier and no cover fees.
Explore ResosFree forever up to 25 bookings/month. Paid plans from $24/month.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does OpenTable or Resy charge cover fees?
Which has more restaurants, OpenTable or Resy?
Is Resy owned by American Express?
Which is better for small restaurants?
At what volume does Resy become cheaper than OpenTable?
The bottom line
OpenTable and Resy represent the establishment players in restaurant reservations, each dominant in their own way.
OpenTable offers unmatched reach through the largest diner network but charges you for every reservation. Your costs scale with success, and you’re building their customer base as much as yours.
Resy offers predictable costs without cover fees but at a $249 monthly minimum. Its premium positioning appeals to upscale restaurants where that cost is negligible.
For restaurants processing even modest volume (100+ covers monthly), Resy typically costs less than OpenTable once cover fees are calculated. For lower-volume restaurants, both platforms may be overpriced compared to alternatives.
Related comparisons: OpenTable vs Resos | Resy vs Resos | OpenTable alternatives