For high-volume restaurants, Resy is usually the better choice because flat pricing beats per-cover fees once you exceed about 140 covers monthly, at the guest mix set out below. 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.
Every figure on this page is US pricing and counts covers, meaning seated guests, not reservations. A party of four is four covers. Mixing the two is the single easiest way to get this comparison wrong.
Key takeaways
- OpenTable: Largest diner network, $149-499/month plus $1.00-$1.50 per network cover
- Resy: No cover fees, flat $289-459/month, premium brand positioning
- Cost difference: Resy is cheaper above ~140 covers/month; at 500 covers it saves $310/month against the cheapest OpenTable plan
- 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 | $289-459/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 more than about 140 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 plans and fees
| 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 |
Cover fees apply to guests seated from an OpenTable network booking. Website covers are the guests who book through your own site using OpenTable’s widget: Basic charges for them, Core and Pro do not. See OpenTable’s published plans (verified August 11, 2026), or our full OpenTable pricing breakdown.
Resy plans and fees
| Plan | Monthly fee | Key features |
|---|---|---|
| Platform | $289/mo | Reservations, table management, POS integrations |
| Platform 360 | $459/mo | Platform plus advanced analytics and guest insights |
| Essential | $289/mo plus 3% on prepayments | Events, customization, and prepayments |
| Premium | $459/mo plus 2% on prepayments | Essential plus POS integrations and premium support |
No per-cover fees apply on Resy’s published plans. Standard payment processing applies, and Essential and Premium add prepayment fees. See Resy’s published plans (verified September 2026), or our full Resy pricing breakdown.
Real cost comparison: 500 covers monthly (300 network, 200 website)
Assumptions: US pricing, 60% of covers from the OpenTable network and 40% from your own website, Basic priced on the $0.25 per-website-cover option, no prepaid experiences or ticketing.
| Platform | Calculation | Monthly total |
|---|---|---|
| OpenTable Basic | $149 + (300 x $1.50) + (200 x $0.25) | $649 |
| OpenTable Core | $299 + (300 x $1.00), website covers included | $599 |
| Resy Platform | $289 flat | $289 |
At 500 covers, Core is the cheapest OpenTable plan at $599, and Resy saves $310/month against it. Against Basic the gap is $360/month.
On the flat website option, Basic would be $149 + $450 + $49 = $648, a dollar less than the per-cover option. That switch only pays off above 196 website covers, which at this mix means about 490 total covers, so it changes nothing material here.
Break-even analysis
Same 60% network / 40% website mix as above, scaled to each volume. OpenTable Basic works out at $149 plus an effective $1.00 per cover; Core is $299 plus $1.00 per network cover only.
| Monthly covers | OpenTable Basic | OpenTable Core | Cheapest OpenTable | Resy Platform | Better value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50 | $199 | $329 | $199 (Basic) | $289 | OpenTable |
| 140 | $289 | $383 | $289 (Basic) | $289 | Even |
| 200 | $349 | $419 | $349 (Basic) | $289 | Resy |
| 375 | $524 | $524 | $524 (either) | $289 | Resy |
| 500 | $649 | $599 | $599 (Core) | $289 | Resy |
| 750 | $899 | $749 | $749 (Core) | $289 | Resy |
Two crossovers matter. Resy Platform draws level with the cheapest OpenTable plan at 140 covers and is cheaper above it. Separately, Core overtakes Basic at 375 covers, because the lower $1.00 network fee eventually outweighs the extra $150 of subscription. Restaurants above that volume who stay on Basic are paying for the cheaper-looking plan.
Both crossovers depend on the guest mix. The more of your covers arrive through the OpenTable network rather than your own website, the sooner OpenTable gets expensive and the earlier Resy wins.
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 seat fewer than about 140 covers monthly. Below that threshold, OpenTable Basic costs less than Resy at this guest mix.
- 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 seat more than about 140 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 $289/month is negligible relative to revenue.
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 network cover. 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 $289 monthly minimum. Its premium positioning appeals to upscale restaurants where that cost is negligible.
For restaurants seating more than about 140 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: Resy pricing | OpenTable pricing | OpenTable vs Resos | Resy vs Resos | OpenTable alternatives