For most independent restaurants, Resos is the better value because it offers transparent pricing, a free tier, and a faster setup process. ResDiary is the stronger choice for UK-based pubs, hotels, and established venues that need deep POS/PMS integrations and can justify higher monthly costs.
Key takeaways
- ResDiary: Established UK/European platform (9,000+ venues), four pricing tiers from ~GBP 89-245/month, zero commission, strong integrations
- Resos: Transparent pricing ($0-149/month), free tier available, no commission, fast self-service setup
- Cost difference: Resos saves most restaurants $50-200+ per month depending on volume
- Best fit: ResDiary for UK pubs, hotels, and high-volume venues. Resos for independent restaurants, smaller operations, and budget-conscious owners.
ResDiary vs Resos at a glance
| ResDiary | Resos | |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | UK pubs, hotels, high-volume venues | Independent restaurants, small-medium venues |
| Pricing | ~GBP 89-245/mo (tiered) | $0-149/mo (published) |
| Free tier | No | Yes (25 bookings/mo) |
| Per-cover fees | None | None |
| Commission | None | None |
| Contracts | Typically annual | Month-to-month |
| Setup time | Demo/sales process | Under 1 hour |
Quick verdict
ResDiary is the right choice if you operate in the UK or Europe, need hotel PMS or EPOS integrations, handle high reservation volumes, and want a platform with a long track record and a large integration ecosystem.
Resos is the right choice if you want predictable costs from day one, a free tier to start with no risk, month-to-month flexibility, and a streamlined setup without going through a sales process.
ResDiary vs Resos pricing comparison 2026
ResDiary pricing
ResDiary uses a tiered subscription model based on monthly reservation volume. Pricing varies by region (GBP, EUR, AUD), but here are the approximate GBP rates:
| Plan | Approx. price | Reservations/month |
|---|---|---|
| Connect | ~GBP 89/mo | Up to 150 |
| Express | ~GBP 119/mo | Up to ~450 |
| Pro | ~GBP 169/mo | Up to ~1,000 |
| Ultimate | ~GBP 245/mo | Unlimited |
All ResDiary plans include the same core feature set. The only difference between tiers is the number of reservations allowed per month. ResDiary charges zero commission regardless of booking channel. Visit ResDiary for current pricing in your region.
Resos pricing
| 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 |
No cover fees on any plan. No contracts required. 50% off promotional pricing for the first 6 months.
Cost comparison
| Factor | ResDiary | Resos |
|---|---|---|
| Entry point | ~GBP 89/month (no free tier) | $0 (free tier) |
| Mid-range plan | ~GBP 169/month (Pro) | $49/month (Plus, promo) |
| Unlimited bookings | ~GBP 245/month | $75/month (promo) |
| Per-cover fees | None | None |
| Contract flexibility | Typically annual | Month-to-month |
| Annual cost range | ~GBP 1,068-2,940 | $0-1,788 |
Both platforms deserve credit for avoiding per-cover commissions, which separates them from marketplace platforms like OpenTable and TheFork. The difference comes down to price point: Resos starts lower and scales more affordably, while ResDiary targets higher-volume operations willing to pay more for deeper integrations.
ResDiary vs Resos features compared
| Feature | ResDiary | Resos |
|---|---|---|
| Online reservations | Yes | Yes |
| Table management | Yes | Yes |
| Guest profiles/CRM | Yes | Yes |
| Waitlist management | Yes | Yes |
| Email/SMS notifications | Yes | Yes |
| POS/EPOS integrations | Yes (60+) | Yes |
| Hotel PMS integrations | Yes | No |
| Reserve with Google | Yes | Yes |
| Diner discovery platform | Yes (Dish Cult) | No |
| Marketing campaigns | Yes | Basic |
| Vouchers/gift cards | Yes | No |
| Deposits/prepayments | Yes | Yes |
| Free tier | No | Yes |
| Self-service signup | No (demo required) | Yes |
| Month-to-month billing | No (typically annual) | Yes |
Where ResDiary has the edge
Integrations. ResDiary connects with 60+ third-party tools including major EPOS systems, hotel PMS platforms, and marketing tools. If your restaurant or hotel relies on a specific tech stack, ResDiary is more likely to plug in natively.
Dish Cult. ResDiary venues get free listing on Dish Cult, a diner discovery platform that functions similarly to how OpenTable or TheFork drive bookings. It is smaller than those marketplaces, but it adds a booking channel at no extra commission cost.
Venue versatility. ResDiary was built to serve pubs, bars, hotels, and event spaces alongside restaurants. If you operate a pub with a dining room or a hotel restaurant, ResDiary has purpose-built features for those environments.
Track record. Founded in 2006 in Glasgow, ResDiary has nearly two decades of experience and serves 9,000+ venues. That maturity means a well-tested product with fewer surprises.
Where Resos has the edge
Transparent, lower pricing. Resos publishes all pricing on its website. You know exactly what you pay before signing up. The free tier lets you test the platform with real guests before spending anything.
No contract lock-in. Month-to-month billing means you can leave at any time. ResDiary typically requires annual contracts, which means committing before you fully know if the platform fits.
Faster setup. You can sign up and start accepting reservations in under an hour. No demo calls, no sales process, no waiting for implementation.
Simplicity. If you need a reliable booking system without the complexity of 60+ integrations you may never use, Resos keeps things clean and focused.
Is ResDiary right for your restaurant?
ResDiary makes sense if:
- You’re a UK pub, bar, or hotel. ResDiary understands the British hospitality market deeply, with purpose-built features for pubs and hotel restaurants.
- You need deep EPOS or PMS integration. If your operation depends on data flowing between your booking system and your point-of-sale or property management system, ResDiary’s 60+ integrations deliver.
- You handle 500+ reservations monthly. At higher volumes, the Pro and Ultimate tiers offer a comprehensive toolset that justifies the cost.
- You want a diner discovery channel. Dish Cult adds a free booking channel that can drive new guests without commission fees.
- You value a long track record. Nearly 20 years in business means battle-tested software and established support infrastructure.
Is Resos right for your restaurant?
Resos makes sense if:
- You’re an independent restaurant. Single-location venues that need professional reservations without enterprise complexity will find Resos fits perfectly.
- You’re budget-conscious. Start free and upgrade only when volume demands it. Even the Unlimited plan costs less than ResDiary’s entry-level tier.
- You want flexibility. Month-to-month billing and no contracts mean you’re never locked in. If your needs change, you can adjust instantly.
- You prefer self-service. Sign up, configure your floor plan, and go live in under an hour without waiting for sales calls or implementation teams.
- You’re starting with online reservations. If you’re moving from phone-only or pen-and-paper bookings, the free tier gives you zero-risk entry into digital reservation management.
- You operate in Scandinavia or Northern Europe. Resos is based in Copenhagen and offers strong local support for Nordic markets.
Professional reservations without the annual contract
Get the booking features your restaurant needs with transparent pricing and month-to-month flexibility. Start free and scale when you're ready.
Try Resos freeFree forever up to 25 bookings/month. No credit card required.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does ResDiary cost per month?
Does ResDiary charge commission on bookings?
Is ResDiary good for pubs and hotels?
Can I switch from ResDiary to Resos?
Which is better for small restaurants, ResDiary or Resos?
The bottom line
ResDiary and Resos both avoid the per-cover commission trap that makes platforms like OpenTable expensive at scale. That shared philosophy means either platform lets you grow your reservation volume without watching fees eat into your margins.
The difference is in positioning and price. ResDiary is a mature, full-featured platform built for the UK and European hospitality market. Its strength lies in deep integrations, venue versatility (pubs, hotels, events), and a long track record. You pay more, but you get an ecosystem that connects with most of the tools a large hospitality operation already uses.
Resos is built for simplicity and accessibility. Transparent pricing, a free tier, no contracts, and fast self-service setup make it the better fit for independent restaurants, smaller operations, and anyone who values knowing exactly what they will pay. You sacrifice some integration depth, but you gain affordability and flexibility.
For high-volume UK pubs and hotels with complex tech stacks, ResDiary delivers purpose-built functionality worth the premium. For everyone else, particularly independent restaurants and cost-conscious operators, Resos offers everything you need at a fraction of the price.
Related comparisons: OpenTable vs Resos | TheFork vs Resos | SevenRooms vs Resos | OpenTable alternatives