Best TheFork alternatives for restaurants 2026

The best TheFork alternative for most European restaurants is Resos because it offers the same core booking features without per-cover commissions, saving restaurants thousands annually. Start free with 25 bookings/month, then scale to paid plans from $24/month with zero variable costs.

Key takeaways

• Best overall alternative: Resos, free tier available, no commissions, $24-149/month
• Best for French restaurants: Zenchef, no commissions, EUR 69-119/month, strong local support in France and Benelux
• Best for fine dining in France: GuestOnline, Michelin Group backing, EUR 59-99/month, no per-cover fees
• Best for Spanish and Portuguese markets: CoverManager, comprehensive hospitality tools, quote-based pricing
• Best for German-speaking markets: Quandoo, established diner network in DACH region, from EUR 29/month

Best TheFork alternatives at a glance

Why look for TheFork alternatives?

TheFork (owned by TripAdvisor since 2014) is Europe’s largest restaurant booking marketplace with strong presence across France, Italy, Spain, Germany, and the Netherlands. But the commission-based model creates real problems for restaurants.

The commission problem:

• Per-cover fees on every reservation made through the TheFork marketplace
• Commission rates vary by market and contract, but costs scale directly with your success
• Additional fees for premium placement and visibility within the app
• Pressure to offer 20-50% discounts to rank higher and attract diners

The discount trap:

TheFork’s marketplace incentivizes restaurants to offer discounts. Diners browse by discount percentage, pushing restaurants into a race to the bottom. A direct booking strategy avoids this entirely.

Real cost example: A restaurant processing 800 covers monthly through TheFork, paying commission on each plus offering an average 30% discount on promoted reservations, can easily spend EUR 1,000-2,000+ monthly between commissions and lost discount revenue.

Other concerns:

• TheFork owns the customer relationship and markets competing restaurants to your diners
• Limited access to your own guest data for direct marketing
• Dependency on a marketplace you don’t control
• Algorithm changes can reduce your visibility overnight

1. Resos: best overall alternative

Why Resos is our top pick:

Resos offers everything most European restaurants need without per-cover commissions. The free tier lets you start at zero cost, and paid plans deliver professional features at transparent prices.

Why choose Resos:

• Free tier with 25 bookings/month, no credit card required
• Zero commissions on any plan
• Month-to-month billing, no annual contracts
• Modern interface, minimal training needed
• Full table management, guest profiles, reporting
• You own your guest data completely

Annual savings vs TheFork: EUR 3,000-10,000+ depending on volume and discount levels

For a detailed head-to-head comparison, see TheFork vs Resos.

Best for: Small to medium European restaurants, casual dining, anyone who wants to stop paying commissions and own their guest relationships.

2. Zenchef: best for French and Benelux restaurants

Why consider Zenchef:

Zenchef (merged with Formitable and Resengo in 2023) is the strongest commission-free alternative for restaurants in France, the Netherlands, and Belgium, the same markets where TheFork dominates.

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

Why choose Zenchef:

• Zero commission on all bookings
• Over 15,000 restaurants on the platform
• Strong integrations with European POS systems
• Operates as Formitable in Netherlands and Resengo in Belgium
• Direct booking tools that reduce marketplace dependency

Drawbacks:

• No free tier
• Smaller consumer app presence than TheFork
• Complex brand structure after mergers (Zenchef/Formitable/Resengo)
• Less known outside France and Benelux

Best for: French and Benelux restaurants wanting a local commission-free platform to replace TheFork dependency.

3. GuestOnline: best for French fine dining

Why consider GuestOnline:

GuestOnline is backed by the Michelin Group, giving it unique credibility in the fine dining segment. For French upscale restaurants on TheFork, this is a natural step up.

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

Why choose GuestOnline:

• Backed by the Michelin Group
• No per-cover fees on any plan
• Integration with the Michelin Guide
• Strong in French fine dining segment
• Guest relationship management tools

Drawbacks:

• No free tier
• Limited presence outside France, Belgium, Switzerland, and Luxembourg
• Smaller consumer network than TheFork
• Higher price point for small restaurants

Best for: French fine dining and upscale restaurants that want Michelin-backed reservation management without marketplace commissions.

4. CoverManager: best for Spanish and Portuguese markets

Why consider CoverManager:

CoverManager is the leading hospitality technology platform in Spain and Portugal. For TheFork restaurants in Iberian markets, CoverManager offers a locally focused alternative with broader hospitality features. Visit CoverManager for pricing (as of February 2026).

Why choose CoverManager:

• Strong in Spanish and Latin American markets
• Comprehensive hospitality solution (restaurants, beach clubs, nightlife)
• Ticketing and event management capabilities
• Channel management across multiple booking sources

Drawbacks:

• Quote-based pricing (no transparency)
• Per-cover fees on bookings
• Can be overkill for simple restaurants
• Limited presence outside Spanish-speaking markets

Best for: Spanish and Portuguese hospitality venues wanting a comprehensive local platform with reservation, ticketing, and CRM.

5. Quandoo: best for German-speaking markets

Why consider Quandoo:

Quandoo is well-established in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. For DACH restaurants currently on TheFork, Quandoo offers a familiar marketplace model with lower entry costs.

Visit Quandoo for restaurants for current pricing (as of February 2026).

Why choose Quandoo:

• Affordable entry point at EUR 29/month
• Strong diner network in German-speaking markets
• Loyalty program drives repeat customers
• Good integration options

Drawbacks:

• Still charges per-cover fees on top of subscription
• One-time setup fee required
• Smaller network than TheFork in most markets
• Cashback model can attract discount-focused diners

Important note: Quandoo also uses a commission model, so it doesn’t solve the per-cover fee problem. It may offer better rates than TheFork in DACH markets, but for truly commission-free booking, consider Resos or Zenchef instead. For more on commission-free booking systems, see our dedicated guide.

Best for: German, Austrian, and Swiss restaurants wanting a local marketplace alternative to TheFork at a lower price point.

6. ResDiary: best for UK restaurants

Why consider ResDiary:

ResDiary has been established since 2006 with strong presence in the UK, Europe, and Australia. For UK restaurants where TheFork has limited reach, ResDiary is a well-known local option.

Why choose ResDiary:

• Established since 2006 with long track record
• Strong UK and European presence with local support
• Comprehensive feature set including table management and guest CRM

Drawbacks:

• Quote-based pricing (no transparency)
• Interface can feel dated compared to modern platforms
• Less consumer-facing brand recognition

Best for: UK and European restaurants seeking a well-established local platform with regional support.

7. OpenTable: best for global discovery

Why consider OpenTable:

OpenTable is the largest restaurant reservation network globally. If your priority is maximum diner discovery rather than avoiding fees, OpenTable’s network reaches diners TheFork doesn’t.

See OpenTable pricing for current rates (as of February 2026).

Why choose OpenTable:

• Largest global diner network
• Strong brand recognition among international travelers
• Useful for restaurants in tourist-heavy European cities

Drawbacks:

• Per-cover fees ($0.25-$1.50 per reservation), same model as TheFork
• Higher base subscription costs
• Switching from one commission platform to another doesn’t solve the core problem

Best for: European restaurants in tourist destinations wanting global reach beyond the European markets TheFork covers.

8. Superb: best for Nordic and Northern European restaurants

Why consider Superb:

Superb is a Copenhagen-based guest experience management platform with strong Nordic presence. It offers a commission-free model focused on the complete guest experience.

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

Why choose Superb:

• No per-cover fees
• Strong in Nordic and Northern European markets
• Modern guest experience management focus
• Good prepayment and deposit features for reducing no-shows

Drawbacks:

• No free tier
• Higher starting price than some alternatives
• Smaller diner network than marketplace platforms
• Less brand recognition outside Nordic markets

Best for: Nordic and Northern European restaurants wanting a modern, commission-free platform with strong guest experience tools.

How to choose the right TheFork alternative

Choose Resos if:

• You want the best value with transparent pricing
• You need a free tier to start or test
• Commission fees have been cutting into your margins
• You prefer month-to-month flexibility with no contracts

Choose Zenchef if:

• You’re based in France, Netherlands, or Belgium
• You want a strong local alternative with zero commissions
• European POS integration matters

Choose GuestOnline if:

• You operate fine dining in France
• Michelin Group credibility adds value to your brand
• You want a commission-free model designed for upscale restaurants

Choose CoverManager if:

• You’re in Spain, Portugal, or Latin America
• You need more than restaurant reservations (events, nightlife, beach clubs)

Choose Quandoo if:

• You’re in Germany, Austria, or Switzerland
• You want a local marketplace with lower fees than TheFork
• You don’t mind per-cover fees at a reduced rate

Choose ResDiary if:

• You’re based in the UK
• You prefer established platforms with long track records

Choose OpenTable if:

• You need global reach beyond Europe
• International tourist traffic is important to your business

Choose Superb if:

• You’re in Nordic or Northern European markets
• Guest experience management is a priority
• You want commission-free with prepayment features

Commission-free vs marketplace: the real decision

The most important decision when leaving TheFork isn’t which platform to pick. It’s whether to stay on a marketplace model or switch to direct bookings.

Marketplace platforms (TheFork, OpenTable, Quandoo) offer diner discovery but charge commissions and control the customer relationship. Direct booking platforms (Resos, Zenchef, GuestOnline, Superb) let you own the guest relationship and pay flat fees regardless of volume.

For most restaurants, the math favors direct bookings. A restaurant processing 500 covers monthly might pay EUR 500-1,500+ in TheFork commissions and discount losses. The same restaurant on Resos pays $24-149/month flat, keeping 100% of revenue.

The trade-off is discovery. TheFork brings diners to you. With a direct platform, you drive traffic yourself through your website, Google Business Profile, and social media. For a deeper look, read Direct vs Third-Party Booking: What’s Best for Your Restaurant.

The bottom line

TheFork built the largest restaurant booking marketplace in Europe, but their commission model and discount-driven approach increasingly works against restaurants. Every reservation costs you money, and the pressure to discount devalues your brand.

For most European restaurants, Resos offers the best alternative: transparent pricing, a free tier to start, zero commissions, and full ownership of your guest data. Annual savings typically range from EUR 3,000 to EUR 10,000+ depending on volume and discount levels.

For restaurants in specific markets, regional alternatives like Zenchef (France/Benelux), GuestOnline (French fine dining), or CoverManager (Spain/Portugal) offer strong local options with commission-free models.

The key insight: you don’t need to give away a percentage of every reservation to have professional booking software. The market has evolved.

Related: TheFork vs Resos | Commission-Free Booking Systems | OpenTable alternatives

Sources

• TheFork Manager
• Zenchef
• GuestOnline
• CoverManager
• Quandoo for restaurants
• ResDiary
• OpenTable pricing
• Superb
• Resos pricing