TheFork vs Resos: Complete comparison 2026

TheFork is the better choice if you need marketplace exposure in Southern Europe, where its diner network is massive and well-established. Resos is the better choice for restaurants that want predictable costs, zero commission fees, and full ownership of their guest data. If you operate in Northern Europe or Scandinavia, Resos offers stronger local support and more cost-effective pricing.

Key takeaways

• TheFork: Europe’s largest diner marketplace (55,000+ restaurants, 11+ countries), per-cover commission model, strong in France, Italy, and Spain
• Resos: Flat subscription pricing ($0-149/month), zero commission fees, free tier available, strong in Northern Europe and Scandinavia
• Cost difference: Resos saves most restaurants EUR 3,000-8,000+ annually by eliminating per-cover commissions
• Business model: TheFork is a marketplace (discovery + management). Resos is a SaaS tool (management only, you own the guest relationship)

TheFork vs Resos at a glance

Quick verdict

TheFork is a marketplace-first platform. It works best for restaurants in France, Italy, Spain, Belgium, and the Netherlands that want to tap into TheFork’s large pool of active diners. The trade-off is clear: you pay a commission on every cover that comes through the platform, and TheFork controls the guest relationship.

Resos is a software-first platform. It works best for restaurants that already generate their own traffic through Google, social media, or word of mouth and need a reliable, affordable system to manage those reservations. You pay a flat monthly fee, keep all your data, and never worry about variable costs eating into your margins.

The fundamental question: do you need a marketplace to find diners, or do you need a tool to manage the diners who already find you?

TheFork vs Resos pricing comparison 2026

TheFork pricing

TheFork uses a subscription-plus-commission model. The software (TheFork Manager) comes in three tiers, and commission fees apply on top:

TheFork does not publish exact pricing on its website. Rates vary by market and are typically negotiated during the sales process. The per-cover commission of approximately EUR 2 to EUR 4 per diner is the primary cost driver for most restaurants. This fee applies to every booking that comes through the TheFork app, website, or partner channels (including Tripadvisor).

Important: TheFork charges the same commission for repeat guests. If the same customer books through TheFork five times, you pay the commission five times, even though you already have their contact information.

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

Resos pricing

Resos uses flat subscription pricing with zero cover fees:

Promotional pricing is 50% off for the first 6 months. No cover fees on any plan. Month-to-month billing with no annual commitment required.

Real cost example: 500 covers per month

TheFork (estimated):

• Monthly subscription: ~EUR 50-150 (varies by plan and market)
• Commission on 500 covers at EUR 2.60 each: EUR 1,300
• Estimated total monthly cost: EUR 1,350-1,450

Resos Plus Plan:

• Monthly subscription: $49 (promo) or $98 (regular)
• Cover fees: $0
• Total monthly cost: $49-$98

Estimated annual savings with Resos: EUR 15,000+

Even if you use TheFork’s lowest possible commission rate, the per-cover fees alone on 500 monthly covers add up to over EUR 15,000 per year. That is money going to the platform rather than into your restaurant.

TheFork vs Resos features compared

Reservation management

Both platforms handle online reservations, table management, and booking confirmations. TheFork Manager has been in the market since 2007 and offers a mature, full-featured reservation system. Resos is newer but covers the same core functionality that 90% of restaurants need.

Where TheFork wins: marketplace and discovery

TheFork’s biggest advantage is its diner network. With 55,000+ partner restaurants, 20 million+ reviews, and nearly 40 million app downloads, it is the largest restaurant discovery platform in Europe.

• TheFork app and website: Millions of diners actively searching for restaurants
• Tripadvisor integration: Direct connection to one of the world’s largest travel platforms
• YUMS loyalty program: Diners earn points for booking, encouraging repeat visits (YUMS members book an average of 12 times per year)
• TheFork Festival: Seasonal promotional events offering 50% off at participating restaurants, driving high booking volumes
• Michelin Guide partnership: Enhanced visibility for Michelin-listed restaurants

If your restaurant is in Paris, Milan, Barcelona, or Amsterdam, TheFork’s marketplace can deliver a steady stream of new guests. That discovery value is real, especially for newer restaurants building awareness.

Where Resos wins: cost control and data ownership

Resos does not operate a diner marketplace, and that is a feature, not a limitation. Here is why:

• Zero commission fees: Your costs are the same whether you serve 100 or 10,000 covers
• Full data ownership: Guest emails, phone numbers, and preferences stay in your system, not the platform’s
• No discount pressure: TheFork encourages restaurants to offer 20-50% discounts to boost visibility. Resos never pressures you to discount
• Predictable budgeting: Flat monthly fee means no surprises on your invoice
• Free tier: Test the platform at zero risk with 25 bookings per month

The discount problem with TheFork

One aspect of TheFork that restaurants should consider carefully is its emphasis on discounts. TheFork Festival, special offers, and YUMS promotions encourage restaurants to offer 20-50% off to boost their visibility on the platform. While this can drive bookings, it creates several issues:

1. Margin erosion. A 30% discount on a EUR 40 meal costs you EUR 12 per guest, on top of the EUR 2-4 commission. Your effective acquisition cost per diner could be EUR 14-16.
2. Discount-seeking diners. Guests who find you through TheFork promotions often expect deals. They may not return at full price.
3. Brand devaluation. Regular discounting can position your restaurant as a “deal” destination rather than a quality dining experience.

Resos does not have a consumer marketplace, so there is no pressure to discount. Your guests book because they want to eat at your restaurant, not because they found a deal on an app.

Who should choose TheFork

TheFork makes sense if:

• You are in a strong TheFork market. France, Italy, Spain, Belgium, and the Netherlands have the highest diner traffic. The marketplace delivers real value in these countries.
• You need new customer acquisition. New restaurants or those in competitive areas benefit from marketplace exposure, even at a per-cover cost.
• You can absorb commission fees. If your average check is high enough that EUR 2-4 per cover is a small percentage, the discovery value may outweigh the cost.
• You want Tripadvisor integration. The direct connection to Tripadvisor can boost your online visibility and review volume.
• You are comfortable with the discount model. If TheFork Festival and special offers align with your pricing strategy, the promotional tools can fill seats during slow periods.

Who should choose Resos

Resos makes sense if:

• You want predictable costs. Flat pricing means your reservation software never gets more expensive as you get busier. Success should not cost more.
• You already have a customer base. If guests find you through Google, social media, word of mouth, or your own website, you do not need a marketplace. You need a management tool.
• You are in Scandinavia or Northern Europe. Resos is headquartered in Copenhagen and purpose-built for the Nordic market. TheFork’s presence in Scandinavia is limited compared to Southern Europe.
• You value data ownership. Your guest list is one of your most valuable assets. With Resos, it stays yours entirely. With TheFork, the platform mediates the relationship.
• You are budget-conscious. Every euro saved on software is a euro invested in food, staff, or marketing you control. The free tier lets you start at zero cost.
• You reject discount pressure. You set your own prices and never feel pushed to offer 30-50% off to maintain platform visibility.

For a deeper look at choosing the right system, see our guide on how to choose a booking system and the case for direct vs. third-party booking.

Can you use both?

Yes, and many restaurants do. A common strategy is to list on TheFork for marketplace visibility (especially during slow periods or for new restaurant launches) while using Resos as the primary reservation system for direct bookings. This lets you:

• Capture TheFork’s diner traffic in strong markets
• Build your direct booking channel with Resos over time
• Gradually reduce TheFork dependency as your direct traffic grows
• Keep full data ownership for guests who book directly

The goal is to shift the ratio over time. Start with TheFork for discovery, then invest in your own channels (Google Business Profile, website, social media) to reduce commission costs as your reputation grows.

For more strategies on balancing marketplace and direct bookings, see our article on direct vs. third-party booking.

The bottom line

TheFork and Resos serve different purposes. TheFork is a marketplace that can fill your tables with new customers, but every cover comes with a commission, and the platform encourages discounting that can erode your margins. Resos is a management tool that gives you full control of your reservations and guest data at a predictable, flat cost.

For restaurants in Southern Europe that need discovery, TheFork delivers genuine value through its massive diner network. For restaurants that already have traffic, operate in Northern Europe or Scandinavia, or simply want to stop paying per-cover fees, Resos is the more cost-effective choice.

The math is straightforward: a restaurant processing 500 covers per month could save over EUR 15,000 per year by managing those bookings through Resos instead of TheFork. That is real money that can go toward better ingredients, higher staff wages, or marketing you actually control.

Related comparisons: OpenTable vs Resos | OpenTable alternatives | Best restaurant booking systems 2026

Sources

• TheFork Manager
• TheFork pricing
• TheFork commission details
• Resos pricing
• TheFork YUMS loyalty program