Your numbers
Network/marketplace covers usually carry the higher fee; your-website covers the lower one.
A flat-rate system (e.g. Resos) charges this fixed amount with no per-cover fees.
Your annual cost
You'd save
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How the calculation works
The estimate is deliberately simple and transparent so you can verify it:
network covers = monthly covers × network share %
website covers = monthly covers − network covers
monthly fees = (network covers × network fee) + (website covers × website fee)
per-cover total = (subscription + monthly fees) × 12
flat-rate total = flat monthly plan × 12
annual saving = per-cover total − flat-rate totalPer-cover fees and subscriptions vary by platform, plan, and region, so the calculator uses your own inputs rather than asserting fixed vendor prices. The defaults reflect a typical mid-sized restaurant on a marketplace platform. Always confirm current rates with the vendor.
What are cover fees, and why do they matter?
Marketplace booking platforms such as OpenTable and TheFork charge a fee for every guest (cover) seated from a reservation — usually higher for diners who arrive via the platform's network and lower for diners who book through your own website. Because the fee scales with every guest you seat, a busy restaurant can pay far more in cover fees than in subscription. A flat-rate, commission-free booking system charges a fixed monthly amount no matter how many covers you do — which is why high-volume venues often save the most by switching.
Related reading: Booking system pricing compared · OpenTable pricing explained · OpenTable alternatives · Best commission-free booking systems · Best restaurant booking systems 2026
Frequently asked questions
What is a cover fee? +
A cover fee is a charge a booking platform applies for every guest (cover) seated from a reservation. Marketplace platforms like OpenTable and TheFork typically charge a higher fee for diners who come through their network and a lower (or zero) fee for diners who book through your own website. Cover fees are charged on top of any monthly subscription.
How much does OpenTable cost per cover? +
OpenTable plans start around $149/month plus per-cover fees, typically $0.25 for covers booked through your own website and around $1.00 (US) or £0.20–£1.20 (UK) for covers booked through the OpenTable network. Exact fees depend on plan and region — use the calculator above with your own numbers and confirm current rates with the vendor.
How do I calculate my restaurant booking fees? +
Multiply your monthly network covers by the per-cover network fee, add your website covers multiplied by the website fee, then add the monthly subscription. Multiply by 12 for the annual cost. The calculator above does this automatically and compares it against a flat-rate, commission-free system.
Which restaurant booking systems have no cover fees? +
Flat-rate systems such as Resos, ResDiary, Tablein, and SevenRooms charge a fixed subscription with no per-cover commission. Marketplace platforms (OpenTable, TheFork) charge per-cover or commission fees. For commission-free options see our guide to commission-free booking systems.
Cite this calculator
Writing about restaurant booking costs? You're welcome to reference or link to this tool:
Restaurant Booking Fee Calculator — https://restaurantbookingsystem.com/tools/cover-fee-calculator/