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Today’s guests have a few expectations when booking a table.
Not only do they want a seamless experience from the beginning of their reservation to its end with as few interactions as possible, but they also expect real-time waitlists, reviews and recommendations from other patrons, and an option to make their preferences known.
Using an online restaurant reservation system gives customers the freedom to make a booking whenever they like without having to call you.
Currently, restaurants have a variety of options to choose from.
Here are the best restaurant reservation systems
- Eat App
- Resy
- Wisely
- Tock
- OpenTable
- Yelp
- Table Agent
- Eveve
- Tablein
- ResOS
- Sevenrooms
- Servme
- The Fork
- Hostme
- ResDiary
- Toast
Restaurant reservation systems take a load off your staff and streamline daily operations.
With real-time access to floor activity, guest distribution, and dining preferences, managing your restaurant becomes easier. Plus, integrating customer details (like birthdays and anniversaries) into a loyalty program helps create memorable experiences.
But with so many options out there, how do you choose the right one?
We tested various systems, signed up where possible, checked user reviews on G2, and compared pricing. Here’s our take on the best online reservation systems based on key criteria.
Choosing the Right Reservation System
When researching reservation systems, keep these key features in mind:
Features – Is it easy to use? Does it reduce no-shows with SMS, email, and push notifications? Can it boost online bookings with a widget? Look for table management, customer service, and waitlisting tools.
Cost – While price isn’t everything, it can be the deciding factor between similar options. Watch out for hidden fees like setup or SMS charges, especially if you handle high reservations.
Now, let’s dive into top reservation systems.
Eat App: smart, simple reservations
Eat App is a cloud-based, cross-platform reservation system that works on iPads, desktops, and mobile devices. It simplifies table management, reduces errors, and helps boost revenue.
With an intuitive floor plan set up, party size controls, and a real-time booking widget, guests can easily reserve tables from your website or social media. Plus, Eat App connects your restaurant to a global reservation network via Instagram, Facebook, Google, Tripadvisor, and more to expand your reach and increase covers. It also allows establishments to accept online payments directly through the booking platform, enhancing the customer experience and operational efficiency.
>>> Get more online bookings. Download our free guest acquisition guide.
Beyond reservations, Eat App offers shift management, credit card holds to reduce no-shows, automation, and seamless POS, phone, and payment integrations. It even provides rich guest insights like spend per guest and menu preferences to improve service and marketing.
Eat App also supports delivery, takeaway, and contactless dining, giving you full control over your guest experience.
Pricing
- Free – $0/month: Basic table management, online booking access, 30-cover limit.
- Starter – $49/month: Full table management, 300 covers, automated messaging, 100 free SMS.
- Basic – $129/month: Unlimited covers, guest surveys, reports, 250 free SMS.
- Pro – $229/month: Advanced CRM, analytics, guest tagging, and marketing tools with 1000 free SMS.
For unlimited covers, go with the $129/month plan. For full guest CRM and analytics, the $229 plan is ideal. Need help to choose? Take the quiz.
Want to explore what Eat App has to offer? Book a free Eat App consultation to learn more.
Resy: Flexible Reservations and Waitlist Management
Resy offers a waitlist and reservation platform with mobile booking, POS integration, and table management.
Like other full-featured systems, it lets you create a custom floor plan with bar seats, dining areas, and patios. Guests can confirm or cancel via text and notify you if they’re running late.
The software syncs guest notes and preferences across all your locations on multiple devices. Through the Resy app, guests enter details like birthdays, allergies, and food restrictions, so you don’t have to ask. You can also add notes for extra context.
Resy integrates with Facebook, TripAdvisor, Airbnb, and other platforms to help diners discover and connect with your restaurant.
Resy Pricing
Resy offers three pricing tiers: Platform, Platform 360, and Full Stack.
- Platform – Starts at $189/month with POS integration, unlimited users, devices, and covers.
- Platform 360 – $399/month with branding and hospitality features, customizable guest messaging, and a data and analytics package.
- Full Stack – Starts at $899/month for high-volume network configuration and API access for enterprise-level restaurants.
For ticketed events, Resy charges a 3% fee for Platform users, which drops to 2% for Platform 360 and Full Stack plans.
Tock: boosting revenue and enhancing customer experience
Tock is a table management system designed to reduce no-shows and increase revenue with its ticketing system that allows reservation deposits, prepayments, and prepaid reservations.
Automated notifications and waitlists help fill last-minute cancellations, while pre-visit questionnaires ensure you’re aware of guest preferences before they arrive. Tock also offers an offline mode to keep your restaurant running smoothly at all times.
For enhanced customer experience, Tock provides customizable guest notes, tags, and integration with LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook profiles.
Pricing
Intro – Free, with a 3% prepaid fee, ideal for pop-ups and prepaid culinary events.
Plus – Starts at $199/month with a 2% prepaid fee, offering full table management and prepaid experiences like tasting menus.
Pro – Starts at $699/month with 0% prepaid reservation fees, ideal for high-volume or chef-driven restaurants.
OpenTable: maximize reservations and drive more covers
OpenTable offers reservation software that helps you organize shift summaries, automate reservation reminders, and optimize turn times.
Customers can view real-time table availability and book directly from your website. With table categories, you can maximize covers by allowing bookings for different seating areas like the patio or bar.
It also saves useful customer details, such as guest history and visit notes, to help deliver a personalized experience. Plus, OpenTable connects you to its vast diner network, giving you access to 27 million potential guests.
Pricing
- Basic – $39/month with a $1.50 per-cover charge, providing access to OpenTable's dining network.
- Core – $249/month with a $1 per-cover charge, offering basic table management and waitlist features.
Yelp reservations: streamline bookings and boost your online presence
Yelp’s reservation software offers the essentials to help you reach more diners, provide accurate wait times, assign servers, and accept bookings directly from your Yelp business page. It features a free reservation system that is cloud-based, requiring no software downloads or credit card information, making it accessible and straightforward for restaurants.
Customers can easily check availability and make reservations with just a couple of taps on your Yelp page. You can also integrate a booking widget on your restaurant website. Yelp allows you to monitor your floor and service activity from any device, anywhere.
If you’re already active on Yelp, this system is a great way to turn your online presence into increased bookings.
Pricing
Yelp charges a flat rate of $249/month with no cover, setup, or web access fees. The iPad is included, and features include two-way diner messaging.
Table Agent: affordable and simple reservation management
Table Agent is focused on helping restaurants save money with an affordable, easy-to-use reservation system.
The platform offers a simple, web-based system with a simple user interface and limited updates, using a list-based approach to manage reservations—think of it as a digital version of a traditional reservation book. It also includes an online booking widget for reservations.
If you’re seeking a basic solution for organizing reservations, Table Agent is a cost-effective choice. However, if you need more advanced features, you may want to explore other options.
Pricing
Table Agent offers a free system with no monthly subscription or cover fee for basic features. For advanced functionality, you can subscribe to add-ons:
- Per transaction fee – $1 or $29 for unlimited transactions per month
- SMS packages – Starting at $20
Eveve: maximize efficiency with real-time bookings
Eveve facilitates real-time bookings by combining live online booking pages with up-to-date availability. This tech-forward customer experience ensures seamless technology integration, enhancing customer interaction with a range of features that improve the overall reservation management process. The system allows instant reservations, helping to maximize floor efficiency as bookings are available 24/7.
The “full availability” feature lets you offer alternative dates to guests when their preferred times are fully booked. The customer database auto-populates, providing insights into guest demographics. Eveve also offers remote access, allowing you to monitor restaurant operations from anywhere.
Pricing
Eveve’s pricing is not disclosed on its website, but it typically costs between $150-300 per month, with no additional fees per diner. To get a quote, restaurant owners can request a demo directly from Eveve’s website.
Tablein: simplify reservations and boost restaurant efficiency
Tablein helps smaller restaurants attract customers, optimize guest capacity, and streamline operations. The restaurant industry is increasingly recognizing the importance of modern reservation systems to stay competitive.
Once set up, the software automatically allocates tables and displays reservations on an interactive calendar. It also sends automatic reminders to reduce no-shows. Additionally, Tablein offers marketing features to fill empty hours, list events, and increase sales.
However, Tablein doesn’t include advanced features like POS integration or server management, making it best suited for smaller restaurants looking for basic reservation tools.
Pricing
- Standard Plan – $75/month for 150 bookings, with a $0.25 charge per additional booking. Includes all features, free live support, and updates.
- Premium Plan – $115/month for unlimited bookings, with free installation, live support, and updates.
A free trial with free installation and live support is also available.
ResOS: streamline reservations and improve guest experiences
ResOS is a cloud-based restaurant reservation system designed to simplify operations and improve guest experiences. It allows you to set up your restaurant's floor plan, manage party sizes, and track availability. ResOS also offers seamless widget integration for your website and social media, enabling guests to book directly from those platforms.
Additionally, ResOS integrates with POS, phone, and payment systems to provide advanced guest data and insights for better service and targeted marketing.
Pricing
The ResOS unlimited tier, which includes all the basic features for managing reservations, starts at $95 per month.
Sevenrooms: Optimize Reservations and Elevate Restaurant Management
Sevenrooms is a reservation and guest management platform designed to enhance restaurant operations. It helps you optimize table assignments, manage reservations, and maintain a detailed guest database.
With a mobile app for on-the-go management, Sevenrooms allows you to monitor and adjust reservations and waitlists in real-time. Its integrations with platforms like Facebook and TripAdvisor help expand your reach and increase reservations.
Pricing
Pricing for Sevenrooms varies based on your restaurant’s needs, but for table management, reservation management, and basic integrations, it starts at $700 per month.
Servme: simplify guest management and optimize reservations
Servme is a restaurant reservation system that offers an array of features to streamline the guest management processes. Servme assists you in managing reservations, optimizing table assignments, and providing excellent customer service.
Their platform facilitates direct communication between your restaurant and guests, enabling them to book tables seamlessly from your website or social media pages. Servme also offers waitlist management, ensuring that you can fill cancellations efficiently.
Pricing
Pricing for Servme is not publicized but we estimate a standard package to cost around $300 per month per restaurant.
The Fork: boost visibility and simplify reservations
The Fork is an online reservation system designed to increase your restaurant's visibility and streamline guest bookings. Its user-friendly interface lets diners discover your restaurant, check availability, and make reservations easily.
With integrations to platforms like TripAdvisor and Google, The Fork expands your reach. The booking widget allows direct online reservations, and its guest management tools, detailed customer database, and reporting features help track trends and make data-driven decisions.
Pricing
Pricing for The Fork varies depending on location and needs. For example, in the UK, the Pro plan costs $178 per month, with additional charges on a per-cover basis.
Hostme
Hostme is a very diverse reservation system designed to optimize your restaurant's operations and guest management. With its easy-to-use interface, Hostme offers features like table management, waitlist management, and online reservations to ensure a seamless dining experience.
Hostme's unique features include its SMS notification system, which allows you to keep guests informed about their reservation status and waitlist updates. This contributes to a smooth guest experience and reduces no-shows.
Hostme provides insights and analytics to understand reservation trends and improve table turnover. Integration options enable synchronization with POS and other systems for improved efficiency.
Pricing
For Hostme's most complete package for restaurants, you'll be spending $169 per month.
ResDiary: streamline reservations and expand your reach
ResDiary is a user-friendly reservation and table management system designed to optimize guest handling and restaurant operations.
A standout feature is its channel management capabilities, which connect your restaurant to multiple online booking platforms, increasing visibility and attracting more reservations. ResDiary also offers customizable messaging, communication tools, and reporting features to help make data-driven decisions that enhance guest satisfaction and revenue.
Pricing
ResDiary’s most popular package pricing is not publicly listed, but costs vary based on restaurant size and needs.
Toast Tables: integrated reservation and guest management
Toast Tables is a powerful reservation and guest management system designed to work seamlessly with your restaurant’s operations. It offers advanced table management, efficient reservation handling, and smooth guest communication.
A key advantage is its integration with the Toast POS system, ensuring accurate order tracking and personalized service. Toast Tables also includes waitlist management and online booking, making it easy for guests to reserve tables from your website or social media. Its reporting tools provide insights into reservation trends and guest behavior.
Pricing
Toast Tables offers unlimited access for $199 per month per restaurant.
The takeaway
There are plenty of restaurant reservation systems available, catering to different budgets and needs.
This breakdown of top options should help you find one that fits your budget while still offering the features you need.
While the cost might seem high at first, these systems often bring more value than expected. The right choice will ultimately pay for itself by improving efficiency, streamlining operations, and enhancing guest experiences, helping to turn first-time visitors into loyal customers.
FAQs
How does online reservation work?
They are made to allow a customer to view an appointment calendar with available times when they visit your website. After that, clients simply select the desired service, the time, and complete an online booking form. This booking form can be set up to collect all the information required for the appointment.
What are the types of online reservations?
Online reservation systems come in various types, each tailored to specific needs. For restaurants, platforms like Eat App allow diners to book tables online. Hotels use sites like Booking.com to manage room bookings. Flight reservations are handled by services such as Expedia. Event tickets are sold through Ticketmaster, while car rentals can be booked via Hertz.
Platforms like Viator manage activity and tour reservations. For services like medical appointments or personal training, systems like Calendly are used. Vacation rentals are booked through sites like Airbnb. Each system is designed to streamline booking and enhance user convenience.
What is an online reservation fee?
The cost a hotel or restaurant charges to reserve a room or table is referred to as the reservation fee. It functions similarly to a security deposit in that the buyer must pay it to reserve their accommodation. However, the customer must cancel the reservation before the charge deadline for the money to be refunded.
What are the two types of restaurant reservations?
Phone reservations: To book a reservation, patrons must give the restaurant a call. They include information about the number of visitors, the chosen time and day, and any unique needs.
Reservations made in person: Patrons visit the restaurant to make reservations.
*This excludes online restaurant reservations.
What are the advantages of online reservation system?
It improves the number of reservations you acquire.
You have the ability to take reservations around the clock, saving your clients from having to wait till the next day or, worse, switching to one of your rivals. When it's convenient for them, clients may make reservations, and you can take bookings while you sleep.
What are the disadvantages of taking reservations?
The possibility of last-minute cancellations and no-shows, which might leave tables unfilled and reduce revenue, is a major drawback of taking bookings. It's important to employ techniques like reservation deposits, confirmation calls, and late cancellation penalties to minimize this.
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