In the restaurant industry, taking reservations through online channels is a non-negotiable in this day and age.
But choosing the online reservation system that is going to match your restaurant’s needs and your guests’ preferences isn’t the easiest task.
With a plethora of solutions available on the market, each offering different functionalities at different price points, it can be difficult to determine which one is right for you.
Luckily, we’re here to help.
For this article, we have compiled a list of 8 restaurant reservation systems—complete with their basic functionalities, pros, cons, and price points—to help you make the right decision.
So, let’s get started.
The first solution on our list today is our very own restaurant reservation system, Tablein.
Source: Tablein
Tablein is a comprehensive, yet affordable and simple-to-use table booking software that boasts a plethora of features that you and your staff need in order to successfully take and manage online reservations.
Source: Tablein
Our table booking solution is going to:
Let’s explore how.
For starters, Tablein comes with an easy-to-implement widget that makes online table reservations a breeze.
Simply integrate the Tablein booking widget with any of the platforms below, and your guests will be able to book a table with you 24/7, from anywhere, using any device.
Source: Tablein
Once a guest is ready to make a reservation, the system checks table availability in real time, assigns a table, and instantly sends them a reservation confirmation.
This means your staff will no longer be burdened with the task of manually taking and confirming reservations in person, over the phone, or via email.
This will, in turn, save them time and allow them to focus on creating a seamless dining experience.
On top of that, using Tablein makes it simple for them to manage any reservations that come through.
Because all information is consolidated in one place, your staff has a holistic view of table bookings, making it easy for them to filter reservations, make changes, and manage tables to ensure optimal table turnover.
Source: Tablein
Our feature-rich solution is a natural fit for any restaurant looking to streamline the way they take and manage their reservations.
The review left by one of our clients testifies to that:
Source: Capterra
If you’re considering giving Tablein a try, you should know that we offer a no-strings-attached, 14-day free trial of our premium plan that will allow you to thoroughly test all the functionalities our software has to offer.
After that, you can opt for one of our 3 subscription plans, depending on your restaurant’s specific needs.
For instance, our Growth plan is perfect for smaller restaurants with up to 150 monthly reservations that want to experience all the features we offer, whereas you may want to opt for the Success plan if your establishment is a bit busier.
Source: Tablein
Overall, having Tablein by your side means that your reservations will be streamlined, your tables full, and your guests happy.
And, at an affordable price for a plethora of useful features, it is definitely a solution worth a try.
The next solution on our list is Libro, a guest experience platform that helps you manage restaurant reservations and waitlists, guest marketing, and your reputation.
Source: Libro
Libro promises to:
Using this tool will make it possible for you to abandon third-party table reservation websites that charge commission for every booking and have your guests book a table on your website, Google profile, or Facebook page instead.
But aside from accepting online reservations, this platform focuses on building a relationship with your guests.
It helps boost your restaurant’s reputation by sending post-reservation surveys, as well as aids in increasing guest loyalty through personalized marketing programs.
Source: Libro
These additional modules make Libro a pricier option, starting at $119 a month for the Essential plan.
Their Essential Plan includes most, but not all of the features of the Reservations module, and excludes the features that come with the Guest Marketing and Reputation Management modules, aside from the basic version of the Post-Visit Guest Survey.
Source: Libro
Since the Essential plan doesn’t include reservation credit card verification or POS and third-party integrations, you’d likely have to opt for the $179-a-month Premium plan that covers all 3 of these important features.
Libro does, however, offer a demo upon request, allowing you to decide whether this multi-faceted solution is the right fit for your restaurant.
SimpleERB is a cloud-based restaurant reservation system that calls itself “a simple electronic reservation book”.
This booking management software boasts its ability to help you manage your reservations and maximize your revenue, all while remaining easy to use.
Source: simpleERB
Below, you can see what simpleERB’s Diary View looks like, providing you with an overview of all your table reservations and allowing you to update the reservation status from “Arrived” to “Seated” and “Left”.
Source: simpleERB on YouTube
The tool allows you to manually enter table bookings for your guests in case they call to make a reservation, but it also comes with the option to install a booking widget on your website.
Source: simpleERB on YouTube
If you haven’t used a restaurant reservation system before, and you’re looking for a less complex solution with fewer functionalities, simpleERB might be an option to consider.
In fact, it is the ease of use, highlighted as a pro by their users, that stands out the most.
However, the simplicity of the interface is a con for some, and multiple users are reporting that the software doesn’t work on their phones, making it difficult to manage reservations on the go.
Source: GetApp
Given the bustling nature of the restaurant industry, this is an important thing to keep in mind.
In terms of pricing, simpleERB is on the more affordable side, starting at €22.23 for the Starter plan.
Source: simpleERB
On top of that, they offer a free trial that doesn’t require a credit card, giving you the opportunity to test this simple restaurant reservation system without commitment.
The next restaurant reservation system on our list is Hostme.
Hostme is a reservation, waitlist, and table management solution suitable for various types of establishments—from full-service restaurants, groups and chains, breweries and wineries, to bars and clubs.
Source: Hostme
Hostme is more than just a tool that will help you take and manage your reservations, though.
Here are all the features that this versatile system has to offer:
As you can see, Hostme comes with a plethora of different functionalities that help run restaurant operations, but we are going to focus on the reservations feature in particular.
The software allows your guests to make table reservations from anywhere and provides you with an organized overview by consolidating reservations coming from various channels in one place.
Source: Hostme
On top of that, it offers additional functionalities, such as smart seating optimization in order to maximize your occupancy, and reservation deposits and cancelation fees that help reduce no-shows and late cancellations.
While there are few reviews available for this software on websites like Capterra, they are overwhelmingly positive.
Virtually the only con that the users are pointing out is the robustness of the software, making it a potentially overwhelming solution for restauranteurs just getting into online reservation taking and management.
However, as the user below points out, the features that might seem too complex or not needed can easily be turned off.
Source: Capterra
In terms of plans and pricing, Hostme lets you get started with a 2-week free trial that will allow you to assess the pros and cons of this software solution.
After that, you can opt for one of their three plans—Piccolo, Mezzo, or Grande—depending on the size of your restaurant and the need for additional functionalities, such as online ordering or POS integration.
Source: Hostme
The most affordable plan will cost you $59 per month, whereas the most extensive one is $169 a month.
Hostme also offers annual plans at 10% off, but the Piccolo plan isn’t included in this offer.
Overall, Hostme is a robust reservation management system that comes at an intermediate price, making it an option worth considering.
OpenTable is among the most popular restaurant reservation and management platforms on the market.
Source: OpenTable
This solution covers various aspects of running a restaurant business—from handling reservations, waitlists, and inventory management, to marketing and guest relationship efforts.
But even just in terms of reservation taking and management, OpenTable is a feature-rich software.
Take a look at some of the key features below:
Source: OpenTable
This powerful tool will help you accept and manage reservations, maximize your occupancy, avoid overbookings and double bookings, and even allow you to manage takeout orders.
Simply put, OpenTable can take the stress out of reservation management and allow your staff to focus on creating a positive guest experience instead.
Many of the user reviews point out the fact that this solution is intuitive and easy to use—both for the guests and the restaurants themselves.
However, the variety of features that this software offers also comes at a higher price than the other solutions we’ve presented so far.
Namely, the Basic plan will cost you $149 a month, whereas the most comprehensive Pro plan is a steep $499 a month.
Source: OpenTable
Regardless of which plan you may opt for, OpenTable charges a per network cover for each reservation made through OpenTable or their affiliate network, whereas the Basic plan also has a charge of $0.25 per cover for bookings made on your own website.
Source: OpenTable
While it is a comprehensive one, the additional fees can make this reservation system costly in the long run, so make sure to keep that in mind when making the final decision.
Eat App is yet another well-known and well-rounded restaurant reservation system you need to know about.
From online reservation capabilities and table and reservation management to sending guest reminders, this solution promises to help you get more bookings, automate repetitive tasks, and increase repeat visits.
Source: Eat App
The features offered by Eat App are fairly standard, yet integral for table booking software:
On top of that, Eat App integrates with various booking channels—like Google Business, Facebook, Instagram, and your website—allowing you to earn commission-free table reservations and consolidate them all in one place.
Below, you can see what the Eat App dashboard looks like:
Source: Software Advice
As you can see, this solution offers various views and functionalities to help you and your staff manage your table bookings with ease.
Eat App’s versatility and feature-richness are some of the system’s main benefits, alongside the fact that it offers a free monthly plan.
In terms of reservation and table management, this plan includes:
Other functionalities are available with a monthly upcharge, which is also the case for the paid Starter and Essential plans.
So, virtually the only difference between the Free, Starter, and Essential plans is the number of covers per month and SMS messages sent to guests.
Source: Eat App
In essence, only the Pro plan has all of the functionalities included without any additional charges.
Given the fact that this makes Eat App one of the pricier solutions on our list, we’d say that opting for a free trial before you make any commitments is the way to go.
Next on our list is RestaurantConnect, a reservation platform that emphasizes the importance of prioritizing guest experience and prides itself on providing an affordable solution for restauranteurs.
Source: RestaurantConnect
It comes with a plethora of standard features intended to make online reservation taking and management a breeze:
Source: RestaurantConnect
In terms of reservation management, RestaurantConnect promises to protect you from overbookings and optimize your occupancy by allowing you to auto-assign tables and send reminders and confirmations to reduce no-shows.
They especially highlight the functionalities focused on building relationships with your guests, allowing you to make note of their dining preferences, communicate with them via SMS and email, and collect their feedback.
In terms of pricing, RestaurantConnect is by far the most expensive solution on our list.
They currently offer two plans: the Premium plan at $349 a month, and the Accelerator plan with added functionalities at $849 a month.
Source: RestaurantConnect
With that being said, RestaurantConnect encourages potential users to book a strategy call and even offers a full reimbursement within 30 days of the purchase in case they’re not happy with the software.
So, if you’re looking for a restaurant reservation system that comes with additional perks—like operations analysis and a marketing plan—RestaurantConnect is a solution you may want to check out.
And the final restaurant reservation system for this article is resOS.
ResOS is a cloud-based solution offering a range of functionalities aimed at simplifying reservation management and maximizing occupancy levels.
Source: resOS
Some of the key features include:
According to resOS themselves, they are the right match for smaller restaurants, or those just getting into online reservation management:
resOS is ideal for small restaurants or startups that need a comprehensive yet cost-effective booking solution. Its modern interface and wide range of features are perfect for venues that prioritize a seamless, tech-forward customer experience.
According to Trustpilot reviews, restauranteurs using resOS seem to be happy with the software and praise its ease of use and customer support.
However, one of the reviews left by a guest alleges that confirming a reservation is a cumbersome process.
Source: Trustpilot
Of course, everyone has their preferences when it comes to what the reservation process should look like, so your guests may or may not agree with the review above.
That is why it’s a good idea to make use of the free trials that restaurant reservation system providers often offer.
This will allow both your staff and your guests to properly test out the software and determine whether it is the right fit for your restaurant.
Now, when it comes to plans and pricing, resOS—just like Eat App—offers a free plan.
However, the resOS Free plan includes all the features the provider offers, with the downside of only being able to take 25 bookings a month.
Source: resOS
The other three paid plans—Basic, Plus, and Unlimited—come with more monthly bookings, but include only a portion of the available features without an upcharge.
As you can see below, features like the ability to take reservations via Google, waitlists, and online payments will require you to pay an additional €3.99 to €11.99 a month.
Source: resOS
Luckily, you can always test out this solution for free and determine which plan—if any at all—is the right one for your establishment.
With that, we conclude our list of restaurant reservation systems you need to know about.
Our goal was to present each solution and its standout features, discuss the pros and cons of opting for it, and provide you with information about its pricing and value for money.
We hope that we have successfully helped you discern what it is that you’re looking for in a reservation system and brought you one step closer to finding your perfect match.