Affordable Alternatives to Eat App for Small Restaurants

Eat App is a reservation management solution of choice for many restaurants. 

However, it’s far from the only option out there. 

Numerous affordable alternatives offer similar efficiency, making them ideal for small restaurants looking for big-player performance without the hefty price tag. 

In this article, we’ll introduce six such alternatives to help you make an informed decision, find the right fit for your business, and fully transform your operations. 

Let’s begin. 

Tablein

Let’s kick things off with our own solution, Tablein.

Tablein is an intuitive, one-stop solution for small restaurants, helping them boost sales, improve customer service, and reduce no-shows. 

As shown below, it provides all the essential features necessary for running a successful and efficient restaurant:

That’s right, our solution not only streamlines operations but also drives business growth with its marketing features, all while remaining incredibly easy to use.  

Just look at our intuitive Calendar view!

Source: Tablein

It shows you your whole day’s reservations and any available restaurant tables at a glance. 

You can also move any reservation or a walk-in around the calendar or swap it with another when needed.

It’s that easy!

And the best part about our solution?

We’re constantly adding new functions and features. 

For instance, we’ll soon be adding all-channel statistics, a guest CRM system, guest blacklisting, and even more reports and integrations. 

But how does Tablein stack up against Eat App? 

For one, our system is considerably more affordable. 

Source: Tablein

As you can see in the image above, our plans include a set number of reservations, regardless of how many guests are in each.

Eat App, on the other hand, counts individual “covers” (guests), which makes it easier to exceed plan limits and rack up extra charges. 

Not only this, but Eat App also charges extra for certain features, like email marketing or guest database.

With Tablein, every feature is part of every plan—no confusing add-on fees. 

This means that, as a small business, you can still experience all the benefits of our software, without breaking the bank. 

Secondly, Tablein is very user-friendly, with unparalleled, 24/7 customer support. 

And our customers agree. 

Source: Capterra

In contrast, Eat App, while feature-rich with advanced CRM capabilities and detailed guest profiles, has a steeper learning curve. 

So, if you’re looking for a user-friendly, budget-friendly, and super-effective solution for your restaurant, Tablein is definitely the answer. 

To try it out for yourself, don’t hesitate to sign up for our 100% free 14-day trial of the premium plan.

resmio

resmio is a booking solution designed to help restaurants streamline four key areas of their operations: reservations, table management, orders, and marketing. 

Here are some of the standout features:

• Online reservations
• Online orders
• Prepayment collection
• Digital table plan
• Email newsletters
• Guest database
• Reporting and analytics

With these features, resmio enables restaurants to eliminate paperwork, save time, and improve customer experience. 

It allows guests to conveniently make reservations or place takeaway orders with just a few clicks. 

You can learn more about the system in the video below:

Source: resmio - Reservierungssystem für die Gastronomie on YouTube

Now, let’s talk pricing. 

Here, it’s important to note that resmio offers a significant advantage over Eat App—no guest limitations on any of its plans. 

However, keep in mind that resmio requires a 12-month contract for all plans.

While the PREMIUM and ULTIMATE plans can be terminated early, doing so incurs a monthly fee of €10. 

In contrast, Eat App and Tablein do not require contracts and offer the flexibility to cancel at any time.

Similar to the Eat App, resmio charges additional fees for certain services and features like deposits, marketing tools, and the digital table plan. 

You can see their subscription plans below:

Source: resmio

Therefore, if you prefer all-inclusive plans, Tablein might still top your list. 

And here’s another key consideration: unlike Tablein and Eat App, which provide 24/7 live support, resmio’s live support is limited to their business hours. 

This may be a drawback for restaurants looking for round-the-clock assistance. 

Nevertheless, if you’re seeking a cost-effective alternative to Eat App with an integrated system for managing both reservations and takeaway/delivery services, this solution is still a worthy contender. 

If this sounds like you, take full advantage of resmio’s generous 30-day free trial. 

It’s a great opportunity to explore nearly all of its features before committing to the purchase.

TableAgent

TableAgent is a free, cloud-based restaurant reservation system that allows users to create, manage, and access reservations anytime from any device. 

Below are some of the key features it offers:

Source: TableAgent 

Unlike other solutions we’ve mentioned, TableAgent sticks to the basics. 

You won’t find many of the features the others have, like marketing tools, takeaway management, or even some advanced booking management capabilities. 

However, it does provide an interesting option to choose between two dashboard styles—a traditional reservation book layout and a table status dashboard.

Source: TableAgent 

This allows you to customize the system based on your preferences and needs. 

In any case, considering this is a free tool, these trade-offs may be worthwhile for certain users.

That said, TableAgent offers several paid features in addition to its free solution, including:

Overall, TableAgent is an excellent choice for restaurants looking for a basic, no-cost reservation management tool. 

For example, many pop-up restaurants, event venues, and private organizations use TableAgent exclusively for special events, and not day-to-day operations. 

However, if your business needs are more complex, you may want to explore some other solutions on this list. 

Either way, there’s no risk in trying out TableAgent’s free software to see if it fits your requirements.

TablesReady

TablesReady is a waitlist management, reservations, and paging app that replaces traditional pagers with convenient text messaging for businesses and restaurants. 

Here are the features this solution offers: 

Source: TablesReady

As you can see, TablesReady focuses heavily on waitlist and queue management and offers robust features in this area, compared to Eat App and other systems on this list. 

For instance, with contactless check-ins, guests can check in with a text message. 

Then, with one click, you can notify them when it’s time to come in, minimizing crowding and improving the waiting experience for everyone. 

Plus, they also offer Waiting Room TV, a customizable display of your queue that can be streamed on any device.

You can learn more about how it all works here:

Source: TablesReady on YouTube

However, TablesReady’s capabilities are somewhat weaker in other areas. 

Unlike Eat App or even other solutions on the list, like Tablein, it lacks features related to marketing, time management, or event management.

So, how much does it cost? 

Here’s the breakdown: 

Source: TablesReady

Keep in mind that the cost of The Premium plan depends on how many messages you’ll be sending. 

Therefore, although it starts at $39/month for 1,000 messages, additional message packages will incur extra costs. 

All in all, this solution is ideal for small but super busy establishments where managing crowds and waitlists is a top priority. 

This review, for instance, shows where TablesReady truly shines:

“We used to have a long line out the door on the weekends, leading to a crowded, loud atmosphere. Now, we can have our customers shop around in our store while they wait their turn. It's a calmer environment now, the baristas don't feel rushed, and the customers get a much more pleasant experience.”

If that sounds like your business, consider signing up for TablesReady’s 14-day free trial before making a final decision.

Eveve

Eveve is a software company that offers a proprietary restaurant reservation system called TELOS, designed to help restaurateurs efficiently manage bookings and streamline operations. 

Here’s what it provides:

Source: Eveve

Since its founding in 2007, Eveve has focused on refining TELOS to meet the evolving needs of the restaurant industry, prioritizing reliability and functionality. 

The solution is designed to quickly identify wasted tables, and maximize booking opportunities for both restaurant and guest, under the rules strictly set by your restaurant.

You can see their app below:

Source: Google Play

Still, the platform does lack some key features that other reservation systems offer. 

For example, it doesn’t include SMS communication options—a considerable limitation that may affect customer engagement and reservation management. 

Besides, the system doesn’t come with integrated marketing tools, potentially limiting your ability to attract and retain diners through promotions.

When it comes to pricing, specific details are not available on the Eveve website. 

However, what we do know is that the company charges a license fee for TELOS and, unlike Eat App, doesn’t charge a fee per online diner. 

In any case, Eveve’s dedication to customer relationships and product quality is what its users seem to appreciate the most. 

Here’s what one restaurateur had to say:

“Although we are only new to the system, the support and training have been superb, making the transition from our old booking system to Eveve seamless.”

Therefore, if you own or manage a small restaurant that needs a technically reliable system with excellent customer support, Eveve deserves your attention. 

You can contact their representatives for more information or to schedule a demo.

Dojo

Dojo Bookings is a product by Dojo, a British SME payments provider, offering an end-to-end restaurant management system. 

It enables you to: 

• manage bookings from any device 
• take deposits 
• create special offers 
• get discovered by customers on the Dojo Diner's booking app 
• create guest profiles 

Recently, Dojo introduced a new feature called Dojo Experiences, which allows restaurants to create unique, event-based bookings. 

This means you can manage reservations for special events like bottomless brunches, afternoon teas, or set menu dinners, as shown below:

Source: Dojo

Each type of event can have custom seating arrangements and deposit requirements, all within the same scheduling system. 

That said, Dojo Bookings does have some limitations. 

For instance, unlike Eat App or Tablein, it currently lacks robust reporting and social media integration features. 

So, if you’re looking for a solution that takes reservations from many different channels, you might want to consider other tools on this list. 

When it comes to pricing, Dojo Bookings is accessible with an £80 setup fee and a monthly rolling contract priced at £99. 

Source: Dojo

Keep in mind, however, that these rates apply to UK businesses only.

If you’re based outside the country, you’ll need to contact them directly for their international rates. 

It’s also worth noting that this is the only solution on this list that offers card payment devices as well. 

Here, you can choose between:

• a monthly payment option starting at £15
• a one-time cost beginning at £179

To sweeten the deal, Dojo also offers up to £3,000 toward cancellation fees if you switch from another payment provider. 

Overall, if your priority is building strong guest relationships—rather than robust booking management and streamlining operations—Dojo could be a good fit for you. 

To learn more about the system, you can watch the video below:

Source: Dojo on YouTube

And with a one-month free trial, you can thoroughly test the system yourself.

Conclusion

As you read through this article, you’ve likely picked up on the unique pros, cons, and ideal use cases for each of the software solutions we’ve covered. 

Use that to guide your decision-making process. 

Consider your specific needs, budget, and priorities to choose a tool that aligns perfectly. 

For instance, if your goal extends beyond streamlining restaurant operations to growing your business, seek solutions with built-in marketing and analytics tools, like Tablein. 

On the other hand, if your budget is tight and you don't need advanced features right now, a free option like TableAgent might be a good starting point. 

And don’t forget—all these platforms offer free trials or demos, so you can see them in action and figure out how well each of them suits your preferences and workflow.