Let us guess.
You are here because you're looking for a new restaurant reservation system. You've narrowed it down to Tablein and Eat App, but now you're stuck and can’t decide which one to pick.
Or maybe you just stumbled upon this article and figured, why not take a look?
Either way, we’ve got you covered.
This is the most detailed, straight-to-the-point comparison of Eat App and Tablein you’ll find.
We’re about to compare them head-to-head: features, pricing, integrations, customer support, and real user feedback.
So whether you’re looking for the best option for your restaurant or just love a good head-to-head showdown…
Keep reading. You’ll find what you need.
Key Features Comparison
Let’s start with one of the most important parts of any software: features.
A good reservation system should make life easier, not harder. It should handle bookings, manage tables, and help you run your restaurant more efficiently and profitably.
In this section, we’ll break down the essential features that matter most and see how Tablein and Eat App compare.
Online Booking
Your customers need a way to reserve a table online.
And, whether they do it through your website or social media, your reservation system should make it easy.
That’s the whole point of using one in the first place.
Now, online bookings happen through so-called booking widgets that you add to your site and social media, and both Tablein and Eat App offer these widgets.
While both software widgets do have the same functionality (collect reservations, show availability, and sync with your system), when you look closer, the differences start to show.
One such difference is language support.
Tablein supports 28 different languages:
Source: Tablein
Eat App? Just 9.
Source: Eat App
If your restaurant serves a diverse customer base, this could matter more than you think.
Another difference is website compatibility.
Tablein works with all website builders, meaning you can add its widget to WordPress, Squarespace, Shopify, or anything else.
Eat App, on the other hand, has a direct integration with Wix. Great if you use Wix, but limiting if you don’t, and requires extra effort to make it work on other platforms.
Then there’s customization.
Tablein gives you four different widget designs, including dark and light themes.
You can add your restaurant’s colors, choose optional fields like gift vouchers, discount codes, or food allergies, and even create a multi-language widget.
Source: Tablein
In contrast, Eat App offers even deeper customization by allowing you to add custom CSS, which means you can tweak the widget’s design however you like, that is if you have the skills or a developer to do it.
Source: Eat App
This makes sense when you look at the audience.
Tablein is initially built for smaller restaurants that want a simple, budget-friendly solution while Eat App is built for larger, high-end restaurants that might want more control, even if it means dealing with extra complexity.
But here’s where Tablein pulls ahead.
Unlike most reservation systems, including Eat App, it comes with a free website and menu builder.
With Tablein, you can create a fully functional restaurant website that’s fast, mobile-friendly, and easy to update. It syncs with your reservation system automatically, and you can even create an interactive food and drink menu.
And the best part? It’s completely free.
If you’re a smaller restaurant looking for an all-in-one solution, this feature alone could make Tablein the better choice.
Reservation Management
Guest booking their spot doesn’t mean much if you don’t manage these reservations correctly, and both Eat App and Tablein do a very good job at helping you with it.
One feature that makes this process easier?
The floor plan.
Both Tablein and Eat App let you create a digital version of your restaurant layout using a simple drag-and-drop builder. You just pick a table shape from the sidebar, drop it onto the floor plan, and adjust as needed.
The difference?
Tablein’s floor plan is more user-friendly and visually cleaner.
And Eat App’s floor plan, while not as sleek, is far more comprehensive.
You can create multiple rooms, areas, and even floors, making it ideal for large restaurants with complex layouts.
Source: Eat App
Tablein, meanwhile, lets you separate areas using walls and text labels but doesn’t support multi-floor setups.
Again, this makes sense, Eat App is built for bigger, high-end venues, while Tablein focuses on simplicity for smaller restaurants.
Now, let’s talk about the calendar, one feature Tablein excels in.
It's built for speed and simplicity, and the interface is so intuitive that you and your staff can start using it with almost no training.
Source: Tablein
You can instantly see booked, pending, and available slots, all color-coded for quick reference.
In fact, this calendar is one of the most praised features by Tablein users (we’ll cover user feedback and reviews a bit later in the article).
You can also switch between floor plan view for a more visual approach or list view if you prefer a structured overview.
Eat App offers the same core functionalities, but with one extra option, grid view:
Source: Eat App
The main differences between the two? Design and a slightly longer learning curve.
In the end, it comes down to what you need.
If you run a small to mid-sized restaurant, Tablein’s easy-to-use calendar and intuitive floor plan will likely be enough.
If you manage a bigger venue with multiple areas, Eat App’s advanced floor plan and table grouping features could be worth the extra complexity.
Table Management
Both Tablein and Eat App come with smart table allocation features that help you seat guests in the best possible way.
For example, you can allow customers to choose their preferred dining area when booking.
Source: Tablein
If they select a specific section, the system will first check for available tables there. If no preference is given, tables are assigned automatically based on priority first filling one area, then moving to the next.
You can even make dining area selection mandatory, ensuring guests always pick where they want to sit before finalizing their reservation.
Source: Tablein
Eat App offers an auto-assign feature, which you can toggle on or off.
This means you can either let the system assign tables automatically or leave it up to your staff.
Tablein doesn’t have this option, tables are always assigned based on priority, keeping things as simple as possible.
Then there’s reservation timing, a feature that directly impacts table turnover and, ultimately, your profits.
Both platforms allow you to set reservation intervals, meaning you can choose whether tables open up every 15, 30, or any other set number of minutes.
Source: Eat App
They also adjust reservation duration automatically based on party size. A group of two might get a shorter time slot than a party of ten, and lunchtime bookings can have different limits than dinner reservations.
You can even set custom durations for certain days, like giving guests extra time on weekends or keeping things tight during peak hours.
But what if your restaurant is fully booked?
That’s where the waitlist comes in.
No-shows happen, and the last thing you want is an empty table when you could be seating another paying customer.
Tablein keeps its waitlist simple and flexible.
Guests can join the waitlist directly through the booking widget if all reservation slots are taken.
Source: Tablein
For walk-in guests, staff can quickly add their name, phone number, and email to the waitlist, making sure no potential diners are lost.
Once a table opens up, guests on the list will be visible in the reservation system, making it easy to notify and seat them right away.
Source: Tablein
Eat App offers a similar waitlist function but with an extra twist.
Unlike Tablein, Eat App’s waitlist can work as a standalone product, meaning you don’t have to use the full reservation system to take advantage of it.
Source: Eat App
On top of that, it has some really cool AI features like wait times estimations.
The system analyzes available tables, room layouts, and shift patterns to suggest the most accurate wait times, reducing uncertainty for both guests and staff.
Guest profiles and CRM
Running a restaurant isn’t just about filling tables.
It’s also about knowing your guests.
The more you know, the better the experience you can offer, and the more likely they are to come back.
Because of that, a good CRM (Customer Relationship Management) is a must and both Tablein and Eat App come with a built-in CRM system, which stores all the essential details about your diners.
Source: Eat App
You can see preferences, past reservations, contact details, and even total spending at a glance.
You can also add custom tags like VIP, regular, and food critic, or even blacklist certain guests if needed.
Plus, both platforms let you add notes to customer profiles, useful for tracking special occasions, dietary restrictions, or any other details that can improve service.
Source: Tablein
Where things start to differ, though, is in the communication/marketing options they offer.
Tablein handles all the essential notifications:
- Confirmation emails
- Reminders
- Cancellation emails
- Prepayment requests
- Pending reservation alerts
- Approval messages
Here’s what a confirmation email looks like for example:
Source: Tablein
What it doesn’t offer, however, is the ability to send custom marketing emails directly from the platform.
So, for example, if you want to promote an upcoming event or send a special offer, you’ll need to use an external email marketing platform like Mailchimp or MailerLite, both of which integrate seamlessly with Tablein.
Eat App, in contrast, has built-in tools for sending blast emails and creating email campaigns right from the platform. No need for third-party email software, it’s all included.
On top of that, SMS and WhatsApp campaigns are also part of the package, meaning you can send promotional texts directly to guests.
Source: Eat App
That said, Tablein does have SMS notifications, but they’re strictly for reservation updates like confirmation texts, reminders, no-show alerts, and “your table is ready” messages.
One unique advantage Tablein offers is booking directories.
In select markets, Tablein features restaurants in its guide, helping you attract both locals and tourists looking for places to dine.
Source: Tablein
Your restaurant gets a free listing, and customers can search availability across multiple venues in real time.
On top of that, Tablein lets you promote events, tasting menus, and unique food experiences, helping you stand out from the competition.
Analytics and Reporting
Numbers don’t lie.
They tell you how your restaurant is performing, what’s working, and where you’re losing money.
And if you want to grow your business and increase revenue, you need to track them, understand them, and use them to make smarter decisions.
Tablein focuses on essential stats without the clutter.
Source: Tablein
You get clear insights on:
- Total number of guests
- No-show percentage
- Cancellations
- Average party size
- First-time visitors over a selected period
It’s built for quick access to key data, so you can check performance without digging through complex reports.
Source: Tablein
Eat App goes a step further. It tracks:
- Booking channel performance
- Reservation trends over time
- Guest arrival times
- Most popular tables
- No-show and cancellation trends
On top of that, Its AI-powered insights even suggest ways to improve efficiency and boost revenue based on real-time data.
What Tablein offers that Eat App lacks, however, is the Top Countries report, which highlights up to five nationalities that book most frequently.
Source: Tablein
This information allows you to customize your widget to these languages, making it easier for those guests to book.
This might not mean much if most of your guests are locals or if your restaurant isn’t in a tourist-heavy area, but for places that attract travelers, it’s a small detail that can make a huge difference.
In short, Eat App provides more advanced, in-depth reporting, which is great for larger restaurants looking to optimize every part of their operation.
Tablein, in comparison, keeps things simple, offering clear, easy-to-digest reports that smaller restaurants can use without getting overwhelmed.
Available Integrations
A reservation system doesn’t work in isolation.
It needs to connect with other tools like marketing platforms, POS systems, and payment gateways to make your life easier and your restaurant run smoother.
Both Tablein and Eat App get this and nail the basics.
They integrate with social media platforms, Google, and website builders, making it easy to embed the booking widget wherever your customers are. No surprises there.
Source: Tablein
When it comes to marketing tools, Tablein connects with Mailchimp and MailerLite, which makes sense since it doesn’t have built-in email marketing like Eat App.
But where Eat App really pulls ahead is POS integrations.
It connects with over 25 POS systems, making it a stronger choice for restaurants that rely on deep POS connectivity.
Source: Eat App
Tablein doesn’t support POS yet, but it’s on the roadmap and coming soon.
Payments are another area where Eat App offers more options.
Tablein integrates with the biggest and most widely used payment gateways: Stripe, PayPal, Viva Wallet, and Redsys.
We serve small businesses in different areas, and with these most popular options, we get the job done.
However, we are looking forward to adding Apple Pay and POS integration soon.
On the flip side, Eat App integrates with 40+ payment providers, including JCC Payments, Braintree, NMI, Global Payments, Adyen, Square, LiqPay, and Olopay. So, if your restaurant needs specific or regional payment options, Eat App gives you more flexibility.
And of course, we can’t talk about integrations without mentioning custom APIs. Both platforms support API access, meaning you can connect custom tools or third-party apps if an integration you need isn’t already available.
Customer Support Differences
No software is perfect.
Things break, settings get messed up, questions pop up, and sometimes, you just need help fast. That’s why, in the restaurant business, where every minute counts, good customer support isn’t a luxury, it’s a necessity.
So, how do Tablein and Eat App compare?
Well, both Tablein and Eat App offer live chat and email support, so if you need help, there’s always someone to reach out to. Response times are solid for both, and you won’t be left waiting long.
Where Eat App really stands out, though, is its help desk resources.
Source: Eat App
The knowledge base is big, everything is covered in detail, and you’ll find both video tutorials and written step-by-step guides.
It’s clear, well-structured, and answers pretty much any question you might have. You can tell they’ve been in the game for a long time.
Tablein, on the other hand, also has a self-help section, but it’s not as deep as Eat App’s.
Source: Tablein
The essentials are covered, setup, core features, and troubleshooting, and everything is explained clearly and concisely.
For most users, it’s more than enough.
User Feedback and Reviews
There’s no better way to see how software actually performs than by hearing from the people
who’ve used it, right?
Well, that would be great… if there were more reviews to look at.
Let’s start with Tablein.
It has zero reviews on G2, but it has 21 reviews on Capterra, with an average rating of 5 stars.
That sounds great, but when you look closer, the most recent review was posted on April 24, 2024, and it doesn’t really tell much:
Source: Capterra
The user had just started using the software, so their experience was limited.
Then there’s the second-most recent review, from March 18, 2022. A full two years earlier.
Source: Capterra
Not exactly fresh insight either.
But if you look at general feedback from users, the most common praise revolves around the same things: easy to set up, easy to use, flexible, and backed by solid customer support.
And that’s exactly how Tablein was designed to be. A simple system that gets the job done without making your life harder.
As for complaints?
Minor issues after updates, mostly. And those were sorted out quickly.
Now, onto Eat App, which has a few more reviews. It sits at 13 reviews on G2 (4.5 stars) and 9 on Capterra (4.2 stars).
The most recent review was from February 18, 2024:
Source: G2
But even that one is outdated because it mentions POS limitations, and Eat App now integrates with over 30 POS systems.
When it comes to what people love about it, it’s surprisingly hard to pinpoint as there’s no clear pattern in the positive feedback and every reviewer praises different things.
But if we had to sum it up, the most commonly mentioned aspect is ease of use.
This is both interesting and unexpected since Eat App isn’t exactly known for being the simplest system out there.
One thing that almost no one mentioned?
The ability to send messages and emails directly through the platform, even though it’s one of Eat App’s advantages.
Either users don’t see it as a game-changer, or they’re just not using it much.
When it comes to complaints, two things keep popping up:
- Customer support can be slow at times.
- Pricing is on the higher side.
Speaking of pricing…
Pricing and Subscription Plans
Pricing might not be the biggest difference between Tablein and Eat App, but how you pay for features definitely is, and you’ll quickly see what we mean.
Tablein is the more affordable option and offers three pricing plans:
Source: Tablein
Tablein keeps things simpler. The only difference is the number of reservations included:
- Starter Plan: 50 reservations/month, with a €0.67 fee per extra booking.
- Growth Plan: 150 reservations/month, with a €0.37 fee per extra booking.
- Success Plan: Unlimited reservations, plus the option for an annual plan (not available on lower tiers).
Eat App has four plans, including a free plan:
Source: Eat App
Eat App is one of the few restaurant reservation platforms that offer a free plan, but it’s limited to just 30 reservations per month and lacks many essential features.
It’s a decent option if you don’t want to pay and still want some basic reservation tools, but realistically, most restaurants will need a paid plan.
Eat App separates paid plans by the number of reservations, SMS, and WhatsApp messages included.
- Starter: 300 reservations/month, 25 SMS, 25 WhatsApp messages
- Essential: Unlimited reservations, more SMS/WhatsApp messages
- Pro: Unlimited reservations, even more SMS/WhatsApp, a dedicated success manager, and a shared guest database. All add-ons included.
Where the real difference comes in, though, is how pricing works beyond the plans.
With Tablein, what you see is what you get. You pay for a plan, and you get access to all features. Simple. No hidden costs, no extra fees.
Eat App takes a different approach.
Some features are sold as add-ons, and they’re not cheap.
Source: Eat App
Once you start adding them to your plan, the price jumps significantly, making Eat App a much more expensive option.
Source: Eat App
That said, users don’t seem to mind. Some features are worth the price, especially for larger restaurants.
In terms of free trials, both Tablein and Eat App offer a 14-day free trial on all plans, so you can test their features before committing.
Signing up is easy, and no credit card is required, meaning you won’t get charged if you forget to cancel.
Conclusion
By now, you’ve seen how Tablein and Eat App stack up side by side, feature by feature, price by price.
So, which one should you choose?
At the end of the day, it all depends on your needs. But if you’ve made it this far, you’re probably leaning one way already.
And if not?
Well, both offer a 14-day free trial, so the best way to decide is to try them out and see for yourself.
Now go ahead, pick one, and get back to what you do best, running an amazing restaurant!
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