Your own booking system vs OpenTable and other platforms
Booking platforms like OpenTable, ResDiary and SevenRooms are used by thousands of UK restaurants, and for good reason. But they're not the only option. This guide compares them with running your own booking system, so you can decide what's right for your restaurant.
How booking platforms charge
Pricing models vary between platforms and change over time, so always check the current terms. Common approaches include a monthly subscription, a fee for each diner (cover) booked, or a mix of both. Some platforms only charge per-cover fees for bookings that come through their own app or network, rather than through your website.
The best way to see your true cost is to look at your last few invoices and add up the subscription and any per-cover fees over a year. Our booking fee calculator does the maths for you.
What platforms do well
Platforms have real strengths, and it's worth being honest about them:
- Discovery: diners browsing a platform's app or website may find you who otherwise wouldn't.
- Mature features: table management, waitlists and reporting that have been refined over many years.
- Integrations: links with some tills (EPOS) and other restaurant software.
- Reviews: verified diner reviews on the platform.
What your own system does well
Running bookings through your own website has different strengths:
- Predictable cost: a flat monthly fee, however many covers you take.
- Your guest list: guest details stay with you, so you can build a mailing list (with consent) and recognise regulars.
- Your brand: guests book on your website, in your style, without seeing other restaurants.
- Deposits on your terms: decide when to ask for deposits, such as for large groups or busy nights, to reduce no-shows.
The best of both: a hybrid approach
You don't have to choose one or the other. Many restaurants keep a platform listing for discovery while pushing regulars and website visitors to book directly. If your platform charges mainly for its own network bookings, direct website bookings can lower your costs without losing new diners.
Questions to help you decide
- How many of your bookings actually come from the platform's app, rather than your own website or regulars?
- What did you pay in subscriptions and per-cover fees last year?
- How much do you value owning your guest list?
- Do you need features that only a large platform offers, such as till integrations?
Quick answers
Can I keep OpenTable and still use my own website?
Yes. We can link or embed your existing booking widget, or run our own system for direct bookings while you keep a platform listing for discovery.
Will I lose bookings if I leave a platform?
You may lose some bookings that came through the platform's app. Check how many that is before switching, and consider the hybrid approach.
What does your booking system cost?
£149 setup and £24 a month flat, with no per-cover fees. Setup is included with The Spread and The Feast.