The best OpenTable alternatives
Options without per-cover fees, with a stronger European network, or with a free plan that also runs orders and the kitchen.
Quick answer
If per-cover fees are the problem, Zenchef or CoverManager (no commission). If you're in Europe and want a network, TheFork Manager. If you want direct bookings plus orders and the kitchen for free, GrazieChef.
OpenTable's strength is demand: diners find you in its app and book. The cost is a monthly plan plus, on many plans, a fee for every diner booked through the network — which adds up fast in a busy month. Outside the US, UK, Canada and Australia, the network is also much smaller.
These are the alternatives restaurants most often consider, and what each does better or worse.
Side by side
| Tool | Best for | Pricing | Orders to the kitchen | Free plan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| OpenTable | Restaurants that need new diners from a large booking network (US, UK, Canada, Australia) | Monthly plan plus per-cover fees for network bookings on many plans | No | No |
| Zenchef | European restaurants that want bookings, guest profiles and reviews in one place | Reserve, Manage and Grow plans, price on request; no commission per cover; card fees on deposits | No, connects to POS systems | No |
| TheFork Manager | European restaurants that want bookings from the TheFork and Tripadvisor network | Plans on request; per-cover commission on bookings from TheFork's network | No | No |
| CoverManager | Busy restaurants, hotels and groups in Spain, Italy, Portugal and Latin America | Fixed monthly fee, quoted after a demo; no commission per booking | No, connects to your POS | No |
| SevenRooms | Hospitality groups and hotels investing in guest data and direct marketing | Quote-based | No, integrates with your POS | No |
| GrazieChef | Independent restaurants, bars and cafes that want orders, kitchen and bookings in one free app | Free forever (up to 100 orders every 7 days); Starter €19/month; Pro €39/month | Yes, kitchen display with timers | Yes, forever |
Competitor details are summarised from their public websites as of October 2026 and may change; check their sites for current pricing.
The alternatives, one by one
1. Zenchef
Why consider it instead of OpenTable
No commission per cover and strong on your own channels (website, Google, Instagram), with guest profiles and reviews. Popular in France and the rest of Europe.
Pros
- + Bookings from website, Google and Instagram with waitlist and deposits
- + Guest profiles, email campaigns and review management
- + No commission per cover
Cons
- − Price on request
- − Payment fees on deposits depend on the plan
- − Not a POS: needs a separate system for orders
2. TheFork Manager
Why consider it instead of OpenTable
Still a network model with a commission per cover, but with much more reach than OpenTable in continental Europe.
Pros
- + Bookings from TheFork, Tripadvisor, Google and partners
- + Table plan, no-show tools and guest database
- + Used by 55,000+ restaurants in 14 countries
Cons
- − Commission per cover on network bookings
- − Promotions and discounts can attract deal-seekers
- − Doesn't take orders or run the kitchen
3. CoverManager
Why consider it instead of OpenTable
Fixed monthly fee, no commission, many integrations; strong in Spain, Italy and Latin America.
Pros
- + Advanced multichannel booking engine with prepayments, events and tickets
- + 130+ integrations with POS, PMS and payment providers
- + No commission per cover
Cons
- − Price only after a demo
- − Doesn't take orders or send them to the kitchen
- − More than a small venue usually needs
4. SevenRooms
Why consider it instead of OpenTable
For groups who want to own guest data and run automated marketing instead of relying on a network.
Pros
- + Deep guest CRM with segments and automated email and SMS
- + Direct bookings that keep the guest data yours
- + Integrations with major POS systems
Cons
- − Quote-based pricing aimed at groups
- − Onboarding project with their team
- − Overkill for a single independent venue
5. GrazieChef
Why consider it instead of OpenTable
Direct online bookings with deposits and a waitlist, plus orders, kitchen and bill, with a free plan and no per-cover fees. No diner network.
Pros
- + Public prices and a free plan with every feature, bookings and deposits included
- + Orders, kitchen display, live table map and the bill in the same app
- + Runs on phones and tablets you already own, set up in minutes, in 6 languages
Cons
- − No diner network that sends you new bookings
- − No guest CRM or automated marketing campaigns
- − Few third-party integrations compared with the big platforms
Frequently asked questions
- What is the best alternative to OpenTable without per-cover fees?
- Zenchef and CoverManager both work without commission per cover. GrazieChef also has no per-cover fees and its online bookings are included in the Free plan.
- OpenTable vs Zenchef?
- OpenTable brings new diners from its network and charges for those bookings on many plans; Zenchef has no commission and focuses on your own channels and guest marketing. Choose by market: OpenTable in the US and UK, Zenchef in continental Europe.
- OpenTable vs TheFork?
- Both are networks that charge for bookings they bring. OpenTable is stronger in the US and UK; TheFork in France, Italy, Spain and much of Europe.
- Is there a free alternative to OpenTable?
- GrazieChef includes online bookings, deposits and a waitlist in its Free plan, up to 100 orders every 7 days, but it doesn't bring new diners from a network.
- Can I keep OpenTable and use another tool for service?
- Yes. Many restaurants keep OpenTable for bookings and use GrazieChef for orders, the kitchen display and the bill.
Try GrazieChef for free
Free plan forever, no card and no hardware. The demo needs no account.