The best TheFork Manager alternatives
For small restaurants tired of paying a commission on every cover — including a free option that also runs orders and the kitchen.
Quick answer
If the per-cover commission is the problem, Zenchef or CoverManager (fixed fee, no commission). In Germany or Austria, Quandoo has its own diner portal. If you want a free booking app with no commission that also takes orders and runs the kitchen, GrazieChef.
TheFork Manager is the restaurant software behind TheFork (LaFourchette, ElTenedor) and Tripadvisor bookings: diners find you in the TheFork app and book, and you pay a commission per cover on those bookings, plus promotions that can attract discount hunters. For a small restaurant with regulars, that commission often costs more than the bookings are worth.
These are the alternatives small restaurants most often consider, and what each does better or worse than TheFork Manager.
Allergens included: every dish carries the 14 allergens that Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011 requires restaurants to declare, shown on the QR menu and to staff when taking the order.
Side by side
| Tool | Best for | Pricing | Orders to the kitchen | Free plan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| Quandoo | Restaurants in Germany, Austria, Switzerland and the UK that want bookings from Quandoo's diner portal | Monthly plan plus a fee per guest for bookings coming from the Quandoo portal | No | No |
| 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 |
| 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 TheFork Manager
No commission per cover, strong on your own channels (website, Google, Instagram) with deposits, guest profiles and reviews. The most common switch in France and Italy.
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. CoverManager
Why consider it instead of TheFork Manager
Fixed monthly fee with no commission and 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
3. Quandoo
Why consider it instead of TheFork Manager
A network alternative to TheFork in German-speaking countries and the UK: new diners from its portal, for a fee per guest.
Pros
- + Diner portal and app that bring new guests, strong in German-speaking countries
- + Booking widget for your website, Google and social media
- + Table management and guest notes
Cons
- − Fee per guest on portal bookings adds up in busy months
- − Doesn't take orders or run the kitchen
- − Small network outside DACH, the UK and a few other markets
4. OpenTable
Why consider it instead of TheFork Manager
A larger network in the US and UK, also with per-cover fees on network bookings; weaker than TheFork in southern Europe.
Pros
- + Large diner network and app that bring new guests
- + Mature booking, waitlist and guest notes
- + Widely known by diners
Cons
- − Per-cover fees on network bookings add up in busy months
- − Doesn't take orders or run the kitchen
- − Network is much weaker in southern Europe
5. GrazieChef
Why consider it instead of TheFork Manager
If you want direct bookings without commission, plus orders, the kitchen display and the bill in one app, GrazieChef's Free plan covers it with no card.
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
- Is there a free alternative to TheFork Manager?
- Yes. GrazieChef's Free plan includes online bookings, deposits and a waitlist with no commission per cover, plus orders and the kitchen display, up to 100 orders every 7 days. It has no diner network: bookings come from your own website, Google and social links.
- How much does TheFork Manager cost?
- TheFork Manager plans are priced on request, and bookings that come from TheFork's network carry a commission per cover; promotions such as discounts on the bill reduce your margin further.
- Can I leave TheFork and keep my bookings?
- Yes: put a booking link on Google, your website and Instagram so regulars book directly. Bookings from TheFork's app stop when you leave its network, so keep it only if it brings guests you wouldn't get otherwise.
- TheFork Manager or Zenchef?
- TheFork Manager brings diners from its network for a commission per cover; Zenchef has no commission and focuses on your own channels and guest marketing. If most guests already know you, Zenchef or a free option like GrazieChef costs less.
Try GrazieChef for free
Free plan forever, no card and no hardware. The demo needs no account.