Navigating the maze of online restaurant booking software can feel overwhelming. With so many options, each boasting its own set of features, how do you choose the right one for your bustling eatery or cozy café?
And let’s face it, the cost factor looms large, particularly if you’re nurturing a fledgling business with an eye on budget-friendly solutions. But here’s the good news: You don’t have to break the bank to streamline your reservations! In this post, we unveil a treasure trove of the best FREE online reservation booking software available. Whether you’re looking for simplicity, efficiency, or a sprinkle of modern tech, we’ve got you covered.
1. resOS
resOS is a restaurant booking software that offers a free plan. Among more paid plans, resOS offers a free plan for restaurants, café’s, or for businesses just starting up and looking for a free option.
The free plan includes 25 bookings per month and all the system features are included. There is no time limit, so restaurants can use the booking system with the free plan as long as they want to, as long as they stick to the 25 bookings per month.
There are already plenty of cool features such as an intuitive floor plan, online payments, no-show management, table management, waitlist, and free email notifications. resOS also offers a takeaway app that can be used along with the reservation software.
Read more about the features here
resOS is a modern and user-friendly system with all features included even for the free user. The only feature that is not included is SMS notifications.
Ideal for: resOS is ideal for small restaurants or startups that need a comprehensive yet cost-effective booking solution. Its modern interface and wide range of features are perfect for venues that prioritize a seamless, tech-forward customer experience.
🚀 Main features:
- 🆓 Free plan for all sizes of businesses
- 📈 Comprehensive features included
- 📱 Modern, user-friendly interface
💲 Pricing: Free plan available (Limited to 25 bookings/month)
| ✅ Pros | ❌ Cons |
| ✔️ Suitable for small restaurants/startups | ❌ SMS notifications not in free plan |
| ✔️ 25 bookings/month with full features | |
| ✔️ Intuitive floor plan and waitlist management |
2. TableAgent
TableAgent is a free reservation system powered by the Amazon.com AWS Cloud. No software download or credit/debit card details are required. The user interface is simple, making it a good choice for restaurants seeking a straightforward, free reservation software.
The layout of the user interface is a bit old-fashioned, but fairly simple to use. If a restaurant is looking for a free and simple reservation software to start with, TableAgent could be a good choice.
Ideal for: TableAgent is perfect for small to medium-sized restaurants looking for a straightforward, no-frills reservation system. Its simple user interface and cloud-based setup make it an excellent choice for venues that are transitioning from traditional to digital booking systems.
🚀 Main features:
- Powered by Amazon.com AWS Cloud
- No software download needed
- All features available immediately
💲 Pricing: Free
| ✅ Pros | ❌ Cons |
| ✔️ Free, cloud-based system | ❌ Somewhat old-fashioned UI |
| ✔️ No software or card details needed | ❌ Paid extras for some features |
| ✔️ Unlimited bookings and features |
3. GloriaFood
Just like TableAgent, GloriaFood is also a free restaurant booking system. Besides that, GloriaFood also provides a food ordering system, which can be used free of charge as well.
Similarly, optional paid extras can be purchased if a restaurant needs those features. These include an online payment service, marketing tools, and branded mobile apps. Speaking of which, one of the disadvantages GloriaFood has is that it is not available on desktop.
Instead, a mobile app needs to be downloaded. The range of features GloriaFood provides is wide and there are some unique ones too. These are for instance orders from Facebook, vacation mode, or a QR code menu.
GloriaFood offers a unique blend of a free restaurant booking and food ordering system. However, it’s mobile-app-centric, with no desktop version available.
Ideal for: GloriaFood is best suited for restaurants that also offer takeout and delivery services. Its integrated food ordering system and mobile app focus make it a great choice for venues looking to manage both reservations and food orders efficiently, especially those with a strong social media presence.
🚀 Main features:
- Mobile app-based system
- Integrated food ordering
- Unique features like Facebook orders
💲 Pricing: Free (Optional features paid extras)
| ✅ Pros | ❌ Cons |
| ✔️ Free booking and ordering system | ❌ No desktop version |
| ✔️ Feature-rich, including social media orders | ❌ Paid extras for advanced features |
4. Carbonara
Carbonara, as they say, is a ‘truly free’ booking system for restaurants. In opposite to TableAgent or GloriaFood, there are no optional paid extras available.
The system can be downloaded to mobile devices, but it is now also available on desktops. The user interface is bright, clean, and easy to use. One of the main features Carbonara provides is the waitlist, which helps restaurants manage tables in peak periods.
If, however, you are looking for a more advanced booking system, check out this post with the 7 best online booking systems for restaurants.
Ideal for: Carbonara is an excellent option for busy restaurants that need efficient waitlist management and a straightforward booking system. Its user-friendly design and multi-platform availability make it suitable for a variety of dining establishments, particularly those with high foot traffic.
🚀 Main features:
- Completely free, no paid extras
- Available on both mobile and desktop
- User-friendly, clean interface
💲 Pricing: Free
| ✅ Pros | ❌ Cons |
| ✔️ Truly free with no optional extras | ❌ Less suited for advanced needs |
| ✔️ Accessible on multiple devices | |
| ✔️ Specializes in waitlist management |
5. resmio
resmio caters to a range of needs with its three-tier plan system, including a free basic plan. It’s a versatile choice, though some advanced features come at an extra cost.
One of the main advantages resmio has is that reservations are unlimited in all plans. Although, the variety of features included in the free plan isn’t as big as that offered by the previously mentioned online restaurant booking software products.
These features include a Google Reserve button, QR code for guests, or booking notifications. The layout of the system is modern, and it is easy to get an overview of the bookings.
Ideal for: resmio is well-suited for a diverse range of dining establishments, from small cafés to larger restaurants. Its scalable plans and various add-ons make it a versatile option for venues that require a customizable booking solution with room to grow.
🚀 Main features:
- Free basic plan available
- Google Reserve button and QR codes
- Easy booking overview
💲 Pricing: Free basic plan (Add-ons at additional costs)
| ✅ Pros | ❌ Cons |
| ✔️ Unlimited reservations in free plan | ❌ Limited features in free version |
| ✔️ Includes key features like booking notifications | ❌ Add-ons require additional costs |
| ✔️ Modern and intuitive system layout |
Interested in trying out resOS’ free online restaurant booking software?
Would you like to hear more about our free system, resOS? Elevate your restaurant operations by creating an account and trying resOS for free. Explore our paid plans with 30 days free and no commitment. Need assistance getting started? Reach out to our dedicated customer support at [email protected].
We’re here to help you thrive!
