Affordable OpenTable Alternative: Save Thousands Per Year
Why restaurants are leaving OpenTable and how to make the switch without losing reservations.
Simple Host Team
December 5, 2025
OpenTable revolutionized restaurant reservations. But for many restaurants — especially small and mid-sized ones — the costs have become unsustainable. Per-cover fees, monthly minimums, and upsells can add up to thousands of dollars per year. Here's how to find an affordable alternative without sacrificing functionality.
The Real Cost of OpenTable
Let's break down what OpenTable actually costs:
OpenTable's Fee Structure
- $1.00 per cover from OpenTable network (diners who find you on OpenTable)
- $0.25 per cover from your own website (diners you already have)
- $249-$449 monthly software fee (depending on plan)
- $$$ additional marketing/boost fees to stay visible
Example: What a Busy Restaurant Actually Pays
A restaurant seating 200 covers/day from reservations:
That's nearly $50,000 per year — money that could go toward staff, food quality, or your own marketing.
Why Restaurants Are Leaving OpenTable
Per-cover fees eat into margins
You're paying for guests who already know you
OpenTable owns your guest data
They market competitors to your own customers
Pay-to-play visibility
Need to pay more to stay visible in search results
Long contracts and lock-in
Hard to leave once you're in the ecosystem
The Affordable Alternative: Simple Host
Simple Host Pricing
- $0 per cover — ever
- $69.99 monthly for Pro (includes online reservations)
- $0 setup fees, contracts, or hidden costs
Same restaurant example:
Save $48,348/year
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Simple Host | OpenTable |
|---|---|---|
| Online Reservations | ||
| Waitlist Management | ||
| Floor Plan Editor | ||
| SMS Notifications | ||
| Server Sections | ||
| Guest Database/CRM | ||
| Per-Cover Fees | $0 | $0.25-$1.00 |
| You Own Guest Data | ||
| No Contracts |
"But What About Discovery?"
The biggest argument for OpenTable is their marketplace — diners searching for restaurants. But here's the reality:
The Discovery Myth
- Google dominates discovery. Most diners find restaurants through Google Search, Google Maps, Instagram, or word of mouth — not OpenTable.
- You're paying for your own customers. Many "OpenTable reservations" are from people who already knew your restaurant.
- The savings can fund your own marketing. $48k/year buys a lot of Google Ads, Instagram promotions, and local marketing.
How to Switch from OpenTable
Export your guest data
Download your reservation history and guest contact info
Set up Simple Host
Create your floor plan and configure your settings (takes ~5 minutes)
Update your website
Replace your OpenTable widget with your Simple Host reservation link
Update Google Business Profile
Add your new reservation link to your Google listing
Cancel OpenTable
Once you're confident, end your OpenTable subscription
The Bottom Line
OpenTable made sense when it was the only option. Today, you can get the same functionality — reservations, waitlist, floor plans, guest management — for a fraction of the cost.
The money you save can go toward what actually matters: better ingredients, better staff wages, or marketing that you control.
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