Best Waitlist App for Small Restaurants in 2025
Finding the right waitlist solution that fits your budget and doesn't overwhelm your staff with complexity.
Simple Host Team
December 5, 2025
Running a small restaurant means wearing many hats. The last thing you need is a complicated, expensive waitlist system that requires a PhD to operate. In this guide, we'll break down the best waitlist apps for small restaurants — focusing on affordability, simplicity, and the features that actually matter.
What Small Restaurants Need in a Waitlist App
Before comparing options, let's identify what actually matters for small restaurants:
Affordable Pricing
Flat monthly fees, not per-cover charges
Easy to Learn
Staff should be trained in minutes, not hours
SMS Notifications
Text guests when their table is ready
No Long Contracts
Cancel anytime without penalties
Works on Your Devices
iPad, Android tablet, or even a phone
Responsive Support
Real help when you need it
Top Waitlist Apps for Small Restaurants
1. Simple Host
$49.99/moBuilt specifically for small to medium restaurants by people who actually run restaurants. Simple Host focuses on what matters — getting guests seated efficiently without the bloat.
Pros
- Most affordable option with full features
- 5-minute setup, intuitive interface
- Floor plan editor included
- Server rotation & section management
- Support responds in minutes
Cons
- Newer company (less brand recognition)
- No marketplace for discovery
2. Waitlist Me
$19.99-$59.99/moA straightforward waitlist app that's been around for years. Good for restaurants that only need basic waitlist functionality without reservations or table management.
Pros
- Low starting price
- Simple interface
- Has been around since 2012
Cons
- Limited table management
- No floor plan editor
- Dated interface
3. Yelp Guest Manager
$99+/moYelp's restaurant management solution includes waitlist, reservations, and integration with Yelp's platform for discovery.
Pros
- Yelp integration for discovery
- Combined waitlist & reservations
Cons
- Expensive for small restaurants
- Yelp may push ads to competitors
- Can be complex to set up
4. TablesReady
$59-$199/moAnother waitlist-focused app that offers SMS notifications and basic queue management features.
Pros
- Good SMS features
- Customizable wait times
Cons
- Limited floor plan tools
- Higher tiers get expensive
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Simple Host | Waitlist Me | Yelp |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | $49.99/mo | $19.99/mo | $99/mo |
| Floor Plan Editor | |||
| Server Sections | |||
| SMS Notifications | |||
| Free Trial | 7 days | 14 days | Varies |
| No Contracts |
The Bottom Line
For small restaurants, Simple Host offers the best combination of features and value. You get everything you need — waitlist, table management, floor plans, server sections, and SMS — at a price that won't eat into your margins.
If you literally only need a basic waitlist and nothing else, Waitlist Me's lowest tier might work. But the moment you need table management or floor plans, Simple Host becomes the obvious choice.