Simple Host vs Resy: Which Restaurant Platform Is Right for You?
Simple Host Team
December 5, 2025
Resy has built a reputation as the "cool" reservation platform, popular with trendy restaurants and urban diners. But is it the right fit for your restaurant? Let's compare Resy to Simple Host and help you decide which platform makes sense for your operation.
Understanding the Platforms
Resy (now owned by American Express) positions itself as a premium reservation platform for "in-demand" restaurants. It's known for its sleek consumer app and features like notify lists for fully-booked restaurants.
Simple Host takes a different approach—built by restaurant owners for restaurants of all types, not just high-end urban spots. It focuses on practical table management, waitlists, and reservations without the complexity or premium pricing.
| Feature | Simple Host | Resy |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Price | $49.99 - $99.99 | $249 - $899 |
| Per-Cover Fees | None | None (subscription only) |
| Waitlist Management | Core feature | Basic |
| Online Reservations | ||
| Floor Plan Editor | ||
| Server Rotation | 3 modes | Limited |
| SMS Notifications | Included | |
| Guest Database | ||
| Contract Required | No | Yes (annual) |
| Diner App/Network | Your customers | |
| AmEx Integration | — | |
| Target Market | All restaurants | Urban/trendy spots |
| Setup Time | 5 minutes | Days/weeks |
The Resy Premium: Is It Worth It?
Resy positions itself as a premium platform, and the pricing reflects that. Their plans start around $249/month and can exceed $899/month for full features. Unlike OpenTable, they don't charge per-cover—but the subscription itself is substantial.
Annual Cost Comparison
Simple Host
*Resy pricing varies by location and features. Entry tier starts at $249/mo.
The annual difference is over $5,000—money that could fund a new POS terminal, staff bonuses, or marketing campaigns.
The Resy "Exclusivity" Factor
Resy has cultivated an image of exclusivity. Being on Resy signals that your restaurant is "in demand." Their consumer app attracts diners looking for the latest hot spots. But let's examine what this really means:
Good for: Trendy urban restaurants
If you're in NYC, LA, or a major city targeting the "foodie" crowd, Resy's brand association can matter.
Good for: AmEx partnership benefits
Since AmEx bought Resy, there are exclusive features for AmEx cardholders that can drive premium diners.
Not worth it: Family and casual restaurants
If you're a neighborhood spot, family restaurant, or casual dining, Resy's "exclusive" positioning doesn't match your brand.
Not worth it: Waitlist-heavy operations
Resy is reservation-focused. If your restaurant runs primarily on walk-ins and waitlists, you're paying premium prices for features you won't use.
Not worth it: Suburban and smaller markets
Resy's diner base is concentrated in major metros. In smaller markets, you're paying for network access that barely exists.
Feature Deep Dive
Waitlist vs. Reservation Focus
Simple Host was built waitlist-first, then added reservations. The result is a balanced system that handles both walk-ins and bookings equally well. Online waitlist joining, SMS updates, and accurate wait times are core features.
Resy is reservation-centric. Their famous "notify" feature (where diners get alerts when tables open) is clever, but it's designed for high-demand booking scenarios. Basic waitlist features exist, but they're not the focus.
Server Management
Simple Host includes comprehensive server rotation with three different modes, section assignment, and automatic cover tracking. Your team stays happy because seating is fair.
Resy has basic section assignment but lacks sophisticated rotation tools. Server management isn't their priority—table booking is.
The American Express Connection
Resy's acquisition by AmEx in 2019 brought integration with AmEx benefits. Cardholders get early access to reservations, special experiences, and exclusive tables at partner restaurants.
For high-end restaurants courting affluent diners, this is genuinely valuable. For everyone else, it's a feature you're paying for but won't leverage.
Ease of Use
Simple Host is designed to be learned in minutes. Download, set up your floor plan, and you're live. No training sessions, no implementation consultants.
Resy requires more onboarding. Professional setup, staff training, and configuration are typical. The system is powerful but has a learning curve.
Who Should Choose What?
Choose Simple Host if:
- You want affordable, predictable pricing
- Walk-ins and waitlists are a big part of your business
- You're not in a major metro market
- Server rotation and fairness matter to you
- You want to start immediately, not in weeks
- You refuse to sign annual contracts
R
Choose Resy if:
- You're a trendy restaurant in a major city
- You want AmEx cardholder integration
- The "Resy" brand fits your image
- Reservations are your primary model (few walk-ins)
- Budget isn't a major concern
The Bottom Line
Resy is a polished platform with genuine strengths—the AmEx integration, the slick consumer app, the "cool factor." For the right restaurant in the right market, these things matter.
But for many restaurants, Resy is simply overkill. You're paying premium prices for urban-focused features, brand cachet, and a diner network that may not exist in your area. Meanwhile, your actual needs—managing tables, handling walk-ins, keeping servers happy—don't require a premium price tag.
Simple Host delivers the features most restaurants actually need at a price that makes sense. No contracts, no premium positioning—just practical tools that work.
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Simple Host Team
We're restaurant owners and hospitality veterans who built Simple Host to solve the problems we faced every day at the host stand. Our mission is to help restaurants run smoother and guests dine happier.
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