Simple Host vs SevenRooms: Which Is Right for Your Restaurant?
Simple Host Team
December 18, 2025
SevenRooms has built a reputation as an enterprise-grade hospitality platform with serious CRM and marketing muscle. Simple Host takes a different approach—focusing on what happens at the host stand, without the complexity or enterprise price tag. Here's how they actually compare.
The Quick Overview
SevenRooms positions itself as a "guest experience and retention platform." It's packed with features—marketing automation, loyalty programs, order management, and deep integrations. It's built for hotel groups, restaurant chains, and operators who want an all-in-one ecosystem.
Simple Host is built for restaurant operators who need a fast, reliable host stand system. Waitlist, reservations, floor plan, server rotation, SMS—all in one app. No per-cover fees, no annual contracts, no sales calls to get pricing.
They're honestly solving different problems. But if you're comparing them, you're probably wondering if SevenRooms' extra features are worth the extra cost. Let's dig in.
| Feature | Simple Host | SevenRooms |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Price | $49.99 - $99.99 | Custom pricing (contact sales) |
| Per-Cover Fees | None | Varies by contract |
| Waitlist Management | ||
| Reservations | ||
| Floor Plan Editor | ||
| Server Rotation | 3 rotation modes | Basic |
| SMS Notifications | Included (250-1000/mo) | Usage-based pricing |
| Guest CRM | Basic guest profiles | Advanced CRM |
| Marketing Automation | — | |
| Loyalty Programs | — | |
| Contract Required | No | Yes (typically annual) |
| Setup Time | 5 minutes | Weeks (with onboarding) |
The Pricing Reality
Here's the thing about SevenRooms: they don't publish pricing. You have to talk to sales, sit through a demo, and negotiate a contract. That's not necessarily bad—enterprise software often works that way. But it tells you something about who they're building for.
From what we've seen in the market, SevenRooms typically runs several hundred dollars per month at minimum, often with per-cover fees on top. For restaurant groups and hotels, that math might work out. For a single-location restaurant doing 100 covers a night? That's a harder sell.
Simple Host is $49.99 to $99.99 per month, depending on the plan. No per-cover fees. No annual contract. No sales calls. You can literally sign up and be running in five minutes.
Where SevenRooms Shines
Let's be honest about what SevenRooms does well:
Deep CRM and Guest Profiles
They track everything—dining preferences, spend history, special occasions. If you're running a high-end establishment where personalization drives repeat business, this matters.
Marketing Automation
Automated email campaigns, targeted promotions, loyalty program management. If marketing is a core part of your strategy, they've got tools for it.
Multi-Location Management
Running a restaurant group? SevenRooms is built for managing multiple venues from a centralized dashboard.
Where Simple Host Wins
Simple Host isn't trying to be an enterprise platform. It's trying to be the best host stand app you've ever used:
Speed at the Host Stand
Add a party in two taps. See your floor plan, waitlist, and reservations in one view. No clicking through menus during a rush.
Predictable Pricing
You know exactly what you're paying. Busy month? Same price. Slow month? Same price. No surprise bills.
Server Rotation That Actually Works
Three different rotation modes, automatic cover tracking, section management. Keep your servers happy and your floor balanced.
No Gatekeeping
Download the app, set up your floor plan, start seating guests. No demo required. No contract negotiations. No waiting for implementation.
The Data Question
Something worth thinking about: who owns your guest data?
With Simple Host, your guest database is yours. Export it anytime. Leave anytime. We don't use your data for marketing or sell it to third parties.
With platforms like SevenRooms (and especially consumer-facing networks like OpenTable), the data relationship is more complicated. Read the terms carefully before signing.
Who Should Choose What?
Choose Simple Host if:
- You're a single-location restaurant
- Host stand efficiency is your priority
- You want predictable monthly costs
- You don't need marketing automation
- You want to get started today
7R
Choose SevenRooms if:
- You run multiple locations
- CRM and marketing are core to your strategy
- You need loyalty program management
- Budget isn't a primary concern
- You're in a hotel or casino environment
The Bottom Line
SevenRooms is a powerful platform for operators who need deep CRM, marketing automation, and multi-location management. If that describes you, it might be worth the investment.
But for most independent restaurants, SevenRooms is more than you need—and more than you should pay. Simple Host does the core job (managing your host stand) faster, simpler, and at a fraction of the cost.
Sometimes the best software is the one that does exactly what you need and nothing more.
Try Simple Host Free for 7 Days
No credit card required. No contracts. See why restaurants are choosing simplicity.
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.
Try Simple Host Free →
