Software · head to head
Resy vs ChowNow
The short version
- Each has a real cost: Resy platform & Essential tier (289 USD/month) lacks advanced analytics and POS integrations (Premium required); ChowNow limited website customization with only pre-built Squarespace templates available
- They diverge on capability: Resy covers Online reservations, ChowNow covers Branded ordering.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Resy and ChowNow actually diverge.
Identical on both: pricing model (Unknown), free tier (No), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).
What each one covers
Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.
Only in Resy
- Online reservations
- Table optimization
- Guest CRM
- Waitlist
- Marketing
- AmEx integration
- Toast
- Square
Only in ChowNow
- Branded ordering
- Website integration
- Mobile app
- Customer database
- Marketing tools
- Delivery integration
- DoorDash Drive
Both cover
- Web support
- Ios support
- Android support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Resy
- Restaurant reservation and table managementnot ChowNow
- Waitlist and walk-in managementnot ChowNow
- Event ticketing and experience management for restaurantsnot ChowNow
- Guest CRM and personalised communicationnot ChowNow
- Real-time analytics and revenue reportingnot ChowNow
- Premium dining inventory managementnot ChowNow
ChowNow
- Point of Salenot Resy
- Order Managementnot Resy
- Inventory Controlnot Resy
- Staff Schedulingnot Resy
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
Resy
- Platform & Essential tier (289 USD/month) lacks advanced analytics and POS integrations (Premium required)
- Platform tier lacks Premium features such as priority phone support and advanced experience management
- Essential tier charged with 3% prepayment fees on events (Premium reduced to 2%)
ChowNow
- Limited website customization with only pre-built Squarespace templates available
- No multi-language support, limiting service to non-English speaking customer bases
- Multi-location management requires separate dashboard for each location
- Delivery reliability issues with reported order delays and non-arrivals
- Limited customer support responsiveness with long phone wait times
Pricing, plan by plan
Resy
$289/monthNo published plan breakdown. See the Resy review.
ChowNow
$249/month- Launch$249/month
- Commission-free ordering
- Website and mobile app
- Basic POS integrations
- Grow$349/month
- All Launch features
- Advanced marketing tools
- Email and SMS campaigns
- Elevate$449/month
- All Grow features
- Advanced reporting
- Priority support
Which should you pick?
Choose ChowNow if
- You need branded ordering.
- You work on Web, iOS, Android.
- You also want website integration.
Questions people ask
- Is Resy or ChowNow better?
- Neither clearly leads. Resy starts at $289/month and ChowNow at $249/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Resy or ChowNow?
- Resy starts at $289/month and ChowNow at $249/month.
- Does Resy or ChowNow run on more platforms?
- Resy runs on Web. ChowNow runs on Web, iOS, Android.
- What is Resy best used for?
- Resy is most often used for restaurant reservation and table management, waitlist and walk-in management, event ticketing and experience management for restaurants, guest crm and personalised communication. Of those, restaurant reservation and table management and waitlist and walk-in management are not what ChowNow is typically brought in for.
- What can Resy do that ChowNow cannot?
- Resy covers Online reservations, Table optimization, Guest CRM, Waitlist. ChowNow covers Branded ordering, Website integration, Mobile app, Customer database. Both handle Web support, Ios support, Android support.
Answered from the vendors’ own pages
ChowNow: Is ChowNow truly commission-free?
Yes, ChowNow charges no commission on orders placed through your website, app, or marketplace channels. However, you pay a monthly subscription ($249-$449), payment processing fees (2.95% plus $0.29 per transaction), and optional delivery fees ($7.98 per order with Flex Delivery).
SourceChowNow: Does ChowNow integrate with my POS system?
Yes. ChowNow integrates with over 45 POS systems including Toast, Square, Clover, and Revel. Orders are automatically synced to your POS and kitchen printers without manual entry.
SourceChowNow: Can I use ChowNow with delivery platforms like DoorDash and Uber Eats?
ChowNow handles direct orders but also supports order aggregation from third-party delivery platforms including DoorDash, UberEats, and Grubhub through integrations.
SourceChowNow: How much does ChowNow cost?
ChowNow plans start at $249/month (Launch), $349/month (Grow), and $449/month (Elevate) when billed monthly. Annual billing saves 8-9%. Additional fees include payment processing (2.95% plus $0.29 per transaction), setup fees ($119-$499), and optional delivery charges.
SourceChowNow: What platforms are supported by ChowNow?
ChowNow is available on web, iOS, and Android. Restaurants get a website ordering interface and can offer a branded mobile app. Customers discover restaurants through Google Maps, Apple Maps, Yelp, and the ChowNow Marketplace.
Source