The real cost of reservation platforms for restaurants

Beyond the advertised commission

When you look up the cost of online reservations for your restaurant, the first number that catches your eye is the per-cover commission or the percentage taken on each booking. But that figure is only part of what you actually pay. Reservation platforms have developed complex pricing structures, with layers of fees that quietly add up.

To make an informed decision, you need to understand the full picture — both the costs that are clearly displayed and those that aren't.

Cost items to watch out for

Here are the main expense items to consider when evaluating the cost of a reservation platform.

1. Per-reservation commission

This is the most visible expense. It can take the form of a fixed amount per cover (historically around €2) or a percentage of the bill plus a flat fee per transaction. This cost is directly proportional to your activity: the more reservations you receive, the more you pay.

For a restaurant receiving 200 covers/month through the platform with a €2 per-cover commission, that's €400/month for this item alone — or €4,800/year.

Some platforms have shifted to a percentage model (e.g. 0.95% of the amount + fixed fees), which may seem lower, but on an average check of €35 for 4 covers, the charges add up fast.

2. Software subscription

On top of the commission, some platforms charge a monthly subscription for access to the reservation management software (the "back office"). This amount varies by feature tier, with plans ranging from €49 to over €150/month for "premium" versions.

The subscription and commission stack up: you pay for the right to use the tool and for every reservation received through the platform. This double charge is the most expensive model for restaurant owners.

3. Paid add-ons

Platforms offer "premium" features as extras: bank guarantee, review collection, email marketing, advanced analytics, third-party integrations. Each add-on has its own monthly price tag, and the bill can quickly escalate if you activate multiple modules.

Some of these add-ons are practically essential (like SMS reminders or bank guarantees), which makes their "optional" status debatable.

4. Hidden fees and lock-in terms

Watch out for these common contract pitfalls:

• ! Setup or configuration fees — Some platforms charge for initial onboarding, training, or importing your customer database.
• ! Contract lock-in — A 12 or 24-month contract with early termination penalties. If the platform doesn't work for you, you're stuck.
• ! Annual price increases — Rates can be revised upward at renewal, without your ability to refuse if you're under contract.
• ! Customer data ownership — Some platforms restrict access to your own customer database or charge for data export.

Calculating your true cost

To find out what your current platform really costs, add up all items over a full year:

Let's look at a concrete example. A restaurant with 250 covers/month through a platform that charges a €79/month subscription + a €2/cover commission + the bank guarantee option at €30/month:

Monthly cost: €79 + (250 × €2) + €30 = €609/month
Annual cost: €609 × 12 = €7,308/year

With ReservFlow for the same scope (subscription €39 + bank guarantee €10): €49/month, or €588/year. That's a saving of €6,720/year. Use our savings calculator to run the numbers with your own figures.

The ReservFlow approach: transparency

ReservFlow was built on a simple principle: a fixed price, all-inclusive, with no surprises. No per-cover commission, no lock-in, no hidden fees.

FAQ