Best Online Ordering Systems for Restaurants

Online ordering has moved from a nice-to-have to a core piece of restaurant infrastructure. Whether you're running a single location or managing a multi-unit group, the platform you choose affects commission costs, customer data ownership, POS integration, and how much manual work your team does during a rush. This guide compares 12 of the leading online ordering systems for restaurants, covering pricing, features, strengths, and limitations, so you can match a platform to your operation's size and priorities.

Key Takeaways

• Commission-free platforms charge flat monthly fees instead of per-order percentages, helping restaurants avoid the 15-30% commissions typical of third-party marketplaces.
• Free options exist for budget-conscious operators, with $0 per month plans offering unlimited orders.
• Third-party storefronts provide marketplace reach, though restaurants trade some customer data control depending on the product.
• POS-native integrations eliminate manual order entry and provide the tightest operational workflows.
• Enterprise chains with 50+ locations should prioritize platforms built for multi-location scale and centralized management.

Understanding Online Ordering for Restaurants: Key Benefits and Features

Online ordering has become essential for restaurant operations. Nearly 75% of restaurant traffic now occurs off-premises, according to the National Restaurant Association, a category that includes takeout, drive-thru, and delivery. For restaurant owners and multi-unit operators tracking these shifts, Operators Daily publishes practical guides on restaurant technology decisions.

The right online ordering system delivers several core benefits:

• Increased order accuracy through direct digital entry rather than phone transcription
• Higher average ticket sizes as customers browse full menus without feeling rushed
• Customer data ownership for remarketing and loyalty program development, on platforms that offer it
• Reduced labor costs by minimizing phone order handling time
• Operational efficiency through POS integration that eliminates manual order entry

Comparing Best Online Ordering Systems for Restaurants

When evaluating systems, prioritize commission structure, POS integration capabilities, multi-location support, and marketing features based on your restaurant's specific needs.

1. Toast Online Ordering

Best for: Restaurants already using or considering Toast POS

Toast Online Ordering provides tight integration for restaurants within the Toast ecosystem. Orders flow directly to the kitchen display system without manual re-entry, and the platform connects with Toast's payroll, inventory, and reporting tools. Toast says its platform works with more than 164,000 restaurants.

Key Features

• Commission-free direct ordering
• Kitchen display system integration included
• Full restaurant management suite available
• Strong multi-location controls

Price

Toast Online Ordering is sold through Toast's Digital Storefront Suite. Contact Toast for current subscription pricing; POS, hardware, implementation, and payment-processing costs may apply separately. Payment-processing rates are quoted based on the restaurant and transaction profile.

Strengths

• Integration with existing Toast POS and back-office tools
• Full restaurant management suite available
• Strong multi-location controls

Limitations

• Locked into Toast ecosystem
• Pricing not published; requires a sales quote
• Hardware requirements add upfront costs

2. ChowNow

Best for: Independent restaurants wanting true commission-free ordering

ChowNow has built its reputation on a flat-fee model with zero commissions on any order. The platform serves 22,000+ restaurants and includes branded iOS and Android mobile apps in all plans. The system integrates with 20+ POS platforms, including Toast, Square, Revel, and Clover.

Key Features

• 0% commission on all direct orders
• 20+ POS integrations including Toast, Square, Revel, and Clover
• Fraud and chargeback protection included
• Custom-branded mobile apps included

Price

$229, $319, or $409 per month with an annual commitment; $249, $349, or $449 month to month. A $119 to $499 setup fee, a 2.95% + $0.29 transaction fee, a $99 annual Apple developer fee for branded apps, and optional printer or delivery charges may also apply.

Strengths

• Predictable monthly costs regardless of order volume
• Custom-branded mobile apps included
• Strong POS compatibility

Limitations

• Higher total cost than the budget alternatives once setup and processing fees are included
• Limited demand generation compared to marketplace platforms
• No free trial available

3. Square Online

Best for: Small restaurants and Square POS users seeking a free starting point

Square Online offers a genuine $0 per month entry for restaurants testing online ordering. The platform integrates natively with Square POS and payments, making it a low-risk option for businesses already in the Square ecosystem. The free plan supports unlimited orders with social media ordering through Instagram and Facebook.

Key Features

• True free plan with unlimited orders
• Social media ordering through Instagram and Facebook
• Mobile-optimized ordering pages
• Native Square POS integration

Price

$0 per month for Square Free; Square Plus runs $49 per location, per month; Square Premium runs $149 per location, per month.

Strengths

• Lowest barrier to entry
• Unified ecosystem for small businesses
• No contracts or setup fees

Limitations

• Free plan processing at 3.3% + 30¢ versus 2.9% + 30¢ on paid plans
• Lighter restaurant-specific features than dedicated platforms
• Limited advanced marketing tools

4. Owner.com

Best for: Growth-focused restaurants prioritizing sales optimization

Owner.com positions itself as a sales-focused platform rather than just an ordering system. Owner.com reports up to 80% higher website-visitor conversion and roughly double the reorder frequency among restaurants using its branded mobile apps. Features include AI-generated websites, branded mobile apps, and integrated loyalty programs.

Key Features

• AI-generated sales-optimized websites
• Branded mobile app included
• Automated email and SMS marketing campaigns
• Integrated loyalty and rewards program

Price

Flexible plan: $249 per month plus a 5% restaurant fee per order. Flat Rate plan: $499 per month with no additional restaurant fee. Guests pay a 5% order-support fee on both plans.

Strengths

• Strong focus on conversion optimization
• Comprehensive marketing automation
• Sales-focused platform approach

Limitations

• Per-order restaurant fee on the Flexible plan adds up at high volume
• The guest-paid order-support fee applies to both plans
• Newer platform with a smaller customer base

5. DoorDash Storefront

Best for: Restaurants already using DoorDash that want commission-free ordering through their own digital channels

DoorDash Storefront lets restaurants accept orders through their own website, social profiles, or Google listing without paying a commission on those direct orders. DoorDash holds a 56% share of the U.S. food delivery market, and an active DoorDash Marketplace presence is required to use Storefront. Standard payment-processing fees apply, and customers pay delivery fees.

Key Features

• Commission-free on direct orders placed through owned channels
• Requires an active DoorDash Marketplace account
• No monthly software fee
• Access to DoorDash's delivery network for fulfillment

Price

$0 monthly fee; commission-free on direct orders. Standard payment-processing rates and customer-paid delivery fees apply.

Strengths

• Zero upfront software cost
• Built-in delivery logistics
• Access to a large existing delivery network

Limitations

• Restaurants can access customer information from direct Online Ordering transactions, but data access for DoorDash Marketplace customers is more restricted
• Requires an existing DoorDash Marketplace listing
• Marketplace orders still carry 15-30% commission

6. Menufy

Best for: Budget-conscious restaurants wanting flat-rate simplicity

Menufy, a HungerRush company, provides commission-free ordering at a lower price point than ChowNow. The platform includes a managed website and Google listing setup, reducing technical burden for smaller operators. Support is available 24/7 in English, Spanish, and Mandarin.

Key Features

• Flat monthly fee with no commission
• Custom website and Google listing management included
• 24/7 multilingual support in English, Spanish, and Mandarin
• Quick setup with managed website

Price

$149 per month (annual billing) or $179 per month (monthly)

Strengths

• More affordable than premium commission-free options
• Quick setup with a managed website
• Predictable cost structure

Limitations

• No native mobile app included
• Fewer marketing features than growth-focused platforms
• Smaller market presence than category leaders

7. Uber Eats Webshop

Best for: Restaurants with an active Uber Eats listing that want a commission-free ordering channel

Uber Eats Webshop is a commission-free online ordering storefront for orders placed through a restaurant's own website, app, or social page, and it's available free with an existing Uber Eats Marketplace account. It's a separate product from Uber Direct, which is a white-label delivery-fulfillment service for orders a restaurant has already taken through its own website, app, POS, or phone and does not itself provide an ordering storefront or marketplace visibility.

Key Features

• Commission-free direct ordering through your own channels
• No monthly software fee
• Available with an active Uber Eats Marketplace account
• Optional delivery fulfillment through Uber's network

Price

No monthly fee or commission. Webshop orders carry a 2.5% + $0.29 order-processing fee in the U.S. Uber Direct, if used separately for delivery fulfillment, is priced per delivery starting as low as $7.99 and varies by distance, speed, and region.

Strengths

• No monthly software costs
• Restaurants own the customer relationship and data on Webshop orders
• Access to Uber's delivery network for fulfillment

Limitations

• Requires an active Uber Eats Marketplace account
• Marketplace orders still incur separate commissions
• Brand customization is more limited than standalone platforms

8. Popmenu

Best for: Dine-in-focused restaurants prioritizing menu content and SEO

Popmenu takes a menu-first approach where interactive dish-level pages get indexed by search engines. This creates organic discovery opportunities that pure ordering platforms miss. The platform includes email and text marketing, with Voice AI available as a paid add-on.

Key Features

• Search-indexed menu content
• Email and text marketing included
• Voice AI is available as a paid add-on
• Event-specific menus and promotions

Price

Base subscription: $179 per month Starter ($159 annual), $299 Essentials, $499 Premier. Online ordering is a separate paid add-on to these base plans; contact Popmenu for current add-on pricing.

Strengths

• Unique SEO benefits from menu content
• Strong fit for dine-in restaurants
• Comprehensive marketing suite

Limitations

• Online ordering is an added cost on top of the base subscription
• Higher total cost for a full feature set
• No native mobile app

9. Restolabs

Best for: Multi-location independents wanting payment processor flexibility

Restolabs serves 2,000+ restaurants with commission-free ordering and strong white-label options. The platform stands out for allowing restaurants to choose their own payment gateway rather than locking into a specific processor. A 30-day free trial is available with month-to-month billing.

Key Features

• Commission-free ordering with loyalty included
• 30-day free trial with month-to-month billing
• Payment processor flexibility
• White-label options for resellers

Price

Approximately $69 to $199 per month (pricing tiers vary)

Strengths

• Lower cost than premium platforms
• No long-term contracts required
• Strong multi-location controls

Limitations

• Exact pricing not publicly displayed
• Smaller market presence than leaders
• Limited brand recognition

10. GloriaFood

Best for: Very small restaurants testing online ordering at zero cost

GloriaFood, an Oracle product, offers free unlimited orders with zero commission. The platform can be set up in under an hour through a simple widget install on existing websites. Real-time order tracking and simple installation make it a fast path to accepting online orders.

Key Features

• Free unlimited orders with 0% commission
• No contracts or setup fees
• Real-time order tracking
• Simple widget installation

Price

$0 per month core system; $29 per month for online payments add-on

Strengths

• True zero-cost entry point
• Fast implementation
• No risk to test online ordering

Limitations

• Very limited features compared to paid options
• $29 per month add-on required for card payments
• Minimal marketing capabilities

11. BentoBox

Best for: Upscale restaurants prioritizing premium design

BentoBox has earned a reputation for high-end website design in the hospitality space. Now owned by Fiserv, the platform extends beyond ordering to include events, catering, gift cards, and ticketing. White-glove onboarding and premium design make it a fit for upscale restaurants focused on brand presentation.

Key Features

• Premium design for hospitality brands
• Comprehensive commerce platform
• White-glove onboarding
• Events and catering management

Price

Custom subscription pricing, exclusively available to Clover POS customers. Diners generally pay a $0.99 online-ordering service fee, subject to state law and account configuration.

Strengths

• Fit for upscale restaurants
• Full commerce suite beyond ordering
• Strong brand presentation

Limitations

• Custom pricing lacks transparency
• Exclusively available to Clover POS customers
• Diner-facing service fee adds to the customer's total

12. Olo

Best for: Enterprise chains and franchise operations with 50+ locations

Olo powers 700+ restaurant brands across 88,000+ locations, including Shake Shack, Wingstop, and Five Guys. Olo Ordering and Serve support direct online ordering, Rails integrates third-party marketplace orders and menus with restaurant systems, Dispatch manages delivery fulfillment for direct orders, and Olo Network supports additional discovery and ordering surfaces, including AI assistants and affiliate ecosystems.

Key Features

• Modular product suite covering ordering, marketplace integration, delivery dispatch, and emerging discovery channels
• Enterprise-grade reliability and security
• Custom API for deep integrations
• Highest scalability standards

Price

Custom quote required.

Strengths

• Built specifically for large chains
• Proven at massive scale
• Extensive integration capabilities

Limitations

• Pricing not published; requires a sales quote
• Long implementation timelines
• Likely more platform than independent restaurants need

Finding a Free Online Ordering System for Small Businesses

Restaurants with tight budgets have two genuinely free options worth considering.

Square Online provides a $0 per month plan that works immediately for Square POS users. The trade-off is higher payment processing (3.3% + 30¢ versus 2.9% + 30¢ on paid tiers) and limited marketing features. For restaurants processing under $10,000 monthly in online orders, the free plan often makes financial sense.

GloriaFood offers unlimited free orders with no commission, though the $29 per month online payments add-on is effectively required for most restaurants. Setup takes under an hour, making it a fast path to accepting online orders.

Neither free option matches the marketing capabilities or multi-location controls of paid platforms. Consider them starting points rather than long-term solutions for growing operations.

Evaluating the Best Online Ordering System for Your Restaurant

The right platform depends on your specific situation:

• For Toast POS users: Toast Online Ordering integrates closely with existing Toast hardware and back-office tools.
• For commission-sensitive independents: ChowNow or Menufy offer flat-rate pricing, though ChowNow's setup and processing fees should be factored into the total cost.
• For growth-focused operators: Owner.com prioritizes sales optimization and marketing automation over pure ordering functionality.
• For restaurants already on a marketplace: DoorDash Storefront and Uber Eats Webshop provide commission-free direct ordering for restaurants that already maintain a marketplace listing.
• For enterprise chains: Olo delivers the scalability and reliability required for 50+ location operations.

Multi-unit operators should prioritize centralized menu management, cross-location reporting, and standardized workflows when evaluating platforms. The ability to push menu changes across all locations simultaneously can save hours of administrative work weekly.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average cost of an online ordering system for a restaurant?

Costs vary widely by platform and business model. Free entry points exist through Square Online and GloriaFood (with a $29/month payment add-on). Commission-free platforms like ChowNow charge $229 to $449 monthly plus setup and processing fees, while budget options like Menufy start at $149 per month. Enterprise platforms like Olo require a custom quote. Request an itemized quote from each provider you're considering.

Can a free online ordering system truly meet the needs of a growing restaurant?

Free systems like Square Online and GloriaFood work for restaurants testing online ordering or operating at low volume. However, growing operations typically need marketing automation, loyalty programs, and multi-location controls that free platforms lack. Restaurants may outgrow free plans as their integration, marketing, reporting, or multi-location requirements become more complex.

How does an online ordering system integrate with existing POS systems?

Integration quality varies significantly. POS-native options like Toast Online Ordering provide close two-way sync with minimal manual intervention. POS-agnostic platforms like ChowNow connect through APIs or tablet-based middleware, which may require occasional manual order entry if connectivity fails. Before committing, verify your specific POS appears on the platform's integration list.

What are the key differences between third-party delivery apps and first-party online ordering?

Third-party marketplace orders (DoorDash Marketplace, Uber Eats Marketplace) charge 15-30% commissions but provide customer discovery and delivery logistics. First-party ordering channels (ChowNow, Toast, Owner.com, DoorDash Storefront, Uber Eats Webshop) charge flat fees, processing fees, or lower commissions while giving restaurants more direct customer data ownership. Many operators use both: the marketplace for discovery, and first-party ordering for repeat customers.

What benefits can multi-unit restaurants expect from a unified online ordering system?

Multi-unit operators gain centralized menu management, consolidated reporting across locations, consistent brand presentation, and standardized promotional capabilities. Platforms like Olo, Toast, and ChowNow offer enterprise features, including location-based pricing, regional promotions, and cross-location performance analytics that single-location tools lack.