OpenTable vs Resy vs AI Chatbots: Complete 2026 Comparison for Restaurants

If you’re a restaurant owner trying to decide between OpenTable, Resy, or the newer AI chatbot systems, you’re not alone. Choosing the wrong reservation platform can cost you thousands in fees and lost bookings.

This complete comparison breaks down pricing, features, and the real-world performance of each system so you can make an informed decision for your restaurant in 2026.

Quick Comparison Table

Let’s break down each platform in detail.

OpenTable: The Industry Standard

What It Is

OpenTable has been the dominant player in restaurant reservations since 1998. It’s the system most diners are familiar with and has the largest network of restaurants in North America.

Pricing

Basic Plan: $249/month + $1.00 per seated diner
Core Plan: $449/month + $0.25 per seated diner

Real-world cost example: If you seat 500 diners per month through OpenTable:

• Basic: $249 + $500 = $749/month ($8,988/year)
• Core: $449 + $125 = $574/month ($6,888/year)

Pros

✅ Massive diner network – 1.6 billion diners use OpenTable
✅ Brand recognition – Customers trust and search for it
✅ Marketing tools – Email campaigns, special offers, targeted ads
✅ Detailed analytics – Deep insights into diner behavior
✅ Gift card program – Built-in revenue opportunity

Cons

❌ Expensive – Per-cover fees add up quickly
❌ Only online bookings – Doesn’t handle phone reservations
❌ No 24/7 support – Email support only on basic plan
❌ Commission on new diners – Pay extra for customer acquisition
❌ Complex cancellation – Difficult to switch away

Best For

• High-volume restaurants (200+ covers/day)
• Fine dining establishments where diners expect OpenTable
• Restaurants with strong online presence already
• Businesses that can absorb per-cover fees

Resy: The Modern Alternative

What It Is

Resy (owned by American Express since 2019) positions itself as the modern, sleek alternative to OpenTable. It’s popular with trendy urban restaurants and younger diners.

Pricing

Platform: $249/month + $0.99 per seated diner
Platform Plus: $399/month + $0.60 per seated diner
Pro: $899/month + $0.25 per seated diner

Real-world cost example: For 500 diners per month:

• Platform: $249 + $495 = $744/month ($8,928/year)
• Platform Plus: $399 + $300 = $699/month ($8,388/year)
• Pro: $899 + $125 = $1,024/month ($12,288/year)

Pros

✅ Beautiful interface – Modern, user-friendly design
✅ Amex integration – Access to Amex cardholders (wealthy demographic)
✅ Waitlist management – Excellent waitlist features
✅ VIP tools – Tag and track high-value customers
✅ Flexible table management – Better control than OpenTable

Cons

❌ Smaller network – Fewer diners than OpenTable
❌ Higher base cost – Pro plan is expensive
❌ Still per-cover fees – Costs scale with volume
❌ No phone reservations – Online only
❌ Limited customer data – Less analytics than OpenTable

Best For

• Upscale casual restaurants
• Urban restaurants in major cities
• Establishments targeting Amex cardholders
• Restaurants wanting more control than OpenTable offers

AI Chatbot Systems: The New Category

What They Are

AI-powered phone and chat systems that handle reservations, answer questions, and manage customer communication 24/7. Examples include ZentryChat, Slang.ai, and Popmenu’s Answer.

Pricing

Entry Level: $89-$149/month, no per-cover fees
Professional: $199-$299/month, no per-cover fees

Real-world cost example: Unlimited reservations, unlimited calls:

• Entry: $49/month ~ $89/month $588-$1,908
• Professional: $159/month ($1,908/year)

Pros

✅ Handles phone calls – Captures the 68% of reservations that come by phone
✅ 24/7 availability – Never miss a booking, even at 2 AM
✅ No per-cover fees – Flat monthly rate regardless of volume
✅ Answers questions – “Do you have gluten-free options?” “Are you dog-friendly?”
✅ Integrates with OpenTable/Resy – Works alongside existing systems
✅ Instant setup – Live in 5 minutes
✅ Handles cancellations – Manages changes without staff involvement

Cons

❌ No diner network – Doesn’t bring new customers like OpenTable does
❌ New technology – Some customers may prefer human interaction
❌ Requires integration – Works best when connected to POS/existing reservation system
❌ Learning curve for staff – Team needs to understand how it works

Best For

• Restaurants tired of per-cover fees
• Busy establishments that miss phone reservations
• Restaurants wanting 24/7 booking capabilities
• Owners looking to reduce labor costs
• Any restaurant that wants to keep more revenue

The Hybrid Approach (What Smart Restaurants Are Doing)

The most successful restaurants in 2026 aren’t choosing just one system—they’re using a combination:

The Winning Combination:

1. Resy or OpenTable for online reservations and diner network access
2. AI Chatbot for phone reservations, after-hours bookings, and customer questions

Why This Works

You get:

• Network effects of OpenTable/Resy (new customer acquisition)
• 24/7 phone coverage from AI chatbot (capture missed calls)
• Answer customer questions instantly (reduce staff workload)
• Consolidated reservations in one system

Total cost:

• OpenTable/Resy: $249-$449/month + per-cover fees
• AI Chatbot: $49-$199/month
• Total: $338-$648/month

Still cheaper than hiring a part-time receptionist ($1,200-1,800/month) and you get 24/7 coverage.

Cost Comparison: Real Numbers

Let’s compare the annual cost for a restaurant seating 500 diners per month (6,000/year):

OpenTable Core:

• Monthly: $449 + (500 × $0.25) = $574
• Annual: $6,888

Resy Platform Plus:

• Monthly: $399 + (500 × $0.60) = $699
• Annual: $8,388

AI Chatbot (Professional):

• Monthly: $159
• Annual: $1,908

Hybrid (Resy + AI Chatbot):

• Monthly: $399 + $300 + $199 = $898
• Annual: $10,776

Part-Time Receptionist:

• Monthly: $1,500 (20 hours/week × $15/hour)
• Annual: $18,000
• Coverage: 40% of total hours

Which Should You Choose?

Choose OpenTable if:

• You’re in a major city where diners expect it
• You can afford per-cover fees
• You want maximum diner network exposure
• You’re fine with online-only bookings

Choose Resy if:

• You want a modern alternative to OpenTable
• You’re targeting upscale urban diners
• You value Amex integration
• You want better table management control

Choose AI Chatbot if:

• You’re losing reservations to phone calls
• You can’t afford per-cover fees
• You want 24/7 booking capability
• You’re tired of staff answering phones during service
• You want to keep more of your revenue

Choose Hybrid (Resy/OpenTable + AI Chatbot) if:

• You want the best of both worlds
• You can invest $600-900/month in reservation systems
• You’re serious about capturing every possible booking
• You want to dominate your local market

The Future Is Here

The restaurant reservation landscape has fundamentally changed. In 2020, OpenTable and Resy were your only real options. In 2026, AI chatbot systems have proven they can capture the 68% of reservations that those platforms miss entirely.

The smartest restaurant owners aren’t asking “Which one should I choose?” They’re asking “How do I use all available tools to capture every single reservation opportunity?”

Because every missed reservation is money you’ll never get back. And your competitors who are using these systems? They’re happy to take those bookings off your hands.

Want to see how much you’re losing in missed phone reservations? Try ZentryChat free for 14 days – it integrates with your existing OpenTable or Resy account.