Looking for an OpenTable alternative? TableTango gives UK independents their own booking page for a flat price or on a Free plan, with no cover fee on any booking and no contract. This page sets out how OpenTable charges, in its own words, and when a marketplace is still the better choice.
OpenTable is a diner marketplace with a booking system attached. It puts your restaurant in front of people searching its website and app, and charges a cover fee for the diners it seats with you. TableTango is the booking system without the marketplace: guests book on your own page, from your website, Google profile and social links, and you pay a flat price or nothing.
If most of your guests already know you, compare what discovery through a marketplace brings you with what it costs. If they do not, a marketplace can earn its fee, and we say so below.
Side by side
How each one charges
What OpenTable says is taken from its own page, in its own terms. We do not repeat another company's prices: follow the source link for those. For every system UK restaurants choose between, read our full comparison.
OpenTable
Marketplace · subscription plus cover fees on network diners
Pricing model: A subscription in two standard plans, each priced on contact with its sales team; an enterprise route is offered separately.
Per-cover or commission: Cover fees only on seated diners who found you through OpenTable's website, app or affiliate network. Its FAQ says bookings from your own website, by phone or as walk-ins are not charged, and nor are no-shows or cancellations.
Contract: Its FAQ says the standard contract is one year and renews annually unless you tell OpenTable 30 days before the renewal date.
Channel: The OpenTable diner network and partner sites, plus a booking widget for your own website and Google's "Reserve a table" button.
No-shows: Deposits and credit-card holds are listed in its plans table.
Flat price or Free · your own booking page · one venue
Pricing model: Free with unlimited online bookings, email only; or £9 a month, or £90 a year paid upfront, per venue. Your first 30 days include everything, free from go-live, with no card to start.
Per-cover or commission: None on either plan, ever.
Contract: None on the monthly plan: cancel any time.
Channel: Your own booking page and link, on your website, Google profile, social pages and a printed QR poster. Not a marketplace.
No-shows: Email confirmations and day-before reminders on both plans. On the paid plan, optional guest texts on SMS credits, a waitlist and, on request at no extra cost, card protection on the bookings you choose.
Create an account, add your opening hours and tables, and publish. Guests book 24/7 on your own page, and every booking lands in one live diary and floor plan.
2
Put your new link where guests look for you
Add it as the Bookings link on your Google Business Profile, behind the “Book a table” button on your website, and on your Instagram profile. TableTango shows you exactly where each one goes.
3
Bring your upcoming bookings with you
Moving a link does not transfer bookings. Keep the details of the bookings you already hold with OpenTable, add them to your TableTango diary the way you add a phone booking, and check the two against each other before the first busy service.
4
Check your guest export
Ask OpenTable which guest records you can export and how to obtain them. We can assess an authorised export case by case; importing records does not create marketing permission.
New to TableTango? The starter guide walks through setup, and the cost guide lists every charge to ask any provider about.
An honest steer
When to stay where you are
Stay with OpenTable if
A meaningful share of your covers comes from diners who find you on OpenTable's website or app, not from people who already know you
You run a restaurant group or a hotel and need central reservations across sites
You are part-way through a contract year: check your renewal date and the notice it asks for before you plan a move
TableTango suits you if
Most of your guests already know you and book by name, from your website, Google profile or social pages
You run one independent restaurant, food-led pub or hotel restaurant and want one diary for online, phone and walk-in bookings
You want a published price, or a Free plan, with no per-cover charge and no contract
Questions
What owners ask
Does OpenTable charge for bookings from my own website?
Its FAQ says no. On its two standard plans, cover fees apply only to seated diners who found the restaurant through OpenTable's website, app or affiliate network; bookings from your own website, by phone or as walk-ins are not charged. Plan prices are given on request by its sales team. We read this on OpenTable's plans page on 13 November 2026.
Can we leave OpenTable whenever we like?
Check your own agreement. OpenTable's FAQ says its standard contract is one year and renews annually unless you tell it 30 days before the renewal date. TableTango has no contract on the monthly plan: cancel any time.
Will we lose bookings if we leave the marketplace?
You will no longer appear in OpenTable's own search, so a diner who only looks there will not find you. Guests who search for you by name, visit your website or tap the booking link on your Google profile book on your own page instead. If discovery through a marketplace matters to your trade, weigh that before you move.
Does TableTango take commission or a cover fee?
No. Neither plan charges commission or a per-cover fee. Free includes unlimited online bookings and one staff device. Guests receive confirmations and reminders by email only. Guest texts, Shield, deposits and online payments are on Paid. Paid costs £9 a month or £90 a year upfront per venue. The full-app trial lasts 30 days from go-live, with no card needed.
Can you bring our OpenTable guest list across?
Ask OpenTable which records you can export and how to obtain them. If you have an authorised export for your TableTango guest book, email support@tabletango.co.uk with a description of what it contains and we will tell you honestly what we can bring across. We never assume marketing consent: a guest only gets marketing from you if they agreed to it.
How long does setup take?
Follow the guided setup: add your restaurant details, hours and tables, then review and publish your booking page. Stuck at any point? Email support@tabletango.co.uk and we aim to reply within one working day, Monday to Friday.
Keep your next booking direct.
Free includes unlimited online bookings and one staff device. Guests receive confirmations and reminders by email only. Guest texts, Shield, deposits and online payments are on Paid. Paid costs £9 a month or £90 a year per venue. Neither plan charges per cover. Try the full app for 30 days from go-live, with no card needed.
