Managing waitlists has evolved from paper systems to innovative digital solutions that enhance the dining experience.
In this article we explore 10 of the best restaurant waitlist apps, designed to minimize wait times, boost efficiency, and streamline the guest journey.
Whether you’re a restaurant owner or a food enthusiast, these solutions offer seamless options for managing waitlists and reservations.
Key Takeaways
- Minimizing Wait Times: Restaurant waitlist apps reduce customer wait times by offering real-time updates, improving guest satisfaction and streamlining the dining experience.
- Operational Efficiency: These apps automate tasks like waitlist management, restaurant seating arrangements, and guest notifications, optimizing restaurant operations and freeing up staff time.
- Enhanced Communication: Waitlist apps improve communication between restaurants and customers, ensuring a smooth and seamless dining experience from arrival to seating.
- Valuable Analytics: Many waitlist apps include analytics and reporting tools, providing insights into peak dining hours, customer preferences, and menu trends for better decision-making.
- Seamless Integration: Waitlist apps that integrate with restaurant POS systems enhance operational flow by syncing front-of-house and back-of-house functions, ensuring accurate and efficient service.
What is a Restaurant Waitlist app?
A restaurant waitlist app is a mobile application designed to streamline the process of managing restaurant waitlists and reservations, allowing businesses to serve waiting customers quickly.
These apps typically allow customers to join a virtual waitlist remotely, eliminating the need to wait in line at the restaurant physically. Users can check real-time wait times, receive notifications about their table status, and even make reservations directly through the app.
Some apps also provide additional features like virtual menus, online payment options, and personalized recommendations.
For restaurant owners and staff, a waitlist management application provides a centralized platform to manage guest flow, track table availability, and send automated notifications to customers, while offering analytics to improve operational efficiency and customer satisfaction.
How did we Choose the Best Waitlist Apps for Restaurants?
Here’s how we chose the best restaurant waitlist apps:
- Features: We assessed key features like real-time updates, automated notifications, POS integration, and customer insights, prioritizing apps with additional tools like online ordering and analytics.
- Pricing: We compared pricing plans to ensure good value, considering both affordability and any hidden fees.
- User Feedback: We reviewed user experiences on sites like G2, Capterra, and Trustpilot to understand the app’s real-world performance.
- Website Evaluation: We examined each app’s website for usability, feature clarity, and customer support options.
Best Waitlist Apps for Restaurants
Waitlist apps offer various features and functionalities to help restaurants efficiently manage waitlists and reservations while providing a seamless experience for customers.
Explore each app’s specific features, user reviews, and pricing models to determine which aligns best with your restaurant’s needs and goals. Here’s a comparison of some of the more popular apps:
| Features | UpMenu | Yelp Waitlist | Waitlist Me | OpenTable | TablesReady | EatApp | Tock | SevenRooms | Resy | NextMe |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Online Reservations | ||||||||||
| Waitlist Management | ||||||||||
| Table Management | ||||||||||
| SMS Notifications | ||||||||||
| Customer CRM | ||||||||||
| Online Payments | ||||||||||
| Event Booking |
1. UpMenu
UpMenu is a food ordering system with built-in waitlist system, and restaurant website builder designed for restaurants.
It offers restaurant marketing tools, allowing business owners to manage online waitlists, track sales, handle food orders, and streamline operations.
Additionally, UpMenu enables the creation of custom marketing campaigns, online menus, websites, and even a food ordering app from scratch.
Pricing
There are three plans to choose from:
- Basic: $49/month per restaurant, includes online ordering (75 orders), a restaurant website, branded mobile app, QR code menu, loyalty program, and more.
- Standard: $89/month per restaurant, includes all Basic features plus tableside ordering, reservations, premium templates, marketing tools, and integrations.
- Premium: $169/month per restaurant, includes all Standard features plus unlimited online ordering, marketing automation, gift cards, inventory management, and API access.
2. Yelp Waitlist
Yelp Waitlist is a feature within Yelp Guest Manager, an extensive waitlist and front-of-house management tool designed specifically for restaurants.
Yelp Waitlist allows restaurants to manage their waitlists efficiently and provide a seamless experience for both customers and staff.
Pricing
The pricing is as follows:
- Basic: $129/month, includes booking links for social media, online reservations and waitlist on Yelp, Google, and Apple Maps, up to 500 booked covers, two-way texting, daily analytics, and to-go management. Includes full setup and iPad.
- Plus: $299/month, includes all Basic features plus Toast integration, unlimited covers, guestbook, in-app guest profiles, email capture, POS integration, and customizable floor plans.
- Enterprise: Custom pricing for restaurant groups, includes all Plus features plus Olo and Punchh integrations, reservation and waitlist API, and data feed.
3. Waitlist Me
Waitlist Me is a waitlist management software and mobile app designed to help businesses manage customer queues efficiently.
It provides tools and features to streamline the waitlist process, enhance customer experience, and improve operational efficiency.
Waitlist Me allows businesses to create and manage digital waitlists, enabling businesses to track and organize customer wait times, party sizes, and other relevant information.
Pricing
There are three plans to choose from:
- Premium: $27.99/month ($335.88/year), includes 1000 notifications, customizable notifications, reservations calendar, and self-check-in kiosk mode. Additional notifications are $0.02 each.
- Pro: $47.99/month ($575.88/year), includes 2500 notifications, table/resource management, two-way texting, and predictive wait estimates. Additional notifications are $0.02 each.
- Platinum: $79.99/month ($959.88/year), includes 5000 notifications, smart floorplans, spatial section management, and API for enterprise customers. Additional notifications are $0.02 each.
4. OpenTable
OpenTable is a popular restaurant waitlist application designed to help restaurants manage their waitlists effectively and enhance the guest experience.
Restaurants can manage their waitlists using the OpenTable platform, eliminating the need for manual tracking and streamlining the process.
Pricing
There are free plans to choose from:
- Basic: $149/month, includes core features with a $1.50 per cover fee after 30 days and a $0.25 per cover fee for reservations from your website.
- Core: $299/month, includes in-house and online waitlist, reservations from your website, and a $1 per cover fee.
- Pro: $499/month, includes all Core features and in-house and online waitlist, with a $1 per cover fee.
All plans charge a 2% service fee for experiences.
5. TablesReady
TablesReady is a restaurant management app that streamlines waitlist and reservation management.
It allows customers to join the waitlist remotely and receive text notifications, improving convenience and reducing wait times.
The app also includes features like automated messaging and table management, helping restaurants optimize seating and enhance the overall guest experience.
Pricing
There are three plans to choose from:
- Free: $0/month, includes 150 messages, organized digital waitlist, customizable notifications, estimated wait times, custom form properties, and device support.
- Premium: $39/month, includes 1,000 messages, online bookings, table management, 2-way SMS chat, Square & Google integrations, and detailed analytics.
- Enterprise: You need to contact for pricing. It includes everything in Premium plus 40,000+ messages, specialized pricing, dedicated account manager, custom terms, prioritized support, and security questionnaires.
6. EatApp
EatApp’s waitlist solution helps restaurants manage guest queues efficiently by allowing customers to join remotely and receive real-time updates via SMS.
It integrates seamlessly with reservation and table management systems, offering tools like custom notifications, estimated wait times, and multi-device accessibility.
The system improves guest experiences by increasing visibility, reducing wait times, and promoting walk-ins through online integration.
Pricing
There are 4 plans to choose from:
- Free: $0/month, includes up to 30 covers per month, SMS notifications, and WhatsApp conversations.
- Starter: $49/month, includes up to 300 covers, 25 free SMS and WhatsApp conversations.
- Essential: $129/month, includes unlimited covers, 100 free SMS, and 30 WhatsApp conversations.
- Pro: $229/month, includes unlimited covers, 300 free SMS, and enhanced guest experience features.
7. Tock
Tock is a comprehensive reservation and waitlist management platform designed to help restaurants streamline guest booking, enhance customer experiences, and boost restaurant revenue.
It allows restaurants to manage waitlists, reservations, and events all in one place, offering features like SMS notifications, customized guest experiences, and advanced reporting tools.
Tock also integrates with other restaurant systems, providing flexible solutions for a variety of business types, from small restaurants to large chains.
Pricing
There are 4 plans to choose from:
- Base: Starting at $79/month with a 3% fee on prepayments, includes waitlist tools, table management, events, marketing tools, and 2-way SMS communication.
- Essential: Starting at $199/month with a 3% fee on prepayments, includes everything in Base plus reservations, notifications, and takeout features.
- Premium: Starting at $339/month with a 2% fee on prepayments, includes everything in Essential plus premium tools, POS integrations, API access, and chargeback protection.
- Premium Unlimited: Starting at $769/month with no fees on prepayments, includes everything in Premium plus unlimited support and no prepayment fees.
8. SevenRooms
SevenRooms is a comprehensive hospitality platform offering various tools and features to help restaurants, hotels, and other hospitality businesses manage their operations and enhance guest experiences.
It provides solutions for reservation management, guest communication, seating optimization, and guest profile management for the restaurant industry.
Pricing
There are three plans to choose from, but to get the details, you need to call the sales team.
9. Resy
Resy is a comprehensive restaurant management platform that offers flexible reservation and table management, along with tools for guest profiling, event management, and advanced analytics.
It helps streamline operations by reducing no-shows, improving guest communication, and optimizing seating.
With features like POS integration and real-time booking management, Resy enhances operational efficiency and customer satisfaction.
Pricing
There are three plans to choose from:
- Basic: $249/month, includes essential tools for managing reservations and reducing no-shows.
- Platform 360: $399/month, offers advanced features for reservations, event management, and guest insights.
- Enterprise Full-Stack: $899/month, designed for multi-location restaurants with advanced reporting, insights, and premium support.
10. NextMe
NextMe is a virtual waiting room and queue management app designed to help businesses manage waitlists efficiently.
It allows customers to join the waitlist remotely, reduces long lines, and enhances the guest experience with features like customizable SMS notifications, self-check-in, and multi-device syncing.
NextMe is flexible and scalable, supporting various industries such as restaurants, healthcare, and retail, while providing reliable customer support and actionable insights to improve operations.
Pricing
There are 4 plans to choose from:
- Free: $0/month, includes 100 SMS, waitlist management, predictive wait times, real-time updates, and basic guest loyalty tracking.
- Starter: $59.99/month, includes 3,000 SMS, 5 users, customizable SMS texts, self-check-in, virtual waiting room, and phone/live support.
- Business: $99.99/month, includes 5,000 SMS, 10 users, white-label branding, analytics, data exports, and a dedicated account manager.
- Custom: It includes flexible limits and users, one-time events, and 1:1 product training. You need to contact NextMe to get the details.
How Can a Restaurant Waitlist App Benefit Your Business?
Online waitlist apps offer several benefits for businesses, improving operations and customer experience:
- Efficient Management: Automates tasks like adding, seating, and removing guests, reducing errors and saving staff time.
- Real-Time Updates: Provides accurate wait times and table availability, enhancing staff efficiency and customer transparency.
- Optimized Seating: Suggests seating arrangements based on party sizes and available tables, maximizing seating capacity.
- Customer Notifications: Sends automated updates on table status and wait times, reducing frustration and improving communication.
- Reservations: Some apps offer reservation features, allowing customers to book in advance and helping businesses manage seating more effectively.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How does the waitlist app work?
A waitlist app simplifies guest management by enabling customers to join a virtual waitlist through their phone. Once added, guests receive real-time updates on their wait time and position in the queue. The app sends notifications when their table is ready, enhancing their dining experience.
How does a waitlist work for a restaurant?
A restaurant waitlist allows customers to join a virtual queue via an app, website, or text. They receive real-time updates on their wait time and position, and when a table is ready, they are notified. This system helps reduce wait times, improve the guest experience, and increase table turnover rate.
How can restaurants reduce customer wait time in 2025?
In 2025, restaurants can reduce customer wait times by leveraging restaurant technology and optimizing operations.
Using a restaurant reservation system to manage bookings and time slots ensures better control over guest flow, while QR code menus allow guests to place orders ahead of time, speeding up the dining process.
Additionally, digital waitlist apps enable waiting guests to join remotely and receive real-time updates, while efficient table management systems optimize seating and increase table turnover rates.
