Best Online Ordering Systems for Restaurants in 2024

The world is moving online, and many industries are trying to expand their activities online to reach more people. In the early days of restaurants, people could only place orders verbally or by writing down. At the end of the 19th century, they were able to order by making a call. Nowadays, the internet has revolutionized the ordering process by enabling the emergence of online ordering systems. Thus, restaurants are among those who have the possibility to go online.

Some restaurants have already recognized the growth opportunities these systems offer and have capitalized on them. However, others still choose not to adopt online ordering software for various reasons: they may be unaware of the benefits, find it difficult to navigate the available options, or simply not know what an online ordering system is. This article will help you explore these issues.

Best Online Ordering Systems for Restaurants

To begin with, let us review this list of online ordering systems to determine who they are suitable for.

1. TapTasty – the best solution for restaurants to manage orders, clients, deliveries, and marketing campaigns.

2. Toast – the best for those restaurants looking for both a POS system and a basic online ordering system.

3. GloriaFood – the go-to online ordering system for those who want to add a free online ordering system in their website.

4. Restolabs – a good alternative for online ordering, especially for those who want to sell through their Facebook business page.

5. Bentobox – the best for restaurants that are looking for SEO-optimized branded websites.

6. Flipdish – great choice for restaurants that want to do qualitative marketing through the online ordering system.

7. Upmenu – the most affordable online ordering system for small restaurants.

8. iMenu360 – a good choice for those interested in a centralized way for online ordering, marketing, and social media images.

9. Cloud Waitress – a great alternative for small restaurants that want a free website that sells.

1. TapTasty

TapTasty is an all-in-one online ordering system for restaurants. It features two key components: online ordering and marketing, which restaurants can manage easily from a centralized dashboard.

TapTasty focuses on creating branded native mobile apps for online ordering, while also offering an online ordering module that integrates with websites or operates independently. Restaurants that choose TapTasty can manage pickup, delivery, and reservation orders. Here is an example of how their apps work.

Besides online ordering, TapTasty is also a solution for on-premise orders. Customers can place an order in the restaurant either through their kiosk software or the QR table ordering system. The centralized dashboard manages both of them. Below is an example of how to place an order at their kiosks. You can also see how they look.

One noteworthy aspect of their ordering functionalities is the AI-assisted ordering system. It allows customers to order their favorite food by talking to a virtual waiter. TapTasty can activate this AI functionality for all the ordering modules mentioned above.

The marketing component includes various tools and features. It starts with a customer database that provides relevant insights. This allows restaurants to send automated emails and push notifications and offer loyalty points and personalized discount coupons. Additional features include banners, loyalty cards, and more, all designed to attract new customers and enhance loyalty among existing ones.

TapTasty is one of the top companies in customer support service. If you have a question or problem you need them to solve, do not worry. The customer support team is always available in the chat module. They also offer their customers the possibility of video calls and a help center that covers the system settings.

TapTasty is a commission-free online ordering platform with four monthly subscription-based packages. Restaurants can pay monthly or a year in advance to receive a 20% discount.

2. Toast

Toast is best known for its POS system, but it also offers excellent commission-free online ordering options. Restaurants can list themselves alongside many others on the Toast TakeOut mobile app. However, since it is not a white-label app, customers have limited branding options. Other Toast options for online ordering are the integration with Order with Google and an online ordering module for websites. Alongside all of these, Toast comes with three marketing features: automated email marketing, loyalty points, and gift cards.

Toast also offers top-notch customer support service. It includes webinars, a help center, a community forum, and the possibility of connecting with real people by phone. Given Toast’s focus on POS systems, all the features for online ordering and marketing are add-ons to their subscription-based packages. This means that additional fees may apply. Besides that, using the online ordering solution without their POS system is impossible.

3. GloriaFood

GloriaFood has a free plan that provides restaurants with a rudimentary online ordering system. This plan includes two widgets—one for food ordering and another for table reservations—that you can add to an existing website, an integration with a Facebook business page, and allows restaurants to list themselves alongside others on GloriaFood’s mobile app, FoodBooking. In addition to online ordering, this free plan comes with a few marketing functionalities. These are the possibility of creating different promotions, a flyer generator, and the option to invite customers to order online.

However, suppose some restaurants need more than what is provided in the free plan. In that case, GloriaFood has more features to offer for a monthly fee. These features are a sales-optimized website, a branded mobile application, an online/credit card payment service, and advanced promo marketing that includes client segmentation and target profiling. It is important to know, that GloriaFood requests restaurants to have their developer account for Apple Store. Regarding customer support service, the only option to contact GloriaFood provided on the website is by email. Still, their knowledge base and video tutorials cover the fundamental setting.

4. Restolabs

The principal solution that Restolabs presents to the restaurants is a responsive online ordering module. This module integrates with the restaurant website and its business Facebook page. However, in addition to the online ordering module, Restolabs also builds white-label mobile applications for restaurants. The marketing offer consists of four main functionalities: loyalty points, coupons, push notifications through which restaurants can send different promotions to the customers, and display marketing, a feature that helps restaurants display their promotions to the customers’ sight.

Restolabs lacks a knowledge base, but its customer support is excellent. The chat module, demo video calls, and readily available contact options like email and phone number on their website all contribute to this. In terms of pricing, three subscription-based packages include the mentioned features. However, the cost of developing a mobile app is not included. Restaurants that want a mobile app must pay an additional one-time fee of $799 on top of their chosen package.

5. Bentobox

Bentobox focuses on creating branded websites that include both online ordering and marketing. Bentobox, like many online ordering systems, offers restaurant customers the possibility to place orders for takeout and delivery, to place catering orders, and to make reservations. Still, there is one thing that stands out about them, and it is related to their websites. All of them include built-in SEO features and tools that help restaurants optimize their website as they grow, and besides that, Bentobox has a special team dedicated to helping restaurants do SEO. SEO-optimized websites simply mean increased website traffic. The marketing part consists of SMS marketing, email marketing, gift cards, and loyalty programs that keep customers engaged by showing them different milestones to achieve.

Bentobox’s pricing is complex due to the variety of options available. Restaurants can either customize their own package or choose from Bentobox’s pre-made packages. If customizing, they must select the desired modules and pay a monthly fee for each. There is also an initial setup fee and additional charges per order or online payment, applicable to four modules: restaurant website, takeout & delivery, online catering, and events management. For pre-made packages, the setup fee ranges from $350 to $800, plus a monthly subscription. Customer support includes phone availability from 8 am to midnight, email assistance, and a comprehensive help center.

6. Flipdish

Flipdish is a complete system for restaurants that includes a POS system, online ordering, in-location ordering, and marketing. Regarding online ordering, there are two options: Flipdish creates both websites and mobile applications. When looking at the marketing part, restaurants are provided with different excellent tools. From customer databases, loyalty programs, first-order campaigns, SMS campaigns, discounts, and vouchers to a special team dedicated to helping restaurants do marketing, Flipdish covers most of the needs of a restaurant.

Flipdish also believes in a commission-free online ordering platform, so their pricing consists only of three subscription-based packages that can be paid for monthly or yearly to get a discount. However, not all the features are included in those packages. So restaurants must be aware that extra fees may come into the discussion if they want, for example, a web design or managed marketing by the Flipdish team. Even though Flipdish provides its customers with a help center and the Flipdish Academy, where different lessons about the system may be found, they are hard to get in touch with customer support. A phone number and email address are provided only with products bought from them.

7. Upmenu

Another good option when looking for an online ordering system is Upmenu. In addition to the mobile applications they build and the websites you can create using different templates and themes, Upmenu is integrated with Google Food Ordering, allowing your restaurants to receive orders from Google. Upmenu also offers different marketing tools: loyalty cards, loyalty points, SMS and email marketing, push notifications, gift cards, and discounts.

Like many other systems, Upmenu is a commission-free platform with subscription-based packages. The advantage of these packages is that even the cheapest one includes a mobile application and a restaurant website. However, there is a downside to the cheapest packages. The number of orders restaurants can get through this online ordering system is limited. Upmenu is easy to get in touch with through the chat module they provide, and their help center provides good answers. 

8. iMenu360

iMenu360 offers two options for online ordering: an online ordering module that can be integrated with websites and a white-label mobile application. While customers place orders for pickup and delivery, iMenu360 creates a customer database where the marketing part begins. Based on this database, iMenu360 gives restaurants the possibility to create different rewards in order to make their customers more loyal and the possibility to offer discounts for their products. Other marketing features include a social media image creation service and a marketing support team ready to help customers grow.

Unfortunately, iMenu360 does not give information about their pricing. To get an offer, restaurants must contact the sales team through the email address or phone number provided on the website. Customer support is also done through phone calls and emails, and in addition to these, iMenu360 has a help center that provides basic information regarding the system.

9. Cloud Waitress

Cloud Waitress is an online ordering system that specializes in websites that allow customers to make reservations and place orders for pickup and delivery. It also builds mobile applications, but it charges an extra fee for this and requests restaurants have developer accounts so it can publish the application to the Apple Store and Google Play Store. As for marketing, this system allows restaurants to create promotional codes.

Cloud Waitress’ pricing is straightforward. Except for the additional fees that must be paid for extra services such as custom website design or, as mentioned before, the development of a mobile application, there are two monthly paid subscription-based packages and one free package. The free package is a good starting point for small businesses whose orders and reservations do not exceed 100, which is the maximum limit for this package. Cloud Waitress could be contacted via email and a chat module for customer support. It also has a well-written help center that is of help for those who are looking to understand the system.

Understanding Online Ordering Systems for Restaurants

We have explored the practical side, but there’s still much more to learn about online ordering systems. Now, let us focus on the theory. In simple terms, an online ordering system for restaurants is a digital tool that helps nearly any type of restaurant expand its business online, allowing customers to order their favorite food through platforms like mobile apps or websites.

Key Benefits of Using an Online Ordering System

Now that you have a clear understanding of what an online restaurant ordering system is, the next logical step is to ask yourself, “Why should I use it?” To help you answer that, here is a list of the key benefits this type of system provides.

• First and foremost, as it was mentioned, you reach more people because of your online presence.
• You no longer need to keep records of your sales or do all kinds of statistics, from the best-selling products to the most active customers. A good online ordering software will do that for you.
• Most of these systems allow you to do online marketing without any additional cost. Loyalty points, discounts, emails, and push notification marketing are just a few tools you can use to promote your restaurant.
• An online ordering system gives you a standardized and centralized way of ordering that helps you deliver exactly what was ordered. There is no longer a need for pen and paper, and there is no longer miscommunication.
• Using an online ordering system for restaurants, you will have a database of customers that will help you profile them and create personalized offers.
• As one of the many available restaurant technologies, online ordering software can enhance overall operations and communication within the restaurant.
• Besides all of these, an online food ordering system gives you a more accessible and interactive way of presenting your menu. You can cross-sell, emphasize some products, and order and reorder your products whenever you want.

Essential Factors for Choosing an Online Ordering System

If we had to highlight just one key factor in making the best possible choice, it would undoubtedly be your specific needs. For example, if you need a car that can carry a lot of luggage, you would not buy one with a tiny trunk. The same principle applies when choosing an online ordering system: you must clearly understand your needs, and the system you select should meet them.

Another crucial factor—ranked just after your needs—is the quality of customer support. No matter how simple a system may seem, questions will always arise, and you will need someone to address them. Additionally, since these systems are human-made, occasional errors are inevitable. The real question is not whether the system will be error-free but whether there is a reliable support team to resolve issues. Make sure to understand the quality of customer support before making your decision.

If you already have a POS system or plan to get one alongside your online ordering system, ensure that they are compatible. Any other systems you use or plan to use, such as online payment services or product management tools, must also integrate seamlessly with the ordering system. Look for existing integrations or inquire about potential ones before finalizing your choice.

Pricing is another important consideration, as it varies widely between systems. Some charge a subscription for both the admin panel and sales modules, while others may charge only for the admin panel and a fixed fee for the sales modules. Some systems offer multiple or customizable packages, while others provide fewer options. Take the time to compare pricing, and keep one key question in mind: Which system provides the most suitable solution at the best price?

Finally, after doing your research and evaluating the systems based on their claims, consider how others view them. The more perspectives you gather, the better. We have shared our perspective in this article to help guide you through the vast array of online ordering systems available.

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