OpenTable

OpenTable is two things at once: a diner-facing booking site and app, and a table management system restaurants run on a tablet or computer. Bookings made on OpenTable, on Google or on the restaurant's own website land in the same book.

On the restaurant side it handles floor plans, table assignments, waitlists, guest notes and visit history, and it sends confirmations and reminders to guests. Reports show covers, no-shows and booking sources over time.

Fees usually combine a subscription with charges for some bookings that come through the OpenTable network, so ask how each booking channel is billed. Check who owns the guest data, what you can export, and how the system connects to your POS.

Diners can also leave reviews on OpenTable after a visit, so watch those alongside your other listings.