Choosing the right online ordering platform can meaningfully impact a restaurant's bottom line. With commission-heavy marketplaces still eating into margins in 2026, more operators are turning to direct ordering solutions. When evaluating chownow vs restolabs, two names consistently surface, but they serve restaurants in different ways. Here's a clear breakdown to help you decide.
| Feature | ChowNow | Restolabs |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Cost | From $119/month | $0/month (billed annually) |
| Commission Fees | None on direct orders | None |
| Processing Fees | 2.95% + $0.29/transaction | Gateway provider only (Restolabs charges none) |
| Customer Data Ownership | Partial (restricted per privacy policy) | Full ownership, exportable in real time |
| POS Integrations | 45+ systems | Toast, Revel, Checkmate, Thrive |
ChowNow vs Restolabs Cost
Pricing is where these two platforms diverge most sharply.
ChowNow Pricing
- Three tiers: Hub ($119), Pro ($229), and Premier ($328) per month
- Per-transaction processing fee of 2.95% + $0.29 on every order
- Additional delivery fees and setup costs may apply depending on the plan
Restolabs Pricing
- Basic, Growth, and Pro plans at $0/month when billed annually
- No commission fees and no per-order charges from the platform
- Restaurants only pay their chosen payment gateway's standard processing rate
For high-volume locations, Restolabs' model makes total cost far more predictable. For detailed fee breakdowns, see our guides on ChowNow pricing and fees and Restolabs pricing and fees.
ChowNow vs Restolabs Reviews
As of early 2026, neither platform has a published Trustpilot score with sufficient review volume to cite a verified rating. Here's what restaurant operators are reporting across review channels:
ChowNow
What users like:
- Reliable platform with meaningful cost savings versus DoorDash or Grubhub
- Effective revenue tool for growing takeout operations
- Ease of use for day-to-day order management
Common complaints:
- Slow feature rollouts and difficulty reaching customer support
- Frustration with the tipping system for third-party deliveries
- Flat monthly fee plus transaction costs can feel steep for smaller operations
Restolabs
What users like:
- Fast onboarding, often under a week to go live
- Transparent pricing with no surprise charges
- Responsive 24/7 support and hands-on customer success
- Comprehensive analytics available even on entry-level plans
For a deeper look at operator feedback, see our full Restolabs reviews breakdown.
ChowNow vs Restolabs Reddit Discussions
Reddit threads paint a candid picture. ChowNow users frequently flag the ~$199/month base cost as a barrier for smaller restaurants, compounded by reports of delayed orders and slow support response times. The consensus among smaller operators is that the fixed overhead is hard to justify unless order volume is consistently high.
Restolabs comes up as a more restaurant-friendly alternative, specifically for its predictable pricing, fast setup, and the fact that restaurants retain 100% of revenue with no hidden per-order charges. Users also note Restolabs' flexibility in shutting off ordering outside operating hours, avoiding unnecessary fees, a small but practical detail that resonates with independent operators.
Feature Comparison: Where Each Platform Stands Out
Both platforms offer commission-free direct ordering, branded websites, and marketing tools, but the depth and accessibility of those features differ considerably.
| Capability | ChowNow | Restolabs |
|---|---|---|
| POS Integrations | 45+ systems (Toast, Square, Revel, Oracle MICROS, Clover, Lightspeed, etc.) | 4 systems (Toast, Revel, Checkmate, Thrive) |
| Delivery Logistics | Flex Delivery: smart dispatching, backup drivers, 8-mile zones | In-house + third-party (DoorDash, Uber Eats), real-time tracking, custom zones |
| Analytics | Reserved for higher-tier plans | Included from base tier |
| Multilingual Support | Not supported | 10+ languages |
| QR Dine-In Ordering | Not available | Available across plans |
| Promotion Engine | Rewards program, email marketing, push notifications | Rule-based triggers (time, behavior, order history) plus loyalty tools |
| Custom Restaurant URL | Not supported | CNAME provided for improved SEO |
Customer Data and Marketing Control
This is a critical distinction. Restolabs explicitly grants restaurants full ownership of customer data, emails, phone numbers, order history, with real-time export and no restrictions on marketing use. This enables genuine segmentation and targeted campaigns built on first-party data.
ChowNow's marketing materials claim restaurants "fully own" their customer database, but the official privacy policy (effective December 2025) clarifies that data is shared with restaurants only as needed to process orders, subject to restrictions on use and disclosure. For restaurants that view customer data as a long-term asset, this distinction matters.
Why Some Restaurants Choose Sauce Instead
If your primary concern is delivery logistics and keeping every dollar of profit, Sauce is worth considering. Sauce operates as a commission-free delivery and online ordering layer that connects direct orders to a national network of drivers, replacing the 20, 30% marketplace fees with a transparent flat-fee model. Restaurants keep 100% of their profits and 100% of their customer data, with no revenue share and no dependency on a single delivery fleet. For restaurants already using a website or POS but struggling with last-mile costs, Sauce fills that gap without requiring a full platform switch.
Ultimately, the chownow vs restolabs decision comes down to your priorities. ChowNow offers a broader POS integration library and a mature delivery logistics product, a strong fit for restaurants needing deep system compatibility and hands-off driver management. Restolabs wins on pricing transparency, full data ownership, and feature accessibility across all plan tiers, particularly valuable for independent operators focused on long-term customer relationships and margin control. Whichever direction you lean, both platforms represent a meaningful step away from commission-based marketplaces.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do ChowNow and Restolabs differ on pricing?
ChowNow charges a monthly fee starting at $119 plus a 2.95% + $0.29 per-transaction processing fee. Restolabs offers $0/month plans when billed annually with no commission or per-order charges, so restaurants only pay their payment gateway's standard processing rate.
Which platform gives restaurants full ownership of customer data?
Restolabs explicitly grants full ownership of customer data, including emails, phone numbers, and order history, with real-time export and no restrictions on marketing use. ChowNow's privacy policy limits data sharing to what is needed to process orders, with restrictions on use and disclosure.
Which platform has more POS integrations?
ChowNow supports over 45 POS systems, including Toast, Square, Revel, Oracle MICROS, Clover, and Lightspeed. Restolabs currently integrates with four systems: Toast, Revel, Checkmate, and Thrive. ChowNow is the stronger choice for restaurants running less common POS setups.
Are analytics and QR dine-in ordering available on both platforms?
Restolabs includes analytics, QR dine-in ordering, and multilingual support across all plan tiers. ChowNow reserves analytics for higher-tier plans and does not currently offer QR dine-in ordering or multilingual support.
Why do some restaurants choose Sauce over ChowNow or Restolabs?
Sauce is a commission-free delivery and online ordering layer that connects direct orders to a national driver network using a flat-fee model. Restaurants keep 100% of profits and customer data, making it ideal for operators focused on reducing last-mile delivery costs without switching their entire platform.