Compare

Restaurant Platforms vs ChowNow

ChowNow pioneered commission-free online ordering, and that's a great fit. We start from the same 0% commission and go wider — guest CRM, loyalty, reservations, catering, and an AI Director, all in one.

Calculate your savingsSee a live restaurant
  • 0% ordering commission
  • You own your customers
  • All-in-one, cancel anytime
More than ordering — the whole OS

The real difference is how far it goes

ChowNow is a solid commission-free ordering tool — we agree on 0%. The difference is breadth: we're the operating system around the order, with guest CRM, loyalty, reservations, catering, and an AI Director in one place.

Same 0% starting point

ChowNow is commission-free on direct orders, and so are we. We don't claim otherwise — the contrast is everything built around the order.

The whole guest journey, connected

Ordering, your website, guest CRM, loyalty, reservations, and catering live in one system — so a single order builds a relationship you can grow, not just a transaction.

AI that runs the day with you

The AI Director watches your numbers and drafts the fix for your approval — win-backs, promos, review replies — work an ordering-first tool leaves to you.

Side by side

Restaurant Platforms vs ChowNow, line by line

The capabilities that matter for a restaurant that wants to own its growth — compared fairly.

  • Direct online ordering commission

    Both ChowNow and Restaurant Platforms are commission-free on direct orders — this is common ground, not a knock.

    Restaurant Platforms

    0% on direct orders

    ChowNow

    0% on direct orders

  • Branded ordering site

    Restaurant Platforms

    Included

    ChowNow

    Included

  • Guest CRM you own

    Restaurant Platforms

    Included

    ChowNow

    Varies by plan

  • Loyalty & rewards

    Restaurant Platforms

    Included

    ChowNow

    Varies by plan / add-on

  • Reservations, waitlist & floor

    ChowNow centers on online ordering; reservations and floor tools aren't its main offering.

    Restaurant Platforms

    Included

    ChowNow

    Not a core focus

  • Catering & large-order quotes

    Restaurant Platforms

    Included

    ChowNow

    Varies

  • AI Director (drafts your next move)

    A daily, approval-gated operating brief across orders, guests, reviews and revenue is our core differentiator.

    Restaurant Platforms

    Included

    ChowNow

    Not an all-in-one AI operating brief

  • One connected operating system

    Restaurant Platforms

    Included

    ChowNow

    Primarily ordering + marketing

  • Contracts & lock-in

    Check current contract terms for any provider before you sign.

    Restaurant Platforms

    No lock-in — cancel anytime

    ChowNow

    Varies by plan / provider

  • Setup

    Restaurant Platforms

    We migrate your menu — live fast

    ChowNow

    Varies by plan / provider

Comparisons reflect publicly available information and typical setups; check each provider for current details.

Switching is easy

Move over without missing a beat

You don't have to rebuild anything. We bring your menu and customers across, and you keep serving the whole time.

1

We move your menu for you

Send us your current menu and we'll set up your branded ordering site — items, photos, prices, and modifiers. You don't start from a blank screen.

2

Bring your customers with you

Already have a customer list? Import it and pick up loyalty and marketing right where you are. Every new order keeps building the list you own.

3

No downtime, no risk

Keep taking orders the way you do now while we get you set up. Flip the switch when you're ready — and cancel anytime, no lock-in.

No downtime · No setup fees · Cancel anytime

See what you'd keep with 0% commission

Run your real numbers in the savings calculator, or watch the whole platform on a live restaurant. Then decide for yourself.

Calculate your savings See a live restaurant

0% ordering commission · You own your customers · Cancel anytime