🍽️ Built by hospitality operators, for hospitality operators

Reservations that your guests love to make

Beautiful restaurant & pub booking software without the crazy fees. Fill more tables, delight more guests, keep more of what you earn. All the features you'd expect from premium booking systems—without the sting in pricing, and no long-term commitment.

See pricing Features Demo available on desktop
🖥️ Self Service Portal 📅 Smart bookings 💸 Zero commission 👥 Guest CRM 💳 Deposits 💬 WhatsApp 🍽️ Pre-orders ✉️ Auto messages 📊 Analytics Hey, I'm douug! 👋

£0

Per booking fee

5 min

Setup time

24/7

Online bookings

70%

Fewer no-shows

Unlimited covers

Pay as you go

Everything you need, nothing you don't

Simple tools that actually make running your restaurant easier.

📅

Smart bookings

Drag-and-drop calendar, real-time availability, and 24/7 online reservations from your website and social media.

👥

Guest profiles

Remember preferences, dietary needs, and special occasions. Build relationships that bring guests back.

💬

Auto messages

Confirmations, reminders, and follow-ups sent automatically via email, SMS, or WhatsApp.

💳

Deposits

Reduce no-shows with smart deposit rules. Take payments, hold cards, process refunds easily.

🍽️

Pre-orders

Let guests choose their meals before they arrive. Perfect for set menus and special events.

📊

Insights

Beautiful dashboards showing covers, revenue, peak times, and trends. Export anytime.

🔗

Self-service portal

Guests modify bookings, pay deposits, and submit preorders via their own unique link. Fewer calls, happier guests.

🎂

Special occasions

Track birthdays, anniversaries, and celebrations. Trigger occasion-specific menus and personal touches.

🪑

Smart table matching

Tag tables with features like "window" or "quiet". Guest preferences automatically match to the perfect table.

✉️

Visual email builder

Drag-and-drop email designer with your branding. Create beautiful confirmations, reminders, and campaigns.

📝

Sticky notes

Date-specific team notes visible to all staff. VIP alerts, menu changes, and shift reminders in one place.

📍

Multi-location

Manage multiple venues from one account. Switch between locations in one click—it's all cloud-based.

See your day at a glance

A beautiful timeline view that shows exactly what's happening in your restaurant. Drag and drop to move bookings, colour-coded statuses so nothing gets missed.

  • 🟢 Confirmed reservations ready to go
  • 🔵 Guests currently seated
  • 🟡 Pending bookings awaiting confirmation
  • 🟣 Deposits paid and secured
Reservation timeline showing bookings across tables with colour-coded statuses

Every booking, beautifully organised

A clean list view that shows all the details you need at once. Guest names, times, tables, special occasions — everything in one place.

  • 🎂 Birthday and anniversary alerts
  • ⭐ VIP guest recognition with ratings
  • ♿ Accessibility needs highlighted
  • 📝 Quick access to notes and tags
Reservation list showing guest details, statuses, and special occasions

Know your numbers at a glance

Beautiful dashboards that tell you exactly how your restaurant is performing. Track covers, bookings, party sizes, and no-show rates — all updating in real-time.

  • 📈 Compare performance week-over-week
  • 🎯 Spot trends before they become problems
  • 📱 Check stats from anywhere, any device
Analytics Dashboard showing covers, bookings, and performance metrics

Know your guests like regulars

Build lasting relationships with detailed guest profiles. Track preferences, visit history, special occasions, and notes — so every guest feels like a VIP.

  • 🏷️ Custom tags for allergies, preferences, VIPs
  • 📊 Visit frequency and loyalty tracking
  • 📝 Notes that your whole team can see
  • 🎂 Birthday and anniversary reminders
Guest profile showing preferences, visit history, and loyalty information

Every conversation, one inbox

WhatsApp, email, and more — all in one place. Never miss a guest enquiry again, with response tracking and full conversation history tied to each guest profile.

  • 💬 WhatsApp Business integration
  • ✉️ Email conversations in one view
  • ⏱️ Response time tracking
  • 👤 Full guest context while you chat
Unified inbox showing WhatsApp and email conversations with guest profiles

Let guests help themselves

Every reservation gets a unique portal link. Guests can modify their booking, pay deposits, and submit preorders — all without calling you.

  • 🔗 Unique link in every confirmation email
  • ✏️ Guests modify date, time, or party size
  • 💳 Secure deposit payments via Stripe
  • 🍽️ Submit preorders before arriving
Guest self-service portal on mobile showing booking details and actions

Celebrate every moment

Track birthdays, anniversaries, and special events. Automatically link occasion-specific menus and alert staff to prepare those personal touches.

  • 🎂 Birthday and anniversary tracking
  • 🎯 Target upcoming special occasions
  • 🔔 Staff alerts for VIP preparation
  • 📊 Report on occasion trends
Occasions dashboard showing birthdays, anniversaries, and linked menus

The right table, every time

Tag tables with features like "window", "quiet", or "accessible". When guests have matching preferences, the system automatically suggests perfect tables.

  • 🏷️ Tag tables with any features
  • 👤 Guest preferences remembered
  • ✨ Automatic matching suggestions
  • ♿ Accessibility needs handled
Smart table matching showing guest preferences matched to table features

Beautiful emails, zero code

Drag and drop your way to stunning confirmation emails, reminders, and campaigns. Add your branding, images, and merge tags that personalise every message.

  • 🎨 Drag-and-drop block editor
  • 🏷️ Merge tags like {guest_name}
  • 📱 Mobile-responsive templates
  • 🎯 Brand colours and logos
Visual email builder with drag-and-drop components and live preview

Keep your team in the loop

Date-specific notes visible to everyone on shift. VIP alerts, menu changes, staff reminders — colour-coded and impossible to miss.

  • 📝 Notes tied to specific dates
  • 🎨 Colour-coded by priority
  • 👁️ Visible to all staff on shift
  • 🗂️ Automatically archived after date
Sticky notes board showing VIP alerts, menu changes, and team reminders

All your venues, one dashboard

Manage multiple restaurants from a single account. Each location gets its own settings, staff permissions, and reports — or view everything at once.

  • 📍 Separate settings per venue
  • 👥 Location-specific staff access
  • 📊 Combined or individual reports
  • 🔄 Switch locations instantly
Multi-location dashboard showing all venues with combined statistics

How we compare

Feature-by-feature comparison with the big names. Looking for an OpenTable alternative, ResDiary alternative, SevenRooms alternative, Quandoo alternative, Tableo alternative, or TheFork alternative?

douug OpenTable ResDiary SevenRooms Tableo
Unlimited bookings (inc VAT) £89/mo £35/mo + fees £294/mo ~£600/mo £131/mo
Cancel anytime Monthly Monthly 12-month contract Annual contract Monthly
Per-cover commission None £1.50 - £2.00 None None None
Free trial 30 days Demo only Demo only 14 days
Easy self setup Minutes Sales call Sales call Sales call
Online Booking
Embeddable booking widget
Widget brand customization Basic
Custom T&Cs acceptance
Guest Management
Guest profiles & CRM
Birthday & occasion tracking Basic Basic
Dietary & allergy tracking
VIP & loyalty tagging Basic
Guest visit history
Table & Booking
Drag-and-drop timeline
Smart table matching Basic Basic
Table tags & preferences Basic
Table combining (groups) Basic
Waitlist management
Operations & Rules
Covers pacing (per slot limits) Basic
Booking rules engine Basic Basic
Shift/service management
Availability overrides
AI covers forecasting
Equipment tracking
Custom status workflows Basic
Communications
Email confirmations
SMS reminders Add-on
Visual email builder Basic Basic Basic
Automated reminders
Template automation rules Basic
Analytics & Reporting
Analytics dashboard Basic
Covers & revenue reports Basic
No-show tracking
Scheduled reports
Team Tools
Staff notes per booking
Date-specific sticky notes
Multi-user access
Role-based permissions Basic Basic
Deposits & Payments
Deposit collection Add-on
Automated deposit rules Basic Basic
Card guarantee requests
Support
UK-based support
Free onboarding Enterprise
✨ OPTIONAL ADD-ONS (douug only)
Self-service guest portal +£39/mo Enterprise
Pre-order menus Free with Portal Add-on
Communication hub + WhatsApp +£39/mo Enterprise
Additional locations +£69/mo 22% OFF Full fee each Full fee each Full fee each Full fee each
Prices and features can change and may vary by plan, region, and channel (prices shown were correct as of January 2026). Use this as a guide and verify details on each provider’s website. Want the quick version? See all alternatives (or jump to: OpenTable · ResDiary · SevenRooms · Quandoo · Tableo · TheFork).

douug vs Competitors

Tap sections to expand

BEST VALUE
Unlimited bookings (inc VAT)
douug
£89/mo
OpenTable
£35/mo + fees
Cancel anytime
douug
Monthly
OpenTable
Monthly
Per-cover commission
douug
None
OpenTable
£1.50 - £2.00
Free trial
douug
30 days
OpenTable
Yes
Easy self setup
douug
Minutes
OpenTable
Sales call
Embeddable booking widget
douug
Yes
OpenTable
Yes
Widget brand customization
douug
Yes
OpenTable
No
Custom T&Cs acceptance
douug
Yes
OpenTable
No
Guest profiles & CRM
douug
Yes
OpenTable
Yes
Birthday & occasion tracking
douug
Yes
OpenTable
Basic
Dietary & allergy tracking
douug
Yes
OpenTable
Yes
VIP & loyalty tagging
douug
Yes
OpenTable
Yes
Drag-and-drop timeline
douug
Yes
OpenTable
Yes
Smart table matching
douug
Yes
OpenTable
No
Table tags & preferences
douug
Yes
OpenTable
No
Waitlist management
douug
Yes
OpenTable
Yes
Covers pacing (per slot limits)
douug
Yes
OpenTable
Yes
AI covers forecasting
douug
Yes
OpenTable
No
Equipment tracking
douug
Yes
OpenTable
No
Custom status workflows
douug
Yes
OpenTable
No
Email confirmations
douug
Yes
OpenTable
Yes
SMS reminders
douug
Yes
OpenTable
Yes
Visual email builder
douug
Yes
OpenTable
Basic
Template automation rules
douug
Yes
OpenTable
No
Analytics dashboard
douug
Yes
OpenTable
Yes
Scheduled reports
douug
Yes
OpenTable
No
Date-specific sticky notes
douug
Yes
OpenTable
No
Role-based permissions
douug
Yes
OpenTable
Basic
Deposit collection
douug
Yes
OpenTable
Add-on
Automated deposit rules
douug
Yes
OpenTable
No
UK-based support
douug
Yes
OpenTable
No
Free onboarding
douug
Yes
OpenTable
Yes
Self-service guest portal
douug
+£39/mo
OpenTable
No
Communication hub + WhatsApp
douug
+£39/mo
OpenTable
No
Additional locations
douug
+£69/mo (22% off)
OpenTable
Full fee each

Frequently asked questions

Everything you need to know before getting started.

How much does douug cost?

£89/month for unlimited bookings with no per-cover fees—the best value in the UK for a full-featured reservation system. Additional locations are £69/month each. Optional add-ons available if you need them.

How does douug save us money?

douug pays for itself. Reduce no-shows with card guarantees and deposits. Cut admin time with automated email reminders. Let guests modify bookings themselves via the Self-Service Portal—saving your team from phone calls. Add the Communication Hub and you get a unified email and WhatsApp inbox, reducing the need for separate software. Less no-shows, less admin, fewer tools to pay for.

Are there any contracts or commitments?

No contracts whatsoever. Pay monthly, cancel anytime. We believe you should stay because you love the product, not because you're locked in. Most other providers require 12-month contracts.

Do you charge per cover like OpenTable?

Never. We charge a flat monthly fee regardless of how many bookings you take. OpenTable charges £1.50-£2.00 per cover, which can add up to thousands of pounds for customers with multiple locations.

Can I switch from another booking system?

Absolutely. If your current provider allows data export, we offer free migration support to import your guests and reservations. Prefer to do it yourself? Our setup wizards make self-onboarding quick and easy.

Is there a free trial?

Yes! Start with a 30-day free trial with full access to all features, so you can see exactly how douug will work for your restaurant.

What's included in the base price?

Everything you need: unlimited bookings, online booking widget, email confirmations, guest CRM, occasion tracking, visual email builder, smart table matching, analytics dashboard, team notes, and UK-based support.

Do you support multiple locations?

Yes. Your first location is included in the £89/month base. Additional locations are £69/month each—that's 22% off per location. Since it's all cloud-based, you can switch between locations in one click from any device.

How does support work?

We offer support via email and chat. Free onboarding is included to help you get set up.

Do I have to arrange a sales call or demo?

No! Start your own sandbox from our website to test all the features, then once you're happy, register and launch your restaurant booking today with our self-setup wizard. Our team is on hand if you need support.

How do deposits and card guarantees work?

Deposits are completely optional. If you choose to use them, set up automated rules based on party size, day of week, or time slot. Guests pay securely via Stripe. You can also hold cards as a guarantee without charging upfront—perfect for reducing no-shows.

What about SMS costs?

SMS is completely optional. If you choose to use it, messages are charged at £0.05 each—only pay for what you send. Email confirmations and reminders are unlimited and included free in your base price.

Can guests modify their own bookings?

Yes, with the Self-Service Portal add-on. Guests receive a unique link to view, modify, or cancel their booking, pay deposits, and submit pre-orders—saving your team time and money by reducing phone calls and manual changes.

How does the WhatsApp integration work?

With the Communication Hub add-on, connect your WhatsApp Business account so guests can message you to make enquiries, request bookings, or ask questions about their reservation—all managed in one place.

What is the Communication Hub?

Keep all guest conversations tracked in one unified inbox—email and WhatsApp together. Every conversation is automatically linked to guest profiles, so you always have full context and history. Build richer guest profiles and never lose track of important details.

Is there a mobile app?

douug is a cloud-based platform that works beautifully on any device—phone, tablet, or desktop. No app downloads needed, always secure, automatically backed up. Never lose or miss anything—just log in from any browser and you're ready to go.

What happens after the free trial?

After 30 days, you'll be charged £89/month to continue. No surprises. You can cancel anytime before the trial ends if it's not right for you.

What can I track in guest profiles?

Build complete guest profiles with likes, dislikes, dietary requirements, visit history, and future bookings. See stats like how often they visit, their usual table, preferred day of week, average party size, and special occasions—everything you need to deliver personalised service.

How do I add extra locations?

Completely self-service. Add new locations directly from your dashboard—no sales calls, no waiting. It's plug and play. Each location gets its own settings, staff, and reports. Just £69/month per additional location.

Can I customise statuses and tags?

Absolutely. Create your own reservation statuses, guest tags, and table tags. The system is fully customisable to match your operational needs—whether that's VIP levels, dietary alerts, table features, or custom booking workflows.

How does the booking widget work on my website?

Copy and paste a simple embed code onto your website—works with WordPress, Squarespace, Wix, or any platform. Customise colours and branding to match your site. Bookings flow straight into your system in real-time. We can help you set this up.

How do you help reduce no-shows?

Multiple layers of protection: automated email and SMS reminders, deposit collection for high-risk bookings, card guarantees without upfront charges, and no-show tracking in guest profiles. Set up rules based on party size, day of week, or time slot—the system handles the rest.

Can I manage walk-ins and waitlists?

Yes. Create walk-ins with one click and add them either to a free table or in an unassigned queue. Collect their guest information to build a profile or leave them as a walk-in.

Can I set up different rooms or seating areas?

Absolutely. Create separate rooms like Main Dining, Terrace, Private Room, Bar Area, or Chef's Table. Each room has its own table layout and can have different booking rules. douug is fully customisable to your operation.

How do group bookings and large parties work?

Create table groups that combine multiple tables into a single bookable unit. When a large party books, all component tables are automatically blocked together. Perfect for private dining areas, event spaces, or combining adjacent tables for bigger groups.

Is my data secure?

Yes. Your data is encrypted and backed up automatically. We use Stripe—secure and widely recognised—to handle your card details and guest payments, so sensitive data never touches our servers. Role-based permissions mean staff only see what they need to.

Can my whole team access the system?

Unlimited users included. Create accounts for your entire team with role-based permissions. Admins get full access, managers can run operations, and hosts can focus on reservations. Each person logs in with their own credentials—no shared accounts needed.

Get in touch

Have a question or want to learn more? We'd love to hear from you.

📧

Email us

hello@douug.com

💬

Live chat

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