# Online table bookings without TheFork: what's free and what you pay for

> Free table reservations: the link on your Google profile, free plans of some booking tools, WordPress plugins. What they leave out, and when you pay per cover or a flat fee.

- Published: 2026-10-20
- Author: Sigital Team
- URL: https://sigital.io/blog/free-restaurant-reservation-systems

Yes, you can take online reservations without paying anything. There are three free routes: the **booking link on your Google profile**, the **free plans** of some reservation tools and **free plugins** if you have a WordPress site. In exchange you give something up: features such as a floor plan, reminders or analytics are often in the paid plans.

Let's say it upfront: **Sigital is not the free option**. Our Free plan covers the digital menu only; reservations start with Premium, €60 per month per venue. If all you need is bookings at zero cost, this guide shows you the right alternatives.

## Are there truly free online reservations?

Yes, but "free" can mean different things:

- **free with no fee and no commission**: you pay nothing as long as you stay on the free plan;
- **free software, but paid per cover**: you don't pay for the tool, but you pay for every guest who comes through a portal;
- **free for a while**: it's a trial, then a subscription starts.

Before switching anything on, always ask: what do I pay if next month I get twice as many bookings?

## The free options, one by one

The information comes from the official websites, as of October 2026. Plans and prices change often: check them again before choosing.

### The booking link on your Google profile

It's the first thing to do, whatever tool you use. According to Google's Business Profile help, you can pick a booking provider connected to Google or **add your own link** to your booking page. Google notes that if people book through Google, your provider may charge you a fee: ask first.

### Plateform Free

According to its website, Plateform Free has "no fee, zero commission" and includes phone bookings, web bookings and Google bookings. The page shows no numeric limits. WhatsApp messages need a paid module, and there is a Premium plan for more features.

### resmio Basic

According to its pricing page, resmio's Basic plan costs €0 a month and includes the digital booking system, booking notifications and a simple website. There is no commission on bookings. The table manager, Google bookings, email reminders and full analytics are in the paid plans.

### WordPress plugins

If you have a WordPress site, there are free plugins. For example, Five Star Restaurant Reservations, according to its WordPress.org listing, offers in the free version a booking form, opening times, accepting or rejecting requests and automatic emails to the guest and the venue. Table selection, deposits and reminders are in the paid versions. Someone has to look after the site and its updates.

### What about TheFork Manager?

Many people search for "TheFork Manager free plan". On its plans page, as of October 2026, there are three plans (Visibility, Performance, Enterprise) with a **monthly fee** and a one-off **activation fee**; no free plan is shown. Bookings from TheFork, Tripadvisor and partner sites carry a **per-cover commission** based on the average bill; bookings from your own website and social media are listed as included.

One note: Quandoo's Italian website now says the platform is no longer available.

| Option | Cost according to the website (October 2026) | What's left out or paid |
|---|---|---|
| Link on your Google profile | Adding the link is free | A provider connected to Google may charge |
| Plateform Free | No fee and no commission | WhatsApp and extra modules; Premium plan for more features |
| resmio Basic | €0 a month, no commission on bookings | Tables, Google, email reminders, full analytics |
| WordPress plugin (e.g. Five Star) | Free version | Table selection, deposits, reminders |
| TheFork Manager | Fee, activation and per-cover commission on the TheFork network | No free plan shown |
| Sigital | Free = menu only; reservations from €60 per month per venue | No deposits, no Reserve with Google |

## What a free plan leaves out

Free plans do the bare minimum: take the request and notify you. Usually left out are:

- the **floor plan** and table management;
- **reminders** to guests, which help against no-shows;
- **Google bookings** straight from your listing;
- **analytics** and the full guest list;
- customisation with your own brand.

For a 30-seat trattoria with two Saturday sittings that can be enough. For a venue with a big dining room, tables to join and lots of bookings, the missing features show up quickly.

## Per cover or flat fee?

They are two different models:

- **per cover**: you pay for every person who books through the portal. It brings you new guests, but the cost rises with success;
- **flat fee**: you pay a fixed amount each month, however many bookings you get.

*Example with hypothetical numbers, not any provider's rates:* 300 covers a month from a portal at €2 per cover make €600 a month; a flat €60 fee stays €60. But if that portal brings guests you'd never have seen, it can be worth it. Many venues use the portal to be found and their own system for regulars. We cover this in our guide to [TheFork alternatives](https://sigital.io/blog/thefork-alternative).

## How do I let guests book from Google?

In your Business Profile open **Bookings**, then **Get started** and pick the provider. If you don't use a connected provider, add the link to your booking page. The first way lets guests book without leaving Google; the second takes them to your page. Among the tools mentioned, according to their websites, Plateform Free includes Google bookings, while resmio puts them in the paid plans.

## What about no-shows?

No tool gets rid of them. What helps:

- a **confirmation** right after booking;
- a **reminder** the day before, by email or WhatsApp;
- a **deposit**, which many guests dislike and which is often a paid feature.

If no-shows cost you a lot, check carefully that the free plan includes reminders: it's often the first thing missing.

## Sigital: when it makes sense and when it doesn't

To be clear: **Sigital's Free plan does not include reservations**. Reservations come with **Premium, €60 per month per venue**, and include:

- floor plan, joined tables and walk-ins;
- confirmations and reminders by email or WhatsApp;
- 0% platform commission and no per-cover fee (Stripe's fees still apply to online payments for orders);
- in the same dashboard, the digital menu and pickup and delivery orders too.

What it **doesn't** do today: no **deposits**, no **Reserve with Google** (you can still put your page link on your profile), no **waitlist** and no booking **widget** to embed in another site.

It makes sense if you want reservations, orders and menu in one place, under your own brand. If you only need bookings and want to spend nothing, start with a free plan and the link on your Google profile. The 14-day trial of the Business plan starts on WhatsApp, no card needed. For a broader comparison read [restaurant reservation systems compared](https://sigital.io/blog/restaurant-reservation-systems-comparison) or see the [Sigital for restaurants](https://sigital.io/restaurants) page.

## Frequently asked questions

### Are there truly free online reservations for restaurants?

Yes. You can add a booking link to your Google Business Profile, and some tools have a free plan, for example Plateform Free and resmio's Basic plan, according to their websites in October 2026.

### Does TheFork Manager have a free plan?

TheFork Manager's plans page, in October 2026, shows no free plan: three plans with a monthly fee and an activation fee, plus a per-cover commission on bookings from the TheFork network.

### Does Sigital include reservations in the Free plan?

No. Sigital's Free plan covers the digital menu only. Reservations, with floor plan and email or WhatsApp confirmations, start with Premium, €60 per month per venue.

### How do I let guests book from Google?

In your Business Profile open Bookings and pick a provider connected to Google, or add the link to your own booking page. Google warns that the provider may charge a fee.

## Try Sigital free for 14 days

Menu, online ordering and reservations under your brand, with no platform commission. Send us your menu on WhatsApp (photo, PDF or Glovo/Just Eat link): we import it for you. No credit card.

- [Message us on WhatsApp](https://wa.me/393446071620?text=Hi!%20I'd%20like%20to%20try%20Sigital%20free%20for%2014%20days.) (+39 344 607 1620)
- [See features and pricing](https://sigital.io/restaurants)