How much does a restaurant booking system cost?
The price tag on a booking system is rarely the whole truth. The real cost depends on the pricing model and your booking volume. Here we walk through the three common models with worked examples, so you can compare like for like.
Three common pricing models
A flat price per restaurant, a fee per confirmed booking, or a per-guest commission via a marketplace. The same restaurant can pay very different amounts depending on the model:
| Model | You pay | The cost becomes |
|---|---|---|
| Flat price per restaurant | The same amount every month | Predictable — cheapest when volume is high |
| Fee per booking | Low monthly fee + price per booking | Cheapest at low volume, pricier as you grow |
| Commission per guest | A fee for every guest referred | Most expensive when business is good — and you rarely own the guest data |
Worked example: 400 bookings a month
At the Dinebase plan's flat price: 900 SEK per month, regardless of volume. On the Lite model (50 SEK + 5 SEK per booking): 50 + 400 × 5 = 2,050 SEK. With a marketplace charging, say, 10 SEK per guest at two guests per booking: roughly 8,000 SEK. At high volume, flat pricing wins clearly.
Worked example: 80 bookings a month
The same models at low volume: flat price 900 SEK, the Lite model 50 + 80 × 5 = 450 SEK, commission around 1,600 SEK. Here the per-booking fee is cheapest. That's why Dinebase offers both — Lite when you're starting out, flat pricing as volume grows.
Costs that are easy to forget
- SMS reminders are usually billed per SMS, on top of the subscription. Always ask what one SMS costs.
- VAT is added to all prices in the industry — always compare prices excluding VAT.
- Some systems charge extra for additional locations, sections or users.
- With per-guest commission: calculate what you pay in a good month, not a bad one.
Dinebase pricing
Lite: 50 SEK/month (500 SEK/year) plus 5 SEK per confirmed booking. Dinebase: 900 SEK/month (9,000 SEK/year) with unlimited bookings, floor plan, live service view and waitlist. Pro: 1,700 SEK/month (17,000 SEK/year) with card capture, deposits and late-cancel fees. SMS: 2 SEK on Dinebase, 1.50 SEK on Pro. All prices per restaurant location, excluding VAT. Yearly billing is around 15% cheaper.
Frequently asked questions
Are there free booking systems?
There are systems with no monthly fee, but they charge per booking or per guest instead. Calculate the total cost at your actual volume before choosing.
Should we pay monthly or yearly?
Start monthly during the trial. Once you know the system fits, yearly billing is around 15% cheaper with Dinebase.
Does SMS cost extra?
Yes, in most systems. In Dinebase, SMS is 2 SEK on the Dinebase plan and 1.50 SEK on Pro. Lite has email confirmations but no SMS reminders.
Do the maths on your volume
Send your rough booking volumes to info@dinebase.se and we'll work out which plan is cheapest for you.