CoverCount vs OpenTable
The headline number is not the real number.
OpenTable charges a monthly SaaS rate, a per-cover fee on top, and a 2% cut on experiences and ticketing. Most operators don't realize how those layers compound until renewal lands and the math is right there in black and white. CoverCount is one flat monthly price — no per-cover fees, no cut of your deposits or tickets, ever.
The math
A 1,000-network-cover example.
US list prices advertised by OpenTable. Network covers mean guests who discover you through OpenTable or its affiliate network; direct website bookings are included on Core and Pro.
| Platform | SaaS / mo (list) | Per network cover | Cut of prepayments / tickets | Subscription + network covers* | Renewal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CoverCount Venue | $129 | $0 | 0% | $129 | Same price, cancel anytime self-serve |
| OpenTable Basic | $149 | $1.50 | 2% experiences / tickets | $1,649 | Full list price; contact for cancellation |
| OpenTable Core | $299 | $1.00 | 2% experiences / tickets | $1,299 | Full list price; contact for cancellation |
| OpenTable Pro | $499 | $1.00 | 2% experiences / tickets | $1,499 | Full list price; contact for cancellation |
*Illustration assumes 1,000 network-originated covers, no paid experiences, and no promotions. On Core, 0 network covers costs $299 and 1,000 costs $1,299 before other fees. Direct website bookings are included on Core/Pro; Basic has separate website-booking fees. Merchant processing and other optional charges are excluded. OpenTable advertised pricing, checked September 19, 2026.
On CoverCount Venue, the same month costs $129 — or $1,290 paid upfront per year. Merchant processing and messaging terms are separate.
Why operators switch
Four things you stop paying for.
- A per-cover tax on success.
- Your best Saturday is your most expensive Saturday on OpenTable. On CoverCount, every Saturday is the same flat rate.
- A 2% cut on prepayments.
- Tasting menus, event tickets, holiday deposits — OpenTable takes a cut of every one. We take 0%. Funds settle directly to your account.
- A guest list that isn't really yours.
- Every diner who books through OpenTable is an OpenTable diner first. On CoverCount, every guest is your guest. Full visit history, contact info, tags — export anytime.
- A contract you can't end on your own.
- CoverCount cancellation is self-serve. Click cancel, confirm, done. Stops your next renewal; you keep using through the current paid period.
Feature by feature
What's actually different.
| Feature | CoverCount | OpenTable |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Flat per-venue / month | SaaS + per-cover + 2% on prepayments |
| Reservations marketplace | No — guests book on your site | Yes — guests book through OpenTable.com |
| Guest data ownership | Full visit history, contact info, tags — yours, exportable | Restricted; tied to OpenTable account; harder to export |
| Two-way SMS waitlist | Yes (Reservations) | Yes |
| Floor plan editor | Yes — included in Reservations | Yes |
| Public events & ticketing | Yes (Venue) — no cut of ticket sales | Yes — 2% per ticket |
| Private events inbox | Yes (Venue) | No dedicated workflow |
| Square POS sync | Yes (Reservations) | Yes (Pro) |
| Marketing automation | Yes (Venue) | Yes (Pro) |
| Native host-stand iPad app | Yes | Yes |
| Cancellation | Self-serve, stops next renewal | Contact required; contract terms apply |
The network question
"But OpenTable brings me bookings."
It's a fair question, and we'll be honest: CoverCount does not run a diner marketplace. We don't pretend to. That's also why we don't charge per cover.
The question to ask is what fraction of your OpenTable bookings are incremental — meaning guests who genuinely discovered you through OpenTable.com vs. guests who knew about you already and would have booked on your site if your site offered booking.
At 1,000 network-originated covers, Core is $1,299 per month before experience and processing fees. CoverCount Venue is $129 per month. The value comparison depends on how many guests the network brings you and the contribution from those visits.
Plus: your own site, search engine traffic, Google reservations, your social media, your email list, and your guest CRM keep working when you leave a marketplace. The network you build directly with your guests is durable in a way a marketplace listing isn't.
If you're at renewal
The renewal price is the real price.
If you signed up for OpenTable on the "six months free, 12-month commit" deal, year 1 was meaningfully discounted — somewhere around $75-$250 / month effective on the SaaS line. Year 2 is full list price plus the per-cover fee plus the 2% on experiences. That's the moment most operators discover the real cost of the relationship.
CoverCount renewal is the same as your sign-up price. We don't change the rate at month 13. We don't bury an auto-renewal that requires phone-tree gymnastics to exit. The price you sign up at is the price you renew at, period.
Switch FAQ
Switching from OpenTable.
- Can I run both in parallel during the transition?
- Yes. Start the CoverCount free trial, get the widget live on your site, and run them side-by-side until you're ready to take down the OpenTable widget. No card required to start the trial.
- How do I export my guests and upcoming reservations?
- OpenTable lets you export your guest data and your upcoming reservations from the admin. We help you import them into CoverCount during onboarding — no per-migration fee.
- What about OpenTable's diner reviews?
- Reviews on OpenTable.com stay on OpenTable.com — they're tied to the marketplace. CoverCount collects post-visit ratings tied to your own brand and your own site, and we help you funnel happy guests to your Google Business profile.
- Will Google still find my restaurant?
- Yes. Your Google Business profile, your own site, search results, and Google Maps continue to bring you guests. We'll help wire up Google's "Reserve with Google" so people can book direct from search and Maps.
- What if I want experiences (tasting menus) and ticketed events?
- Both are in Venue on CoverCount, with zero cut of prepayments or ticket sales. OpenTable takes 2% on both.
- How long does it take to switch?
- Most operators set up in an afternoon — floor plan, experiences, service schedule, and widget. The harder part is timing the switch with your contract; we can help you sequence the parallel-run period.
Try it free for 21 days, in parallel.
No card, no contract. Run the trial alongside your existing setup. Switch when you're ready — or don't, and walk away clean.