Best online food ordering systems for restaurants & takeaways
A comparison for restaurant operators choosing ordering software - not a list of consumer delivery apps. Reviewed 31 October 2026.
Quick verdict
- Best for independent restaurants wanting a branded direct-ordering channel with 0% commission and no monthly fee: Food-Ordering.com.
- Best for restaurants that also need a counter till, card readers and free-to-start online ordering: Square Online.
- Best for UK restaurants wanting a branded website and app with published subscription pricing: Flipdish.
- Best for restaurants already using Toast POS: Toast Online Ordering.
- Best for US independent restaurants wanting commission-free ordering with a predictable monthly fee: ChowNow.
- Best for full-service restaurants with complex POS needs: Lightspeed Order Anywhere.
- Best for multi-site groups managing multiple delivery marketplaces: Deliverect.
Comparison table
Prices as published on 31 October 2026. Where a vendor does not publish a price, this is marked as quote-based or not published.
| System | Best for | Fee model | Entry price | Card fees | Limitation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food-Ordering.com | Independents wanting a direct channel with no commission | 0% commission, no monthly fee | Licence from £3,500 one-time; optional hosting £10/mo | Standard processing; confirm rates | Not a full POS |
| Square Online | Restaurants needing a till and card readers | No commission | Free / £20 / £64 per month | 1.4% + 25p UK online | Free plan limited |
| Flipdish | UK restaurants wanting branded website and app | 0% commission | From £49/mo (website); £79 with app | 1.4% + 10p on some plans | 12-month contract, auto-renewal |
| Toast Online Ordering | Restaurants already using Toast POS | Commission-free add-on | POS from £80/mo; add-on price not published | Varies; add-on quote-based | Only viable if you adopt Toast POS |
| ChowNow | US independents wanting commission-free | Commission-free | Reported $119–$249/mo | 2.95% + $0.29 | Primarily US-focused |
| Lightspeed Order Anywhere | Full-service and multi-location | Paid add-on to Lightspeed POS | POS from $69–$399/mo; add-on quote | Lightspeed Payments rates | Not standalone |
| Deliverect | Multi-site groups managing marketplaces | Subscription middleware | Quote-based; ~£79/mo indicative | N/A (no consumer cards) | Not a customer-facing page |
How we compared
We assessed all-in cost per order, ownership of customer data, printer and KDS routing, delivery-zone control, deployment model and contract terms. We did not run a controlled live test of every system in a working restaurant. Recommendations are based on published pricing, published capabilities and third-party pricing reviews, with unverified figures marked as reported or indicative.
Which system suits which restaurant?
Independent restaurants wanting a direct channel
For a branded ordering page with no commission and no monthly fee, Food-Ordering.com is the closest fit. It is a direct-ordering layer, not a full POS. See the independent restaurant workflow.
Restaurants that also need a till and card readers
Square Online combines a free POS, card readers and online ordering. Free plan has no monthly fee and 1.4% + 25p per UK card. Paid plans at £20 and £64 add features.
UK restaurants wanting a branded website and app
Flipdish publishes clear UK pricing from £49/mo per site billed annually (website) or £79 with app. Watch the 12-month auto-renewal contract.
Already on Toast POS
Toast Online Ordering is commission-free and integrates with Toast POS. UK POS plans from £80/mo. Only viable if you are committed to Toast.
US independents wanting commission-free
ChowNow publishes processing at 2.95% + $0.29. Reported monthly plans range from around $119 to $249.
Full-service with complex POS needs
Lightspeed Order Anywhere is an add-on to Lightspeed POS ($69–$399/mo). Suits tableside ordering and multi-site management, but ordering is not available standalone.
Multi-site groups managing marketplaces
Deliverect is marketplace middleware, not a customer-facing ordering page. Right tool for one order feed across many marketplaces; wrong tool for a single restaurant.
What to check before choosing
| Check | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| All-in cost per order | Subscription + commission + card fees + delivery fees + add-ons. |
| Customer data ownership | If the platform owns the customer, you cannot market to them directly. |
| Printer / KDS routing | Food and drink must route to the correct station. Test before launch. |
| Delivery zone control | Fees and minimums per zone determine profitability. |
| Contract length and exit | 12-month auto-renewing contracts are common. |
| Payment processing | Some systems require their processor; others let you bring your own. |
Related guides
- State of direct ordering (2026 data)
- Food-Ordering.com vs Flipdish
- Food-Ordering.com vs Square Online
- Best Flipdish alternatives
- Online ordering system types
Frequently asked questions
What is the best online food ordering system for an independent restaurant?
It depends on whether you want a full POS or a standalone direct-ordering channel. For a branded ordering page with 0% commission and no monthly fee, Food-Ordering.com is a strong fit. For a counter till and card readers as well, Square Online or Toast are more complete.
Is there a truly commission-free online ordering system?
Several are commission-free on direct orders, including Food-Ordering.com, Square Online and Flipdish. Commission-free does not mean fee-free: payment processing fees still apply, and some systems charge monthly subscriptions.
Do I still need Just Eat or Deliveroo if I have my own ordering system?
Most restaurants run both. Marketplaces provide discovery; direct ordering provides better margin and customer data on repeat orders.
What is the cheapest online ordering system for a small takeaway?
On subscription cost alone, Square Online (free plan) and Food-Ordering.com (0% commission, no monthly fee) are among the lowest-cost options. The cheapest depends on order volume.
Is best food ordering app the same as best restaurant ordering system?
No. Best food ordering app often means consumer apps like DoorDash, Uber Eats or Just Eat. This page is about software that restaurants buy to take their own orders.