Online Ordering for Restaurants: Top 10 Platforms

As a restaurant owner or manager, you've likely noticed the surge in online ordering over the past few years. It’s no longer just a convenience — it's a necessity. Customers today expect the ease of ordering their favorite meals online, whether for delivery or pickup.

If your restaurant lacks an efficient online ordering process, you might be leaving money on the table. So, let's dive into some of the top online ordering platforms and find out which is right for your business.

Why Online Ordering is Essential for Restaurants

First things first — why is online ordering so crucial? The answer lies in changing consumer behavior. More and more people prefer the convenience of ordering food from their phones or computers. It’s quick and easy, and it saves them time.

For restaurants, this shift presents a huge opportunity. Online ordering can significantly increase sales, streamline operations, and improve customer satisfaction. Plus, it’s a great way to gather valuable customer data that can inform your marketing strategies.

Top 10 Online Ordering Platforms for Restaurants

In today’s online ordering industry, you may feel spoiled for choice — it seems like a new platform appears daily. However, not every platform is right for every restaurant.

Let’s take a look at some of the leading online ordering platforms and third-party delivery apps and dive into their key ordering features.

1. Uber Eats

Uber Eats is one of the biggest names in online food delivery. Since acquiring Postmates, another online delivery platform, it has become the US's second most downloaded food delivery app.

Key Features

Uber Eats offers a seamless experience for both restaurants and customers. Its extensive customer base and user-friendly app make it a go-to choice for many restaurants. The platform integrates easily with most POS systems, keeping your orders, sales, and menu items in sync.

With Uber Eats, you can fulfill delivery orders with their network of drivers or your own staff. You also have the ability to offer pickup.

Uber Eats also allows you to run ads and create promotions to reach a broader audience. You can even access customer insights and data analytics tools to anticipate trends and drive sales.

However, as with any third-party online ordering platform, you will have less control over the customer experience.

2. DoorDash

Next up is DoorDash, another heavyweight in the online food delivery arena. DoorDash is known for its extensive delivery network and strong marketing support. In fact, it’s the most downloaded food delivery app in the United States.

Key Features

DoorDash offers a robust platform that integrates easily with existing POS systems. Conveniently receive DoorDash orders directly on your POS, improving order accuracy and removing the need for extra hardware. With DoorDash integration, you can track business performance and sync updates to your restaurant and menu.

You can attract new customers by listing your restaurant on the DoorDash marketplace. The company also provides marketing tools, like in-app advertising, discounts, brand licensing, and featured listings.

3. DoorDash Drive

DoorDash Drive is a white-label delivery service that allows restaurants to use DoorDash’s delivery fleet under their own branding. This might be a better fit if you like DoorDash’s offering but want more control.

Key Features

DoorDash Drive lets you maintain control over your brand while leveraging DoorDash’s delivery network. You can customize the delivery experience, from the packaging to customer communication.

This service allows you to offer delivery without relying entirely on a third-party platform. Instead, dashers can fulfill delivery orders directly from your restaurant’s website or app. However, while you gain more control, you also take on more responsibility for managing deliveries.

4. Grubhub

Grubhub is another major player in the online ordering space, offering a vast customer base and comprehensive marketing tools. Coming in as the fourth most downloaded food delivery app in the US, it has a massive reach you can’t ignore.

Key Features

Grubhub provides a full-service platform with online ordering, delivery, and marketing support. The platform easily integrates with many restaurant POS systems, so food orders from Grubhub go directly to your kitchen. The integration allows you to manage and fulfill orders from your POS system. It also syncs with your POS menu, so updates reflect in Grubhub automatically.

Grubhub’s extensive reach and strong marketing capabilities can help you attract more customers. The platform’s analytics tools are also beneficial for fine-tuning your operations.

Customers subscribed to Grubhub+, the platform’s paid subscription, benefit from free delivery and reduced service fees. Amazon Prime subscribers gain access to GrubHub+ for free, expanding this user base even more.

Like other third-party platforms, you have less control over the customer experience with Grubhub. However, you can further customize your integration with the GrubHub API.

5. Menufy

If you’re looking for a more flexible solution, Menufy might be the platform for you. Menufy offers low-cost online ordering with a focus on customization.

Key Features

Menufy allows you to create a fully branded online ordering page for your restaurant. The platform integrates with various point-of-sale systems, making it easy to manage orders directly within your point of sale.

Their low-cost setup and branding options make it an attractive choice for smaller restaurants or those looking to maintain more control over their branding. Menufy comes with free benefits like:

• A restaurant-branded website with web hosting, custom design, menu entry, and domain registration
• Business listing on Menufy and the web
• Order alerts
• Menu updates
• 24/7 US-based support
• Dedicated account representative (available in English, Spanish, and Mandarin)

However, Menufy doesn’t offer the same level of marketing support as some of the bigger platforms. You might need to invest more in promoting your online presence.

6. TakeOut7

TakeOut7 is an affordable multi-channel platform that focuses on providing restaurants with a seamlessly integrated online ordering solution.

Key Features

Rather than use a third-party platform, TakeOut7 proposes an alternative: online ordering and delivery on your own website. TakeOut7 offers a range of features, including branded online ordering pages, customer analytics, and integrated marketing tools.

The platform easily integrates with many POS systems, streamlining the connection between online ordering and restaurant operations. Online orders from TakeOut7 will print to your POS printers, just like in-store orders. Any changes made to your POS menu will also automatically sync to your TakeOut7 menu. Plus, the platform has built-in functionality that prevents your restaurant from being overrun by online orders.

7. Waitbusters

Waitbusters is unique in that it combines online ordering with advanced customer engagement tools like reservation and waitlist management.

Key Features

Waitbusters offers online ordering alongside features like SMS notifications, reservation management, and waitlist functionality. This makes it a great option for restaurants looking to enhance the customer experience.

Waitbusters is more complex than some other platforms, so there may be a learning curve for staff. Additionally, its focus on customer engagement tools might make it more expensive than more straightforward solutions.

8. Folos

Folos offers a straightforward online ordering solution with an emphasis on customization and loyalty programs.

Key Features

Folos allows you to create a customized online ordering experience with a loyalty program to reward repeat customers. The platform integrates with many point-of-sale solutions, making it easy to manage and sync orders and menus.

Folos’s loyalty programs can help drive repeat business. Plus, the customization options allow you to maintain your restaurant’s unique branding. However, Folos doesn’t offer as many marketing tools as larger platforms, so you might need to do more promotion on your own.

9. inhousedelivery.com

inhousedelivery.com is a platform that offers restaurant-branded delivery services, giving you full control over the customer experience. While not an online ordering platform in its own right, inhousedelivery.com can support the platform that you choose to utilize for your restaurant.

Key Features

With inhousedelivery.com, you can set up your own custom delivery service. The solution directly integrates with your existing online ordering platform and POS software. You can either route deliveries to your staff or use their nationwide network of drivers.

Their solution lets you track all order statuses and GPS locations in real time on their online dashboard and mobile app. You'll be notified if any issues arise, like a late pick-up, and can view proof of delivery instantly.

inhousedelivery.com offers complete control over customer data, allowing you to build direct relationships with your customers. However, managing your own delivery service requires more resources and can be challenging for smaller restaurants.

10. SkyTab Online

Last but not least is SkyTab Online – a restaurant online ordering system you can control. Built into SkyTab POS systems, SkyTab Online is a fully customizable online ordering platform.

Key Features

Because SkyTab Online is baked into SkyTab POS, it’s seamlessly integrated into every facet of SkyTab restaurant technology. All orders automatically sync to your point-of-sale system, kitchen, and menu. It’s easy to manage orders, too, with built-in order throttling to prevent the kitchen from being overwhelmed.

SkyTab Online offers a branded, customizable storefront that seamlessly connects to your restaurant’s website. Checkout is simple and intuitive for customers, whether they’re ordering curbside pickup, takeout, or delivery.

You won’t have to worry about sharing customer data, either. SkyTab Online lets you keep it all in-house to create targeted marketing campaigns and boost sales. You can even create your own loyalty program, rewarding customers for every order.

Cost of Online Ordering Platforms

A platform’s feature set isn’t the only reason you should choose it as your online ordering service. Pricing can be a deal-breaker depending on your business’s needs and budget. There’s lots to consider, including:

• Commission fees
• Delivery fees
• Subscription plans
• Payment processing fees
• Region-specific pricing

The pricing available to your restaurant can vary depending on the POS system that you use. Some integrations will offer out-of-the-box pricing, while others may have lower costs due to partnerships with your POS provider. For example, SkyTab negotiates cost-effective rates for its merchants with several online ordering integrations.

If you’d rather not worry about cost, SkyTab Online is a free service available for any restaurant using SkyTab POS. There are no commission fees, so that you can keep all the profits from every online order.

Order Up: Choosing the Best Online Ordering for Restaurants

Online ordering is no longer optional — it’s a critical component of a successful restaurant business. Whether you choose a third-party platform or a customizable option, offering online ordering is essential for your business.

Ready to take your restaurant to the next level? Explore these platforms, assess your needs, and start offering your customers the convenience of online ordering today.

FAQs About Online Ordering Platforms

How do I decide which online ordering platform is right for my restaurant?

Before choosing an online ordering platform for your restaurant, consider the following and compare:

• Cost and fees
• Integrations
• Customer support
• Customization and branding
• Marketing tools

How much do online ordering platforms cost?

Costs vary depending on the platform, features, and your order volume. Some platforms charge a monthly fee, others take a commission per order, and some offer a combination of both. Be sure to factor in setup fees, transaction fees, and any additional costs for premium features.

How do I ensure that an online ordering platform integrates with my existing systems?

Many platforms offer seamless integration with POS systems, but it’s crucial to verify this to avoid any disruptions in your workflow. For example, SkyTab POS integrates with all of the platforms we talked about today.