1. Platform and setup cost
This is the monthly fee and any one-time setup fee. Examples range from free basic tiers to Orderitto setup plus monthly pricing and ChowNow setup plus plan pricing.
Online ordering cost - updated 2026-05-24
What restaurant online ordering really costs
The real cost is not one number. Restaurants pay some mix of platform subscription, setup, payment processing, delivery fees, per-order charges, and add-ons. This guide separates those costs before you choose a system.
One-minute answer
- There are three cost buckets: platform/software fee, payment processing, and delivery or per-order fees.
- Free and low-monthly tools can be cheapest to launch, but processing and per-order costs can scale with volume.
- Orderitto costs more upfront than budget tools, but it charges zero per-order platform commission on direct orders.
- Do not compare online ordering systems without modeling your real order count, average ticket, delivery mix, and repeat-customer volume.
Cost comparison
Platform price is only one line item
A restaurant can start with a $0 monthly plan and still pay processing, delivery, add-on, and per-order fees. Use this matrix as a first pass, then model your actual order volume.
| Feature | Orderitto Starter | Orderitto Pro | 247waiter | Square | GloriaFood | ChowNow |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Platform subscription | $149/mo | $249/mo | $45/mo | $0, $49, or $149/mo per location | Basic free; add-ons from $19-$49/mo | $249, $349, or $449/mo |
Setup fee | $799 | $1,299 | Free | Not listed on checked page | No setup fee for basic service | $119-$499 |
Payment processing | Stripe processing applies | Stripe processing applies | 2.9% + 30 cents; Amex 3.9% + 30 cents | 3.3% + 30 cents Free; 2.9% + 30 cents paid | $29/mo online payment service add-on | 2.95% + 29 cents |
Per-order platform fee | 0% on direct orders | 0% on direct orders | $0.25/order | No marketplace commission on direct Square orders | No commission per order | Unlimited commission-free orders; transaction fee still applies |
Delivery cost note | Pickup and delivery included | Pickup and delivery included | Not detailed in checked source | Delivery service provider fee applies | Not detailed in checked source | $7.98/order Flex Delivery |
Best entry-cost fit | When brand and flat direct ordering matter | When app, loyalty, and integrations matter | Very low monthly fee | Fast $0/mo launch | Free basic service | Managed direct-ordering platform |
Three cost buckets
Separate the numbers before comparing platforms
2. Payment processing
This is the card fee on each transaction. Square, 247waiter, and ChowNow all publish percentage-plus-cents fee structures in the checked sources. Orderitto runs payments through Stripe.
3. Delivery and per-order fees
Delivery provider fees, per-order fees, printer costs, app developer fees, and customer-facing fees can change the real monthly number after the headline subscription.
4. Migration and staff cost
The cheapest software can become expensive if menus, modifiers, printers, refunds, and staff workflow have to be rebuilt from scratch.
Quick model
How to estimate your real monthly cost
Use this simple formula: monthly platform fee + payment processing on monthly card volume + per-order fees times order count + delivery provider fees + add-ons. Then compare that against the margin protected when repeat customers order direct instead of through a marketplace.
Step 1
Order count
Monthly pickup and delivery orders
Step 2
Average ticket
Average subtotal before tip
Step 3
Fee stack
Processing, delivery, per-order, add-ons
Step 4
Direct lift
Repeat orders kept on your channel
Which route fits?
The lowest startup cost is not always the lowest annual cost
Free tiers can be right
Square Free and GloriaFood basic can make sense when the restaurant needs a fast, low-risk starting point and does not yet have meaningful online order volume.
Low monthly can still scale
247waiter has a low listed monthly cost, but the $0.25 per-order fee and payment processing still matter as order count rises.
Managed platforms add fee layers
ChowNow bundles more managed ordering infrastructure, but restaurants should model subscription, transaction fee, setup, delivery, app, and printer costs.
Flat direct ordering protects repeat volume
Orderitto is built for restaurants that want a branded channel and zero per-order platform commission on direct orders, especially when repeat customers drive volume.
Compare the next cost decisions
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ChowNow Pricing Explained
Break down ChowNow plans, fees, diner charges, delivery, app, and printer costs.
Toast vs Clover
Compare whether the POS or the ordering layer is the real decision.
Best Online Ordering Systems
Rank online ordering platforms by restaurant operating model.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between platform cost and payment processing?
Platform cost is the monthly and setup fee you pay the online ordering software provider. Payment processing is the card fee charged on each transaction, usually a percentage plus a flat cents amount. Restaurants often pay both, so comparing only the monthly software price is incomplete.
What is the cheapest way to start taking online orders?
The lowest entry costs in the checked sources are Square Free at $0/month per location, GloriaFood basic service with no setup fee, and 247waiter at $45/month with free setup. Each still has its own processing, add-on, or per-order costs.
Which systems charge a per-order fee?
247waiter lists a $0.25 per-order fee. ChowNow lists a 2.95% + 29 cents transaction fee. Square charges payment processing and says there is no marketplace commission on direct Square orders, while delivery service provider fees can apply. Orderitto charges zero per-order platform commission on direct orders.
Why does Orderitto cost more upfront than some options?
Orderitto charges setup plus a flat monthly fee because it includes a direct-ordering website, pickup and delivery, Stripe payments, menu and modifier management, order printing, and reports in Starter. Pro adds mobile app, loyalty, promo codes, automated marketing, Uber Eats integration, Clover integration, advanced analytics, and customer behavior tracking.
Is Orderitto a POS system?
No. Orderitto is not a POS replacement. It is a restaurant online-ordering layer that can preserve a working POS workflow while adding branded direct ordering.
What about DoorDash and Uber Eats fees?
Third-party marketplace commissions are a separate cost layer and vary by agreement, so this cost guide does not quote a percentage for them. Compare marketplace orders and direct orders as separate channels.
Want the real number for your restaurant?
Bring your monthly online orders, average ticket, delivery mix, and current fees. We will compare flat direct ordering against your current cost stack.
Sources checked
- 247waiter Online Ordering System CostChecked for monthly price, setup, per-order fee, and card-processing figures.
- Square Online OrderingChecked for Free, Plus, Premium, Pro, processing rates, and delivery provider fee language.
- GloriaFood PricingChecked for free basic service, POS add-on, payment service, promo marketing, and no-commission language.
- ChowNow PricingChecked for monthly plans, setup, transaction fee, app, printer, delivery, and commission-free language.
- Orderitto PricingChecked for Starter, Pro, setup, flat monthly pricing, and direct-ordering scope.