First-party comparison, sourced
TableHelm vs Resy (an honest first-party comparison)
We make TableHelm, so this page is not neutral; it is sourced. Resy and TableHelm actually agree on the big thing: no per-cover fees. The differences are the entry price ($249 a month vs free), the diner network (Resy has one, we do not), and what happens to deposits (Resy's Tock-powered tiers take 2-3% of prepayments; TableHelm takes 0% of no-show fees).
Disclosure: TableHelm is our product, so we are a side in this comparison, not a referee. Every competitor fact still carries a source, and our own gaps are listed on the page.
The facts, side by side
Swipe the table sideways for the full comparison.
| TableHelm | Resy | |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly price | Free, or $29 a month flat | Platform $249/mo, Platform 360 $399/mo; Tock-powered tiers: Essential $269/mo, Premium $399/mo |
| Usage fees | Never a per-cover or per-booking fee | No per-cover fees ('We do not charge any fees on a per reservation basis'); prepayments carry a 3% fee on Essential or 2% on Premium, plus standard payment processing |
| Contract | Month to month. Cancel self-serve, keep your data. | Terms not published on the pricing page; setup fees not disclosed (partner promos reference 12-18 month terms, unverified) |
| Free tier | Yes: unlimited reservations and guests, one location | None; no free trial advertised |
| Guest data | Your guest book is yours. Full CSV export, free, any time, forever. | Resy states 'Your restaurant data will always belong to you'; operators report first-hand that CSV export of guest data and reservations has become difficult |
| No-show tools | Card holds via your own Stripe account (Pro). You keep 100% of every no-show fee; TableHelm takes nothing. | Cancellation and no-show fees via card-on-file, charged manually in-app; deposits and prepayments require the Tock-powered tiers (3%/2% fees) |
Published list prices and terms, last verified 2026-07-03. Sources live on each vendor's alternatives page. Always check the vendors' sites for current pricing.
Where Resy is simply stronger
Resy brings a genuine diner network and a brand diners trust, backed by American Express, plus POS integrations and phone support on its upper tier. TableHelm has no marketplace, no POS integration yet and no built-in SMS yet. A restaurant in a Resy-strong city that gets real bookings from the app is buying demand, not just software.
Where the models differ
Resy starts at $249 a month with no free tier and no advertised trial; contract and setup terms are not published. TableHelm starts free (unlimited reservations, one location) and Pro is $29 a month flat, month to month, cancel self-serve. For deposits and prepayments, Resy routes you to its Tock-powered tiers at $269-399 a month plus 3% or 2% of prepaid volume; TableHelm's card holds run on your own Stripe account with zero platform take.
Guest data, tested not promised
Resy's marketing says your restaurant data will always belong to you, and we have no reason to doubt the intent; operators, though, report first-hand that exporting CSVs of guests and reservations has become difficult. TableHelm's answer is behavioural: a one-click full CSV export of your guest book, free, on both plans, working before and after you cancel. Test the export on any system you are considering, including ours.
Choose TableHelm if
- You want to start free and stay flat: $0 or $29 a month, no sales call
- You charge no-show fees or deposits and want to keep 100% of them
- One location, direct demand, and a guest book you can walk away with
Choose Resy if
- The Resy app is a real source of bookings in your city
- You need POS integration or phone support today
Questions
TableHelm vs Resy: FAQ
Yes on entry price: free (unlimited reservations, one location) or $29/mo Pro, against Resy's published $249-399/mo with no free tier. Whether it is cheaper for your restaurant depends on how many bookings Resy's network would actually bring you. Check Resy's site for current pricing.
The option with no cover fees at all
TableHelm is free for unlimited reservations at one location, $29/mo for Pro. No contract, no demo call, and your guest book exports free.