Guide
How to choose online ordering software
Online ordering software is not hard to find, there are dozens of options, which is exactly the problem. They price differently, they own your data differently, and they hide their real cost in different places. This is a practical framework for cutting through the noise and choosing the platform that actually fits your restaurant.
By Town · Reviewed July 2026 · ~10 min read
Start with the fee model, not the feature list
Every vendor has a long feature list. The thing that will actually shape your P&L is how they charge. There are three common models: a per-order percentage (marketplaces), a flat subscription (some commission-free tools), and a flat monthly plus a low per-order fee (direct platforms). Understand which one you are buying, then run it against your real volume before anything else.
Do the monthly math
Take your typical monthly online order count and average ticket, and calculate the total cost under each model. A "cheap" percentage can cost more than a flat fee at volume, and a flat subscription can cost more per order when volume is low.
The feature checklist that matters
- One menu across site, ordering, and delivery, edited once.
- Modifiers, scheduling, and prep times that fit how you serve.
- Delivery on real driver networks without giving up the customer.
- Customer data ownership, names, emails, and order history you keep.
- Marketing built in, email, SMS, loyalty, and social, so you can drive repeat orders.
- Local listings and SEO, so customers can actually find your ordering.
- Real human support, not just a help article.
The contract and ownership questions
- Is there a contract, and what does it cost to leave?
- Do I own my domain, my site, and my customer list?
- What happens to my data if I switch platforms?
- Is there a setup fee, and who does the migration?
Red flags to avoid
Watch for checkout surcharges passed to your guests, "free" tools that monetize your data, per-terminal fees for hardware you will not use, and long contracts that lock you in before you have seen results. If a vendor cannot clearly tell you the all-in monthly cost, that is a signal in itself.
How Town scores on this framework
Town is a 0% commission $300/mo, no long contract. You own your domain, site, and customer list, delivery runs on the same DoorDash and Uber drivers, and marketing, listings, and support are included. See Online Ordering and Restaurant Platform for the full picture, and Restaurant ordering system: complete guide for how the models compare.
Key takeaways
- Choose on the fee model first, then run it against your real monthly volume.
- The features that matter: one menu everywhere, controllable delivery, data ownership, built-in marketing, listings, and support.
- Ask about contracts, exit costs, data portability, and who handles migration.
- Avoid checkout surcharges, data-monetizing free tools, and long lock-in contracts.
- Town is 0% commission $300/mo with ownership and marketing included, no long contract.