Facts checked on 21 July 2026

HappyChef vs Guestplan: the honest comparison

Two European reservation platforms, compared side by side using only published facts. No spin: where Guestplan is stronger, we say so.

HappyChef vs Guestplan

Side by side at a glance

Every row links back to a published source: the plan pages of both vendors. Where Guestplan doesn't publish something, we say so explicitly rather than guess.

Pricing & contract

Feature
HappyChef
Guestplan
Entry plan
Start — free · then Grow €39/month
Pro — €59.99/month (from €49.99/month with annual billing)
Top published plan
Max — €199/month
Ultimate — €239.99/month (from €229.99/month yearly)
Commission on reservations
0%
0% — no commission or per-cover fees
Cancellation terms
Yes
Cancel at the end of your chosen period (month, quarter or year) — no further commitment afterwards
Free plan
Yes
No
Free trial without credit card
Yes
Yes
Fees on card guarantees & prepayments
€0
€2.99 (Pro) down to free (Ultimate) per Mollie/Stripe transaction

Reservations & no-shows

Feature
HappyChef
Guestplan
24/7 booking widget for your website
Yes
Yes
Table plan
Yes
Yes
Waitlist
Yes
From the Business plan
Credit-card guarantee / deposits
Yes
Yes
Guest confirmations & reminders
Email included; WhatsApp via monthly credits
Not published
Guest self-service edit link
Change date, time, party size or cancel
Not published

Growth, reviews & ecosystem

Feature
HappyChef
Guestplan
Sell gift cards
Yes
Yes
Post-visit review collection
Yes
From the Business plan
Forward reviews to Google / Tripadvisor
Yes
Not published
AI tools
Receptionist, inbox, marketing (add-ons)
Not published
Consumer booking app / marketplace
Booking hub (Belgium)
Not published
POS integrations
Not offered
From the Business plan — Lightspeed, Runnr.ai, Mews, Mollie published

Interactive: compare your software cost

Pick a plan on each side and switch between monthly and yearly billing. Paying yearly gives a lower rate with both vendors; Guestplan's yearly prices are as published. Add-ons and payment fees are excluded.

HappyChef€0Software cost per month
Guestplan€60Software cost per month

Which platform fits your restaurant?

Both are serious, commission-free reservation platforms. The honest answer depends on your size and priorities.

HappyChef is the stronger fit if you…

  • run an independent restaurant and want to start completely free, with a low, predictable software bill afterwards (€39–€199/month)
  • prefer WhatsApp over email for confirmations and reminders to your guests
  • want the phone answered automatically — the AI Receptionist books tables 24/7 for a published €99/month
  • value 7/7 human support and want to be operational within an hour, with migration done for you
  • want to keep full ownership of your guest data, stored in the EU

Guestplan is the stronger fit if you…

  • prefer an established platform — active since 2004, with 8,000+ restaurants using it daily
  • want automatic, intelligent table assignment that adapts based on real-time occupancy
  • need a POS or hotel-system integration (Lightspeed, Mews and Runnr.ai are listed)
  • want to sell gift cards with your own branding as an extra revenue stream
  • prefer to choose between monthly, quarterly or annual billing, with a lower rate for a longer term

See HappyChef next to your current system

Try HappyChef for free — no credit card, cancel monthly. Or book a demo and bring your Guestplan questions.

Start free — 2 min