Facts checked on 22 July 2026

HappyChef vs Resy & Tock: the honest comparison

Three reservation platforms — HappyChef against both Resy and Tock (both owned by American Express) — compared side by side using only published facts. No spin: where Resy or Tock is stronger, we say so.

HappyChef vs Resy & Tock

Side by side at a glance

Every row links back to a published source: the combined plan pages of Resy (restaurant platform) and Tock (reservations & prepaid platform), both part of American Express. Where Resy or Tock doesn't publish something, we say so explicitly rather than guess.

Pricing & contract

Feature
HappyChef
Resy & Tock
Entry plan
Start — free · then Grow €39/month
Platform (Resy) — $249/month · Essential (Tock) — $269/month
Top published plan
Max — €199/month
Platform 360 (Resy) — $399/month · Premium (Tock) — $399/month
Network cost per cover
€0
Not published
Reservations via your own website
Included
Included (all plans)
Free plan
Yes
No
Free trial without credit card
Yes
Not published

Reservations & no-shows

Feature
HappyChef
Resy & Tock
24/7 booking widget for your website
Yes
Yes
Table management
Yes
Yes (all plans)
Walk-in waitlist
Yes
Yes
Event management
Not offered
Yes
Automated guest notifications
Email included; WhatsApp via monthly credits
Basic notifications on entry plans; Priority notifications on top plans
Credit-card guarantee / cancellation fees
Yes
Yes
Deposits
Not offered
Yes
Prepayment
Not offered
3% transaction fee (Resy) · 2% transaction fee (Tock)

Growth, support & ecosystem

Feature
HappyChef
Resy & Tock
Chat & email support
Yes
Yes (all plans)
Phone support
Not offered
Only on the top plan (Platform 360 / Premium)
POS integrations
Not offered
Yes (all plans)
Advanced analytics dashboard
Yes
Yes (all plans)
Booking API
Not offered
Only on the top plan (Platform 360 / Premium)
Chargeback protection
Not offered
Only on the top plan (Platform 360 / Premium)
Customizable guest communication
Yes
Yes
Consumer app / diner discovery
Booking hub (Belgium)
Resy.com & ExploreTock.com — diner discovery network (US-focused), including exclusive booking groups

Interactive: compare your software cost

Pick a plan on each side and switch between monthly and yearly view. Resy and Tock do not publish a yearly discount, so the yearly view is the monthly price × 12 as an indication. Note: Resy/Tock's prices are in US dollars ($), as published — not converted to euros. Transaction fees for prepayments are not included.

HappyChef€0Software cost per month
Resy & Tock$249Software cost per month

Which platform fits your restaurant?

All three are serious reservation platforms. The honest answer mostly depends on where your restaurant is located and how much you want to pay for guest discovery.

HappyChef is the stronger fit if you…

  • operate in Europe — Resy and Tock focus mainly on the US market
  • want to start completely free, with a low, predictable software bill afterwards (€39–€199/month) and no transaction fees on prepayments
  • 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
  • want to keep full ownership of your guest data, stored in the EU

Resy & Tock are the stronger fit if you…

  • are based in the US and want access to their diner discovery networks to reach new guests
  • need prepayments & prepaid events as a core feature — included on every plan
  • want POS integrations and event management on every plan, without add-ons
  • want phone support, a booking API and chargeback protection — on the top plan
  • prefer a brand owned by American Express, with exclusive booking groups for cardholders

See HappyChef next to your current system

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

Start free — 2 min