MenuWebsites vs GloriaFood vs ChowNow vs Square: Best Restaurant Online Ordering Platform
Choosing the right online ordering platform is one of the most important decisions a restaurant owner can make. With options ranging from free solutions with commission fees to premium platforms with flat monthly rates, understanding the differences in features, pricing, and customer experience is essential. This detailed comparison evaluates MenuWebsites.com against GloriaFood, ChowNow, and Square for restaurant online ordering.
MenuWebsites.com: Complete Restaurant Website with Free and Premium Plans
MenuWebsites.com provides a full restaurant website with integrated online ordering, not just an ordering widget. The Free plan costs $0 per month with 10% commission and includes a branded website, domain, hosting, and basic SEO. The Premium plan at $199 per month offers 0% commission plus mobile apps, professional email, and marketing automation. Both plans include DoorDash driver integration at flat $8 per delivery.
GloriaFood: Free Ordering With Limited Features
GloriaFood offers free online ordering with 10% commission. While attractive for budget-conscious restaurants, GloriaFood provides only an ordering page — not a full restaurant website. Customers order through a GloriaFood-hosted page, limiting your branding and customer data ownership. There are no mobile apps, no built-in SEO tools, and no social media management included.
ChowNow: Commission-Free But Higher Monthly Fees
ChowNow charges $129 per month and claims commission-free ordering. However, their platform focuses primarily on ordering functionality rather than providing a complete restaurant website. Additional marketing services cost extra, and the lack of a dedicated website means customers interact with ChowNow branding rather than yours.
Square: POS-Integrated Ordering
Square offers online ordering integrated with their POS system. If you already use Square for payments, the integration is seamless. However, Square requires you to use their POS hardware and payment processing, which may not suit all restaurants. Their commission structure varies based on plan and transaction volume.
Which Platform Is Best for Your Restaurant?
For restaurants wanting the most features at the best value, MenuWebsites.com is the clear winner. You get a complete restaurant website plus online ordering, mobile apps, DoorDash integration, SEO, and marketing — all with both free and zero-commission options. Compare our plans or see how it works. Start your free restaurant website.
How MenuWebsites.com Helps Your Restaurant Succeed Online
We built our platform specifically for restaurant owners who want professional results without the high costs and complexity of traditional web development. Our team handles everything from your website design to SEO optimization to delivery partner integration, so you can focus on running your restaurant. Unlike generic website builders, we understand the unique needs of food service businesses. Your menu is the most critical part of your website, and we ensure it displays perfectly on every device.
Every MenuWebsites.com website includes free domain registration, free web hosting with SSL security, unlimited menu items with photos and descriptions, online ordering for pickup and delivery, DoorDash driver integration at flat rates, order notifications through multiple channels, and customer data collection. Both our free and premium plans include these essential features with no hidden costs, no long-term contracts, and no cancellation fees.
Our four-step process makes getting started simple. First, send your restaurant details including your logo, menu, food photos, business hours, and delivery zones. Second, we design your website around your brand with mobile ordering experience. Third, you approve menu items, pricing, and settings. Finally, we launch your site with SEO, analytics, and ordering tools. The entire process takes days, not weeks.
Whether you choose our Free plan at $0 per month with 10% commission or our Premium plan at $199 per month with 0% commission, you get a complete restaurant website designed to grow your business. Both plans include free domain, free hosting, unlimited menu items, and DoorDash driver integration. The Premium plan adds mobile apps, professional email, automated marketing, and zero commission on every order. See our pricing plans or learn how it works. Start your free restaurant website today.
Frequently Asked Questions
How quickly can I get started with MenuWebsites.com?
Most restaurants go live within two to five days after submitting their menu and restaurant details. Our team handles all the technical setup, website design, and configuration so you can focus on running your restaurant.
Is there a contract or long-term commitment?
No. Both our Free and Premium plans have no contracts and no cancellation fees. You can start, stop, or change your plan at any time with no penalties.
Do I need technical skills to manage my restaurant website?
No. Our dashboard is designed for restaurant owners with no technical experience. Update your menu, change prices, add photos, and manage orders with just a few clicks.
Can I use my own domain name?
Yes. Our Premium plan allows you to use your own domain name. The Free plan includes a free domain at no additional cost.
What support is available if I need help?
We provide ongoing support to all our restaurant clients. Whether you need help updating your menu, changing your delivery settings, or troubleshooting an issue, our team is here to assist you.
See our pricing plans or learn how it works. Start your free restaurant website today.