11+ Free Mobile Apps For Restaurant Ordering For 2026

American Express reported that 7 out of 10 U.S. consumers spent more at companies that deliver great service. But how can businesses stand out for their service in a pool of competitors that also offer ‘great service’? This is a challenge most restaurant owners face. 

And in the food and service industry, digitalization through free mobile apps for restaurant ordering is a starting point for this modern shift. 

These apps are backed by online menu ordering systems that give customers the convenience of ordering and paying without hassle.

And if you’re planning to take the new step in your restaurant ops, head over to the list and find the best mobile ordering app that fits your business.

Top 12  restaurant ordering apps and software in the market 

Restaurant apps and software are now essential assets in modern business operations, as they help increase order volume. 

According to Restolab's 2025 online ordering statistics report, digital ordering has dominated revenue streams across restaurant categories, with 75% of quick-service restaurant sales coming from online and phone orders.

This shows the significant contribution of restaurant technology, but finding a free restaurant ordering app can be a bit tricky, as many too-good-to-be-true options exist online.

So to help you out, we’ve listed these 15 free apps you can start with;

1. MENU TIGER  restaurant management system

MENU TIGER is a  QR code menu powerhouse, providing a digitized menu ordering.

The platform is built with an ecosystem for restaurant operations that lets owners manage both front and back of the house, customize menu selection, and build their personalized branding. 

Aside from this, it's supported with menu translation that helps businesses to cater to diverse customer demographics. In the same way, its payment methods expand with its POS integrations and online payment options. 

The system is accessible, making it easy to navigate, even if it’s your first time. 

This all-in-one restaurant system offers a FREEMIUM plan that lets you experience its tools and features for free, with no hidden commissions.

And if you want to check their other pricing tiers, here’s the list:

• Regular: $17.00 per month
• Advanced: $46.00 per month
• Premium: $119.00 per month 

Note: A 14-day trial for each plan is available for you to try before subscribing.  

2.GloriaFood

GloriaFood’s online ordering system delivers a direct order-taking experience.

Instead of relying on third-party delivery services, restaurant owners receive orders directly from their website or social media for restaurants and other businesses’ pages. 

Aside from this, the platform offers tools that let you manage your menu, accept online payments, and communicate with customers in real time. 

No hidden charges or commission for their free account. 

If you plan to upgrade or try their add-on services, here’s a comprehensive breakdown:

• Restaurant POS system:  $49.00  per month, per location, and a 2-year commitment
• Online/Credit Card Payment service: $29.00 per month
• Table Reservation deposit:  $0.5 per guest for accepted bookings only
• Advance promo marketing: $19.00 per month
• Sales optimization website: $ 9.00 per month
• Branded mobile apps: $59.00 per month

3. Square Online

Square Online is another fair option for restaurant hustlers to consider. 

It’s an e-commerce platform assisting brands in building their own online store. Here, businesses can build their website, sell their products, or accept services, all in one single integrated system.

The platform is built to work seamlessly with in-person sales. From inventory customer data to transactions, these are all synchronized across all physical and digital channels, so businesses can operate consistently and accurately.

If you’re up for that thrill and excitement in creating your online store from the ground up, this can be your outset. 

It’s free up to two locations; however, there’s a processing fee for online payment of 3.3% plus 30 cents, and for tap, dip, or swipe, a 2.6% plus 15 cents. 

As for their other subscriptions, here’s a rundown:

• Square Plus:  $49.00 per month, per location, with processing fees for tap, dip, or swipe for 2.5% plus 15 cents, and Online payment for 2.9% plus 30 cents
• Square Premium: $149.00 per month, per location, with processing fees of 2.4% plus 15 cents for tap, dip, and swipe, and 2.9% plus 30 cents for online transactions. 

4. Restolabs

Restolab is a commission-free player that provides restaurants with online ordering solutions that help in managing digital sales channels without depending on third-party marketplaces. 

Its customer-direct principle model allows owners to accept orders through their website or branded app, which retains their full control over pricing, customer relationships, and revenue. 

In addition, their marketing features include a restaurant loyalty program and automated customer engagement. 

Restolabs does not offer a free version that you can use permanently, but here’s what they offer:

• Basic plan: $69.00 per month
• Growth plan: $99.00  per month
• Pro plan: $199.00 per month 

For add-ons:

• Customer Website: $29.00 per month
• Branded mobile app: $49.00 per month
• Google Business profile setup: $19.00 per month

Tip: You can save 20% by choosing an annual billing plan.

5. Bento Box

Bento Box specializes in developing high-performing websites that drive direct orders. 

With its  BentoCore system, it suggests centralizing operations from ordering through marketing.

To further strengthen the visibility of their websites, it has built-in SEO capabilities that help in attracting organic traffic, providing brand owners with full control over their restaurant branding and guest data. 

 It's one of the free mobile apps for restaurant ordering that does not offer a free version, but you can go for a free trial for a limited period. If you’re interested in their paid version, it starts at $119.00 per month. 

6. ChowNow

ChowNow is another commission-free mobile app for restaurant ordering that caters for independent businesses. 

Offering their custom websites, mobile apps for direct ordering, their restaurant POS system integration, and centralized menu management, consolidates orders from multiple sources. 

Another addition to their feature lineup is their analytical tools, marketing options, and takeout, delivery, and dine-in operations. 

While ChowNow does not offer a free version or trial, here are their pricing plans:

• Premier: $328.00 per month 
• Pro: $229.00 per month
• Hub: $119 per month

Additional fees for their plans:

• Setup fee: $199.00 to $499.00
• Transaction fee: 2.95% plus $0.29 per transaction
• Annual developer fee paid directly to Apple for Branded mobile apps: $99.00
• Printer: $250.00 to $420.00 
• Flex Delivery orders: $3.99 per order (Flat fee split 50/50 with diners) 

7. FlipDish

A no-fuss unified POS and restaurant management system is what FlipDish is aiming for. 

It updates menus once and syncs everywhere, from dine-in to even their third-party delivery service, and lands in their kitchen display system. 

Alongside its centralized system, it also offers tableside ordering with a tracking tool for its deliveries. 

It’s multi-outlet-ready for pubs, takeaways, and fast-casual spots that respond efficiently to rush hour. 

Flipdish offers two pricing plans:

• Point of Sale: €129.00 per month ($152.10)
• Online ordering:
  • Website: €69.00 per month ( $81.35)
  • Website and mobile app: €99.00 ($116.73)
  • Self-service kiosk: €79.00 ($93.14)

Note: 29% off deal is offered for an annual subscription. 

8. Ordingo

Ordingo's one of the free mobile apps for restaurant ordering that connects takeaways and pubs with their free branded online ordering. 

The platform promises fully customized menus, postcode-based delivery zones with minimum fees, table setup for dining, and robust sales reports. 

No setup fees, no monthly bills, and no contracts tied up, just a 2.9% plus 2 pounds for every transaction. 

This is a perfect online ordering app for small businesses that are cash-strapped in restaurant ops. 

9. Ordering.Co

Ordering.Co is your straight-up custom-built online ordering machine. 

It’s fully stocked with their core offerings like custom online stores, POS integration, and delivery automation. 

They aim to create a one-stop channel for orders across their ordering tools to enable more organized operations. 

This free mobile app for restaurant ordering offers a 15-day free trial for potential customers to test. To check out their pricing tiers, here’s  the breakdown: 

• Startup pro: $5,000.00 annually 
• Startup platinum: $9,000.00 annually
• Enterprise: $20,000.00 annually

10. Cloudwaitress

Cloudwaitress is your all-in-one online ordering and operation management system that caters to businesses to accept orders directly from customers.

It’s a web-based platform that houses various service types a restaurant provides. 

In addition to that, it has a booking management system which is ideal for businesses that have high foot traffic. 

Marketing brand tools, integrated payments, and POS compatibility highlight its claim of an all-in-one restaurant tech. 

CloudWaitress is commission-free and offers a free plan up to 100 orders per month. And for their standard plan, it starts at $39.00 per store, per month. 

11. Menury

Menury is a digital menu and online ordering platform for restaurants to add to your list. 

It’s a simple and unified tool where you can share a menu and serve guests through menu QR codes and a reservation tool. 

One of the highlighted features is the guest registration feature, which allows restaurants and hotels to collect customer contact information easily. This is primarily used for health security during the pandemic.

They offer a free basic plan and a premium subscription for €45.00 ($52.76)  per month. For a multilingual add-on,  €15.00 ($17.59) is charged. 

12. Orderlina

Orderlina delivers a budget-friendly cloud-based ordering software. 

The platforms deliver custom menus, promos, and a dashboard to ease operational and marketing burden. 

It’s commission-free on major payment platforms, so it’s a perfect starter for new joints who are still trying digital ordering. 

And it can sync with POS via Square, so orders print to the kitchen printer easily. 

You can get Orderlina at partner pricing of $49.00 per month, with a customer acquisition requirement of at least 1 new customer in the first 6 months. 

How to choose the right free mobile app for restaurant ordering

With a long list of choices, it can be confusing to choose the one that suits what you need. So, here’s a simple guide on how you’re going to choose the right restaurant ordering app for you. 

1. List down what you actually need.

Know which areas you want to improve and what added service you wish to offer: Do you want an online ordering only or with pick up and delivery options? Do you need tableside ordering? How about a table management tool? 

Once you’re set, select among the restaurant-ordering taking apps for Android or iOS that can provide you with the service you need. 

2. Check if the ‘Free’ plan is free. 

Check available websites or app review platforms and read the listed pricing and their inclusions thoroughly, as many restaurant apps for taking orders are free of charge, but with hidden commissions or fees later, without you even knowing. 

This way, you’ll be able to determine whether the free plan is plain free or if you’ll be charged along the way before you get to sign up. 

3. Look for other must-have features.

 Verify if the restaurant ordering app of your choice offers features like table reservations, loyalty rewards, promotion systems, or customer analytics that are helpful for your operation. 

Keep in mind that these added features may be offered in a subscription plan, so ensure that it is still fit within your budget.

4. Double-check if it’s easy for the staff and customers to use.

Let your staff test it first and gather their feedback on how manageable it is and whether it really makes their tasks easier. 

For customers, set up a digital menu QR code ordering corner if the order-taking app supports it, and direct them to use it to order.  Include a survey form for them to evaluate their experience. Remember, if it’s complicated, then it will slow down the service. 

5. Confirm integration with your current tools.

Ensure that the ordering app can be connected to your POS system and other tools you're using, or if not, it can provide you with an alternative cloud-based option, so you won’t have to spend extra on the hardware. 

The idea here is to create a centralized restaurant technology to enable smoother, more efficient operations. It’s the best way to maximize these mobile ordering apps for restaurants to leverage their ability to integrate with other tools you have.

Wrap-up: Smarter restaurant ordering starts with the right online menu ordering system 

When upgrading operations with restaurant techs, the weight of picking a suitable free mobile app for restaurant ordering can be overwhelming. 

Especially if you’re a conservative type when it comes to investing, you need an app or system that does exactly what you need, with little to no fee.

And the likes of the MENU TIGER, GloriaFood, and Square restaurant ordering system provide a comprehensive mechanism for ordering, kitchen, and table management, as well as performance analytics and more in a single unified system.

And the best part is that you get a premium experience for free. A good starting point if you’re still a newcomer to modern dining.

So, what’s your next step? Check out the website, hit the sign-up button, and kick off your modern restaurant operations today!

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