November 19, 2025
A neighborhood restaurant takes 40 online orders a day at $20 each. On a third-party delivery app charging 25–30% commission, the restaurant loses around $240 a day, money that could support staff wages, better ingredients, or marketing. Many small restaurants face this same problem: strong online demand but margins eaten up by fees.
This is where commission-free restaurant online ordering software comes in. Instead of paying per-order fees, restaurants get a direct ordering system where every rupee earned stays with the business. Owners keep control of their menu, customer data, and delivery flow, without depending on costly aggregators.
In this blog, you’ll see how commission-free ordering works and discover the top seven free tools restaurants can use in 2025.
At a Glance:
Commission-free ordering apps are built to help restaurants keep more of their revenue and own their customer relationships. Unlike marketplace platforms that charge high commissions and control the ordering experience, these tools give restaurants their own online storefront with predictable or zero fees.
The goal isn’t to replace visibility from delivery apps; it’s to help restaurants build a sustainable, direct ordering channel they fully control.
Here are key differences between the top commission-free apps and the traditional ordering platforms:
Commission-free ordering protects margins, strengthens branding, and helps restaurants build a loyal customer base.
For small U.S. and Canadian restaurants working with thin margins, adding a commission-free ordering channel is one of the simplest ways to increase profit without changing the menu or raising prices.
Also Read: Top Food Trends for 2025 You Need to Know
Commission-free ordering tools have evolved beyond simple “online menus.” Today, they function like full digital command centers, helping small restaurants manage direct orders, streamline fulfillment, and maintain their own customer base without being tied to marketplace algorithms.
The real value isn’t just saving on fees; it’s giving restaurants the freedom to build a direct ordering ecosystem that reflects their brand, workflow, and pricing strategy. The seven platforms below all follow this philosophy but differ in features, integrations, and scalability.
Let’s explore each of these apps in detail:
iOrders offers a comprehensive commission-free ordering system built specifically for small and mid-size restaurants wanting full control of their digital operations. It supports pickup, delivery, QR ordering, and multi-location setups.
What makes iOrders different:
iOrders also offers:
iOrders stands out because it functions like a full restaurant operating system, not just a digital menu. It’s meant for restaurants that want a single platform to run direct ordering, delivery logic, branding, and ongoing customer engagement.
Restolabs gives restaurants a commission-free ordering system that’s built around flexibility and strong POS compatibility. It’s designed for businesses that want digital ordering without disrupting their existing in-house operations.
Restaurants can set up online menus, manage orders in real time, and sync data across multiple devices, making it easy for staff to handle web and mobile orders during rush hours.
Differentiators:
Best for: Restaurants that depend on tight POS workflows, need reliable multi-device order management, and want a system that fits into their existing operational rhythm.
GloriaFood is designed for small restaurants that want to get online quickly without dealing with complex setup steps or long-term costs. Its core ordering system is completely free, making it popular among new or single-location restaurants testing digital ordering for the first time.
Setup is straightforward, and most restaurants can publish a working online menu within minutes.
Differentiators:
Best for: Restaurants that want a no-frills, low-commitment entry into online ordering without needing heavy customizations or advanced integrations.
Ordering.co is a commission-free platform built for restaurants that need more than just online ordering. It’s especially useful for businesses that manage deliveries in-house or operate multiple locations. The platform offers an end-to-end setup, from taking orders to managing drivers, and gives restaurants the option to create a fully branded customer app.
Its modular structure makes it easy for growing restaurants to start small and scale into more advanced features over time.
Differentiators:
Best for: Ordering.co is a strong choice for restaurants that handle their own delivery operations or run multiple outlets and need a scalable system that goes beyond basic online ordering.
Ontabee is a straightforward commission-free ordering platform designed primarily for single-location restaurants. Its free plan covers essential features like online menus, order management, and customer communication, making it a practical choice for small independents looking to go digital without upfront costs.
While the base setup is simple, the platform also offers optional upgrades for restaurants that want more automation or integrations as they grow.
Differentiators:
Best for: Ontabee works best for budget-conscious, single-location restaurants that want an affordable starting point and the freedom to add more features only when needed.
CloudWaitress is a versatile ordering platform that supports multiple service types, making it a strong fit for restaurants that balance dine-in, takeout, and delivery. Its limited free plan provides enough functionality for smaller businesses, while paid upgrades unlock deeper integrations and advanced automation.
Beyond ordering, the platform includes features like catering management and reservations, allowing restaurants to centralize different parts of their workflow in one place.
Differentiators:
Takeaway: CloudWaitress is ideal for restaurants that want a single, consolidated platform to manage orders, reservations, and catering without juggling multiple software tools.
Foodiv is a commission-free ordering platform designed to help restaurants build a modern digital presence without relying on third-party apps. It combines online ordering, QR-based menus, mobile app creation, and loyalty tools into a single system.
Restaurants can manage dine-in, pickup, and delivery orders from one dashboard, while also using built-in branding features to create a professional online storefront.
Differentiators:
Takeaway: Foodiv is a solid fit for restaurants that want not only commission-free ordering, but also tools that enhance dine-in efficiency and build long-term customer loyalty.
The right choice depends on whether you prioritize branding, logistics, POS syncing, or dine-in experiences.
Also Read: Best Restaurant Reservation Apps and Systems for 2025
Selecting the right commission-free platform isn’t just about avoiding fees; it’s about finding a system that fits your restaurant’s workflow, customer base, and growth plans.
Here are key factors to consider:
1. Business size and complexity: Single-location cafes or small bakeries might prefer simpler platforms like Ontabee or GloriaFood, while multi-location restaurants or those handling delivery fleets need tools that support advanced logistics and POS integrations.
2. POS and workflow integration: If you rely heavily on your POS or have complex order management needs, platforms like iOrders provide deep POS integration and real-time syncing to streamline operations.
3. Branding and customer experience: Branded storefronts, mobile apps, and QR ordering matter for building a professional image and fostering repeat business. iOrders, Foodiv, and Ordering.co excel in this area, giving restaurants full control over their digital presence.
4. Marketing and loyalty tools: Look for built-in marketing features, loyalty programs, or retention tools. iOrders stands out here by combining ordering with customer engagement, allowing restaurants to grow their repeat customer base efficiently.
5. Scalability and support: Consider how easy it is to add locations, delivery zones, or menu items as your restaurant grows. Also, responsive support can make or break your experience. iOrders offers dedicated SMB-focused support, ensuring your setup and day-to-day operations run smoothly.
The “right” app balances functionality, ease of use, and growth potential. For restaurants seeking a complete commission-free solution with strong POS integration, branded customer-facing tools, and marketing capabilities,
iOrders consistently delivers a versatile, scalable platform that meets both operational and growth needs.
Also Read: What Makes a Restaurant Successful: 10 Must-Know Factors and Tips
Running a restaurant today means juggling high order volumes, demanding customers, and multiple online ordering channels, all while trying to protect slim margins. Without the right tools, staff get stretched thin, mistakes happen, and revenue opportunities slip away.
Commission-free ordering platforms solve part of the problem, but iOrders goes further. By combining automated online ordering, branded web and mobile apps, QR-based dine-in ordering, and integrated loyalty and marketing tools, it helps restaurants serve faster, reduce manual workload, and build stronger customer relationships.
Take control of your digital ordering, retain 100% of your revenue, and streamline operations. See how iOrders can future-proof your restaurant—book a free demo.
Some advanced free solutions offer seamless integration where all online orders are automatically injected into your existing POS. This allows instant menu changes from your POS to update your online ordering site and connected third-party channels, reducing manual updates and preventing menu mismatches across multiple locations.
Unlike third-party delivery apps, direct free ordering systems give you full access to your customers’ data. This enables you to analyze order patterns, create loyalty programs, and send promotions directly, rather than losing out on this valuable information to aggregator platforms.
Many platforms advertise being free but may impose restrictions, hidden per-order fees, or charge for premium features. Solutions like iOrders emphasize no commissions or hidden charges, making them stand out from others that offer “free” with significant caveats.
Look for systems offering instant menu and inventory syncing between your restaurant’s website, POS, and third-party apps like Uber Eats. This centralized management ensures consistency, prevents overselling, and makes it easier to run multi-location chains without manual edits.
Not all free solutions provide these advanced marketing tools. Some allow you to design time-limited offers, create unique promo codes, set up digital loyalty perks, and reward repeat visits, all within your own branded platform, helping you compete with major delivery apps.
Top free platforms often let customers order for a future time (scheduled orders) and include features like QR code ordering, where diners scan a code to place or pay for orders directly from their phones. These features are increasingly important for contactless, streamlined operations.
Data security varies, but reputable free services use trusted payment processors and ensure customer details are not shared with third parties. Look for systems that highlight encryption and compliance with payment industry standards as a key part of their free offering.
