ResDiary is a restaurant reservation software brand operating in the UK, Ireland, and Australia. It’s functional, with their ResDiary Evo layer being one of the more credible AI reporting features in this category. But for venues that want to grow, the surcharges and booking volume caps start to matter.
Here’s the full picture next to Now Book It.
Now Book It vs ResDiary: Side-by-side comparison
Note: This comparison reflects Now Book It’s assessment and is for general information. Product details and pricing change often — always verify current terms with each provider directly.
Pricing model
ResDiary runs four tiers based on how many bookings you take a month, ringing up to $600 for unlimited bookings. There’s no commission on reservations themselves, but a 1.2% surcharge applies to deposits and payments processed through the system. Gift vouchers come with a 3% surcharge, on top of possible SMS and messaging fees.
Now Book It charges one flat monthly fee for unlimited bookings, with zero commission and no volume tier so venues can grow sustainably. Gift cards are kept at an affordable 1.99% transaction fee — a meaningful difference if voucher sales are a real part of your revenue, especially around holidays.
Guest database ownership
ResDiary frames itself around venues keeping control of their guest database and building direct relationships over time. However, once your venue enters ResDiary’s discovery listing (Dish Cult) plus paid integrations with third-party discovery platforms depending on your market, it’s worth noting that the dynamics of a marketplace booking and additional data provisions apply.
With Now Book It, every booking flows directly from your own channels from the start. Restaurants typically collect up to 50% more usable guest data the moment they switch, and that data stays with them exclusively.
White-labelled widget and marketplace
Like Now Book It, ResDiary offers white-labelled booking widgets and branded email communications to keep the diner experience with the restaurant.
Neither platform runs a public diner marketplace, but ResDiary’s sister directory Dish Cult is often an opt-in for their venues.
Floor plan views
Both platforms offer real-time table management. ResDiary’s system supports table allocation, blockouts, and a standby and wait list view built into the diary. Now Book It’s floor plans work similarly, with auto-assign seating that considers all possible table combinations to maximise your floor.
Additionally, Now Book It onboarding team builds your floor plan out with you directly rather than leaving it as a self-service setup task.
AI phone answering
Now Book It’s Sadie answers every call 24/7 as part of the core platform. She’s built specifically as an always-on receptionist for hospitality venues — logging reservations, handling enquiries, and freeing your team to focus on the floor. Since it’s native, there is no second vendor relationship to manage.
ResDiary doesn’t offer a native AI voice receptionist, but enable third-party voice AI integrations such as HeyGuest or Access Collins Call Evo, — each with its own setup and its own subscription.
AI reporting & CRM automation
ResDiary Evo is their AI reporting product that auto-tags VIP and frequent guests, flags no-show risk with smart deposit prompts, summarises guest reviews and sentiment, and answers plain-English operational questions through a Copilot-style assistant.
Now Book It’s AI reporting works on the same principle — instant answers, automated end-of-day reporting, and AI-powered recommendations across all of your vital growth indicators, from booking volume to service pacing.
Both platforms support automated email and SMS marketing on top of the guest database.
Gift cards & events management
ResDiary supports gift vouchers sold through the booking system and customised to your brand, which carry a 3% surcharge. Events and pre-orders are available too, typically bundled as a paid add-on to their plans.
Now Book It builds gift cards and events into the core platform and makes it easy to manage all from one place. If you want to launch a gift card promotion or a ticketed event on the fly, this is your pick. Gift card surcharges are also lower at 1.99% flat, so you never worry about less profits in your pocket.
24/7 support options
ResDiary offers 24/7 live chat support alongside personalised training and a hospitality-focused help centre — a solid offering, particularly for UK-based venues where the company has operated since 2005.
Now Book It’s support is also 24/7, delivered through email, live chat, in-platform as well as through a hyperlocal, hospitality-trained team on dedicated local phone lines for Australia, New Zealand, the United States, and Canada. If you’d rather talk to a person than type into a chat window at 11pm on a Saturday, that’s where the two diverge.
Now Book It vs SevenRooms: The verdict
Pick ResDiary if you want a no-commission, UK-rooted reservation platform with genuinely strong AI-driven reporting and flexible add-on bundles, and you’re comfortable managing a few transaction surcharges and a booking-volume tier.
Pick Now Book It if you want AI reporting and a native AI phone receptionist under one flat monthly fee, no volume caps, low gift card fees, and 24/7 phone support from a genuinely local, hospitality-trained team.
Frequently asked questions
Is Now Book It cheaper than ResDiary?
For venues that want to increase bookings, Now Book It’s unlimited bookings model will ensure your costs stay affordable. ResDiary charges based on volume of bookings, which can drive costs up as you grow.
How much do these platforms charge for gift card transactions?
ResDiary applies a 3% surcharge on gift vouchers on top of its subscription, plus a 1.2% surcharge on deposits and payments. Now Book It builds gift cards into the platform with a flat 1.99% transaction fee.
Does ResDiary have an AI phone receptionist? No, not natively. Voice AI requires a separate third-party add-on on ResDiary.
Ready to see what AI reporting and an AI receptionist works under one flat fee with your reservation system? Book a demo with Now Book It today.
