ChowNow alternatives for restaurants in 2026

By the Nomback team, who build ordering apps for independent restaurants · Updated October 18, 2026 · Sources

The main ChowNow alternatives are Nomback ($99 a month), UpMenu ($49 to $169, plus $49 for an app), GloriaFood (free for website ordering), Menufy ($149 to $179), Square for Restaurants ($0 to $149) and Owner.com ($249 or $499). ChowNow itself starts at $229 to $249 a month on its Launch plan, plus a $119 to $499 setup fee and a 2.95% + $0.29 transaction fee, with Grow and Elevate plans above that. For a branded app with loyalty, Nomback and UpMenu are the lowest published prices. For website ordering only, GloriaFood and Square cost the least. All prices are from each company's pricing page, October 2026.

How much does ChowNow cost?

ChowNow lists Launch at $229 / $249, Grow at $319 / $349 and Elevate at $409 / $449 a month, a $119 to $499 setup fee, a 2.95% + $0.29 transaction fee, $99 a year for Apple on branded apps, and Flex Delivery at $7.98 per order (ChowNow pricing). The page shows two prices per plan without saying which is annual and which is monthly billing.

What is the cheapest alternative to ChowNow?

GloriaFood, which is free for website ordering and $29 a month for online card payments (GloriaFood). For a branded iPhone and Android app with a stamp card, the lowest published prices are UpMenu at $98 a month with its app module and Nomback at $99 a month.

Which ChowNow alternatives include a branded app?

Nomback, UpMenu (with its $49 app module) and Owner.com list an app under the restaurant's own name. GloriaFood offers one as a paid extra. Square for Restaurants gives an ordering page, not a branded app.

System	Monthly	Per-order fee	Branded app
Nomback	$99 ($399 setup)	None	Yes
UpMenu	$49 to $169, app +$49	None within limits	With add-on
GloriaFood	$0, or $29 for online payments	None	Paid extra
Menufy	$179, or $149 on 12 months	None	Not listed
Square for Restaurants	$0, $49 or $149	Card fee only	No
ChowNow	$229 to $249 and up	2.95% + $0.29	Yes
Owner.com	$249 or $499	5% on $249 plan, plus 5% guest fee	Yes

Is ChowNow commission-free?

ChowNow doesn't charge a percentage commission like DoorDash, but it does charge a 2.95% + $0.29 transaction fee on orders. Nomback, GloriaFood, UpMenu and Menufy list no per-order fee beyond normal card processing.

How do I switch from ChowNow?

Check the contract term first, then set up the new system before turning the old one off so regulars never hit a dead link. Update the order link on Google Business, Instagram and the restaurant's website, and put a card in every bag for a few weeks telling customers where to order now.

Year one: ChowNow Launch vs Nomback

Using the lowest published numbers. ChowNow: $119 setup + 12 × $229 = $2,867, before its 2.95% + $0.29 transaction fee. Nomback: $399 setup + 12 × $99 = $1,587, before card processing. Both need Apple's $99 a year for an iPhone app. Full table: online ordering systems compared.

See it with your restaurant's name on it. Type the name into the 10 second demo and it turns into your own app. When you're ready, start your app.

Sources

Prices and fees were checked on October 18, 2026. They change, so check the source before you decide.