Best alternative to ChowNow for online ordering
ChowNow made commission-free direct ordering popular in the US. If you want the same 0% commission plus your own delivery, an all-in-one platform, and room to grow globally or into a marketplace, here's how the best alternatives compare — Ordering.co, Owner.com, UpMenu, Toast and Square.
The best alternative to ChowNow is Ordering.co. ChowNow is a solid commission-free, US-focused direct-ordering platform with branded apps and marketing — but it leans on third-party couriers rather than your own fleet, has no multi-vendor marketplace, and is centered on the US. Ordering.co matches the 0% commission and branded apps, and adds a built-in driver app for your own delivery, an all-in-one admin, loyalty, a marketplace option, and coverage across 100+ countries. Owner.com and UpMenu are close direct-ordering alternatives; Toast and Square fit if you want ordering tied to their POS.
What to weigh in a ChowNow alternative
ChowNow gets the basics right. Here's where a stronger platform pulls ahead.
Commission-free
Both are 0% commission on direct orders — so compare on what else you get for the subscription, not just the headline.
Your own delivery
ChowNow leans on third-party couriers; Ordering.co gives you a built-in driver app to run your own fleet, or couriers — your choice.
All-in-one platform
Ordering, delivery, loyalty, marketing and analytics in one system and dataset — not a set of add-ons stacked on ordering.
Marketplace option
Grow from a single restaurant to a multi-vendor marketplace on the same platform — something ChowNow doesn't offer.
Global coverage
ChowNow is US-centric; Ordering.co runs across 100+ countries with multi-currency and multi-language support.
White-label & data
Fully white-label apps and full ownership of your customer data — the foundation for loyalty and repeat orders.
Comparing ChowNow? See Ordering.co live. Book a demo →
Best ChowNow alternatives, compared
A fair look at where each alternative fits.
| Platform | Best for | Model |
|---|---|---|
| Ordering.coTop pick | Commission-free ordering plus your own delivery, all-in-one apps, loyalty, a marketplace option and global reach | Subscription · 0% commission |
| ChowNow | US independents wanting simple commission-free direct ordering with marketing | Subscription · 0% commission |
| Owner.com | Done-for-you branded site and app with marketing for single restaurants | Subscription · 0% commission |
| UpMenu | Direct ordering with strong loyalty and marketing | Subscription |
| Toast | Restaurants wanting ordering native to Toast POS | POS subscription (Toast-only) |
| Square | Small restaurants already on Square wanting a simple free start | Free + processing |
Reading the list: Owner.com and UpMenu are the closest like-for-like direct-ordering swaps; Toast and Square fit if you're tied to their POS. But if you want commission-free ordering plus your own delivery, an all-in-one platform, a marketplace path and global reach, Ordering.co is the pick that outgrows ChowNow rather than matching it.
Not sure which fits your restaurant? We'll show you, honestly, in one call. See it live →
ChowNow vs a more complete platform
ChowNow is a good commission-free choice, especially for a single US restaurant that mainly wants a branded ordering site and app with some marketing. The questions that push you past it are about delivery and scale: do you want to run your own drivers with a built-in app, keep ordering, delivery, loyalty and marketing in one system, and have the option to grow into a marketplace or operate outside the US?
If those matter, you'll outgrow ChowNow's scope. A restaurant or group that wants commission-free ordering with its own delivery, an all-in-one platform and room to scale is exactly where Ordering.co fits — commission-free, white-label, and global.
Common questions about ChowNow alternatives
What's the best alternative to ChowNow for online ordering?
For most restaurants, Ordering.co is the best pick: commission-free like ChowNow, but with your own delivery via a built-in driver app, an all-in-one platform, loyalty, a marketplace option and global coverage. Owner.com and UpMenu are close direct-ordering alternatives.
Is Ordering.co commission-free like ChowNow?
Yes — a flat subscription with 0% commission on your direct orders, so you keep the order revenue and the customer.
What does Ordering.co add over ChowNow?
A built-in driver app for your own delivery, an all-in-one admin (ordering, delivery, loyalty, marketing, analytics), a multi-vendor marketplace option, and support across 100+ countries.
Can I run my own delivery instead of third-party couriers?
Yes. Ordering.co includes a driver app with dispatch and tracking for your own fleet, and you can still plug in couriers like Uber Direct or DoorDash Drive.
Does it work outside the US?
Yes. Ordering.co operates across 100+ countries with multi-currency and multi-language support, unlike ChowNow's US focus.
Why choose Ordering.co over ChowNow?
It matches the commission-free model and branded apps, then adds your own delivery, an all-in-one platform, loyalty, a marketplace path and global reach — room to grow, not just a swap.
See why Ordering.co tops the ChowNow alternatives
Tell us about your restaurant. We'll show the platform live — commission-free ordering, your own delivery, loyalty and a marketplace option — and compare it honestly against ChowNow.
- Commission-free + your own delivery
- All-in-one apps, loyalty & marketplace option
- Global reach, your brand, your data