Best Grubhub Alternatives for Restaurants
Explore commission-free alternatives that help you escape 15-34% fees and build lasting customer relationships.
10 min read
Updated Jan 1, 2026
2,550 words
Table of Contents
Introduction
Why Look for Grubhub Alternatives
Quick Comparison
Top Alternatives
Feature Comparison
Pricing Breakdown
How to Switch
FAQs
Grubhub is one of the pioneering food delivery platforms, serving millions of diners across the United States. While Grubhub provides valuable customer reach and delivery infrastructure, the platform's business model increasingly challenges restaurant profitability. With commission rates between 15-34% per order—among the highest in the industry—plus marketing fees, service charges, and limited control over customer relationships, many restaurants are seeking alternatives that offer better economics and direct customer connections. For restaurants processing $35,000 monthly through Grubhub at a 30% commission, that's $10,500/month or $126,000 annually in fees. Smart restaurant owners are discovering commission-free alternatives that let them keep 100% of order revenue while building their own customer base.
Why Restaurants Look for Grubhub Alternatives
Exceptionally High Commission Rates (15-34%)
Grubhub charges some of the highest commission rates in the industry, ranging from 15% to 34% depending on service level. Most restaurants pay 25-30%, which eliminates profit margins entirely on delivery orders.
💡 A restaurant earning $40,000/month through Grubhub at 30% commission pays $12,000/month = $144,000/year in fees.
Complete Lack of Customer Data Access
Grubhub retains all customer information. Restaurants cannot build email lists, contact repeat customers, or create loyalty programs with Grubhub diners. This prevents relationship building and repeat business cultivation.
💡 Research shows acquiring a new customer costs 5-7x more than retaining an existing one, making customer data invaluable.
Forced Platform Promotions
Grubhub regularly runs platform-wide promotions that restaurants must honor, cutting margins even further. You have minimal control over discounting strategy or promotional timing.
Declining Restaurant Priority
After merging with Just Eat Takeaway, Grubhub's focus has shifted. Restaurant partners report declining support quality, reduced account management, and feeling deprioritized as the platform focuses on corporate partnerships.
Additional Marketing Fees
Beyond base commission, Grubhub charges extra for promoted placement, priority ranking, and sponsored listings. These marketing fees can add $0.75-$2.50 per order to your costs.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Grubhub | RestauNax | DoorDash | ChowNow |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Commission Rate | 15-34% | 0% | 15-30% | 0% |
| Monthly Fee | $0 | $99/mo | $0 | $149/mo |
| Customer Data | ❌ None | ✅ Full access | ❌ None | ✅ Full access |
| Branded Apps | ❌ No | ✅ iOS & Android | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| Marketing Tools | Pay extra | Included | Pay extra | Email only |
| Platform Control | Limited | Complete | Limited | Complete |
Top Grubhub Alternatives for 2026
1. RestauNax
Zero-commission online ordering with branded mobile apps, comprehensive customer data ownership, and built-in marketing automation. Ideal for restaurants wanting to maximize revenue and build direct customer loyalty.
Pricing
$99/month, unlimited orders, 0% commission
Best For
Independent restaurants focused on profitability and customer ownership
Pros
• 0% commission - keep 100% of order value
• Full customer database with contact info and behavior
• Branded iOS & Android apps in your name
• Integrated loyalty, email & SMS marketing
• Seamless POS integration (Toast, Square, Clover, etc.)
• Real-time analytics and reporting
• Push notification capabilities
• White-glove onboarding and training
Cons
• Monthly subscription cost
• Self-driven customer acquisition
• Delivery management (own drivers or third-party)
2. ChowNow
Commission-free platform focused on branded ordering experiences. Strong Google Food Ordering and Facebook integrations for discoverability without marketplace fees.
Pricing
$149/month + $399 one-time setup
Best For
Restaurants with established local customer base
Pros
• Zero commission fees
• Branded ordering experience
• Google Food Ordering integration
• Facebook/Instagram ordering
• Marketing templates provided
• Customer data ownership
Cons
• Higher monthly cost
• Setup fee required
• Limited app functionality vs RestauNax
• Email marketing only
• Fewer POS integrations
3. Toast Online Ordering
Direct ordering add-on for Toast POS users. Best for restaurants already in the Toast ecosystem seeking commission-free online ordering.
Pricing
$50/month (requires Toast POS)
Best For
Existing Toast POS customers
Pros
• Perfect Toast POS integration
• Commission-free orders
• Unified reporting
• Included in premium Toast plans
Cons
• Requires Toast POS commitment
• No mobile apps
• Basic marketing features
• Total cost includes Toast fees ($119-234/month)
4. Owner.com
Comprehensive restaurant commerce platform with commission-free ordering, advanced marketing automation, and customer acquisition tools.
Pricing
$99-299/month tiered
Best For
Multi-location restaurants wanting full marketing suite
Pros
• Commission-free ordering
• Advanced marketing automation
• Full customer data platform
• Google Ads integration
• Multi-location support
Cons
• Higher tiers for advanced features
• Complex for single locations
• Steeper learning curve
5. Square Online for Restaurants
Simple online ordering for Square POS users. Good entry-level option for small restaurants starting with direct ordering.
Pricing
Free-$72/month
Best For
Small restaurants using Square POS
Pros
• Free basic plan
• Easy Square integration
• Simple setup
• Low cost
Cons
• Limited restaurant features
• No branded apps
• Basic marketing
• Better for retail
6. Hybrid Approach (Grubhub + Direct)
Maintain Grubhub for discovery while building direct ordering channel. Gradually migrate customers to commission-free platform.
Pricing
Grubhub commission + platform fee
Best For
Restaurants in transition from Grubhub
Pros
• Keep Grubhub customer reach
• Build direct channel simultaneously
• Lower transition risk
• Test direct ordering
Cons
• Pay both platforms temporarily
• Dual system management
• 3-6 month transition period
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use both Grubhub and RestauNax?
Yes. Most restaurants keep Grubhub initially for discovery while building direct ordering through RestauNax. This reduces risk during transition.
How do I convince customers to switch from Grubhub?
Offer better value: 10-15% off, loyalty points, exclusive items. In-store promotion works best. Customers appreciate supporting restaurants directly.
What's the realistic savings?
Restaurant doing $30,000/month at 30% Grubhub commission pays $108,000/year. RestauNax costs $1,188/year—saving $106,812 annually.
Will I lose orders without Grubhub?
Initially maybe, but restaurants actively promoting direct ordering typically exceed previous volume within 90 days while keeping significantly more revenue.
Is setup complicated?
No. Most restaurants are live in 3-5 days. We handle POS integration, provide staff training, and offer ongoing support.
Ready to Make the Switch?
Join thousands of restaurants that switched to RestauNax and started keeping 100% of their revenue.