Chownow Online Ordering vs. RoomOrders:
Which Is Right for You?

The Decision

Choosing between ChowNow Online Ordering and RoomOrders hinges on understanding your hotel’s specific needs and operational context. Both platforms aim to streamline mobile and room service orders, but they serve different hotel types and priorities. ChowNow is primarily a restaurant-focused solution, offering commission-free online ordering, while RoomOrders targets hotels seeking a comprehensive F&B ecosystem that integrates multiple on-site and off-site services.

Your team must evaluate whether you need a straightforward online ordering system or a more expansive digital ecosystem for various guest interactions. How do these capabilities match your property’s size, guest experience goals, and operational complexity?

Is ChowNow or RoomOrders Better for Hotels?

ChowNow specializes in restaurant online ordering, making it ideal if your property operates a standalone restaurant or dining outlet. It emphasizes commission-free, customizable online menus for pickup, delivery, and dine-in, focusing heavily on direct-to-consumer digital ordering.

In contrast, RoomOrders offers a multi-faceted F&B ecosystem designed to integrate guest mobile ordering across multiple on-site facilities and external vendors—like golf courses, marinas, and nearby restaurants—making it more suitable for resorts and large hotels with diverse service offerings.

Where your hotel’s core focus is on restaurant orders alone, ChowNow might suffice. But if you seek a broader, integrated system that covers multiple guest touchpoints, RoomOrders is the more comprehensive choice.

RoomOrders vs ChowNow: Which Should Your Hotel Choose?

If your hotel needs a straightforward, commission-free online ordering platform for your restaurant or food outlets, ChowNow is the better fit. Its simple setup and focus on restaurant delivery and pickup make it ideal for boutique hotels, inns, or properties with dedicated dining spaces.

However, if your property requires a comprehensive F&B solution that connects multiple facilities and external vendors—such as villas, marinas, or resorts—RoomOrders provides a more extensive feature set. Its ability to manage on-property and off-property services through a unified platform makes it preferable for larger, service-diverse properties.

For hotels prioritizing ease of use and quick deployment, ChowNow’s minimal feature set might be sufficient. But for those seeking detailed management, advanced integrations, and broad vendor connectivity, RoomOrders is the clear choice.

Is ChowNow or RoomOrders Easier to Use?

RoomOrders outperforms ChowNow in ease of use, with a review-based user rating of 4.89/5 and support ratings of 4.86/5, compared to ChowNow’s 0/5 scores. Users praise RoomOrders for its intuitive, user-friendly interface, straightforward setup, and prompt support—making onboarding less burdensome for staff.

ChowNow, lacking recent reviews and a high user rating, does not have comparable feedback on usability. Its limited review data suggests it may not be as tailored for the hospitality sector, potentially posing a steeper learning curve.

Edge: RoomOrders.

Which Has Better Features: ChowNow or RoomOrders?

RoomOrders offers a significantly larger feature set—16 exclusive features—covering QR codes, NFC, vendor management, multiple payment options including Apple Pay and Google Pay, POS integration, delivery logistics, scheduling, upselling, and cross-venue payment splitting. ChowNow offers no unique features beyond basic online ordering.

ChowNow’s limited feature set makes it suitable for simple restaurant ordering but insufficient for complex, multi-service hotel environments. RoomOrders’ extensive functionalities provide greater operational flexibility, especially when managing multiple amenities and external vendors.

Edge: RoomOrders.

Which Has Better Customer Support: ChowNow or RoomOrders?

RoomOrders scores highly in support, with a 4.86/5 rating and recent positive reviews emphasizing prompt, attentive service. Users highlight its quick responsiveness and effective help with onboarding and troubleshooting.

ChowNow’s support rating is unavailable, and the absence of recent reviews or detailed feedback suggests it may not be as well-supported in a hospitality context. If reliable, responsive support is critical, RoomOrders clearly has the edge.

Edge: RoomOrders.

Which Has More Integrations: ChowNow or RoomOrders?

RoomOrders boasts one verified integration with Stripe, along with numerous proprietary features, but has only a single verified partner overall. ChowNow has no verified integrations listed, limiting its connectivity options.

For hotels seeking seamless POS and payment system integration, RoomOrders’ existing partner ecosystem, including Stripe, offers some operational advantages. ChowNow’s lack of integrations restricts its potential for automation and efficiency.

Edge: RoomOrders.

Which Do Hoteliers Rate Higher: ChowNow or RoomOrders?

RoomOrders receives a high overall rating of 4.79/5 based on 28 reviews, with recent feedback emphasizing its ease of use, support, and feature richness. It’s favored across various property types, including resorts, which rate it an average of 5/5.

ChowNow, with no existing reviews or recent data, cannot be reliably rated. Its lack of hotel-specific feedback suggests it’s not as well-adopted or suited for hospitality needs.

Edge: RoomOrders.

How Much Do ChowNow and RoomOrders Cost?

Both products do not publicly disclose detailed pricing structures or offer free plans, suggesting they may tailor costs based on individual property size and needs. Neither platform provides trial options, making direct comparison difficult.

Given the absence of transparent pricing, your hotel should inquire directly for quotes and packages, especially considering RoomOrders’ extensive feature set and integrations that may influence costs.

What Type of Hotel Should Use ChowNow?

• Hotels that operate a standalone restaurant or dining outlet seeking a simple, commission-free online ordering solution.
• Boutique hotels or inns with limited F&B operations needing easy-to-deploy menu management.
• Small properties with local or casual dining focus aiming to increase direct orders without third-party fees.
• Teams that prioritize straightforward online ordering for pickup or delivery over integrated on-site services.

Not ideal if your hotel requires multi-service integrations, complex guest interactions, or extensive vendor management. Larger resorts or properties with multiple amenities should look toward more comprehensive platforms.

What Type of Hotel Should Use RoomOrders?

• Resorts, large hotels, and properties offering multiple on-site amenities like marinas, golf courses, or event spaces.
• Hotels seeking an all-in-one F&B management system that connects multiple facilities, vendors, and guests’ devices.
• Properties without in-house kitchens that want to outsource or integrate external food vendors seamlessly.
• Hotels aiming to enhance guest experience with contactless ordering, real-time menu updates, and upselling opportunities across various services.

Not ideal if your hotel has minimal F&B needs or prefers simple restaurant ordering without broader operational management. Small boutique properties may find RoomOrders overly complex or unnecessary.

RoomOrders vs ChowNow: The Bottom Line for Hotels

RoomOrders stands out as the more comprehensive, well-rated, and feature-rich solution, supported by recent reviews and high user satisfaction. Its ability to connect multiple services and vendors makes it suitable for larger, service-diverse hotels.

Choose ChowNow if your needs are limited to a straightforward, commission-free online ordering system for your restaurant, with minimal integration or operational complexity. It’s best for smaller properties focused solely on their dining outlets.

For hotels aiming to modernize guest F&B experiences with a broad, flexible digital ecosystem, RoomOrders delivers the most value. If simplicity, advanced features, and scalability matter most, it’s the recommended choice.

In summary: RoomOrders is the more supported, feature-rich, and highly-rated solution, making it the better pick for most larger or multi-service hotels. ChowNow works best if your focus is on a simple, standalone restaurant ordering platform without complex integrations or expansion plans.