If you've ever tried to book a popular restaurant, you've probably used Resy, OpenTable, or both. But which one should you focus on? And more importantly, which one actually helps you score those impossible reservations?
The short answer: use both. But there are strategic differences worth understanding. This guide breaks down everything from restaurant coverage to alert systems to rewards programs.
Platform Overview
What Is Resy?
Resy launched in 2014 and was acquired by American Express in 2019. It's known for:
- • Trendy, buzzworthy restaurants
- • Clean, modern interface
- • Amex cardholder perks (Priority Notify, Global Dining Access)
- • Popular in NYC, LA, and major food cities
What Is OpenTable?
OpenTable has been around since 1998, making it the granddaddy of online reservations. It offers:
- • Largest restaurant network globally
- • Dining Points rewards program
- • Broader coverage (chains to fine dining)
- • Strong presence in suburbs and smaller cities
Head-to-Head Comparison
| Feature | Resy | OpenTable |
|---|---|---|
| Restaurant Count | ~16,000 | ~60,000+ |
| Hot Restaurants | ||
| Points/Rewards | ||
| Native Alert System | Notify | Waitlist |
| Credit Card Perks | Amex Priority | Limited |
| App Quality | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
Alert Systems Compared
For hard-to-book restaurants, the alert/notification system is critical. Here's how each platform handles it:
Resy Notify
- Tap "Notify Me" for specific time slots
- Priority Notify for Amex cardholders (earlier notifications)
- Can be slow or delayed for popular restaurants
- Thousands of others on the same notify list
OpenTable Waitlist
- Join waitlist for specific dates
- Email notifications when tables open
- Notification timing varies by restaurant
- No SMS option
Why Both Fall Short
The fundamental problem: when a hot restaurant has a cancellation, thousands of people on the notify list get alerted at roughly the same time. The table is gone in seconds.
Native platform alerts also don't check as frequently as dedicated monitoring services. A table might open and be rebooked before the platform even sends a notification.
Popular Restaurants Across Both Platforms
Monitor your favorites regardless of which platform they use.
Monitor Both Platforms in One Place
ReservationFinder checks Resy, OpenTable, Tock, and SevenRooms around the clock and alerts you instantly when tables open.
Rewards & Perks
OpenTable Dining Points
OpenTable's biggest advantage is its rewards program:
- • Earn 100 points per standard reservation honored
- • 1,000 points = $10 dining credit
- • Bonus point promotions (500-1,000 points for certain restaurants)
- • Points expire after 12 months of inactivity
Pro tip: You still earn OpenTable points when you book through a ReservationFinder alert—you're completing the booking on OpenTable directly.
Resy Amex Perks
Resy doesn't have a points program, but American Express cardholders get:
- • Priority Notify: Earlier access to cancellation notifications
- • Global Dining Access: Exclusive reservations at select restaurants
- • Amex Offers: Statement credits at partner restaurants
The Verdict: Which Should You Use?
Use Resy If:
- • You're targeting trendy, Instagram-famous restaurants
- • You have an American Express card
- • You prefer a cleaner app experience
- • You're in a major food city (NYC, LA, Chicago, SF)
Use OpenTable If:
- • You want to earn dining rewards
- • You need broader geographic coverage
- • You book at chain restaurants or suburbs
- • You value the largest selection
The Real Answer: Use Both
Restaurants typically partner exclusively with one platform. That trendy Italian spot might be Resy-only while the fine dining steakhouse uses OpenTable. For maximum access, use both platforms.
Better yet: use a service like ReservationFinder to monitor both platforms (plus SevenRooms) from a single dashboard. Set up alerts once and get notified regardless of which platform the restaurant uses.
Don't Choose — Monitor Both
ReservationFinder tracks Resy, OpenTable, Tock, and SevenRooms in one place. Get alerts around the clock, faster than either native platform.
Start Tracking Restaurants — FreeFrequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Resy and OpenTable?
Resy is owned by American Express and popular with trendy, buzzy restaurants (Carbone, Lilia, Don Angie). OpenTable is the larger platform with 60,000+ restaurants and a loyalty points program. Restaurants typically partner with only one platform, so you may need both apps to cover all your favorite spots.
Is Resy or OpenTable better?
Neither is universally better — it depends on which restaurants you want to book. Resy has stronger coverage of in-demand, hard-to-book restaurants in major cities. OpenTable has broader coverage, a rewards points program, and Visa Dining Collection perks. Most serious diners use both.
Can I use both Resy and OpenTable?
Absolutely! Many diners use both platforms since restaurants often partner exclusively with one or the other. Using a service like ReservationFinder lets you monitor both platforms (plus Tock and SevenRooms) in one place.
What about Tock vs Resy vs OpenTable?
Tock is a third platform popular with high-end tasting menu restaurants (Alinea, Atomix, The French Laundry). Unlike Resy and OpenTable, Tock uses a prepaid ticket model where you pay upfront. Many of the hardest-to-book restaurants in the US are on Tock. ReservationFinder monitors all three platforms.
Does Amex work with OpenTable?
Amex's primary restaurant partnership is with Resy (which Amex owns). However, OpenTable partners with Visa through the Visa Dining Collection, giving Visa Infinite cardholders access to exclusive prime-time reservations at 800+ restaurants.
Do OpenTable points expire?
OpenTable points expire if your account is inactive for 12 months. Points can be redeemed for dining rewards (1,000 points = $10). Resy does not have a points program.
Which platform has faster cancellation alerts?
Neither native platform is particularly fast—both Resy Notify and OpenTable Notify Me send mass alerts to all waiting users simultaneously. For the fastest alerts, use a third-party service like ReservationFinder that checks around the clock and typically detects openings before either platform sends its notification.