Bistro vs Menubly
Menubly is a clean digital menu and online ordering builder, and it has a free tier. Bistro covers the same ground and adds per-table QR, pay-at-table, tip tracking, reservations, and an AI agent that answers your phone, for restaurants that need a real floor OS.
7-day trial. No card required. Menu plans from $9/month after your trial.
What to consider
Competitor details are dated information. Confirm current terms directly with the provider before purchasing.
Information recorded: July 2026
| Criteria | Bistro | Menubly |
|---|---|---|
| Plans | $9 to $180. No free tier. | Free forever $0, Pro $9.99, Custom on quote. |
| Annual billing | 2 months free on every plan. | $95.99/yr on Pro (about 20% off), 1 month free trial. |
| Hardware required | None. | None. |
| QR per table with diner pay | Yes. One code per table, diners pay from their phone via Stripe Connect. | One shared QR for the whole menu, not per table. Diners show their cart to a waiter to order. No tableside payment. |
| Online ordering (pickup, delivery) | Coming soon as a separate feature. | Included on every plan, including Free. |
| Pay-at-table tip tracking per waiter | Included on Multi and Full Bistro OS. | Not advertised, no public documentation. |
| Team management and table assignments | Included on Multi and Full Bistro OS. | Not advertised, no public documentation. |
| Reservations | Table and event bookings, with optional deposits. | Not offered. |
| AI phone agent | An AI agent can answer calls and book tables or events. Voice requires separate activation and usage charges. | Not offered. |
| Multiple menus and locations | Up to 5 on Multi. Unlimited on Full Bistro OS. | 1 menu and 1 QR on Pro. Unlimited menus and codes on Custom. |
| Weekly menus and meal periods | Included on every plan. | Not advertised. No menu scheduling in their docs. |
| Menu import from a photo | AI import on Pro and up, instant and self-serve. | Their team converts a PDF or photo menu for you, free, typically within 24 hours. |
| Per-transaction fee | No platform fee on pay at table. Reservation deposits carry 1% + $1.00, paid by the guest. Stripe processing on top. | Menubly says no commission. Stripe processing fees still apply. |
Menubly pricing and features verified July 2026 against menubly.com and their help center. Rows marked "not advertised" mean the feature appears nowhere in their public docs, not that Menubly states it is unavailable. Check menubly.com for current details.
Menu and QR features are available by plan. Photo import is included in the trial; voice service requires separate activation.
Choose the tools your restaurant needs.
Pick Bistro if
- You run a real dine-in floor: tables, waiters, tips, multiple locations.
- You want pay-at-table where the tip is automatically logged against the assigned waiter.
- You want reservations, or an AI agent answering your phone and booking events.
- You'll grow into multiple locations and want one dashboard from day one.
Pick Menubly if
- You only need a digital menu plus online ordering for pickup and delivery.
- You're a takeout-first shop with no waiters and no per-table service.
- You want to start free, or you only need one menu and one QR code.
Let your guests see what’s on the menu.
Create your restaurant, add your dishes and share your first QR. Seven days to try it, with no card required.
Menu plans from $9/month after your trial.