TL;DR: Free Unlimited vs Flat-Fee Subscription
GloriaFood and ChowNow both serve restaurants wanting commission-free online ordering, but they take opposite economic approaches. GloriaFood is free unlimited — Oracle-backed since 2021, unlimited orders, unlimited locations, no monthly fee, with optional paid add-ons ($9–$59/month) for things like a sales-optimized website or branded mobile app. ChowNow is flat-fee subscription — typically $149/month per location with no commissions on orders, plus a one-time $549 setup fee. ChowNow bundles in marketing services, customer SMS, and a more polished restaurant-branded app experience.
Operators evaluating these two are usually deciding between 'generous free tier with ugly UI' (GloriaFood) and 'premium polished app with monthly fee' (ChowNow). Both compete with third-party aggregators like UberEats and DoorDash that charge 15–30% commissions. The honest answer for many restaurants: neither is needed — the third-option lane (display-only menu plus existing aggregator presence) is structurally cheaper. Disclosure: I'm Ahmad Tayyem, founder of Menujo. I'll cover where each genuinely wins.
GloriaFood vs ChowNow Quick Comparison
Two commission-free ordering platforms, very different economics
| Feature | GloriaFood | ChowNow |
|---|---|---|
| Free tier | Yes — unlimited orders | No (free trial only) |
| Monthly fee | $0 (free) / $9+ (add-ons) | ~$149/mo per location |
| Setup fee | $0 | ~$549 one-time |
| Commission per order | No | No |
| Branded mobile app | $59/mo (paid add-on) | Yes |
| Marketing services | DIY | Done-for-you (included) |
| Multi-location | Unlimited free | Per-location pricing |
| Owned by | Oracle (since 2021) | Independent (Toast acquired in 2024 — verify status) |
| UI polish | Functional, dated | Polished, modern |
| Best for | Cost-sensitive operators | Restaurants prioritizing brand experience |
GloriaFood: Free Unlimited Ordering
What you get for free
GloriaFood's free tier is the most generous in the restaurant ordering category. Unlimited orders, unlimited locations, no commissions, no monthly fees. The free plan covers website ordering widgets, Facebook ordering, QR-code dine-in menus, table reservations, basic promotions, and reporting. Oracle acquired GloriaFood in 2021 and has continued investing in the free-tier-led growth model.
The realistic cost with paid add-ons
Most operators end up paying for at least one add-on:
- Sales-Optimized Restaurant Website — $9/month. Adds a polished restaurant-branded website rather than the generic GloriaFood-hosted ordering page.
- Credit-card payments — $29/month. Adds the integrated payment processor; without this, you're collecting payments at pickup or via a separate processor.
- Branded mobile app — $59/month. Your-restaurant-name iOS and Android app rather than ordering through a website.
- POS system — $49/month. GloriaFood's POS module.
A typical small restaurant ends up at $30–$80/month once payments and a website are added. Still cheaper than ChowNow's $149/month flat fee, but not the '$0/month forever' that GloriaFood's homepage suggests.
Where GloriaFood wins
Three scenarios: (1) you operate multiple locations and the unlimited-locations free tier matters more than UI polish; (2) you don't need card payments — cash, regional payment apps, or a separate reader covers payments; (3) you're cost-sensitive and willing to live with GloriaFood's functional-but-dated interface. The free tier is genuinely the cheapest path to commission-free online ordering.
Where GloriaFood doesn't fit
The interface feels dated by 2026 standards. Customization on the free tier is limited (you live with GloriaFood's default colors and layout). The branded mobile app at $59/month is not competitive on price for what you get. Customer support is email-only, with self-serve documentation.
ChowNow: The Flat-Fee Subscription
What you get on the standard plan
ChowNow's pricing has historically been a flat $149/month per location with a $549 one-time setup fee. The plan includes a polished restaurant-branded ordering website, a branded iOS and Android mobile app for the restaurant, customer SMS communication, marketing services (campaigns the ChowNow team runs on your behalf), reporting, and integration with leading POS systems. There are no commissions on orders.
Note: ChowNow's ownership status is in flux as of writing. Toast announced an acquisition of ChowNow in 2024; the integration with Toast is ongoing. Verify current pricing and ownership at chownow.com before signing.
Where ChowNow wins
Three scenarios: (1) you want a polished, modern, restaurant-branded ordering experience that's on par with what UberEats and DoorDash provide — but commission-free; (2) you want done-for-you marketing rather than running campaigns yourself; (3) you're a single-location operator where the $149/month flat fee is offset by avoiding 15–30% commissions on $5,000+/month delivery volume. The ChowNow brand experience is materially better polished than GloriaFood's.
The pricing math vs aggregators
The case for ChowNow is the commission math vs UberEats/DoorDash. If you're doing $5,000/month in delivery volume on UberEats at 25% commission, that's $1,250/month in commissions. ChowNow at $149/month plus the $549 setup is dramatically cheaper. The case breaks down if your delivery volume is lower — under $1,000/month in delivery, the commission savings don't cover ChowNow's flat fee.
Where ChowNow doesn't fit
The $149/month per location plus $549 setup is real money for cost-sensitive operators. The flat fee doesn't scale economically until you're doing meaningful order volume. The marketing services component is good if you want done-for-you, but if you're willing to run your own campaigns, you're paying for capabilities you won't fully use. And the restaurant-branded app is genuinely valuable only if you have a customer base that would download it (most independent restaurants don't — most customers won't download an app for one specific restaurant).
Annual Cost Math
Single-location independent, varying delivery volume scenarios
| Scenario | GloriaFood Free | GloriaFood + Payments | ChowNow |
|---|---|---|---|
| Software (year 1) | $0 | $348 | ~$2,337 ($1,788 sub + $549 setup) |
| Cost at $1K/mo delivery | $0 | $348 | ~$2,337 |
| Cost at $5K/mo delivery | $0 | $348 | ~$2,337 |
| Cost at $10K/mo delivery | $0 | $348 | ~$2,337 |
| Same volume on UberEats (25%) | $3,000 | $15,000 | $30,000 (commissions on $10K/mo) |
What the Math Means
Both GloriaFood and ChowNow win against third-party aggregators (UberEats, DoorDash) once you're doing meaningful direct-delivery volume. The choice between GloriaFood and ChowNow comes down to how much polish you're willing to pay for. GloriaFood at $0–$348/year is the cheapest commission-free ordering option in the category. ChowNow at $2,337+/year is more expensive but materially more polished.
The breakeven analysis: if you're doing under $500/month in direct online ordering, both platforms are economically over-built — your customers can call in orders or use third-party aggregators where the platform costs you nothing fixed. If you're doing $500–$5,000/month in direct online ordering, GloriaFood at $0–$30/month covers the workflow at minimal cost. If you're doing $5,000+/month and want a polished branded experience, ChowNow at $149/month is justified.
When to Choose GloriaFood
Three concrete scenarios where GloriaFood is the right answer.
1. Multi-location operator on a budget
GloriaFood's unlimited-locations free tier is unmatched. A 5-location chain pays $0 in software fees. ChowNow at $149/month per location is $9,000/year. The cost difference is dramatic; the trade-off is the dated UI versus ChowNow's polish.
2. You don't need integrated card processing
If your model is cash, regional payment apps, or a separate card reader, GloriaFood Free covers everything you need at $0/month. ChowNow's integrated payments are bundled in but you're paying for them whether you use them or not.
3. You're cost-sensitive and willing to manage your own marketing
ChowNow's marketing services are valuable if you want done-for-you. GloriaFood's self-serve approach is cheaper if you have the time. For operators running their own Instagram and Google Business Profile, GloriaFood plus ten minutes of weekly social posting beats ChowNow's done-for-you marketing on cost.
When to Choose ChowNow
Three scenarios where ChowNow's flat fee makes sense.
1. Single-location with $5,000+/month delivery volume
The commission savings vs UberEats/DoorDash justify ChowNow's flat fee at this volume. $5,000/month at 25% commission is $1,250/month going to the aggregator; ChowNow at $149/month captures most of that back. Above $5,000/month delivery volume, the math accelerates.
2. You want a polished branded experience
ChowNow's restaurant-branded mobile app and ordering website are materially more polished than GloriaFood's functional-but-dated interface. For restaurants where brand presentation matters — fine dining, premium-casual, hospitality-driven concepts — the polish is worth the price premium.
3. You want done-for-you marketing
ChowNow includes marketing campaigns the team runs on your behalf — email campaigns, SMS to existing customers, promotional offers. If you don't have time or interest in running your own marketing, ChowNow's included service is a real differentiator. GloriaFood doesn't have an equivalent.
The Third Option: When You Don't Need Direct Ordering
The unspoken truth about GloriaFood vs ChowNow: both are direct-ordering platforms competing with third-party aggregators. If your direct-online-ordering volume is low (under $500/month) or you're happy letting aggregators handle delivery while you focus on dine-in and pickup, neither platform makes economic sense.
Three signals you're in this third-option lane:
- Most of your delivery volume happens through UberEats, DoorDash, or Grubhub — and you're fine with that
- Direct online ordering is a small fraction of revenue (under $500/month or 5% of total)
- Your menu's primary job is to be visible to customers reading it before they order verbally or via aggregators
If two or more match, both GloriaFood and ChowNow are over-built. The right answer is a display-only digital menu — Menujo (free or $7/month) — paired with whatever ordering channels you're already using (UberEats, phone, dine-in, counter pickup). Total monthly cost stays under $10. The aggregator handles delivery economics; the menu platform handles visibility.
The economic case for the third option:
- If aggregators are 10%+ of revenue, you're already paying their commission anyway. Adding a separate ChowNow subscription on top is double-paying for the channel.
- If aggregators are under 5% of revenue, your delivery volume is too low to justify any direct-ordering platform. Display-only menu is sufficient.
- If you're dine-in or counter-service primary, a display-only menu plus a basic card reader covers payment. No need for either GloriaFood or ChowNow.
For deeper coverage, see our 7-platform comparison covering Menujo, GloriaFood, MenuTiger, FineDine, CloudWaitress, Toast, and Menubly.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between GloriaFood and ChowNow?
GloriaFood is a free-unlimited-orders ordering platform owned by Oracle since 2021, with optional paid add-ons. ChowNow is a flat-fee subscription ordering platform at ~$149/month per location with no commissions and bundled marketing services. Both compete with third-party aggregators like UberEats and DoorDash, but with different economics — GloriaFood is free with optional paid features; ChowNow is paid with included features.
Is GloriaFood really free?
The core ordering features are genuinely free — unlimited orders, unlimited locations, no commissions, no monthly fees. The complete experience usually involves at least one paid add-on (Sales-Optimized Website at $9/mo, Credit Card Payments at $29/mo, Branded App at $59/mo, or POS at $49/mo). For operators willing to live with GloriaFood's default branding and external payment collection, it's genuinely $0/month.
Why is ChowNow so expensive?
ChowNow bundles a polished restaurant-branded mobile app, an ordering website, customer SMS, marketing services run by the ChowNow team, and POS integrations into the $149/month flat fee. The economics work for restaurants doing $5,000+/month in direct delivery volume — the commission savings vs UberEats/DoorDash dwarf the subscription fee. For lower-volume operators, the flat fee is harder to justify.
Does ChowNow really charge no commissions?
Correct — no per-order commission. The flat $149/month fee is the only ongoing cost. Standard payment processor fees apply (typically 2.6–2.9% + $0.30) but those go to Stripe/Square/processor, not ChowNow. This is genuinely commission-free, which is the platform's key differentiator vs UberEats (15–30% commissions).
Which has better mobile apps?
ChowNow's restaurant-branded mobile apps are materially more polished than GloriaFood's. ChowNow's apps look and feel like premium restaurant brand experiences. GloriaFood's mobile app at $59/month is functional but feels dated. For restaurants where brand presentation matters, ChowNow wins on this dimension.
Can I migrate from one platform to the other?
Yes, but you'll re-enter your menu and reset customer accounts. The bigger consideration: your printed marketing (QR codes pointing at the ordering URL, business cards, table tents) all need to be updated. To minimize re-printing, keep your menu URL on a stable platform (Menujo's permanent URL pattern works well) and have the ordering platform of choice integrate with that URL.
Does either work for multi-location restaurants?
GloriaFood includes unlimited locations on the free tier. ChowNow charges per location ($149/month each). For multi-location chains, GloriaFood is dramatically cheaper. ChowNow's value at multi-location is in the polished branded apps and unified reporting; for chains where these matter, the per-location cost may be justified, but it's a different scale of investment.
How does this compare to UberEats / DoorDash?
Both GloriaFood and ChowNow exist primarily as alternatives to third-party aggregators. UberEats and DoorDash charge 15–30% commissions per order, but bring built-in customer demand. GloriaFood and ChowNow charge no commissions but require you to drive traffic to your menu yourself. The right answer depends on whether you have an existing customer base (direct ordering wins) or need new-customer acquisition (aggregators win, despite the commissions).
Is ChowNow part of Toast now?
Toast announced acquisition of ChowNow in 2024. The integration roadmap is ongoing as of writing. Verify current ownership status, pricing, and integration plans at chownow.com before signing. The acquisition may impact pricing structure or feature roadmap; if you're evaluating long-term, this is worth diligence.
What's the best free option among these?
GloriaFood free tier is the most generous in the category — unlimited orders, unlimited locations, no commissions, no monthly fees. ChowNow doesn't have a free tier (free trial only). For operators wanting a no-cost test, GloriaFood is the only option of these two. If you want truly free without GloriaFood's UI dating, evaluate display-only menu platforms paired with aggregators or external payment apps.
Should I use both GloriaFood and ChowNow?
No — they're competitors with overlapping ordering features. Pick one. If you need the polish and marketing, ChowNow. If you need the free tier and unlimited locations, GloriaFood. Running both creates double-entry of menu data and confuses customers about which ordering URL to use.
What if I just need a digital menu without ordering?
Both GloriaFood and ChowNow are over-built for this case — you're paying for ordering capabilities you won't use. The right answer is a display-only menu platform like Menujo (free or $7/month) paired with an existing aggregator presence (UberEats, DoorDash) or simple in-person card reader. Total monthly cost stays under $10. For a 7-platform comparison covering Menujo, GloriaFood, MenuTiger, FineDine, CloudWaitress, Toast, and Menubly, see our comprehensive comparison post.
Quick Decision Framework
Three questions:
- Do you do $5,000+/month in direct online delivery orders? ChowNow's polish and marketing services are worth the $149/month if you're at this volume.
- Do you do under $5,000/month or you're multi-location? GloriaFood's free or low-cost tiers cover the workflow without the ChowNow flat fee.
- Do you actually need direct online ordering? If aggregators (UberEats, DoorDash) handle most of your delivery, neither is necessary. A display-only menu (Menujo) plus your existing aggregator presence covers it at under $10/month.
Run through your last 3 months of direct online order volume. If it's small or zero, neither GloriaFood nor ChowNow is needed. If it's meaningful, the volume threshold ($5K/mo) decides between GloriaFood (below) and ChowNow (above).
For broader coverage, see our comparison hub and restaurant-type guides.
Trademark and Affiliation Disclosure
GloriaFood is a trademark of Oracle Corporation. ChowNow is a trademark of ChowNow, Inc. (acquired by Toast, Inc. in 2024 — verify current ownership status). This comparison is published by Menujo (a product of Jorbox LLC) under the doctrine of nominative fair use. Menujo is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by either company. All references to pricing, features, and ownership are based on publicly available information at the time of publication. Pricing and terms can change; verify current details directly with each platform before making purchasing decisions.
