CoverManager vs Tablein - 1:1 Comparison

Trying to pick between CoverManager and Tablein? Good news: you’re already down to two solid options. 

But while they might seem similar at first glance, a closer look reveals some key differences. 

In this post, we’ll compare them not just by features, but also by pricing, real user reviews, and more, so you can confidently make your decision.

Key Features Comparison

Let’s kick things off with features. 

They’re probably the most important aspect to compare when it comes to software, since they dictate what you can and can’t do with it. 

So, let’s ensure you have all the information upfront:

Online Booking

Booking systems should make reservations quick and easy for guests.

Luckily, both CoverManager and Tablein do this effectively.

With either software, you can easily place booking widgets wherever guests find you, be it your own website, a social media platform, or your Google Business profile. 

You can also brand your widgets for a seamless user experience. 

Here’s what they could look like with Tablein:

Source: Tablein

And here’s one option with CoverManager:

Source: CoverManager

As far as purely online bookings go, there aren’t many differences between the two systems. 

But CoverManager takes things a step further by offering a phone booking bot, something Tablein doesn’t currently provide.

The bot can pick up incoming calls, answer them in a human voice, and automatically add reservations to your digital book.

Source: CoverManager

This service might be expensive, though, as highlighted by one user in his review.

It may also be overkill if you’re explicitly looking for help with online bookings. In that aspect, neither platform falls short.

Reservation Management

Receiving online bookings always feels like a win, but that’s just the beginning. To avoid disappointing customers or risking unused capacity, you also need to properly manage them.

Both Tablein and CoverManager have features to help you do so.

Here, Tablein stands out for its simplicity. 

Firstly, it has two intuitive reservation view options: a list and a calendar. Both are color-coded and can be understood at a glance.

Source: Tablein

Its visual floor plan is equally simple, in both design and setup.

To draw it, you just need to use a simple drag-and-drop tool. 

Source: Tablein

Tablein doesn’t support multi-floor layouts, so you’ll need to divide different dining areas with walls or labels.

That can actually be an advantage. It keeps everything in one place, eliminating the need to toggle between different views.

But the question is, how does this compare to CoverManager?

Well, CoverManager also lets you customize your floor plan, but offers very limited information on how to do so online.

What we do know is that you can draw and place tables in a way that fits your space, as well as create multiple dining areas:

Source: YouTube 

Just like Tablein, CoverManager also offers multiple reservation views. 

You can view reservations next to your floor plans, as shown above, or switch to a list format:

Source: CoverManager

CoverManager’s digital reservation book functions much like a calendar, letting staff visualize daily and future reservations efficiently.

So, both options offer seamless reservation management and make it easy to track all your bookings in one place.

CoverManager also automatically adds phone reservations to your digital book.

Table Management

Tablein and CoverManager have excellent table allocation features. 

Tablein, however, is overall easier to navigate. 

While both software have color-coded table management systems, Tablein’s design is more modern and clean. 

This makes it easy to label and compare tables at a glance, whether they’re available, booked, blocked, or assigned to walk-in customers.

Source: Tablein

CoverManager’s system is not that different. 

The design just feels slightly less modern and sleek:

Source: CoverManager

Both options also come with tools for optimizing table turnover and reducing wait times. 

For instance, Tablein lets you add your reservation policy to your booking widgets, so you can let guests know when the table needs to be free:

Source: Tablein

To ensure you don’t have to reject walk-ins, Tablein also enables you to add guests without reservations to your waitlist. 

If you get their names and phone numbers, the system can also notify them via SMS when their tables are ready. 

That way, guests avoid unnecessary wait times, and you don’t miss out on new business.

It’s a win-win.

Source: Tablein

CoverManager has similar waitlist features. 

Guest are first added to a virtual queue, then sent an SMS when their table is ready. 

But what really sets CoverManager apart is its QR code functionality.

QR codes make the experience smoother for both guests and your staff. 

By scanning them, guests can join the waitlist on their own instead of waiting for the staff to add them.

Source: CoverManager

This is a great way to boost table efficiency without adding extra strain on your staff.

CoverManager seems to place great emphasis on this, as it also offers automated table allocation. 

This feature allows the system to maximize occupancy by automatically configuring table assignment order, waitlists, and other relevant parameters.

Source: CoverManager

As mentioned on the website, these configurations are done under your supervision. 

So, you can still control how your dining room operates. And if you’re skeptical, you can also turn off this feature.

Alternatively, if you won’t use it, Tablein might be a better choice. 

It doesn’t automate table assignment, so you’ll need to handle this manually.

You can, however, allow guests to indicate where they’d like to sit. 

Source: Tablein

CoverManager also has somewhat more advanced features for eliminating no-shows than Tablein.

Tablein’s no-show-prevention features are mainly advisory. 

For example, they include automated deposit requests and SMS, and email reminders. 

Source: Tablein

Though this is generally more than enough for smaller operations, larger ones may need more robust safeguards.

In that case, CoverManager could work better. 

For instance, instead of just requesting a deposit, CoverManager automatically charges a customer’s credit card if they don’t show up or fail to cancel by a specific deadline.

Additionally, CoverManager can even charge customers for full menus in advance:

Source: CoverManager

This ensures your staff doesn’t spend valuable time prepping meals that never get paid for. 

All in all, the choice here comes down to simplicity vs. robustness. 

Tablein’s main focus is on ease of use. 

CoverManager, on the other hand, is more focused on providing advanced features. Depending on the size of your restaurant, this could be a huge advantage or a needless complication.

Guest Profiles and CRM

Guest information is a powerful asset. 

It can help you improve guests’ loyalty, encourage new visits, and even identify problematic guests and habitual no-shows. 

Both Tablein and CoverManager offer this functionality, with little difference.

Important information, like guest names, contact details, and order history, gets saved automatically based on previous bookings. 

Additional details, like guest preferences and tags, can be added manually.

Source: Tablein

The main differences come down to the marketing options with each system.

CoverManager is slightly more robust in this regard.

For example, unlike Tablein, it lets you send manual marketing emails to your customers directly from the platform.

Your marketing campaigns can even include more advanced features, like discount codes. 

Source: CoverManager

Now, that’s not to say that Tablein can’t handle emails. 

It can indeed send the following types of emails natively:

• Reminders
• Cancellation emails
• Confirmation emails
• Approval messages
• Prepayment requests
• Pending reservation alerts 

These are automated, notification-style emails that look like this:

Source: Tablein

However, sending other marketing campaigns natively isn’t possible.

You’ll need a third-party app, like MailChimp or MailerLite, to do so. These integrate seamlessly with the software, so it’s actually not a big issue. It just means you’ll need a slightly larger tech stack than with CoverManager. 

For now, Tablein also doesn’t send automated 5-star rating request emails. This feature should be available soon, though. 

In the meantime, guests can still rate you on the app. 

They also receive emails and SMS notifications prompting them to leave feedback.

Source: Tablein

In contrast, CoverManager already has built-in rating surveys that get automatically sent to your customers after their visit. 

The scoring system is customizable, so you can decide what you want your guests to rate.

Source: CoverManager

Overall, the CRM differences between the two aren’t huge. 

CoverManager is just slightly more comprehensive, with some more details about guests and native features. 

But Tablein is certainly not far behind. In fact, it might even be a better choice if you’re already using another email marketing platform.

Analytics and Reporting

Analytics and reports can be extremely useful. 

You can use them to quickly assess performance, extract actionable insights, and make the necessary adjustments. 

That’s why both Tablein and CoverManager offer comprehensive reporting features.

Tablein, for example, offers you at-a-glance insights into your reservations, latest feedback, loyal customers, and most booked hours. 

Data is presented in a visual, intuitive way: 

Source: Tablein

Overall, Tablein keeps analytics accessible, clear, and simple. 

Some features, like guestbook metrics and daily overview summaries, are unfortunately not yet available, but are under development.

CoverManager already has some of these more advanced features, enabling it to collect deeper data on customer behaviors and preferences.

It also presents them in a user-friendly, visual format:

Source: CoverManager

All in all, CoverManager offers an enterprise-grade analytics dashboard, with reportedly 100+ reports available. 

On the flip side, Tablein once again focuses on ease of use and accessibility. 

Mobile Usability Overview

You’ll likely often need to manage bookings and tables on the go. And you might not always be able to do it from a desktop. 

So, it’s best to choose software that works seamlessly on mobile devices, too.

In this regard, CoverManager and Tablein are both good options. 

CoverManager has a dedicated mobile app that lets you manage key functions like reservations, waitlists, and walk-ins:

Source: Google Play

Tablein doesn’t have a mobile app, but it is fully optimized for use on iPad, iPhone, and Android devices. 

You just need to access the website from your browser. 

Source: Tablein

It really depends on what you prefer.

For example, with CoverManager’s mobile app, you’ll need to regularly download updates. Tablein, on the other hand, updates automatically with no action on your end.

Also, many users report issues with CoverManager’s mobile app:

Source: Google Play

Crashes and bugs are definitely not what you need on a busy night.

Unless these issues are resolved, you might be better off with Tablein’s mobile platform.

Available Integrations

Tablein covers the integration basics.

Among other platforms, it integrates with several:

• Website builders, including WordPress and Webflow
• Popular payment processors, such as Stripe and PayPal
• Email marketing providers, like MailChimp and MailerLite

As mentioned, you can also sync it with various social media accounts and your Google Business profile.

Source: Tablein

Depending on the size and complexity of your operations, this could cover all your needs.

However, if you want more robust integrations, CoverManager comes out ahead. 

It boasts over 160 integrations, which include everything from payment processors to CRM providers. But what stands out the most is its ability to sync with several POS systems:

Source: CoverManager

Tablein does have plans to introduce POS integration, but this feature is still under development.

Syncing your reservation and POS systems is quite useful, as it can unlock deeper operational insights and streamline service workflows.

For instance, it can automatically update table status in real time, track guest spend, and trigger post-visit feedback based on actual payment data.

But if you want to keep things simple, Tablein is the way to go.

Customer Support Differences

Customer support is an area where both platforms stand out, but in very different ways.

The key difference? 

CoverManager excels in phone assistance, offering hands-on help that many users call one of its biggest strengths. 

Conversely, Tablein leads with a well-organized self-service help center that’s available online 24/7.

Source: Tablein

That doesn’t mean Tablein lacks human support. 

Phone support is available in selected markets, while in-app messaging, email, and live chat are available to all users.

Source: Tablein

But the platform’s core philosophy is clear: help users help themselves with a robust knowledge base that covers nearly every aspect of the software.

CoverManager takes the opposite approach. 

It doesn’t offer much in the way of documentation or guides on its website. 

So even basic setup steps, like configuring floor plans, may require personal assistance. 

This can be frustrating. But, on the upside, that assistance is excellent. 

Source: YouTube

As we’ll see below, users frequently praise CoverManager’s phone support for being responsive and proactive. The team will guide you through setup and even train you if needed. 

Email support is available too, but it plays more of a secondary role.

In short, Tablein offers more self-service resources. CoverManager provides more personalized, hands-on help. It comes down to what you prefer.

User Feedback and Reviews

So, what do actual users say about CoverManager and Tablein? 

Well, if you look at Capterra, you’ll see that both systems have high ratings. 

CoverManager has an average rating of 4.8 stars across 24 reviews:

Source: Capterra

And Tablein has a perfect 5-star score based on 21 reviews:

Source: Tablein

The reviews really clarify what each tool does best.

For Tablein, it’s definitely its simplicity, intuitiveness, and no-nonsense approach. 

Users often emphasize they’re able to effectively use it with little to no training or prior technical knowledge. 

Many consider it a top pick for small to mid-sized restaurants.

Source: Capterra

CoverManager’s biggest strength, on the other hand, is hands-down its customer service.

Users mention it in almost every review, and have nothing but positive things to share. 

If we have to extract one complaint, though, it pertains to a somewhat dense and unappealing interface.

Source: GetApp

Still, both options have overall very positive feedback. 

The only recurring issue of note involves CoverManager’s mobile app, currently rated 2.4 stars on Google Play.

Pricing and Subscription Plans

Now, for the most important question: how much does it cost? 

And that’s a question indeed, because CoverManager doesn’t share its pricing publicly. 

It also doesn’t offer a free trial, but you can book a free, no-obligation demo.

Source: CoverManager 

Tablein’s pricing is much more transparent. 

It offers three subscription plans ranging from $49 to $177/month. 

Keep in mind that these prices cover only one restaurant. If you need to add more, expect a slightly bigger bill.

Source: Tablein

Tablein also offers a free 14-day trial with no strings attached:

Source: Tablein

This gives you a risk-free way to try out all of its features yourself, without any sales pressure hanging over you.

Conclusion 

By now, you’ve seen how CoverManager and Tablein stack up across features, integrations, support, and pricing. 

If you’re still on the fence, the best next step is to experience them for yourself. 

Remember: Tablein offers a free 14-day trial, and CoverManager provides a free demo.

Now’s the time to take action. You’re just one decision away from more bookings, happier clients, and less stressful operations.