Eater vs OpenTab Pay
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Eater
Discover top restaurant and bar recommendations curated by expert editors. Find new places in any city, get personalized suggestions, and easily make reservations. Never have a bad meal again with trusted insider picks.
- Editor-curated restaurant picks
- Personalized recommendations
- Insider community connection
- Smart search functionality
- Create and share custom lists
- Direct table reservations
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The Eater app is the most trusted way to find great restaurants. Our editors have spent years eating at the best restaurants and bars so you always know where to go next. Get instant access to all of Eater’s restaurant picks in every major city, whether you're exploring a new neighborhood, planning a trip, or need a quick rec on the go. With the Eater app, you’ll never have a bad meal. What you’ll love about the Eater app: - Curated by editors: Trusted recommendations and reviews from people who know restaurants - Insider to insider: Follow and connect with editors, chefs, and friends, and be part of the Eater community - Ask anything: Smarter search that finds the places you actually want - Recommended for you: Eater’s take on restaurants near you and wherever you travel - Create and share: Browse Eater lists, make your own, and share your favorite spots with friends - Browse to book: Reserve tables directly in the Eater app so you’re one step closer to a great meal With the Eater app, the next great place to eat or drink is in the palm of your hand, no matter where the day (or night) takes you. Download the Eater app to find your next great meal.
OpenTab Pay
Streamline your bar and restaurant experience by opening and closing tabs directly from your phone. Avoid waiting for servers or checks, allowing you to enjoy your night without delays. Securely pay and leave at your convenience.
- Open and close bar/restaurant tabs
- Pay securely from your phone
- Find participating venues
- Save time on visits
- Keep card secure
- Leave without delays
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Skip the wait and keep your night moving. With OpenTab, you can start and close your bar or restaurant tab right from your phone. No waving down servers. No waiting for the check. HOW IT WORKS 1. Find Your Spot – Browse the list of participating bars and restaurants in the app. 2. Start Your Tab – Open a tab in seconds before you even order. 3. Close Out Anytime – Pay securely from your phone whenever you are ready. WHY YOU'LL LOVE IT -Save time on every visit -Keep your card secure and in your pocket -Leave when you want without delays -Perfect for busy nights, big groups, or quick stops Download OpenTab and make paying as easy as ordering another round.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is ads: OpenTab Pay at none against Eater's shown. OpenTab Pay also leads on monetization model (free vs free with in-app purchases). Eater's advantage is update cadence (weekly vs every 6 months) and ratings volume (61 vs 5). On price, rating, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.
Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS
Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.1 for Eater against 4.2 for OpenTab Pay. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Eater has 61 ratings behind it against 5, so its average is the more settled of the two.
Eater ships an update weekly, OpenTab Pay every 6 months. The most recent releases landed on October 17, 2026 and October 12, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Eater | OpenTab Pay |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.1 (61 ratings) | 4.2 (5 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 41.6% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 61 — better | 5 |
| Update frequency | Weekly — better | Every 6 months |
| Ads | Yes | No — better |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free — better |
| Devices | iPhone | iPhone, iPod — better |
| Requires iOS | 16.4 | 15.1 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 154 MB | 51 MB |
| Age rating | 12+ | 17+ |
| Developer | Vox Media, Inc. | OpenTab Solutions Inc |
Customer experience
Eater
OpenTab Pay
Bugs and requests
Eater
Reported bugs
2 issues- Search and account icons smushed on main map page
- Location settings get stuck after disabling tracking
Requested features
3 requests- Add filters and sorting for map/list view
- Allow sharing of restaurant lists
- Improve font size and layout on map view
OpenTab Pay
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
Eater
No in-app purchases
OpenTab Pay
No in-app purchases
