Compare UMAI and SevenRooms across features, pricing, integrations, and guest experience to see which system fits your restaurant best.
UMAI: Built-in marketing automation, WhatsApp communication, device-agnostic access, faster onboarding, and lower pricing.
SevenRooms: Deep CRM profiles, enterprise reporting, and strong PMS integrations. More complex, higher cost, and best suited for hotels or large hospitality groups.
Choose UMAI if you prefer lower cost, fast deployment, and user friendly marketing tools.
Choose SevenRooms if you require hotel ecosystem integrations.
Verdict: UMAI is the best SevenRooms alternative for restaurants that want fast setup, automated marketing, and lower monthly pricing.
Reservation systems now play a larger role than simply managing bookings. They influence guest communication, reduce no-shows, support marketing, and centralize customer data across visits. Selecting the right platform shapes how efficiently a venue operates and how effectively it grows repeat business.
SevenRooms is widely known for its CRM depth, multi-venue reporting, and integrations used by hotels and enterprise operators. It offers detailed guest profiles and structured data across outlets but may require more setup time and dedicated staff to use fully.
UMAI focuses on automation and ease of use. It provides built-in marketing campaigns, WhatsApp communication, and browser/iOS/Android access without needing specific hardware. The system is designed for quick rollout and cost affordability for independent venues and regional groups.
The sections below compare both systems across key areas.
Both UMAI and SevenRooms include essential revenue-driving features that help restaurants increase repeat visits and convert guest data into bookings. UMAI is stronger for plug-and-play marketing automation, while SevenRooms is stronger for deep CRM management across large guest databases:
Automated campaigns: Both platforms support automated messaging for birthdays, lapsed guests, and event-driven promotions.
Revenue tracking: Each system provides reporting that connects marketing activity to the number of bookings and revenue generated.
Guest data segmentation: Both systems allow operators to segment guests based on visit history, behavior, and attributes.
Guest profiles: Each platform stores visit patterns, preferences, spend history, and tags to support personalization.
Designed for operators without dedicated marketing staff.
Automation tools are pre-built, simple to configure, and work out of the box.
User experience is streamlined for quick setup and minimal learning curve.
Typically leveraged by operators with in-house marketing teams or CRM specialists.
Offers deeper segmentation capabilities and advanced CRM tools for large guest databases.
Best utilized by multi-venue groups that can dedicate time and resources to managing campaigns.
Features | | SevenRooms |
|---|---|---|
Automated Marketing Sends behavior-based or scheduled messages to guests automatically, helping maintain engagement and encourage repeat visits. | ||
Track Marketing ROI Shows how many bookings and how much revenue each marketing campaign generates, helping operators understand impact. | ||
Guest list exports Allows teams to export guest data for analysis, marketing, or reporting purposes. | ||
Reservations exports | ||
No contact duplicates Prevents duplicate customer profiles by linking each phone number to a single account. | ||
Owned Loyalty Program Enables restaurants to run their own loyalty rewards, ensuring benefits remain venue-specific rather than tied to a larger platform. | ||
Brand-Exclusive Gift Cards Lets restaurants sell and redeem their own gift cards directly, keeping all revenue in-house and simplifying guest redemption. | ||
Automated Waitlist Automatically notifies guests when a table becomes available and allows them to confirm their spot digitally. | ||
Reservation add-ons Allows guests to select optional upgrades or experiences during booking, increasing personalization and average order value. | ||
Push guests to other outlets when one is fully booked Recommends other group locations when one venue is full, helping retain guests and distribute demand. | ||
Phone Calling Identification system Identifies callers and missed calls, enabling quick follow-ups and automated booking links via SMS or WhatsApp. | ||
Shorter Seating Options to optimize seating capacity Lets guests book a shorter dining duration, improving turnover and increasing available seats during busy periods. | ||
Squeeze Guests in gaps functionality Offers shorter bookings to fill small gaps between reservations, reducing unused table time and improving capacity. | ||
Deposits Collects deposits during booking to reduce no-shows and secure guest commitment. | ||
Prepayments Collects full or partial payment at booking to confirm reservations and improve revenue predictability. | ||
Takeaway Allows restaurants to offer takeaway orders online, expanding reach and serving guests beyond available seating. | ||
Event suggestions & Cross selling functionality Displays events or promotions on the booking widget to increase visibility and drive guest engagement. | ||
Email & SMS Blast Feature Enables venues to send targeted email or SMS campaigns directly from their CRM with engagement tracking. |
Sends behavior-based or scheduled messages to guests automatically, helping maintain engagement and encourage repeat visits.
Shows how many bookings and how much revenue each marketing campaign generates, helping operators understand impact.
Allows teams to export guest data for analysis, marketing, or reporting purposes.
Prevents duplicate customer profiles by linking each phone number to a single account.
Enables restaurants to run their own loyalty rewards, ensuring benefits remain venue-specific rather than tied to a larger platform.
Lets restaurants sell and redeem their own gift cards directly, keeping all revenue in-house and simplifying guest redemption.
Automatically notifies guests when a table becomes available and allows them to confirm their spot digitally.
Allows guests to select optional upgrades or experiences during booking, increasing personalization and average order value.
Recommends other group locations when one venue is full, helping retain guests and distribute demand.
Identifies callers and missed calls, enabling quick follow-ups and automated booking links via SMS or WhatsApp.
Lets guests book a shorter dining duration, improving turnover and increasing available seats during busy periods.
Offers shorter bookings to fill small gaps between reservations, reducing unused table time and improving capacity.
Collects deposits during booking to reduce no-shows and secure guest commitment.
Collects full or partial payment at booking to confirm reservations and improve revenue predictability.
Allows restaurants to offer takeaway orders online, expanding reach and serving guests beyond available seating.
Displays events or promotions on the booking widget to increase visibility and drive guest engagement.
Enables venues to send targeted email or SMS campaigns directly from their CRM with engagement tracking.
UMAI: Best for operators who want ready-to-go automation and ROI tracking without managing complexity.
SevenRooms: Strongest for operators with larger teams who can leverage deep CRM data and manage third-party add-ons.
UMAI is the better choice for restaurants that want easy-to-use marketing and CRM tools, while SevenRooms is the stronger fit for teams that can fully leverage more manual, complex CRM segmentation.
UMAI is easier for frontline staff to learn, while SevenRooms provides more advanced optimization for large hospitality groups.
UMAI includes a variety of tools designed for speed and simplicity:
Deposits and prepayments configurable by time, party size, or event.
Short Seat and Squeeze tools, which intelligently shorten turn times or squeeze in additional parties to maximize revenue.
Device-agnostic access: works on iOS, Android, or desktop browsers, reducing hardware costs .
Caller ID integration: when the phone rings, the host stand sees the guest’s profile.
Missed-call automation: if no one answers, UMAI sends a WhatsApp or SMS with a booking link, saving lost revenue.
SevenRooms is designed with enterprise-grade complexity in mind, tailored for large hospitality groups and hotels:
AI optimization engine for seating and turns, helping maximize yield and streamline service flow.
Direct messaging and centralized SMS communication, enabling staff to manage guest interactions across multiple outlets from one hub.
Advanced business insights and analytics, offering multi-property reporting, guest spend tracking, and deep CRM intelligence to inform strategic decisions.
However, it is heavily iPad-centric: no Android app and limited browser functionality (source). This can be a barrier for teams that want flexibility.
Features | | SevenRooms |
|---|---|---|
Capture Feedback Automatically requests post-visit feedback via digital channels to gather guest insights for improvement. | ||
Minimize bad reviews from being posted Surfaces guest concerns privately before they appear on public review platforms. | ||
Boosts positive public reviews Encourages satisfied guests to share positive feedback on platforms like Google and TripAdvisor. | ||
Customer Support Provides responsive assistance to help restaurants troubleshoot issues and maintain smooth operations. | 24/7 via e-mail and chatbot | Chat Support |
Speed of Use Provides a fast, streamlined interface designed to reduce clicks and simplify daily operations. | Very Fast | Very Fast |
Navigation Features clear, user-friendly navigation built for restaurant workflows to reduce training time. | Easy | Easy |
Ease of use Offers an intuitive system that staff can learn quickly without complex steps or configurations. | Very Easy | Hard |
Drag and drop Lets staff move, merge, or reassign tables instantly using simple drag-and-drop controls. | ||
Spend Tracking Tracks how much guests spend across visits to help identify high-value customers and inform upsell opportunities. | ||
Team Management Allows managers to assign role-based permissions and secure individual logins for staff. | ||
Booking priority per table Lets operators prioritize certain tables for bookings to manage ambiance, demand, or revenue strategy. | ||
Set turn unique turn time for each table Assigns custom turn times to individual tables to better manage pacing and maximize seating. | ||
Create and edit your floor plan Provides tools to build and update a digital floor plan with movable layout elements. | ||
Pacing Controls how many guests can arrive during a given time window to maintain service flow. | ||
WhatsApp communications Enables confirmations, reminders, and updates to be sent through WhatsApp for fast, familiar communication. | Only available to Australia and not avaialble in the US or any other countries. | |
Arrival Management Confirms guest arrivals before their reservation time to reduce no-shows and improve seating accuracy. | ||
Late Arrival Updates Checks in with guests shortly before their reservation to identify delays and adjust pacing. | ||
Deposits Payout Allows restaurants to choose their preferred deposit payout frequency, supporting flexible cash flow. | Daily | Daily |
Deposits via Payment Links Lets staff collect deposits for phone reservations through simple SMS or WhatsApp payment links. | ||
Use the system in a Laptop/Browser | SevenRooms has some features available on web, but not fully functional | |
Use the system in Ipad App | ||
Use the system in Android Tablet App | ||
Use the system in Mac (App) | ||
Use the system in Iphone App | ||
Use the system in Android (App) |
Automatically requests post-visit feedback via digital channels to gather guest insights for improvement.
Surfaces guest concerns privately before they appear on public review platforms.
Encourages satisfied guests to share positive feedback on platforms like Google and TripAdvisor.
Provides responsive assistance to help restaurants troubleshoot issues and maintain smooth operations.
24/7 via e-mail and chatbot
Chat Support
Provides a fast, streamlined interface designed to reduce clicks and simplify daily operations.
Very Fast
Very Fast
Features clear, user-friendly navigation built for restaurant workflows to reduce training time.
Easy
Easy
Offers an intuitive system that staff can learn quickly without complex steps or configurations.
Very Easy
Easy
Lets staff move, merge, or reassign tables instantly using simple drag-and-drop controls.
Tracks how much guests spend across visits to help identify high-value customers and inform upsell opportunities.
Allows managers to assign role-based permissions and secure individual logins for staff.
Lets operators prioritize certain tables for bookings to manage ambiance, demand, or revenue strategy.
Assigns custom turn times to individual tables to better manage pacing and maximize seating.
Provides tools to build and update a digital floor plan with movable layout elements.
Controls how many guests can arrive during a given time window to maintain service flow.
Enables confirmations, reminders, and updates to be sent through WhatsApp for fast, familiar communication.
Only available to Australia and not avaialble in the US or any other countries.
Confirms guest arrivals before their reservation time to reduce no-shows and improve seating accuracy.
Checks in with guests shortly before their reservation to identify delays and adjust pacing.
Allows restaurants to choose their preferred deposit payout frequency, supporting flexible cash flow.
Daily
Daily
Lets staff collect deposits for phone reservations through simple SMS or WhatsApp payment links.
SevenRooms has some features available on web, but not fully functional
UMAI: Prioritizes speed, device flexibility, and automation.
Operators using UMAI commonly report 1-day onboarding
SevenRooms: Strong for large operators with resources to manage complexity and hardware costs.
On Capterra, one SevenRooms reviewer noted: “Implementation was lengthy, and the iPad-only setup forced us to buy new hardware.”, versus up to a week for SevenRooms.
UMAI wins for speed, device flexibility, and revenue driving automation, while SevenRooms wins for enterprise-level analytics and advanced multi-outlet optimization.
The reservation system is often the first impression a guest has of your restaurant. 60% of diners are more likely to return if staff remember their preferences (Deloitte). Personalization, seamless booking, and effective communication drive loyalty.
WhatsApp integration: confirmations, reminders, and marketing campaigns in the world’s most-used messaging app.
Review capture and feedback loops: diners are prompted post-visit, positive reviews are pushed to Google and TripAdvisor, improving online ratings.
Area selection: guests can choose and book their favourite are including the chef’s table, bar, outside, upstairs, etc.
Two-way SMS messaging: diners can text the restaurant directly, building personal relationships.
AI recommendations: seating VIPs strategically, suggesting upsells.
Particularly strong in hotel ecosystems, syncing with PMS and event systems.
Customer review (Capterra): “Messaging is excellent, but we wish it included WhatsApp.”
Features | | SevenRooms |
|---|---|---|
Event suggestions & Cross selling functionality Displays events or promotions on the booking widget to increase visibility and drive guest engagement. | ||
Caller ID Displays guest information when they call, helping staff personalize interactions immediately. | ||
Gift Cards Enables restaurants to sell digital gift cards that can be easily purchased, redeemed, and tracked online. | ||
Guest self-service seating Area or Type Selection Allows guests to choose their preferred seating area—such as bar, patio, or indoor—during booking. | ||
Customizable Website Provides a simple website builder to create a mobile-friendly landing page with menu, photos, and reservation links. | ||
Customizable Widget | ||
Self tagging Lets guests tag themselves for dietary needs, special occasions, or preferences during booking. | ||
Auto Tags Automatically assigns tags to guest profiles based on activity like spend level or visit frequency. | ||
Website Builder Offers a drag-and-drop website creation tool to help restaurants manage their online presence. | ||
Queue Management Allows restaurants to add guests to a digital queue and provide real-time wait updates. | ||
Display Menu Shows the restaurant’s menu within the booking flow so guests can preview dishes before visiting. | Uploaded | |
Reserve with Google (and take deposits) Enables reservations and deposit collection directly from Google results and Maps. |
Displays events or promotions on the booking widget to increase visibility and drive guest engagement.
Displays guest information when they call, helping staff personalize interactions immediately.
Enables restaurants to sell digital gift cards that can be easily purchased, redeemed, and tracked online.
Allows guests to choose their preferred seating area—such as bar, patio, or indoor—during booking.
Provides a simple website builder to create a mobile-friendly landing page with menu, photos, and reservation links.
Lets guests tag themselves for dietary needs, special occasions, or preferences during booking.
Automatically assigns tags to guest profiles based on activity like spend level or visit frequency.
Offers a drag-and-drop website creation tool to help restaurants manage their online presence.
Allows restaurants to add guests to a digital queue and provide real-time wait updates.
Shows the restaurant’s menu within the booking flow so guests can preview dishes before visiting.
Uploaded
Enables reservations and deposit collection directly from Google results and Maps.
UMAI: Offers automation features and WhatsApp integration for markets where WhatsApp is widely used.
SevenRooms: Offers strong SMS-based communication tools and is commonly adopted by hotels with complex guest journeys.
UMAI provides the strongest guest experience in WhatsApp-heavy markets, while SevenRooms excels in hotel ecosystems that depend on SMS and PMS connectivity.
Guest data is a restaurant’s most valuable asset. Without true ownership, switching systems or protecting privacy becomes risky. A PwC study found 75% of consumers worry about how companies use their data.
Restaurants fully own and can export all guest data at any time.
Integrates with WhatsApp, Google Maps, and several POS systems.
Offers GDPR and multi-market compliance.
ntegrates with over 65 POS, PMS, loyalty, and hotel systems.
Strong alignment with hotels due to PMS connectivity and unified guest profiles.
Acquired by DoorDash in 2025, leading some operators to re-evaluate long-term data and ecosystem alignment.
UMAI is best for operators who want full data ownership and simple cross-market integrations, while SevenRooms is best for hotel groups with complex PMS and loyalty systems.
Features | | SevenRooms |
|---|---|---|
Model | Flat subscription | Custom quote, higher base |
Range | ~$100-350+/month | ~$700+/month (reported) |
Per-cover fees | None | None |
Setup fees | None/minimal | Often charged |
Add-ons | Extra modules may add cost | Extra modules may add cost |
ROI visibility | Built-in tracking | Built-in tracking |
Best fit | Small and Mid-size restaurants and groups | Hotels & enterprise groups |
Flat subscription
Custom quote, higher base
~$100-350+/month
~$700+/month (reported)
None
None
None/minimal
Often charged
Extra modules may add cost
Extra modules may add cost
Built-in tracking
Built-in tracking
Small and Mid-size restaurants and groups
Hotels & enterprise groups
Recap: UMAI offers lower pricing. SevenRooms may justify higher fees for enterprise operators.
UMAI offers the best value for independent and mid-size venues, while SevenRooms’ higher pricing is only justified for large operators that can exploit its advanced CRM stack.
A popular café in Singapore had been using SevenRooms for nearly a year. While they appreciated the professionalism of the platform, the owner began to notice that the system felt like it was built for much larger hospitality groups. Features like advanced segmentation, multi-property reporting, and in-depth CRM insights weren’t being fully utilized by their lean team. Instead, the café staff struggled with complexity, and onboarding new part-timers was slow and costly.
Monthly software and hardware costs dropped by ~$700.
Deposits and WhatsApp confirmations reduced no-shows by 20%.
Automated lapsed-guest campaigns generated $5,000 of incremental revenue in three months.
A growing restaurant group in Europe managed five outlets, ranging from casual dining to a mid-range steakhouse. As the group scaled, leadership wanted more consistency in guest engagement and repeat visit rates. They trialed SevenRooms in one outlet and UMAI in another.
SevenRooms impressed the group with its CRM depth. Guest profiles were detailed, and the system integrated neatly with their POS. However, analysing the data and exporting to an external platform proved time-consuming, and the marketing team struggled to execute campaigns quickly.
The UMAI pilot outlet set up loyalty triggers and automated campaigns within days, no external tool required. Campaigns included:
A “weekday lunch loyalty” push, targeting guests who previously dined on weekdays.
Birthday offers, automatically tied to the reservation system.
A “VIP reactivation” campaign for top spenders who hadn’t visited in 90 days.
SevenRooms delivered strong data depth but required more time for analysis.
UMAI deployed faster and produced quicker results from automated campaigns.
After 12 months, UMAI contributed to a 15% increase in repeat visits and $80,000 in trackable incremental revenue across outlets.
A luxury hotel in New York with several F&B outlets selected SevenRooms for its ability to integrate with the hotel’s PMS. Guests booking a room could also book dining, spa, and bar experiences in one seamless flow. The system gave management a 360-degree view of guest spend across the property.
Integrated with room reservations.
Guest preferences carried over to room service and other outlets.
Strong enterprise-level reporting across outlets.
However, one independent restaurant located in the hotel’s lobby, run by a separate operator, faced a different reality. The owner didn’t need hotel integrations; instead, they needed fast adoption, affordable costs, and local marketing tools.
Onboarding time was cut by 40%, as staff picked up UMAI in days.
The built-in WhatsApp marketing tools allowed the restaurant to target local diners, filling seats even outside hotel traffic.
Flat pricing gave the independent operator cost predictability.
Both UMAI and SevenRooms are strong, but they serve different needs:
Choose UMAI if you want lower pricing, WhatsApp-first automation, and guaranteed data ownership.
Choose SevenRooms if you need enterprise-grade CRM, hotel/PMS integrations, and have budget and staff to maximize features.
For most independent restaurants and regional groups, UMAI often provides better value and faster setup, while SevenRooms is stronger in hotel and enterprise environments.
Trusted by fast-growing brands across Asia, Europe, and beyond
From independent bistros to multi-location powerhouses, UMAI helps restaurants increase bookings, streamline operations, CRM and drive repeat business — all in one system.
