Everything you need to know about getting started.
Is the floor plan included in the standard tiers?+−
Yes. The visual floor plan editor + runtime view are live on the Pro tier ($69/mo AUD) and above. Pro+ ($99/mo) adds live multi-device sync (iPad + phone + desktop in real time) and the Smart Seating solver. Starter runs the core operational stack — bookings, calendar, run sheet, CRM and events — and Business adds Square and Xero integrations, deposits and vouchers; neither tier includes the visual floor plan.
Do I pay extra per event, ticket sold or function booked?+−
No. Events, ticketed nights and private functions are included on every tier — there is no per-ticket fee, no per-event subscription and no "events add-on" tier. Taking money for them is the one qualifier: paid tickets and deposits run on the payment rail included with Business ($49/mo) and above, while Starter runs free-RSVP events and functions. The only payment processing fee is the standard Stripe rate on the deposits and ticket sales you actually take — that goes to Stripe, not TableNest.
What happens if I don't use SMS confirmations?+−
Email confirmations are free and unlimited on every plan — they never count toward your SMS limit. SMS is the gated thing because each text costs us money to send, so each plan includes a monthly allowance (120, 240, 400 or 800 messages). We'll email you at 80%, 100% and 120% of your allowance so there are no surprises. If you go over: Pro+ keeps sending automatically at 12¢ per extra SMS, added to your next invoice — no action needed. Starter, Business and Pro can switch the same auto-billing on in Settings (20¢, 18¢ and 15¢ per SMS respectively), or buy a top-up pack ($5 / $10 / $20). Leave it off and SMS simply pauses until your next billing cycle — email confirmations are unlimited and keep working through the month. You're also in control of what sends: each message — the confirmation or the 24-hour reminder — can be switched between SMS and free email in Settings, so you spend SMS only where it cuts no-shows.
Are vouchers and deposits really included or are they add-ons?+−
Both are included on Business and above — no separate subscription, no per-transaction connector fee. You can set both up during your free trial: build your voucher products, set your deposit rules, and see exactly how they work. Taking real money from your guests needs a card on file, the same as anything else that faces the public. Stripe processing fees on the payments themselves go to Stripe directly.
How can TableNest charge so much less than other booking platforms?+−
Because the subscription is the entire revenue line. Legacy platforms stack subscription on top of per-cover commissions, per-channel fees and per-seat staff charges. TableNest collects one flat monthly fee — built operator-first by an Australian small team on a modern stack, with no enterprise sales overhead to fund.
What's coming soon that I should know about?+−
Multi+ ($179/mo AUD) — Pro+ across two venues with combined SMS allocation, centralised dashboard and reporting, and dedicated onboarding. Floor plan, Smart Seating, waitlist auto-notify and set-and-forget SMS overage are all live today on the Pro and Pro+ tiers.
Do you charge per booking or per cover?+−
Never. Unlike platforms that take a cut of every booking, TableNest is a flat monthly fee. Whether you handle 10 or 1,000 bookings, your price stays the same.
What counts toward my SMS message limit?+−
Every SMS message TableNest sends on your behalf counts toward your monthly limit — that's the booking confirmation, the 24-hour reminder, and the 2-hour reminder if you have them enabled. Email-only bookings are unlimited on every plan and never count.
Do SMS reminders count toward my monthly limit?+−
Yes. Every SMS TableNest sends — the booking confirmation, the 24-hour reminder, and the 2-hour reminder if you have those reminders enabled — counts toward your monthly SMS allowance. If you turn reminders off, only confirmations count. Email reminders are unlimited and never count.
How long does setup take?+−
About 5 minutes. Add your areas and tables, set your opening hours and booking rules, then copy the embed code to your website. You're live.
Can I change plans later?+−
Yes, upgrade or downgrade anytime. Changes take effect immediately — no lock-in contracts, no cancellation fees.
What if a customer needs to cancel?+−
Every SMS and email includes a one-tap cancellation link. No phone call needed. Cancelled bookings are immediately freed up for new reservations.
Is my customer data private?+−
100%. Your customer list, booking history, and contact details belong to you. We never share data with third parties, run marketing networks, or upsell your customers.
What happens when I reach my booking limit?+−
Email-only bookings continue working — they're always unlimited. SMS messages pause until your next billing cycle, or you can buy a top-up pack ($5/$10/$20 AUD — SMS quantity scales with your plan).
Can I import my customers and bookings from another system?+−
Yes. TableNest has a CSV import tool that lets you bring your customer list and upcoming bookings from any system — NowBookIt, OpenTable, ResDiary, or even a spreadsheet. Upload your file, map the columns, and you're done in 2 minutes.
