Comparison
Digital menu or PDF menu: why PDFs age badly
What each one does
| Modern Resto | a PDF menu | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free, no commission on orders | Free to produce, but hosting is on you |
| Updating the menu | Instant: you edit, the link shows the new menu | Re-export the file and replace it everywhere it lives |
| QR code | Permanent — never changes, even when the menu does | Possible, but it points at a file whose address can change |
| Order taking | Included: table ordering and staff entry | No |
| Kitchen screen | Included, with per-station filtering | No |
| Languages | 10 languages on the same menu | One file per language |
Comparison verified September 2026. Other services change their pricing and features: check their site before deciding.
What a PDF menu does better
PDFs keep a real advantage: they print identically and they send by email or WhatsApp with no account and no app. For sending a menu to a group booking out the room, it's still the simplest format.
Our take
PDF is a good sending format and a poor reading format at the table. On a phone you pinch, pan, and the text never reflows. A web menu fits the screen, updates instantly and can show allergens properly. Modern Resto does both: the live menu for the table, PDF export for printing and sending.
Frequently asked questions
Can I keep my PDF?
Yes, and you don't have to rebuild it: Modern Resto generates a PDF from your live menu in three templates. You keep the file for email and print without maintaining it separately.
Does Google index a PDF menu?
Poorly. A PDF is indexable but rarely ranks, and it carries no structured data about your dishes. A web menu page is far better understood by search engines.
Try it free
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