2026 guide · by a restaurant owner

Looking for a
Lightspeed alternative?

Your team counts without you. You order without guessing, from anywhere. Every invoice keeps your costs current.

Know the work is handled, even when you’re away from the restaurant.

Set Up Your RestaurantBook a Call
  • $299/mo
  • Setup included
  • 30-day guarantee
86 $299/mo · no setup feeLightspeed $69–$399/moSee full comparison

Pricing verified July 2026 · Starter tier requires inventory add-on. Payment processing extra. Enterprise custom. · source

86 mobile app — staff counting inventory with photos and last counts

Drop in the mess. Start with a working account.

No forms, no data entry, no blank account to fill in. 86 reads whatever you’ve got — and builds your account in minutes.

Whatever you have

  • Shelf photos
  • Invoices
  • Spreadsheets
  • Handwritten counts
  • POS exports
86 builds it
86 inventory after setup — items with photos, categories, stock levels, pars and status, all organized

Items, vendors, and the link between them — even migrated from your old system — built and ready when you first log in.

Want a hand? We’ll set it up with you — even moving everything over from your current system. Chat or a call, right in the app. No fee, no pitch.

Why Restaurants Are Switching

Common reasons restaurants look for Lightspeed alternatives.

Premium plan at $399/month; payment processing fees on top

POS terminals are iPad-only — no Android or Windows POS support

Inventory and product changes live in the back-office web login, not on the terminal

One-year contract standard; early termination can owe the remaining contract value

K-Series mobile app rated 2.8/5 on the App Store (15 ratings)

Sold its US hospitality (Upserve) line in 2026 — US restaurant focus narrowed to K-Series

What to Look for in an Alternative

💰

Transparent Pricing

No hidden fees, no per-user charges, no surprise setup costs. Know exactly what you'll pay.

⚡

Fast Setup

Your team should be counting inventory this week, not waiting weeks for implementation.

📱

Team Simplicity

If your staff can use a phone, they should be able to use the inventory app. No weeks of training.

Feature breakdown

See exactly where 86 wins — and where Lightspeed does.

Pricing & Setup

  • Monthly Cost86: $299 flat per locationLightspeed: $69–$399 (+ payment processing)
  • Setup Fee86: $0 (included)Lightspeed: $0
  • Contract86: None — cancel online anytimeLightspeed: One-year standard; early termination fees
  • Team Members Included86: UnlimitedLightspeed: Varies by plan
  • Annual Cost (Essential tier)86: $2,988Lightspeed: $2,268 Essential (inventory included). $4,788 Premium. Starter $828 + inventory add-on. Payment processing extra.

Core Features

  • Inventory Management86: YesLightspeed: Yes
  • Photo-Based Counting86: YesLightspeed: No
  • Recipe Costing86: YesLightspeed: Yes
  • Daily Prep Lists for the Kitchen86: No more writing the whiteboard — closing counts set the list, cooks check it offLightspeed: No — logs batches after the fact
  • Cost updates86: Auto via invoices → recipes → booksLightspeed: Manual (via POS exports)
  • Books86: Bank + cards connected — auto-categorized, you review only what's leftLightspeed: Via accounting integrations
  • POS System Included86: NoLightspeed: Yes
  • Low Stock Alerts86: YesLightspeed: Yes
  • Ordering86: Forecast + suggested quantities — you place the orderLightspeed: Automated recurring supplier orders

Simplicity & Learning

  • Who does the setup86: Done for you — AI + a human at your fingertipsLightspeed: You configure (POS + inventory separate configs)
  • Setup Time86: Same dayLightspeed: ~1–2 weeks to Lightspeed's own go-live plan
  • Learning Curve86: Counting is intuitive. Rest is learn-as-you-go.Lightspeed: Front-line staff pick it up quickly; back-office/admin takes longer
  • Feature Focus86: Counting, ordering, invoices, and booksLightspeed: POS + inventory
  • Works without POS86: YesLightspeed: Inventory requires the POS
  • In-app support86: Human chat inside the appLightspeed: Tiered support plans

Mobile Experience

  • iOS App86: YesLightspeed: Yes
  • Android App86: YesLightspeed: iPad-only (no Android POS)
  • Offline Mode86: Tested in walk-ins — nothing gets lost. It just works.Lightspeed: Not listed on their site

Team Management

  • Count Reminders by Text86: Text + push — 86 follows up so you don't have toLightspeed: No — tasks module is email-only
  • Manager Alerts (Missed Counts)86: YesLightspeed: No
  • Push Notifications86: YesLightspeed: Not listed on their site

Data & Migration

  • Free Data Import86: YesLightspeed: Varies
Hector Bilbao
“At Zaco’s Tacos, my bartender counted 200 items in 40 minutes on his first try.”

Hector Bilbao · owner, Zaco’s Tacos · builder of 86 — counting, proven at Zaco’s Tacos

How to switch from Lightspeed.

Migration is included. Our AI sets up your account in minutes — you can be counting and seeing real food costs the same day.

  1. Step 1

    Export your inventory from Lightspeed (Inventory → Products → Export)

  2. Step 2

    Send the export file to [email protected]

  3. Step 3

    Our AI sets up your 86 account with all your items in minutes — you can be counting the same day

  4. Step 4

    Keep Lightspeed running during transition — cancel when ready

Export tip

In Lightspeed, go to Inventory → Products → use the Export button to download as CSV.

Frequently asked questions.

No. Lightspeed bundles inventory with their POS, but if you already have a POS (or don't need one), you're paying for features you won't use. 86 is a standalone inventory tool that works with any setup.
Yes! 86 is POS-independent. Keep your current POS for orders and payments, and use 86 for fast, simple inventory counts. No integration required.
Yes. You send us whatever you have — shelf photos, paper lists, spreadsheets, invoices, POS exports, or exports from your current system — and our AI sets up your account for you in minutes. You can be counting and seeing real food costs the same day.
Our AI handles the data import, vendor setup, and account build in minutes, so your first login looks like your restaurant, not a blank account. You can be counting the same day.
No. We import your existing inventory data as part of setup, and you can keep your old system running during the transition if you want.
86 follows up so you don't have to. The app is simple for your team to use, 86 sends text reminders (not email), you can watch progress live, and you'll know when the count is done. No long training required.
86 is $299/month with setup included and unlimited team members, and it covers counting, ordering, invoices, and your books in one tool. Lightspeed is $69–$399/mo.

Have more questions? Email Hector

See where each tool fits.

Not every tool is the same kind of tool. Here’s where 86 fits against a few other options independents consider.

86 vs MarketMan

Independent restaurants — typically 1–5 locations — that want the whole back office handled in one tool, not just inventory.

Full comparison →86 vs Restaurant365

Independent operators (1–5 locations) who want the same visibility without the enterprise admin overhead.

Full comparison →86 vs MarginEdge

Independents (1–5 locations) who want invoices, counting, ordering, and books off their plate in the same login.

Full comparison →

Know the work is handled, even when you’re away from the restaurant.

Set Up Your RestaurantTry a Sample RestaurantBook a Call
  • $299/mo
  • Setup included
  • 30-day guarantee