Best Lightspeed
Alternatives
Looking for a Lightspeedalternative? You're not alone. Here's why restaurants are switching and what to look for.
Top Alternative
$299/mo
$0 Setup Fee
Switching From
Lightspeed
$69-399/mo
+ Varies setup
Why Restaurants Are Switching
Common reasons restaurants look for Lightspeed alternatives.
Premium plan at $399/month
POS system adds additional costs
Can't add new products on-the-fly from POS terminal
Inventory module requires back-office server login for changes
Steeper learning curve - weeks of training
K-Series mobile app rated 2.8/5 on App Store
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.
Pricing & Setup
| Feature | 86 | Lightspeed |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Cost | $299 | $69-399 |
| Setup Fee | $0 (FREE) | $0 |
| Team Members Included | Unlimited | Varies by plan |
| Annual Cost (Essential plan) | $2,988 | $2,268 |
| Annual Savings vs 86 (Essential) | - | +$720/year (Essential) |
Core Features
| Feature | 86 | Lightspeed |
|---|---|---|
| Inventory Management | ||
| Photo-Based Inventory | ||
| Real-time Sync (No Refresh) | ||
| Holiday/Bridge Day Alerts | ||
| Alternative Vendor Suggestions | ||
| Recipe Costing | ||
| POS System Included | ||
| Low Stock Alerts | ||
| Automated Ordering |
Mobile Experience
| Feature | 86 | Lightspeed |
|---|---|---|
| iOS App | ||
| Android App | Limited | |
| Modern, Fast Interface | Good | |
| 15-Minute Count Time |
Team Management
| Feature | 86 | Lightspeed |
|---|---|---|
| SMS Text Reminders | ||
| Manager Alerts (Missed Counts) | ||
| Push Notifications | Limited |
Simplicity & Learning
| Feature | 86 | Lightspeed |
|---|---|---|
| Setup Time | Same day | 2-4 weeks |
| Learning Curve | Seconds (team), 5 min (web) | Weeks |
| Feature Focus | Full platform | POS + Inventory |
| Works Without POS | Inventory requires POS |
Data & Migration
| Feature | 86 | Lightspeed |
|---|---|---|
| Free Data Import | Varies | |
| Import Any Format | Paper, Excel, POS, CSV | Limited formats |
Compare the Cost
See how 86 and Lightspeed compare over time.
Includes $69-399/mo + $0 setup
$299/month flat. No hidden fees.
86 costs $2,760 more
But 86 includes inventory, ordering, AI accounting, recipes, reviews, tasks, and sales in one connected system — with free white-glove setup. Lightspeed covers fewer features and charges for onboarding.
One connected platform vs. separate tools that don't talk to each other.
Get StartedHow to Switch from Lightspeed
Migration is free and takes about a week. Here is exactly how it works.
Export your inventory from Lightspeed (Inventory → Products → Export)
Send the export file to hector@use86.com
We'll set up your 86 account with all your items within about a week
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
One app. Your whole back office.
Send us your data. We set up everything. Your team counts, your books do themselves, and you see it all from one dashboard.
$299/mo · Free setup · No contracts · 30-day guarantee
Built by Hector, owner of Zaco's Tacos
A restaurant owner who solved his own problem.