2026 guide · by a restaurant owner
Looking for a
MarginEdge 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.
- $299/mo
- Set up in minutes
- 30-day guarantee
Pricing verified April 2026 · Per location. Annual billing available for 10% discount. Onboarding package priced separately. · source
Your data can be a mess.
We can work with that.
Most inventory apps take weeks to set up — and you still have to learn the software yourself. 86 is different: the AI does your setup, and the app is so intuitive you learn as you go. You’re counting and seeing your real food cost the same day you sign up.
You send us
- Shelf photos
- Paper lists
- Spreadsheets
- Invoices
- POS exports
- Exports from your current system
We handle
- Organize your inventory
- Set up your vendors
- Import everything you send us
- Migrate from your current system
- Build your account so your first login feels like your restaurant
Our AI sets up your account in minutes — most restaurants are counting and seeing real food costs the same day.
And if you’d rather have a hand, a real person is one tap away — chat or a call, right inside the app. The AI does the heavy lifting; we’re here whenever you want us.
We use AI where it’s reliable — setup, invoices, and your numbers. Your team still does the counting, because that’s where precision matters and it’s the one thing AI can’t do accurately yet.
Why Restaurants Are Switching
Common reasons restaurants look for MarginEdge alternatives.
$350/month per location + separate onboarding package
Mobile app is 'desktop-tethered' - must use browser for key tasks
Invoice processing takes 24-48+ hours (not real-time)
Annual commitment required for best pricing
Requires POS integration for full value
Overkill if you just need inventory counting
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 | MarginEdge |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Cost | $299 | $350/location |
| Setup Fee | $0 (included) | Onboarding package priced separately |
| Team Members Included | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Annual Cost (per location) | $2,988 | $4,200 monthly / $3,780 annual (10% off). Onboarding package extra. |
Core Features
| Feature | 86 | MarginEdge |
|---|---|---|
| Inventory Management | ||
| Photo-Based Inventory | ||
| Real-time Sync (No Refresh) | ||
| Holiday/Bridge Day Alerts | ||
| Alternative Vendor Suggestions | ||
| Invoice Processing | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Cost updates | Auto via invoices → recipes → books | Auto via invoices (no counting-side flow) |
| Bill Payments | ||
| Recipe Costing |
Mobile Experience
| Feature | 86 | MarginEdge |
|---|---|---|
| iOS App | ||
| Android App | ||
| Modern, Fast Interface | Good | |
| Count speed (rough average) | ~15 min per 100 items | Slower — more taps per item |
Team Management
| Feature | 86 | MarginEdge |
|---|---|---|
| SMS Text Reminders | Email only | |
| Manager Alerts (Missed Counts) | ||
| Push Notifications |
Simplicity & Learning
| Feature | 86 | MarginEdge |
|---|---|---|
| Who does the setup | AI does it for you | You configure (workflow setup can take weeks) |
| Setup Time | Same day | 1–2 weeks to start; weeks more for full workflow |
| Learning Curve | Counting is intuitive. Rest is learn-as-you-go. | Days |
| Feature Focus | Counting, ordering, invoices, and books | Invoices + inventory (no counting app) |
| Works without POS | POS recommended | |
| In-app support | Human chat inside the app | Email / ticketing |
Data & Migration
| Feature | 86 | MarginEdge |
|---|---|---|
| Free Data Import | ||
| Import Any Format | Paper, Excel, POS, CSV | Limited formats |
Books· proven at Zaco’s Tacos
“At Zaco’s Tacos, I stopped chasing my bookkeeper for basic answers.”
Hector Bilbao · owner, Zaco’s Tacos · builder of 86
How to switch from MarginEdge.
Migration is included. Our AI sets up your account in minutes — most restaurants are counting and seeing real food costs the same day.
Export your inventory list from MarginEdge (Inventory → Items → Export)
Send the export file to [email protected]
Our AI sets up your 86 account with all your items in minutes — most restaurants are counting the same day
Keep MarginEdge running during transition — cancel when ready
Export Tip
In MarginEdge, go to Inventory → Items → click Export to download your item list as CSV.
Frequently asked questions.
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.
MarketMan
Where 86 fits
Independent restaurants — typically 1–5 locations — that want the whole back office handled in one tool, not just inventory.
Restaurant365
Where 86 fits
Independent operators (1–5 locations) who want the same visibility without the enterprise admin overhead.
WISK AI
Where 86 fits
Independents (1–5 locations) that run food and beverage, and want the rest of the back office in the same tool.
Know the work is handled, even when you’re away from the restaurant.
- $299/mo
- Set up in minutes
- 30-day guarantee