Best Inventory Software for Small Restaurants in 2026
Small restaurants need simple, affordable inventory tools — not enterprise software designed for 50-location chains. We compared the top options for independent restaurants, cafes, and small restaurant groups.
Affordable Pricing
Small restaurants can't justify $200-600/month for inventory software. The tool should pay for itself quickly.
Quick Setup
No one has 5 weeks for implementation. You need to be counting inventory this week, not next month.
Simple for the Team
Your staff aren't software engineers. The tool should take minutes to learn, not weeks of training.
Mobile-First
Inventory happens in the walk-in, not at a desk. The mobile app needs to be fast, reliable, and work offline.
86
$99/mo — Our Pick
- $99/month — most affordable option
- Same-day setup — no 5-week implementation
- 5 team members included free
- Mobile-first with robust offline mode
- No POS required — works standalone
- 30-day money-back guarantee
Why #1: 86 is purpose-built for small restaurants who want simple, fast inventory without enterprise complexity or pricing.
The Competition
How other inventory tools compare for small restaurants.
Pros for this category
- Starter plan at $69/mo is competitively priced
- Includes POS functionality
Cons for this category
- Inventory features require back-office server login
- Starter plan may be discontinued
- 2-4 week setup time
- Mobile app rated 2.8/5
Verdict
If you need a POS and inventory in one, Lightspeed is an option — but if you already have a POS, you're paying for features you don't need.
Pros for this category
- Strong recipe costing for food-focused restaurants
- Good vendor management with EDI
Cons for this category
- $199-249/mo + $500 setup is expensive for small restaurants
- 5-week implementation is too long
- Overwhelming feature set for simple needs
Verdict
Built for mid-to-large operations. Most small restaurants will find it too complex and expensive.
Pros for this category
- Strong invoice processing automation
- Good POS integrations
Cons for this category
- $330/mo is prohibitive for small restaurants
- Overkill if you just need inventory counting
- Requires POS integration for full value
Verdict
Excellent for invoice-heavy operations, but way too expensive and complex for simple inventory counting.
Pros for this category
- Complete restaurant management suite
- Strong financial reporting
Cons for this category
- $289-635/mo is enterprise pricing
- Requires dedicated administrator
- Weeks to months of training
Verdict
Designed for enterprise restaurant groups. A small restaurant paying $289+/month for inventory is overpaying by thousands per year.
Pros for this category
- AI-powered counting is innovative
- Unlimited users included
Cons for this category
- $199-799/mo is 2-8x 86's price
- AI features add cost for small teams that don't need them
- Better suited for bars than food-focused restaurants
Verdict
Interesting technology, but the price premium isn't justified for small restaurants doing simple food inventory.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the best inventory software for a single-location restaurant?
Do small restaurants really need inventory software?
Can I start with 86 and switch to enterprise software later?
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Built by Hector, owner of Zaco's Tacos
A restaurant owner who solved his own problem.