Side by side

86 vs Lightspeed

Which one actually gets work off your plate?

86 $299/mo · no setup feeLightspeed $69–$399/moSee feature breakdown ↓

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

Where 86 actually differs.

Not a price fight. A different approach to getting the work done.

Who sets it up

Done for you — AI + a human at your fingertipsvsYou configure (POS + inventory separate configs)

Time to go live

Same dayvs~1–2 weeks to Lightspeed's own go-live plan

Team members

UnlimitedvsVaries by plan

Cost updates

Auto via invoices → recipes → booksvsManual (via POS exports)

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

The bottom line.

Not a price fight. A different approach to how the work gets done.

Why choose 86

  • Setup is done for you. Send us shelf photos, spreadsheets, POS exports — anything. Our AI builds your account in minutes, a real person is on it with you whenever you want — and you can be counting the same day.
  • Your team counts without you. Text reminders, live progress, and a notification when the count is done. 86 follows up so you don't have to.
  • Costs stay current, automatically. Scan an invoice — item costs, recipes, and your books update in the background. You review what matters.
  • Your books stay current. Connect your bank and credit cards — transactions are categorized automatically, you review only what needs you, and the numbers are real-time.
  • One tool, one login. Counting, prep, ordering, invoices, and your books — no tool patchwork, no per-user fees, no contract.
  • Human support inside the app. Chat lives where the work lives, and a real person answers.

Where 86 fits

Independents (1–5 locations) who already have a POS and want the rest of the back office handled.

Why choose Lightspeed

  • Comprehensive POS integration
  • Real-time inventory tracking with low-stock alerts
  • Strong analytics and reporting
  • Recipe costing and margin tracking

Best for

Restaurants that need POS + basic inventory in one system.

What the work looks like in 86

86 web dashboard — Place Orders with forecast and vendor progress

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

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.

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.

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  • $299/mo
  • Setup included
  • 30-day guarantee