Honest Comparison

vs MarginEdge

Which restaurant inventory software is right for your team? We compared the features, pricing, and ease of use.

$299/mo

$0 Setup Fee

VS

MarginEdge

$330/mo

+ $250 setup

Save $622+/year with 86

Pricing verified November 2025

How We Differ

Beyond just the price, here is the real difference.

Setup Time
Same Day
vs
MarginEdge
1-2 weeks
Learning Curve
5 Minutes
vs
MarginEdge
Days
Team Members
5 Included
vs
MarginEdge
Unlimited
Offline Mode
Robust
vs
MarginEdge
Unreliable

Feature Breakdown

See exactly where 86 wins.

Pricing & Setup

Feature86
MarginEdge
Monthly Cost$299$330
Setup Fee$0 (FREE)$250
Team Members IncludedUnlimitedUnlimited
Annual Cost$2,988$4,210
Annual Savings vs 86--$1,222/year

Core Features

Feature86
MarginEdge
Inventory Management
Photo-Based Inventory
Real-time Sync (No Refresh)
Holiday/Bridge Day Alerts
Alternative Vendor Suggestions
Invoice ProcessingAI-poweredUnlimited
Bill Payments
Recipe Costing

Mobile Experience

Feature86
MarginEdge
iOS App
Android App
Modern, Fast Interface
Good
15-Minute Count Time

Team Management

Feature86
MarginEdge
SMS Text Reminders
Email only
Manager Alerts (Missed Counts)
Push Notifications

Simplicity & Learning

Feature86
MarginEdge
Setup TimeSame day1-2 weeks
Learning CurveSeconds (team), 5 min (web)Days
Feature FocusFull platformInvoices + Inventory
POS Integration Required
Recommended

Data & Migration

Feature86
MarginEdge
Free Data Import
Import Any FormatPaper, Excel, POS, CSVLimited formats

Compare the Cost

See how 86 and MarginEdge compare over time.

Time Period
MarginEdge Cost$4,210

Includes $330/mo + $250 setup

86 Cost$3,588

$299/month flat. No hidden fees.

You Save

$622

That's money back in your pocket.

Why pay more for software you'll use less?

Start Saving Today

Honest Assessment

We believe in transparency. Here is the bottom line.

Why Choose 86

  • All-in-One Platform: $299/mo includes inventory, ordering, financials, recipes, reviews, tasks, and sales
  • Simplicity: Team learns it in 5 minutes
  • Zero Risk: No contracts, 30-day refund
  • Free Setup: We handle the migration for you

Best For

Independent restaurants, bars, and cafes who want to stop overpaying for enterprise bloat.

?

Why Choose MarginEdge

  • Unlimited invoice processing
  • Bill payments included
  • Strong POS integrations
  • Recipe costing and management

Best For

  • Restaurants needing automated invoice processing
  • Operations wanting bill payment automation

Frequently Asked Questions

No. MarginEdge excels at invoice automation, but if your main need is simple, fast inventory counting, you don't need to pay $330/month for invoice features. 86 focuses purely on inventory at $299/month.
Yes! Unlike MarginEdge, which works best with POS data, 86 is completely standalone. No POS required — just your phone and your walk-in.
Yes! I'll import your inventory data for free, regardless of format (Excel, CSV, paper, or export from your current system). Most restaurants are up and running within about a week.
Setup takes about a week. I handle the data import for free, and I am available to help you get started.
No. I'll import all your existing inventory data. You can also keep your old system running during the transition period if you want.
86 takes 5 minutes to learn. If your team can use a phone, they can use 86. I also provide onboarding support.
86 is $299/month with free setup and includes inventory, ordering, AI accounting, recipes, reviews, tasks, and sales in one platform. MarginEdge costs $330/mo plus a $250 setup fee. With 86, you get a full connected system instead of paying for separate tools.

How to Switch from MarginEdge

Migration is free and takes about a week. Here is exactly how it works.

Step 1

Export your inventory list from MarginEdge (Inventory → Items → Export)

Step 2

Send the export file to hector@use86.com

Step 3

We'll set up your 86 account with all your items within about a week

Step 4

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.

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

Hector, Founder of 86

Built by Hector, owner of Zaco's Tacos

A restaurant owner who solved his own problem.