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Start QuizBest Restaurant Inventory Management Software
Is your current food inventory system not making the grade? Try these top restaurant inventory management apps to save time and money.
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WRITTEN & RESEARCHED BY
Editor & Senior Staff Writer
Last updated onUpdated
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REVIEWED BY
Expert Contributor
Our content reflects the editorial opinions of our experts. While our site makes money through referral partnerships, we only partner with companies that meet our standards for quality, as outlined in our independent rating and scoring system.
Running a successful restaurant starts with having reliable, easy-to-use inventory management software. The best POS systems include built-in inventory tools or integrate seamlessly with popular restaurant inventory apps.
This software automates key tasks so you can save time and reduce waste.
Here are our picks for the best POS systems to help you manage your restaurant inventory efficiently.
Learn More About Our Top Picks
| Company | Best For | Next StepsBest For |
|---|---|---|
Toast POS
 |
|
|
Lightspeed Restaurant
 |
|
|
Square For Restaurants
 |
|
Show Deal |
Read more below to learn why we chose these options.
Table of Contents [hide][show]
- The Best Restaurant Inventory Management Software Systems
- Toast POS: Best For Casual Dining
- Lightspeed Restaurant: Best For Inventory Integrations
- Square For Restaurants: Best Budget-Friendly Option
- How To Make The Most Out Of Your Restaurant Inventory App
- How Do I Choose The Best App For Restaurant Inventory?
Table of Contents
- The Best Restaurant Inventory Management Software Systems
- How The Best Apps For Restaurant Inventory Compare
- Toast POS: Best For Casual Dining
- Toast POS
- Toast Pricing
- Toast Inventory Management Features
- Toast Hardware
- Toast Payment Processing
- What To Watch Out For
- Lightspeed Restaurant: Best For Inventory Integrations
- Lightspeed Restaurant
- Lighstpeed Restaurant Pricing
- Lightspeed Restaurant Inventory Management Features
- Lightspeed Restaurant Hardware
- Lightspeed Restaurant Payment Processing
- What To Watch Out For
- Square For Restaurants: Best Budget-Friendly Option
- Square For Restaurants
- Square For Restaurants Pricing
- Square For Restaurants Inventory Management Features
- Square For Restaurants Hardware
- Square For Restaurants Payment Processing
- What To Watch Out For
- Restaurant POS Review Methodology
- How To Make The Most Out Of Your Restaurant Inventory App
- How Do I Choose The Best App For Restaurant Inventory?
The Best Restaurant Inventory Management Software Systems
Restaurant inventory management software should include features like ingredient tracking, vendor management, low-stock notifications, recipe costing, and more.
- Toast POS: Best For Casual Dining
- Lightspeed Restaurant: Best For Inventory Integrations
- Square For Restaurants: Best Budget-Friendly Option
How The Best Apps For Restaurant Inventory Compare
| Multilocation Support | Reporting | Employee Management | Menu Management | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Toast POS | ||||
| Lightspeed Restaurant | ||||
| Square For Restaurants |
Toast POS: Best For Casual Dining
Pricing Range
$0 - $69/month with custom plans availableOnline Ordering
YesEquipment Cost
$0+ if you agree to a higher processing ratePros
- Excellent built-in inventory management
- Free plan available
- POS hardware built for restaurants
- Strong online ordering and takeout features
Cons
- Long-term contract required
- May be expensive
Why We Chose Toast
Toast is a leading Android POS system built specifically for restaurants, combining powerful software with durable, restaurant-grade hardware. Its inventory management tools help owners stay on top of costs and reduce waste with features like automatic syncing, detailed reporting, and menu engineering tools that highlight the most profitable items on your menu.
Toast’s all-in-one system is ideal for busy, full-service restaurants that need advanced controls and real-time insights. However, the price can climb quickly as you add hardware and features, which may make it less practical for smaller operations such as food trucks, cafés, or pop-ups that only need basic functionality.
Choose Toast If:
- You want built-in inventory management with no added fees
- You need custom-built restaurant-grade POS hardware
- You don’t mind a long-term contract
Lightspeed Restaurant: Best For Inventory Integrations
Pricing Range
$69 - $399+/monthOnline Ordering
YesEquipment Cost
$129 - $519Pros
- Numerous inventory integrations available
- Free BevSpot account for inventory management
- Integrated online ordering
Cons
- Not as affordable as some systems
- Standard contracts are 14 months
Why We Chose Lightspeed Restaurant
Lightspeed Restaurant is a fast, affordable iPad POS system that helps restaurants streamline operations with built-in inventory tools and digital ordering. It’s a strong choice for restaurants that want to manage sales, stock, and customer orders all in one platform.
While Lightspeed includes some native inventory management features, its real strength lies in its third-party integrations. Restaurants can connect Lightspeed with a range of advanced inventory software solutions to automate counts, track ingredient costs, and simplify ordering across multiple locations.
Choose Lightspeed Restaurant If:
- You want the option of built-in or third-party inventory features
- You need integrated online ordering at no extra cost
- You don’t mind a built-in payment processor, higher payments, and long-term contracts
Get Started With Lightspeed Restaurant
Square For Restaurants: Best Budget-Friendly Option
Pricing Range
$0 - $149/mo/locationOnline Ordering
YesEquipment Cost
$0 - 799Get a free card swiper from Square at no cost when you create a free account. Claim your card reader.
Pros
- Free and affordable plans available
- Numerous integration options
- Affordable hardware options
- No contracts
Cons
- Requires integrations for advanced inventory management
- Can’t use with an outside payment processor
Why We Chose Square
Square POS is one of the best free options for quick-service restaurants, food trucks, and mobile food vendors that need an easy way to manage orders and track stock. It’s simple to set up, intuitive to use, and offers just enough built-in tools to keep operations running smoothly without overwhelming smaller teams.
The free plan includes basic restaurant inventory management and access to Square’s kitchen display system, making it a great starting point for growing businesses. However, upgrading to a paid plan unlocks more advanced inventory features, deeper reporting, and additional support options that can help streamline service as your business scales.
Choose Square If:
- You’re a new business or have a tight budget
- You want a month-to-month contract with no long-term commitments
- You don’t need advanced built-in inventory management features
Get Started With Square For Restaurants
Restaurant POS Review Methodology
Merchant Maverick has been researching and reviewing POS providers since 2012. Our writers have tested over 100 different point of sale systems, evaluating pricing, features, ease of use, customer service, and user reviewers. Read more about how we rate POS providers.
When comparing different POS software systems, we consider many data points, including relative pricing, the depth of niche features offered, the price of hardware, and any associated payment processing fees. Our lists of the best providers include only apps we’ve deemed worthwhile from multiple vantage points. The POS vendors we pick share qualities such as widespread availability, accessibility, user-friendliness, and reasonable pricing. We also look carefully at niche features, such as check-splitting, inventory management, eCommerce, loyalty programs, gift cards, and more.
We spend an average of 10-15 hours researching and updating each one of our lists, making sure the providers included meet our internal standards for quality and reputation.
80+
Vendors evaluated
65+
Attributes assessed per vendor
20+
Features weighed
30+
Combined years of experience
How To Make The Most Out Of Your Restaurant Inventory App
While software can automate much of your inventory process, you’ll still need to take a few key actions to make it work effectively.
How Do I Choose The Best App For Restaurant Inventory?
The best restaurant inventory software depends on whether you want a standalone program that integrates with your current POS or a POS system with built-in inventory features.
If you’re new to restaurant inventory management, take time to learn the basics before choosing a system. Understanding methods and terminology will help you make a smarter decision.
Finally, consider pricing, ease of use, and contract terms along with the features you need to find the right fit for your restaurant.
Erica Seppala
Editor & Senior Staff Writer at Merchant Maverick
Erica has been writing about small business finance and technology since 2008. She joined Merchant Maverick in 2018 and specializes in researching and reviewing business software, financial products, and other topics to help small businesses manage and grow their operations. Her expertise has been cited in MSN, Reader's Digest, Vox, U.S. News & World Report, and Real Simple. She is a Certified ProAdvisor for QuickBooks Online and QuickBooks Payroll, a graduate of Limestone University, and currently resides in Greenville, South Carolina.
View Erica Seppala's professional experience on LinkedIn.
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