Many restaurant owners think they need expensive hardware to manage food costs digitally. Actually, any smartphone or tablet from the last 5 years will work perfectly. All you need is a stable internet connection and you're ready to start tracking costs.
Supported devices and operating systems
This mobile app runs on most modern devices without any special setup:
💡 Supported systems:
- iOS: iPhone and iPad with iOS 13.0 or newer
- Android: Smartphones and tablets with Android 8.0 or newer
- Browsers: Chrome, Safari, Firefox (latest 2 versions)
Virtually every smartphone and tablet from the past 5 years meets these requirements. You won't need to buy new equipment.
Internet connection and data usage
Cloud storage requires a stable internet connection, but this brings major benefits:
- Your recipes and calculations sync automatically across all devices
- Equipment failures won't cause data loss
- Multiple team members can access the same system simultaneously
⚠️ Note:
You can view existing recipes offline, but creating or editing data requires an active connection.
Data consumption stays minimal - mostly text and small images. From analyzing actual purchasing data across different restaurant types, average kitchens use roughly 50-100 MB monthly.
Hardware requirements in the kitchen
Professional kitchen environments need some practical considerations:
💡 Practical tips:
- Waterproof case for tablets (kitchen conditions)
- Strong wifi coverage in kitchen and storage spaces
- Accessible charging station (heavy daily use)
- Screen size: tablets work great for recipes, phones for quick lookups
No special equipment needed
Unlike POS systems or specialized hospitality hardware, this works with standard consumer devices:
- Manual entry means no barcode scanners required
- No specialized printers necessary
- No connections to scales or kitchen equipment
- Operates independently from your POS system
This approach keeps costs down and makes deployment extremely flexible.
Multiple users and devices
One account works across unlimited devices. Perfect for team environments:
💡 Example setup:
- Owner: iPhone + iPad (home and office use)
- Chef: Personal smartphone (recipes and ordering)
- Sous-chef: Kitchen tablet (HACCP logging)
All information syncs automatically between every device.
Costs and subscriptions
Monthly subscriptions start at €24.99 with no upfront software or hardware costs. You simply pay for app access.
⚠️ Note:
Always begin with the free trial to verify compatibility with your devices and kitchen setup.
Compare yourself?
Try KitchenNmbrs free for 7 days
Discover why hospitality entrepreneurs choose KitchenNmbrs. No credit card required.
Start free trial →How do you check if your devices are suitable?
Check your operating system
Go to settings on your smartphone or tablet and check the system version. For iOS you need at least version 13.0, for Android at least version 8.0.
Test your internet connection in the kitchen
Walk through your kitchen and storage area with your device. Check if you have stable internet everywhere, especially in places where you measure temperatures or count inventory.
Start the free trial period
Download KitchenNmbrs from the App Store or Google Play Store and try it free for 3 days. This way you experience whether the app runs smoothly on your devices in your kitchen environment.
✨ Pro tip
Test your oldest device first with the free 14-day trial period. If it runs smoothly there, you can be confident it'll work flawlessly on all your newer equipment.
Was this article helpful?
Frequently asked questions
Does KitchenNmbrs also work on older smartphones?
Devices older than 5 years often have compatibility issues. iOS 13.0 and Android 8.0 are absolute minimum requirements. Test the free trial period first to be sure.
Can I use KitchenNmbrs without wifi in the kitchen?
You can browse existing recipes offline, but creating new entries and syncing data requires a stable internet connection.
How many devices can I use with one account?
There's no device limit whatsoever. Every team member can log in using their personal smartphone or tablet with the same account credentials.
Do I need to buy special hardware for KitchenNmbrs?
No special equipment required - standard smartphones and tablets work perfectly. However, a waterproof case and solid kitchen wifi coverage are highly recommended for daily use.
⚠️ EU Regulation 1169/2011 — Allergen Information — https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2011/1169/oj
The allergen information on this page is based on EU Regulation 1169/2011. Recipes and ingredients may vary by supplier. Always verify current allergen information with your supplier and communicate this correctly to your guests. KitchenNmbrs is not liable for allergic reactions.
In the UK, the FSA enforces allergen regulations under the Food Information Regulations 2014.
📚 Sources consulted
- EU Verordening 852/2004 — Levensmiddelenhygiëne (2004) — Official source
- EU Verordening 853/2004 — Hygiënevoorschriften voor levensmiddelen van dierlijke oorsprong (2004) — Official source
- EU Verordening 1169/2011 — Voedselinformatie aan consumenten (2011) — Official source
- NVWA — Hygiënecode voor de horeca (2024) — Official source
- NVWA — Allergenen in voedsel (2024) — Official source
- Codex Alimentarius — International Food Standards (2024) — Official source
- FSA — Safer food, better business (HACCP) (2024) — Official source
- BVL — Lebensmittelhygiene (HACCP) (2024) — Official source
- Warenwetbesluit Bereiding en behandeling van levensmiddelen (2024) — Official source
- WHO — Foodborne diseases estimates (2024) — Official source
Food Standards Agency (FSA) — https://www.food.gov.uk
The HACCP standards shown in this application are for informational purposes only. KitchenNmbrs does not guarantee that displayed values are current or complete. Always consult the FSA or your local authority for the latest regulations.
Written by
Jeffrey Smit
Founder & CEO of KitchenNmbrs
Jeffrey Smit built KitchenNmbrs from 8 years of hands-on experience as kitchen manager at 1NUL8 Group in Rotterdam. His mission: give every restaurant owner control over food cost.
Try KitchenNmbrs alongside your current tool
Not satisfied with your current software? KitchenNmbrs offers a free 14-day trial — no credit card required, no commitments. Compare for yourself.
Start free trial →