So the LN is kinda like iota with the fact more nodes= more transaction per second. But 2 LN node can do billion tps themselves. They also can earn from the fees of transaction thus giving more incentives to run a full node.
Key catch is it is voluntary. While it is not "vaporware" anymore. It is on beta mainet!!!! The thing that it is not user friendly (also buggy but it bugyninsh is almost done )
hence why more development is making it user friendly.
Their is also an explorer for the LN: https://explorer.acinq.co/#/
So you can see all activity.