What is the best inventory management software for a small business?

The "best" inventory management software depends on your specific business model, but here are the top recommendations based on common small business needs:

*   **Best Overall / Best Value: Zoho Inventory**
    *   *Why:* Offers a robust free plan, affordable paid tiers, and seamlessly handles multi-channel sales, shipping, and barcode scanning.
*   **Best for E-Commerce: Cin7 Orderhive**
    *   *Why:* Excellent for businesses selling across multiple platforms (Shopify, Amazon, eBay, Etsy) with real-time inventory syncing and automated order processing.
*   **Best for Simple & Visual Tracking: Sortly**
    *   *Why:* Ultra-intuitive, mobile-first, and highly visual. Perfect for non-retail inventory, service businesses, construction, or internal supply tracking.
*   **Best for Small Manufacturing: Katana**
    *   *Why:* Designed specifically for businesses that make products, tracking raw materials, production schedules, and finished goods in real time.
*   **Best for Brick-and-Mortar Retail: Square for Retail** or **Shopify POS**
    *   *Why:* If you sell in person, using your Point of Sale (POS) system's built-in inventory feature is usually the simplest and most cost-effective option.

**Quick Recommendation:** If you are on a tight budget, start with **Zoho Inventory** (free tier). If you primarily sell online, choose **Cin7 Orderhive**.


Best stock control software for a retail store with two locations

Here are the top stock control and POS software options for a retail store with two locations, depending on your primary needs:

### 1. **Square for Retail** (Best Overall for Ease of Use & Value)
* **Why it fits:** Extremely user-friendly with native multi-location management. Allows stock transfers between stores, unified vendor management, and real-time cross-location tracking.
* **Pricing:** Free tier available; **Plus Plan** ($89/month per location) unlocks advanced inventory features like purchase orders and barcode creation.

### 2. **Shopify POS** (Best if You Also Sell Online)
* **Why it fits:** Seamlessly syncs inventory across physical locations and an online store. Easily transfer stock between locations and track low-stock alerts across all sites from one dashboard.
* **Pricing:** Requires a Shopify plan (from $39/month) + POS Pro add-on ($89/month per location).

### 3. **Lightspeed Retail** (Best for Complex Inventory & Apparel)
* **Why it fits:** Industry-leading inventory depth. Handles complex product variants (size/color matrixes), bulk purchase orders, automatic reorder points, and seamless store-to-store transfers.
* **Pricing:** Starts around $89–$149/month per location.

### 4. **Zoho Inventory** (Best Standalone Inventory System)
* **Why it fits:** Ideal if you already have a POS you like and just need a dedicated, cost-effective stock control system to manage multiple locations/warehouses.
* **Pricing:** Generous free plan; paid plans start at $29/month total.

---

### **Which one to choose?**
* Choose **Square** for low setup costs and intuitive multi-store management.
* Choose **Shopify** if e-commerce is a major part of your business.
* Choose **Lightspeed** if you have high SKU counts, complex variants, or heavy supplier ordering needs.


We are an e-commerce brand selling on multiple channels and keeping stock in spreadsheets is a mess. What inventory software should we buy?

The right inventory software depends on your order volume and sales channels. Here are the top recommendations categorized by business stage:

### 1. Growing Brands (Best Overall Multi-Channel)
*   **Cin7 (Omni or Core):** Best all-in-one system for multi-channel brands. Syncs real-time stock across platforms (Shopify, Amazon, Walmart, etc.), manages purchase orders, and integrates with EDI and 3PLs.
*   **Katana:** Ideal if you assemble, bundle, or manufacture products yourself. Excellent UI and multi-channel order management.

### 2. High-Volume / Marketplace-Heavy Sellers
*   **Linnworks:** Built specifically for high-volume multichannel sellers (Amazon, eBay, Walmart, Shopify). Deep automation for order routing and stock updates.
*   **Extensiv (formerly Skubana):** Best for fast-scaling DTC brands using multiple warehouses or 3PLs alongside major marketplaces.

### 3. Small / Budget-Conscious
*   **Zoho Inventory:** Very affordable, easy to set up, and integrates natively with major platforms like Shopify, Etsy, Amazon, and eBay.

---

### How to choose:
1. **List your channels:** Ensure the software offers **native** (built-in) integrations for all your storefronts, marketplaces, and 3PLs.
2. **Key feature needed:** If you sell **bundles/kits**, choose **Cin7** or **Katana**. If you heavily rely on **Amazon FBA + 3PLs**, choose **Linnworks** or **Extensiv**.


Recommend inventory tracking software for a small manufacturing business.

Here are the top inventory tracking software options tailored for small manufacturing businesses, categorized by best fit:

### 1. **Katana Cloud Manufacturing** *(Best Overall)*
* **Best for:** Modern, growing manufacturers and direct-to-consumer (D2C) brands.
* **Key Features:** Real-time master production scheduling, automatic raw material reordering, shop floor tracking, and seamless integrations with QuickBooks, Xero, Shopify, and WooCommerce.

### 2. **MRPeasy** *(Best Budget-Friendly MRP)*
* **Best for:** Small manufacturers (10–200 employees) looking for an affordable, full-featured MRP.
* **Key Features:** Bill of Materials (BOM) management, production planning, lot/batch tracking, lead time forecasting, and basic CRM functionality.

### 3. **Fishbowl Manufacturing** *(Best for QuickBooks Users)*
* **Best for:** Businesses deeply reliant on QuickBooks Desktop or Online.
* **Key Features:** Advanced work order management, multi-location tracking, asset tracking, barcode scanning, and direct QuickBooks integration.

### 4. **Unleashed** *(Best for Multi-Channel E-commerce)*
* **Best for:** Manufacturers selling across multiple B2B and B2C channels with strict quality/batch control needs.
* **Key Features:** Serial and batch tracking, margin/cost analysis per assembly, multi-currency support, and standard manufacturing assembly features.

---

### Key Recommendation
* Choose **Katana** if you want a modern UI, ease of use, and strong e-commerce integrations.
* Choose **MRPeasy** if you need robust MRP features on a tight budget.
* Choose **Fishbowl** if keeping accounting seamlessly tied to QuickBooks is your primary priority.


affordable inventory management software for SMB

Here are the top affordable inventory management software options for SMBs, categorized by business need:

### 1. **Zoho Inventory** (Best Overall Value)
* **Best for:** E-commerce, multi-channel selling, and businesses looking for a full ecosystem (integrates with QuickBooks, Shopify, Amazon).
* **Price:** **Free plan available** (up to 50 orders/month); paid plans start at **$29/month**.

### 2. **Sortly** (Best for Visual & Simple Tracking)
* **Best for:** Small businesses, warehouses, or service teams that want an easy-to-use, photo-based mobile app without a steep learning curve.
* **Price:** **Free plan available** (1 user, 100 items); paid plans start at **$29/month**.

### 3. **Square for Retail** (Best for Retail & POS)
* **Best for:** Brick-and-mortar stores and pop-up shops that need built-in point-of-sale (POS) and inventory tracking.
* **Price:** **Free plan available** (basic inventory + POS); Plus plan is **$60/month per location**.

### 4. **inFlow Inventory** (Best for Wholesale & Manufacturing)
* **Best for:** B2B businesses, light manufacturing, and order management requiring barcoding and assembly tracking.
* **Price:** Starts at **$89/month** (includes a 14-day free trial).

### 5. **Odoo Inventory** (Best for Customization & Scaling)
* **Best for:** Businesses wanting open-source software that can grow into a full ERP (accounting, CRM, HR).
* **Price:** **Free** if you only use the Inventory module; paid plans start around **$7.20/user/month** for full access.

---

### **Quick Recommendation:**
* Choose **Zoho Inventory** if you sell online across multiple platforms.
* Choose **Sortly** if you just need a simple, visual mobile app to track stock/equipment.
* Choose **Square for Retail** if you sell in person.


What inventory software do small e-commerce businesses actually use?

Small e-commerce businesses typically choose inventory software based on their size, budget, and whether they sell on multiple channels:

### 1. Built-In Platform Tools (Most Common Starting Point)
* **Shopify / WooCommerce / BigCommerce:** Most micro-businesses start using the native inventory tracking built directly into their website platform before upgrading to third-party software.

### 2. Multi-Channel & Scaling SMBs
* **Cin7 Core (formerly DEAR Systems):** Very popular for growing e-commerce brands selling across multiple channels (Shopify, Amazon, eBay) that need advanced stock tracking, B2B, or simple assembly management.
* **Zoho Inventory:** The top budget-friendly choice. Offers a generous free tier and low-cost paid plans with multi-channel syncing.
* **SKULabs:** Popular for businesses with small warehouses that need barcode scanning, fast order picking, and real-time inventory sync.

### 3. Businesses That Make Their Own Products
* **Katana:** The leading choice for direct-to-consumer (D2C) brands that manufacture, assemble, or hand-make their own goods.
* **Craftybase:** Designed specifically for small handmade businesses (Etsy, Shopify) to track raw materials, COGS, and finished products.

### 4. Simple Visual Inventory
* **Sortly:** A mobile-first, visual inventory app best for small businesses wanting an easy, photo-based system instead of complex software.

### 5. Fulfillment & Shipping Tools
* **ShipStation:** While primarily a shipping tool, many small e-commerce sellers use its built-in basic inventory tracking to manage stock alongside order fulfillment.


Best inventory control system for a wholesale distributor

There is no single "best" system for every wholesale distributor, as it depends on your company's size and budget. However, **Oracle NetSuite ERP** is widely considered the industry standard best overall system for wholesale distribution.

Here are the top options categorized by business size and need:

### 1. Best Overall (Mid-to-Large Businesses): **Oracle NetSuite**
* **Why:** It is a complete cloud ERP built specifically for wholesale distributors.
* **Key Features:** Advanced demand planning, multi-warehouse tracking, automated reordering, built-in CRM, robust financial management, and native EDI (Electronic Data Interchange) integration.

### 2. Best Mid-Market Standalone System: **Cin7 (Omni or Core)**
* **Why:** Excellent for growing distributors who need advanced inventory features without a full legacy ERP implementation.
* **Key Features:** Built-in B2B portal for wholesale client ordering, automated batch/lot tracking, deep EDI capabilities, and seamless integration with major accounting tools like QuickBooks and Xero.

### 3. Best for QuickBooks Users: **Fishbowl Inventory**
* **Why:** The premier inventory management software designed specifically to integrate directly with QuickBooks Desktop and Online.
* **Key Features:** Advanced barcode scanning, order management, lot/serial number tracking, and multi-location management.

### 4. Best Budget / Small Business Pick: **Zoho Inventory**
* **Why:** Highly scalable, affordable, and easy to set up for smaller wholesale operations.
* **Key Features:** Multi-channel sales management, basic batch tracking, reorder point alerts, and simple B2B invoicing.

---

### Key Features Every Wholesale System Must Have:
When choosing, ensure the platform offers:
* **Lot/Batch & Serial Tracking** (for traceability and expiration dates)
* **Multi-Warehouse Management** (tracking stock across locations)
* **B2B Order Portal** (allows buyers to order self-service at custom pricing)
* **EDI Capabilities** (required to sell to large retail chains)
* **Demand Forecasting & Automated Reordering**


We keep running out of stock because our online store and warehouse aren't synced. What software fixes this?

To fix this, you need **Inventory Management Software (IMS)** or an **Order Management System (OMS)** that provides real-time, two-way sync between your e-commerce platform (e.g., Shopify, WooCommerce) and your warehouse/WMS.

Here are the top software solutions based on business size and needs:

### 1. Best for Small-to-Medium Businesses
* **Cin7 (Core or Omni):** Excellent for syncing online stores, physical warehouses, and marketplaces (Amazon, eBay) in real time.
* **Zoho Inventory:** Highly affordable, easy to set up, and integrates well with major e-commerce platforms and shipping carriers.
* **Katana:** Great if you manufacture or assemble your own products before storing and selling them.

### 2. Best for Growing / Mid-Market Retailers
* **Brightpearl (by Sage):** Designed specifically for retail and e-commerce; handles complex multi-warehouse inventory, orders, and accounting automatically.
* **Fishbowl:** Ideal if you use QuickBooks and need advanced warehouse management (barcoding, tracking, multi-location) synced to your website.

### 3. Best for Large / Enterprise Businesses
* **Oracle NetSuite:** A full ERP that unifies inventory, warehouse management, e-commerce, and financials in one system.

---

### Alternative: Integration Platforms (iPaaS)
If you already use a Warehouse Management System (WMS) you like, you might not need new inventory software. You can use an integration tool like **Celigo** or **Zapier** to build a direct real-time bridge between your website and your existing warehouse software.


Top rated inventory tracking tools for small warehouse

Here are the top-rated inventory tracking tools tailored for small warehouses:

* **Sortly:** Best for simplicity and visual tracking. It offers a user-friendly, mobile-first app with QR/barcode scanning, perfect for teams wanting a quick setup without complex software.
* **Zoho Inventory:** Best overall value for e-commerce. It offers multi-channel sales integration, multi-location tracking, automated reordering, and a generous free/low-cost plan.
* **inFlow Inventory:** Best for barcode and order management. It is a robust, dedicated warehouse system supporting mobile scanning, stock movement, purchase orders, and B2B portals.
* **Katana:** Best for small manufacturing/assembly warehouses. It provides real-time floor-level tracking, bill-of-materials (BOM) management, and raw material tracking.
* **Fishbowl Inventory:** Best for advanced inventory needs using QuickBooks. It offers enterprise-grade warehouse features (picking/packing, lot tracking, asset management) scaled for small-to-midsize businesses.


What software should a growing D2C brand use for order and inventory management?

For a growing D2C brand, the best software depends on your volume, sales channels, and whether you manufacture your own products. Here are the top choices categorized by brand needs:

### 1. Best Overall for Multichannel Growth
*   **Cin7 (Core or Omni):** Excellent for brands selling across multiple channels (Shopify, Amazon, wholesale). It integrates inventory, order management, and 3PLs seamlessly.
*   **Extensiv Order Management (formerly Skubana):** Built specifically for fast-growing D2C brands managing high order volumes across multiple warehouses and channels.

### 2. Best for Brands That Manufacture or Assemble Products
*   **Katana:** Ideal if you make your own goods. It combines real-time inventory management with shop-floor production tracking and master production scheduling.

### 3. Best Operations Platform (ERP Hybrid) for Rapid Scaling
*   **Brightpearl:** A retail-tailored ERP designed for scaling D2C brands. It automates order processing, inventory planning, customer data, and accounting in one place.
*   **Fulfil.io:** A modern ERP built specifically for high-volume D2C e-commerce brands on platforms like Shopify.

### 4. Best Lightweight / Budget-Friendly Setup
*   **ShipStation + Inventory Planner:** If you are not ready for a full inventory management system, pair ShipStation (for order routing and shipping) with Inventory Planner (for demand forecasting) alongside your e-commerce platform's native inventory tools (e.g., Shopify).

**Recommendation:**
* Choose **Cin7** if you sell on 2+ channels and use a 3PL.
* Choose **Katana** if you handle in-house manufacturing.
* Choose **Brightpearl** or **Fulfil.io** if you are exceeding $5M–$10M in annual revenue and outgrowing basic tools.


Best inventory management software with barcode scanning support

The best inventory management software depends on your specific business size and needs:

1. **Zoho Inventory** (*Best Overall for E-commerce & SMBs*)
   * **Key Features:** Native mobile barcode scanning app, automated reorder points, multi-channel syncing (Shopify, Amazon, eBay). Affordable with a generous free plan.

2. **Sortly** (*Best for Simplicity & Mobile Use*)
   * **Key Features:** Turns smartphones and tablets into barcode/QR code scanners seamlessly. Highly visual, simple to set up, and ideal for small businesses or internal asset tracking.

3. **Fishbowl Inventory** (*Best for Warehousing & Manufacturing*)
   * **Key Features:** Advanced barcode hardware support, precise lot/serial number tracking, and deep integration with QuickBooks and Xero.

4. **Lightspeed Retail** (*Best for Brick-and-Mortar Retail*)
   * **Key Features:** Built-in Point of Sale (POS) system with integrated barcode generation, printing, and scanning for multi-location physical stores.

5. **Katana** (*Best for Manufacturing*)
   * **Key Features:** Real-time barcode tracking for raw materials and finished goods, shop floor control, and master production scheduling.

---

* **Quick Recommendation:** Pick **Sortly** if you want an easy setup using smartphone cameras, or **Zoho Inventory** if you sell products across multiple online channels.


What is the best software for managing stock across multiple warehouses?

The "best" software depends on your business size and industry, but here are the top-rated inventory management systems for multi-warehouse operations:

### **1. Best Overall for Enterprise & Scaling Businesses: Oracle NetSuite**
* **Ideal for:** Large enterprises and fast-growing mid-market companies.
* **Key Strengths:** Full ERP integration, advanced multi-location tracking, automated reorder points, real-time demand planning, and global supply chain visibility.

### **2. Best for E-Commerce & Retail: Cin7 (Core & Omni)**
* **Ideal for:** Omnichannel retailers and wholesalers selling across multiple online and physical stores.
* **Key Strengths:** Deep integrations with platforms like Shopify, Amazon, and QuickBooks; automated order routing to the nearest warehouse; robust stock transfer management.

### **3. Best for Small-to-Medium Businesses (SMBs): Zoho Inventory**
* **Ideal for:** Budget-conscious small businesses and startups.
* **Key Strengths:** Affordable, easy to use, handles multi-warehouse tracking natively, and integrates well with the rest of the Zoho ecosystem and major e-commerce platforms.

### **4. Best for Manufacturing & Wholesale: Katana**
* **Ideal for:** Businesses that manufacture, assemble, or process raw materials across multiple sites.
* **Key Strengths:** Real-time shop floor control, raw material tracking per location, batch/lot tracking, and seamless visual interface.

### **5. Best Dedicated Warehouse Management System (WMS): Logiwa WMS**
* **Ideal for:** High-volume 3PLs and direct-to-consumer (DTC) brands requiring advanced fulfillment.
* **Key Strengths:** Fully focused on high-speed warehouse operations, smart picking/packing algorithms, and deep integrations with shipping carriers.

---

### **Summary Recommendation:**
* Choose **Zoho Inventory** if you want an affordable, entry-level solution.
* Choose **Cin7** if you are an e-commerce/retail brand.
* Choose **NetSuite** if you need a comprehensive, enterprise-grade system.


Simple inventory control software for a 10-person boutique

Here are the top simple inventory control software options for a 10-person boutique, depending on your primary need:

### 1. Best All-in-One (POS + Inventory): **Square for Retail**
* **Why it fits:** Extremely easy to set up, combines checkout and inventory, and has a great free tier.
* **Key Features:** Barcode scanning, low-stock alerts, vendor management, and simple sales reporting.
* **Pricing:** Free plan available; Paid plan starts at $60/month per location.

### 2. Best for In-Store + Online Sales: **Shopify**
* **Why it fits:** The industry standard if you sell products both in your boutique and on a website.
* **Key Features:** Seamlessly syncs online and in-person inventory, easy variant tracking (size/color), and staff permission settings for 10 employees.
* **Pricing:** POS Lite included with basic online plan ($39/month); POS Pro upgrade is $89/month per location.

### 3. Best Standalone Inventory (No POS): **Sortly**
* **Why it fits:** If you already have a checkout system and *only* need to track stock levels visually.
* **Key Features:** Highly visual (add photos of items), scan barcodes/QR codes with a smartphone, track item locations, and set automated low-stock alerts.
* **Pricing:** Advanced plan starts around $49/month.

### 4. Best for Clothing & Apparel Focus: **Lightspeed Retail**
* **Why it fits:** Built specifically for boutiques with complex matrix inventory (e.g., one shirt model in 5 colors and 4 sizes).
* **Key Features:** Advanced ordering, matrix inventory management, built-in customer loyalty program, and detailed analytics.
* **Pricing:** Starts around $89/month.

---

### **Recommendation:**
* Choose **Square for Retail** if you want a free, simple, all-in-one system you can set up today.
* Choose **Shopify** if you also sell products online.


We need inventory software that tracks raw materials and finished goods for assembly.

Here are the top inventory software options tailored for tracking raw materials, assembly (Bill of Materials), and finished goods, categorized by business size and need:

### **Best for Small to Mid-Sized Manufacturers**
1. **Katana MRP**
   * **Why it fits:** Built specifically for modern manufacturing. It automatically calculates raw material requirements, tracks multi-level Bill of Materials (BOMs), and auto-allocates stock as finished goods are assembled.
   * **Best for:** Direct-to-consumer or B2B brands using platforms like Shopify, QuickBooks, or Xero.

2. **MRPEasy**
   * **Why it fits:** Extremely feature-rich and affordable. Offers full traceability (lot/batch tracking), production planning, and precise cost tracking from raw components to final product.
   * **Best for:** Budget-conscious small-to-medium manufacturers looking for a traditional MRP interface.

### **Best if You Already Use QuickBooks or Xero**
3. **Fishbowl Manufacturing**
   * **Why it fits:** Integrates deeply with QuickBooks to add robust inventory control, work orders, manufacture orders, and assembly tracking without replacing your accounting system.
   * **Best for:** Growing businesses that need enterprise-grade assembly tracking attached to QuickBooks.

### **Best Entry-Level / Low Budget**
4. **Zoho Inventory**
   * **Why it fits:** Highly affordable option that supports basic "Composite Items" (assembling raw materials into finished goods).
   * **Best for:** Micro-businesses or simple light-assembly operations.

### **Best for Large / Highly Scalable Operations**
5. **Odoo (Manufacturing & Inventory modules)**
   * **Why it fits:** Fully integrated, modular ERP system. Handles complex assembly work orders, shop floor control, product lifecycle management (PLM), and multi-location raw material tracking.
   * **Best for:** Businesses wanting a fully customized, scalable system (starts with a free single-app tier).

---

### **Key Features to Look For**
When testing demos of these platforms, ensure you look for:
* **Bill of Materials (BOM):** Recipes defining which raw materials make each finished good.
* **Work Orders / Assembly Orders:** Triggers that deduct raw materials from stock and add finished goods to available inventory.
* **Costing (COGS Tracking):** Accurately combining raw material costs + labor to determine the true cost of finished goods.


Best low cost inventory management app for small business

Here are the best low-cost inventory management apps for small businesses, depending on your needs:

### 1. **Zoho Inventory** (Best Overall)
* **Best for:** E-commerce, multi-channel selling, and general business needs.
* **Pricing:** **Free plan** available (up to 50 orders/month, 1 warehouse); paid plans start at **$29/month**.
* **Key Features:** Barcode scanning, order tracking, integrations with Shopify, Amazon, and eBay.

### 2. **Sortly** (Best for Simplicity & Visual Tracking)
* **Best for:** Businesses wanting a visual, photo-based system with no steep learning curve.
* **Pricing:** **Free plan** available (1 user, up to 100 entries); paid plans start at **$29/month**.
* **Key Features:** Photo-based inventory management, custom QR/barcodes, mobile app-focused.

### 3. **Square for Retail** (Best Free POS + Inventory)
* **Best for:** Brick-and-mortar retail stores that also need a point-of-sale system.
* **Pricing:** **Free plan** available (unlimited items, basic inventory features); Plus plan is **$60/month**.
* **Key Features:** Low-stock alerts, vendor management, built-in payment processing.

### 4. **Odoo Inventory** (Best Completely Free Option)
* **Best for:** Businesses looking for robust features without a monthly fee.
* **Pricing:** **100% Free** if you only use the Inventory app (Odoo makes its money when you add more apps).
* **Key Features:** Advanced inventory tracking, automated replenishment, traceability (serial/lot numbers).

---

### Recommendation Summary:
* Choose **Zoho Inventory** if you sell online across multiple channels.
* Choose **Sortly** if you want something simple to track items on a phone/tablet via photos.
* Choose **Square for Retail** if you need a combined cash register and inventory app.
* Choose **Odoo** if you want advanced inventory features completely for free.


What stock tracking software should a food and beverage distributor buy?

The best stock tracking software for a food and beverage distributor depends on your company's size and complexity. Because F&B distribution requires strict lot tracking, expiration date management, and compliance, you should choose a platform with specialized F&B features.

Here are the top recommendations based on business size:

### 1. Small to Medium Distributors
*   **Wherefour:** Built specifically for food and beverage. Excellent for batch tracking, traceability, expiration dates, and cost of goods sold (COGS) tracking.
*   **Fishbowl Inventory:** Great for small-to-midsize distributors already using QuickBooks. Offers strong barcode scanning, lot tracking, and warehouse management capabilities.
*   **Katana:** Modern, cloud-based platform with strong lot-tracking, expiration date tracking, and integration with e-commerce and accounting tools.

### 2. Mid-Market Distributors
*   **Inecta:** Built on Microsoft Dynamics 365 specifically for food distributors. Features advanced lot/serial tracking, quality control, FEFO (First-Expired, First-Out) inventory management, and FDA compliance tools.
*   **Aptean Food & Beverage ERP:** Industry-specific software designed to manage complex supply chains, catch weight, expiration dates, and food safety regulations.

### 3. Large / Enterprise Distributors
*   **Oracle NetSuite:** Highly scalable ERP with advanced inventory, multi-location warehouse management, and demand planning modules tailored for food distribution.
*   **SAP Business One (with Food & Beverage Add-ons):** Best for enterprise-level distributors requiring deep supply chain customization, global compliance, and complex route accounting.

### Key Features to Ensure Before Buying:
Whatever you choose, verify the software supports:
1.  **FEFO (First-Expired, First-Out)** picking rules.
2.  **Lot/Batch Traceability** for recall readiness and FDA/FSMA compliance.
3.  **Catch Weight Management** (if selling items priced by variable weight, like meat or cheese).
4.  **Temperature/Cold Chain tracking** integration.


Recommend a batch and lot tracking inventory software for cosmetics brand.

Here are the top inventory software recommendations for cosmetics brands, categorized by business size and needs:

### 1. **Katana Cloud Manufacturing** *(Best Overall for Direct Manufacturers)*
* **Why it fits cosmetics:** Ideal if you formulate and package products in-house. It tracks raw ingredients to finished goods and uses **FEFO** (First-Expired, First-Out) logic to prevent stock spoilage.
* **Key Features:** Full batch/lot traceability, expiration date tracking, recipe/BOM (Bill of Materials) management, seamless integrations with Shopify, WooCommerce, and QuickBooks.

### 2. **Cin7 Core (formerly DEAR Systems)** *(Best for Scaling Multi-Channel Brands)*
* **Why it fits cosmetics:** Perfect for brands selling across multiple channels (Shopify, Amazon, wholesale, brick-and-mortar) that need strict regulatory compliance and recall capabilities.
* **Key Features:** Advanced lot and serial tracking, expiration date alerts, automated B2B wholesale portal, multi-location management.

### 3. **Craftybase** *(Best for Small/Handmade Cosmetic Businesses)*
* **Why it fits cosmetics:** Designed specifically for small-batch makers and indie beauty brands needing simple, affordable FDA compliance.
* **Key Features:** Raw ingredient and batch tracking, base-to-finished-product traceability, automated COGS (Cost of Goods Sold) calculations, shop floor planning.

### 4. **Unleashed Software** *(Best for Growing Distributors & Mid-Sized Brands)*
* **Why it fits cosmetics:** Offers robust inventory control and deep batch management for brands handling high volumes or outsourced contract manufacturing.
* **Key Features:** Detailed batch origin tracking, shelf-life management, advanced reporting, and multi-currency support for international sourcing.

---

### **Recommendation Summary:**
* **Small/Indie Maker:** Choose **Craftybase**.
* **In-House Manufacturer (Mid-sized):** Choose **Katana**.
* **Multi-Channel Brand (E-commerce + Wholesale):** Choose **Cin7 Core**.


Best inventory management software for multichannel sellers

Here are the best inventory management software options for multichannel sellers, categorized by business size and specific needs:

### 1. **Veeqo** (Best Free / Budget Option)
* **Best for:** Small to mid-sized e-commerce businesses selling heavily on Amazon, eBay, Shopify, and Walmart.
* **Key Advantage:** **100% free to use** (owned by Amazon). It offers unlimited orders, shipping rate discounts, and real-time inventory syncing across multiple channels.

### 2. **Cin7** (Best Overall for Growing Businesses)
* **Best for:** Mid-sized businesses needing advanced order, warehouse, and EDI management.
* **Key Advantage:** Connects over 700+ channels, marketplaces (Amazon, Walmart, target, etc.), and 3PLs. Excellent for B2B and DTC hybrid models.

### 3. **Extensiv (formerly Skubana)** (Best for High-Volume Brands)
* **Best for:** Fast-scaling brands and enterprise sellers processing thousands of orders monthly.
* **Key Advantage:** Advanced automated order routing, cross-channel analytics, and deep integration with FBA and third-party logistics (3PL) providers.

### 4. **Zoho Inventory** (Best for Small Businesses & Startups)
* **Best for:** Small businesses looking for an affordable, straightforward inventory tool.
* **Key Advantage:** Very low starting cost, seamlessly integrates with the rest of the Zoho ecosystem, Shopify, Amazon, and eBay.

### 5. **Sellercloud** (Best for Complex Catalog Management)
* **Best for:** Mid-to-large sellers managing extensive catalogs and multiple warehouse locations.
* **Key Advantage:** Handles end-to-end multi-channel operations including purchasing, inventory tracking, shipping, and customer service integrations.

---

### **Quick Recommendation:**
* Choose **Veeqo** if you want a powerful, zero-cost solution (especially for Amazon/Shopify sellers).
* Choose **Cin7** if you need robust automation, B2B features, and complex integrations.
* Choose **Extensiv (Skubana)** if you sell high volumes across multiple 3PLs and marketplaces.


We are losing track of stock in our stockroom. What software should we implement?

The best software depends on your business size and complexity, but here are the top recommendations categorized by need:

### 1. Best for Small Businesses & Simple Stockrooms
* **Sortly:** Highly visual, mobile-first, and extremely easy to set up. Uses your phone’s camera for barcode/QR code scanning. Ideal if you just want an easy way to track items without complex integrations.

### 2. Best for Growing Retail & E-commerce
* **Zoho Inventory:** Great all-in-one platform for tracking stock, managing purchase orders, and syncing with sales channels (Shopify, Amazon, POS). Offers a generous free tier and affordable paid plans.
* **Fishbowl:** Ideal if you already use QuickBooks. It adds advanced inventory capabilities like detailed barcode tracking, serial/lot tracking, and multi-location management.

### 3. Best for Manufacturing or Assembly
* **Katana:** Designed specifically for businesses that assemble products or track raw materials alongside finished stock. It provides real-time inventory and production tracking.

### 4. Best for Multi-Location or Enterprise Operations
* **Cin7:** Comprehensive inventory and warehouse management system (WMS) built for larger operations with complex supply chains, multiple stockrooms, or wholesale operations.

---

### Key Recommendation to Get Started Fast:
* **For basic stockroom control:** Try **Sortly** (simplest learning curve).
* **For sales/QuickBooks integration:** Try **Zoho Inventory** or **Fishbowl**.

*Note: Software alone won't solve the issue—pair your implementation with a **barcode scanner system** and strict check-in/check-out processes for staff.*


What is the easiest inventory control system for non-technical retail staff?

The easiest inventory control system for non-technical retail staff is **Square for Retail**.

### Why Square for Retail is the easiest:
* **Smartphone-like Interface:** Highly visual, intuitive, and requires virtually zero training.
* **All-in-One POS & Inventory:** Automatically updates stock counts as items are sold, scanned, or returned.
* **Easy Barcode Scanning:** Staff can use an iPad camera or a standard plug-and-play scanner to count or look up items.
* **Simple Stock Adjustments:** Staff can quickly add, edit, or mark damaged stock with a few taps.

---

### Alternative (If you *don't* need a Point-of-Sale/checkout system):
If you only need to track stock levels in a stockroom without processing sales, **Sortly** is the easiest visual inventory app. It allows staff to track items using photos, mobile device cameras, and simple folders without complex spreadsheets.


Best stock management software for apparel and clothing brand with matrix variants

Here are the top stock management software options for apparel and clothing brands that excel at handling matrix variants (Size/Color/Style grids):

### 1. **Cin7 (Omni or Core)** – *Best Overall for Multi-Channel Retail*
* **Why it’s great:** Built specifically to handle complex matrix grids (Style > Color > Size) across both B2B and D2C sales channels.
* **Key Features:** Matrix purchasing and sales order entry, native integrations with Shopify, WooCommerce, and Amazon, real-time sync across multiple warehouses, and an integrated B2B wholesale portal.

### 2. **ApparelMagic** – *Best Purpose-Built Fashion Software*
* **Why it’s great:** Designed exclusively for the apparel industry, integrating inventory, Product Lifecycle Management (PLM), and sales.
* **Key Features:** Native size/color matrix ordering, tech pack management, batch barcode scanning, multi-currency support, and deep Shopify integration.

### 3. **Katana Cloud Manufacturing** – *Best if You Manufacture/Assemble Clothing*
* **Why it’s great:** Ideal for brands that cut, sew, or assemble their own products in-house or via contract manufacturers.
* **Key Features:** Visual matrix variant management, real-time Bill of Materials (BOM) tracking, raw material availability planning, and shop-floor control.

### 4. **Fulfil.io** – *Best for Fast-Growing / High-Volume Brands*
* **Why it’s great:** An enterprise-level ERP tailored for modern D2C and omnichannel apparel brands experiencing rapid scaling.
* **Key Features:** Advanced variant matrix management, automated backorder handling, intelligent warehouse routing, and robust financial tracking.

---

### Quick Recommendation:
* **For D2C + Wholesale Growth:** Choose **Cin7**.
* **For Full Fashion Lifecycle (PLM + Inventory):** Choose **ApparelMagic**.
* **If you manufacture your own goods:** Choose **Katana**.


Software to manage purchase orders and supplier inventory for small business

Here are the top software options for managing purchase orders (POs) and supplier inventory for a small business, categorized by primary use case:

### **1. Best Overall & Budget-Friendly**
* **Zoho Inventory:** Excellent for small businesses looking for an affordable, full-featured system.
  * **Key Features:** Automated reorder points, PO generation, supplier tracking, and multi-channel sales integration.
  * **Integrations:** QuickBooks, Xero, Shopify, Amazon, Zoho CRM.

### **2. Best for Retail, Wholesale & Distribution**
* **inFlow Inventory:** Highly popular, user-friendly, and scales well as you grow.
  * **Key Features:** Advanced vendor management, streamlined PO creation, barcode scanning, stock level alerts, and drop shipping support.
  * **Integrations:** QuickBooks Online, Xero, Shopify, WooCommerce.

### **3. Best for Small Manufacturers & Product-Based Businesses**
* **Katana Cloud Manufacturing:** Ideal if you assemble products or manage raw materials alongside finished goods.
  * **Key Features:** Visual PO tracking, automated material purchasing based on sales orders, production planning, and supplier lead-time management.
  * **Integrations:** QuickBooks, Xero, Shopify, WooCommerce.

### **4. Best for Simple & Mobile-First Inventory Tracking**
* **Sortly:** Great for non-technical teams that need intuitive, visual inventory management.
  * **Key Features:** Simple barcode/QR code scanning, low-stock alerts, and custom PO tracking (ideal for basic inventory needs).

### **5. Best Built Into Accounting Software**
* **QuickBooks Online (Plus or Advanced plans):** If you already use QuickBooks, its built-in inventory and PO management might be all you need without paying for a separate tool.
  * **Key Features:** Create and send POs directly to vendors, track inventory on hand, and automatically convert POs into bills.

---

### **Quick Recommendation:**
* **Choose Zoho Inventory** if you want the best features for the lowest cost.
* **Choose inFlow Inventory** if you want the most intuitive interface dedicated purely to inventory and PO workflows.


What inventory management platform is best for multi-channel e-commerce sellers?

**Cin7** is widely considered the best overall inventory management platform for multi-channel e-commerce sellers due to its robust automation, extensive channel integrations (Amazon, Shopify, Walmart, eBay, etc.), and built-in POS/B2B capabilities.

However, the best specific choice depends on your business size and budget:

* **Best Overall / Growing Businesses:** **Cin7** – Powerful automation, multi-warehouse support, and deep channel integrations.
* **Best for Small Businesses / Beginners:** **Sellbrite** – Simple to set up, highly affordable, and ideal for listing and syncing across major marketplaces.
* **Best for High-Volume / Enterprise:** **Extensiv** (formerly Skubana) – Advanced order routing, granular analytics, and complex fulfillment automation.
* **Best Budget Option:** **Zoho Inventory** – Offers a generous free tier and affordable plans for simple multi-channel syncing.


Top inventory control platforms for small electronics manufacturer

Here are the top inventory control and MRP (Manufacturing Resource Planning) platforms tailored for small electronics manufacturers, specifically emphasizing serial number tracking, multi-level Bills of Materials (BOMs), and component traceability:

1. **Katana Cloud Manufacturing**
   * **Best For:** Modern, visual, real-time inventory and production management.
   * **Key Features:** Multi-level BOMs, end-to-end component tracking, serial/lot number traceability, shop-floor app, and seamless integration with QuickBooks, Xero, and Shopify.

2. **MRPeasy**
   * **Best For:** High functionality at an affordable price for small teams (10–200 employees).
   * **Key Features:** Strong MRP capabilities, precise serial and lot tracking, multi-level BOM management, shop floor control, and automated reorder points.

3. **Fishbowl Manufacturing**
   * **Best For:** Businesses deeply reliant on QuickBooks for accounting.
   * **Key Features:** Advanced work orders, manufacture orders, full component traceability via serial numbers, barcode scanning, and multi-location tracking.

4. **Unleashed Software**
   * **Best For:** Batch tracking and precise cost control.
   * **Key Features:** Multi-level assemblies, strict batch/serial number tracking (essential for electronics compliance), real-time margin tracking, and strong e-commerce integrations.

5. **inFlow Inventory**
   * **Best For:** Smaller setups looking for an easy-to-use, budget-friendly solution.
   * **Key Features:** Simple assembly and kit creation, serial number tracking, barcode generation/scanning, and purchasing management.

**Key features to prioritize for electronics:** Ensure the platform you choose includes **serial number tracking** (for warranty and compliance) and **multi-level BOM support** (for complex PCB assemblies and sub-assemblies).


We need automated reorder points and low stock alerts. What software should we get?

The best software depends on your business model and size. Here are the top recommendations by category:

### 1. Best Overall for E-Commerce & Retail
* **Inventory Planner (by Sage):** Best-in-class for automatic reorder point calculations based on sales velocity, lead times, and seasonality. Integrates directly with Shopify, Amazon, and WooCommerce.
* **Cin7 Core (formerly DEAR):** Ideal for multichannel sellers needing central inventory tracking, low-stock triggers, and automated purchase order generation.

### 2. Best for Small Businesses & Budgets
* **Zoho Inventory:** Very affordable, easy to set up, and includes simple automated low-stock alerts, reorder points, and supplier management out of the box.

### 3. Best for Manufacturing & D2C Brands
* **Katana Cloud Manufacturing:** Automatically tracks low stock levels for both raw materials and finished goods, auto-generating purchase orders when components dip below minimum thresholds.

### 4. Best for Mid-Market & Enterprise ERP
* **NetSuite:** Full enterprise ERP that automates complex reorder points across multiple warehouses, supplier lead times, and safety stock requirements.

---

### Quick Recommendation
* **If you sell online (Shopify/Amazon):** Go with **Inventory Planner** or **Cin7**.
* **If you make/assemble products:** Go with **Katana**.
* **If you want low cost and simplicity:** Go with **Zoho Inventory**.


Best inventory management software for a 50-person company

For a 50-person company, the best inventory management software depends on your industry (manufacturing, wholesale, or e-commerce) and existing tech stack.

Here are the top recommendations based on specific business needs:

### 1. Best Overall for Multi-Channel Sales & Wholesale: **Cin7**
* **Why it fits:** Scales exceptionally well for mid-sized companies selling across multiple channels (Shopify, Amazon, B2B).
* **Key Features:** Automated order workflows, multi-location tracking, built-in EDI, and native integration with QuickBooks Online and Xero.

### 2. Best for QuickBooks Users & Warehousing: **Fishbowl**
* **Why it fits:** The industry standard if your accounting relies heavily on QuickBooks Desktop or Online.
* **Key Features:** Advanced warehouse management, asset tracking, barcode scanning, manufacturing workflows, and deep QuickBooks integration.

### 3. Best for Manufacturing & Assembly: **Katana**
* **Why it fits:** Designed specifically for modern visual manufacturing and production scheduling.
* **Key Features:** Real-time master production scheduling, shop floor app, raw material tracking, and bill of materials (BOM) management.

### 4. Best Value / Budget-Friendly: **Zoho Inventory**
* **Why it fits:** Cost-effective and powerful if you already use (or want to use) the broader Zoho ecosystem.
* **Key Features:** Kitting, multi-warehouse management, shipment tracking, and automated reorder points.

### 5. Best Full ERP (High Revenue / Complex Needs): **NetSuite ERP**
* **Why it fits:** If your 50-person company generates high revenue and needs accounting, CRM, and inventory in a single system.
* **Key Features:** Enterprise-grade reporting, global supply chain management, and unlimited scalability (higher implementation cost and time).

---

### How to Choose quickly:
* **E-commerce / Retail:** Go with **Cin7**.
* **Heavy Warehouse / QuickBooks:** Go with **Fishbowl**.
* **Making / Assembling Products:** Go with **Katana**.
* **Tight Budget:** Go with **Zoho Inventory**.


What software do small medical supply distributors use for inventory tracking?

Small medical supply distributors typically use inventory management software or Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems that include **lot tracking, expiration date management, and FDA/UDI compliance features**.

Here are the most common options based on business size and needs:

### 1. Specialized / Medical-Focused Distributors
*   **Blue Link ERP:** Tailored specifically for medical supply and pharmaceutical distributors. Offers robust lot/serial tracking, FDA compliance (DSCSA), and expiration date tracking.
*   **Acctivate Inventory Management:** Plugs into QuickBooks and is widely used by medical device and supply distributors needing FDA lot traceability and UDI tracking.

### 2. General Inventory Software (Best for Small Teams)
*   **Fishbowl Inventory:** A popular, cost-effective option for small businesses that integrates with QuickBooks. It handles barcode scanning, lot tracking, and expiration dates.
*   **SOS Inventory:** Designed specifically for QuickBooks Online users, providing affordable lot/serial tracking and multi-location inventory.
*   **Zoho Inventory:** A budget-friendly cloud tool for very small distributors needing basic lot tracking and order management.

### 3. All-in-One Cloud ERPs (For Growing Distributors)
*   **Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central:** A scalable ERP used by growing distributors for end-to-end supply chain, lot traceability, and warehouse management.
*   **NetSuite:** A popular cloud ERP for mid-sized distributors needing advanced inventory controls, compliance tracking, and automated workflows.


Recommend cloud-based inventory control software for light manufacturing.

Here are the top cloud-based inventory control software options tailored for light manufacturing and assembly:

### 1. **Katana Cloud Manufacturing** (Best Overall)
* **Why it fits:** Designed specifically for modern SMB light manufacturers. It features visual shop floor control, real-time master production scheduling, and automated reorder points for raw materials and finished goods.
* **Integrations:** QuickBooks Online, Xero, Shopify, WooCommerce.

### 2. **MRPeasy** (Best Value & Features)
* **Why it fits:** Highly functional, affordable Material Requirements Planning (MRP) software. Excellent for tracking Bill of Materials (BOMs), batch/lot numbers, shop floor reporting, and lead times.
* **Integrations:** QuickBooks Online, Xero, Pipedrive, Shopify.

### 3. **Cin7 Core** (Best for Multi-Channel Sales)
* **Why it fits:** Excellent if you sell across multiple channels while handling light manufacturing. Supports multi-level BOMs, assembly/disassembly, batch and serial tracking, and automated work orders.
* **Integrations:** Major e-commerce platforms, marketplaces, and accounting systems.

### 4. **Fishbowl Drive** (Best for QuickBooks Users)
* **Why it fits:** The cloud-native version of Fishbowl, built specifically for SMB light manufacturing and warehousing. Offers robust work order management, lot tracking, and BOM management.
* **Integrations:** Native deep integration with QuickBooks.

---

### **Recommendation Summary:**
* Choose **Katana** for an intuitive, modern user interface and fast setup.
* Choose **MRPeasy** if you need advanced MRP features on a tight budget.
* Choose **Cin7 Core** if you have complex, multi-channel selling needs.


Best inventory tracking system for small business with multiple web stores

The best inventory tracking system depends on your specific budget and operational needs, but these are the top four options for a small business running multiple web stores (e.g., Shopify, WooCommerce, Amazon, Etsy):

1. **Zoho Inventory** (*Best Budget-Friendly*)
   * **Why it’s great:** Very affordable (offers a free tier), easy to set up, and seamlessly syncs stock across major platforms (Shopify, Amazon, Etsy, eBay).
   * **Ideal for:** Small businesses looking for a cost-effective, easy-to-use solution.

2. **Sellbrite** (*Best for Simple Multi-Channel Syncing*)
   * **Why it’s great:** Focuses heavily on multi-channel e-commerce. It lets you list products and sync inventory across all web stores in real time from a single dashboard.
   * **Ideal for:** Businesses that sell strictly online across multiple marketplaces and web stores.

3. **Cin7 Core** (formerly DEAR Inventory) (*Best Overall for Growing Businesses*)
   * **Why it’s great:** Highly powerful, offering multi-location tracking, automated order routing, advanced reporting, and deep integration with accounting tools like QuickBooks and Xero.
   * **Ideal for:** Rapidly growing businesses with complex inventory needs.

4. **Katana** (*Best if You Manufacture or Assemble Products*)
   * **Why it’s great:** Excellent real-time inventory management that tracks both finished goods and raw materials, alongside native integrations with major e-commerce platforms.
   * **Ideal for:** E-commerce brands that make, assemble, or customize their own products.

**Recommendation:** Start with **Zoho Inventory** for low costs and ease of use, or move to **Cin7 Core** if you need robust automation and advanced reporting.


How should a small business replace spreadsheet inventory tracking?

To replace spreadsheet inventory tracking, a small business should transition to dedicated **Inventory Management Software (IMS)** integrated with their sales channels.

Here is the step-by-step process to make the transition:

### 1. Audit and Clean Your Existing Data
Before migrating, standardize your current spreadsheet. Ensure every product has a unique SKU, accurate unit counts, clear descriptions, cost prices, and selling prices. Delete discontinued items.

### 2. Identify Your Specific Needs
Determine the essential features you need, such as:
* **E-commerce/POS integration** (e.g., syncing with Shopify, Square, or WooCommerce)
* **Barcode scanning capabilities**
* **Multi-location or warehouse tracking**
* **Low-stock alerts and automated purchase orders**

### 3. Choose the Right Software
Select a system based on your business model:
* **For Retail/E-commerce:** **Shopify** (built-in) or **Zoho Inventory** (great for multi-channel sales).
* **For Simple/Visual Tracking:** **Sortly** (easy mobile app setup, ideal for non-retail assets or simple inventory).
* **For Manufacturing/Assembly:** **Katana** or **Craftybase** (tracks raw materials and finished goods).
* **For POS-Heavy Businesses:** **Square for Retail** or **Clover**.

### 4. Implement Hardware
Incorporate basic barcode scanners or mobile devices (smartphones/tablets) so staff can scan items in and out instantly instead of typing numbers manually.

### 5. Perform a Final Physical Count & Import
Do a full physical inventory count on a day sales are paused. Export your cleaned spreadsheet as a CSV file, import it directly into the new software, and verify that the starting counts match.

### 6. Establish New Workflows & Train Staff
Set strict rules: no item moves without being scanned or logged in the new system immediately. Train your team on handling returns, receiving purchase orders, and conducting regular "cycle counts" (partial daily/weekly stock audits).


Best software for real time stock synchronization across online marketplace channels

The "best" software depends on the size of your business and your technical requirements. Here are the top software solutions for real-time multi-channel inventory synchronization:

### 1. **Best Overall for Mid-to-Large Businesses: Linnworks**
* **Why:** Industry-standard for multi-channel e-commerce. Excellent automated, real-time inventory updates across major marketplaces (Amazon, eBay, Walmart, Shopify, etc.), order management, and warehouse integration.

### 2. **Best for Small-to-Medium Businesses: Sellbrite**
* **Why:** Simple interface, fast setup, and cost-effective. Automatically syncs stock across Amazon, eBay, Etsy, Walmart, and Shopify to prevent overselling.

### 3. **Best for Retailers with Physical Stores & Online Sales: Cin7**
* **Why:** Outstanding for omnichannel businesses needing to sync physical POS systems, B2B wholesale, and online marketplaces in real time.

### 4. **Best Enterprise & Global Solution: ChannelEngine**
* **Why:** Built for enterprise brands selling across hundreds of global marketplaces (e.g., Amazon, Zalando, Mercado Libre, Target). Offers high-frequency real-time stock updates and advanced dynamic pricing.

### 5. **Best for Complex Operations & Fulfillment: Extensiv (formerly Skubana)**
* **Why:** Ideal for high-volume sellers using multiple 3PLs or warehouses. Provides real-time sync alongside deep operational analytics and automated routing.

---

### **Recommendation Summary:**
* **Small Business / Startup:** Choose **Sellbrite**.
* **Growing Mid-Market Business:** Choose **Linnworks**.
* **Omnichannel / Brick-and-Mortar + Online:** Choose **Cin7**.
* **Enterprise / Global:** Choose **ChannelEngine**.


What stock management software is best for high volume e-commerce?

For high-volume e-commerce, the best stock management software depends on your operational complexity:

1. **Oracle NetSuite ERP** – **Best for Enterprise Scale**
   The industry gold standard for massive operations. Handles complex multi-warehouse inventory, demand planning, automated reordering, and global financial tracking.

2. **Extensiv (formerly Skubana)** – **Best for High-Volume Multi-Channel**
   Built specifically for fast-moving multi-channel e-commerce. It excels at automated order routing, real-time inventory syncing across channels (Amazon, Shopify, Walmart, etc.), and profitability analytics.

3. **Brightpearl (by Sage)** – **Best Mid-Market Retail Operating System**
   Designed specifically for e-commerce brands processing high order volumes. It unifies inventory, order management, CRM, and real-time accounting in one platform.

4. **ShipHero** – **Best for Self-Operated Warehouses**
   Ideal for high-volume Direct-to-Consumer (D2C) brands that run their own physical warehouses. Combines powerful inventory control with a robust Warehouse Management System (WMS) to optimize picking, packing, and shipping.

---

**Quick Recommendation:**
* Choose **NetSuite** if you need a full enterprise-grade ERP.
* Choose **Extensiv** or **Brightpearl** for automated multi-channel sales and order management.
* Choose **ShipHero** if your primary bottleneck is warehouse efficiency and shipping high order volumes.


Best inventory software with kitting and bundling support

The best inventory software with kitting and bundling support depends on your business size and sales channels:

* **Best Overall for E-commerce:** **Cin7 Core** (formerly DEAR Systems)
  * **Why:** Automatically tracks component inventory in real time when bundles sell across multiple online channels (Shopify, Amazon, WooCommerce). Excellent for virtual kits and physical product bundles.

* **Best for Small Business & Budget:** **Zoho Inventory**
  * **Why:** Uses a feature called "Composite Items" that makes creating bundles simple and affordable. Ideal for SMBs needing basic to intermediate kitting without high setup costs.

* **Best for DTC Brands & Light Manufacturing:** **Katana**
  * **Why:** Offers visual Bill of Materials (BOM) management, auto-allocating raw materials and components to kits/assemblies in real time as orders come in.

* **Best for QuickBooks Users:** **Fishbowl Inventory**
  * **Why:** Integrates seamlessly with QuickBooks and excels at complex multi-level kitting, assembly, and work orders for wholesale or manufacturing.

* **Best for Mid-Market & Enterprise:** **NetSuite ERP**
  * **Why:** Handles highly complex dynamic kitting, personalized product bundles, custom pricing rules, and full supply chain automation at scale.

**Quick Recommendation:** Go with **Zoho Inventory** if you are on a tight budget, **Cin7** if you sell multi-channel e-commerce, or **Katana** if you assemble/manufacture your kits in-house.


What software should an auto parts distributor use to track inventory?

An auto parts distributor should choose software that handles specific automotive needs, such as tracking fitment data (Year/Make/Model), core returns, matrix pricing, and high SKU volumes.

Here are the top software recommendations based on business size and needs:

### 1. Dedicated Automotive Industry Software (Best Overall)
* **Epicor (Vision or Eagle):** The industry standard for automotive aftermarket distributors. It features built-in ACES/PIES fitment data, automated cataloging, and core management.
* **MAM Software (Autopart):** Designed specifically for auto parts distributors and wholesalers, offering strong inventory control, point-of-sale, and e-commerce integration.
* **AutoPower:** A specialized ERP built for heavy-duty auto parts distributors and rebuilders.

### 2. General Distribution ERPs (Best for Mid-to-Large Enterprises)
* **Oracle NetSuite:** Highly customizable cloud ERP ideal for large distributors needing advanced multi-warehouse tracking, demand forecasting, and integrated e-commerce.
* **Acumatica:** A flexible, cloud-based ERP with strong distribution modules that can be integrated with automotive catalog databases.

### 3. Small-to-Midsize Businesses (Best for Budget / Ease of Use)
* **Fishbowl Inventory:** A cost-effective solution that integrates directly with QuickBooks, ideal for smaller distributors needing barcode scanning and multi-location tracking.
* **Katana Cloud Manufacturing & Inventory:** Great for smaller distributors who also do light assembly, rebuilds, or sell directly online (Shopify, Amazon).

### Key Features to Look For:
* **Fitment (ACES/PIES) Compatibility:** Crucial for matching parts to the correct vehicle.
* **Core Tracking:** Ability to track core charges and returns.
* **Cross-Referencing:** Mapping OEM part numbers to aftermarket equivalents.


Simple stock control tool for small craft brewery inventory

Here are the best stock control tools for a small craft brewery, categorized by complexity and budget:

### 1. Simple & Affordable Inventory Apps (Easiest to Start)
*   **Sortly:** Highly visual, mobile-first inventory app. Great for scanning barcodes with a phone to track hops, grain, cans, and kegs. *(Starts ~$29/mo)*
*   **Craftybase:** Designed for small batch manufacturers. Excellent for tracking raw materials (hops, malt), calculating cost-of-goods-sold (COGS), and managing finished stock. *(Starts ~$35/mo)*

### 2. Dedicated Brewery Management Software (Best Long-term)
*   **Breww:** Modern, cloud-based software tailored for craft breweries. Handles raw materials, batch tracking, duty calculations, keg tracking, and sales. Very user-friendly. *(Pay-as-you-grow pricing)*
*   **Ollie (by NextGlass):** Built specifically for small-to-midsize craft breweries to manage raw ingredients, production, packaging, and taproom/wholesale inventory.

### 3. Free / DIY Option (Zero Budget)
*   **Google Sheets with Barcode Extension:** Set up three tabs:
    1.  **Raw Materials:** Hops (g/kg), Malt (kg), Yeast, Chemicals.
    2.  **Packaging Supplies:** Cans, labels, lids, empty kegs, boxes.
    3.  **Finished Goods:** Packaged beer by batch/LOT number.

---

### **Recommendation:**
*   **If you just want to track physical stock easily:** Go with **Sortly**.
*   **If you want to track recipes, batches, AND stock together:** Go with **Breww**.


Best inventory management software for hardware store with 15,000 SKUs

For a hardware store with 15,000 SKUs, you need software that handles bulk catalog management, variant matrixing, custom units of measure (e.g., cutting wire by the foot, selling bulk screws), and vendor reordering from hardware distributors.

Here are the top options based on your specific scale and industry:

### 1. **Paladin POS** (Best Hardware-Specific Solution)
* **Why it’s best:** Built specifically for independent hardware stores. It effortlessly handles 15,000+ SKUs and natively integrates with major buying groups (Ace, True Value, Do It Best, Orgill) for automated EDI ordering and price updates.
* **Key Features:** Built-in POS, automated reordering, tag/label printing, customer account management (pro/contractor billing).
* **Best for:** Stores wanting an industry-standard, dedicated hardware store management system.

### 2. **Epicor Eagle / RockSolid MAX** (Best for Enterprise & High Complexity)
* **Why it’s best:** The industry standard for large hardware stores, home centers, and lumber yards. It is engineered to handle massive, complex catalogs and high transaction volumes.
* **Key Features:** Advanced inventory control, millwork/cut-length tracking, contractor management, deep distributor integrations.
* **Best for:** High-volume stores or those with lumber/building materials alongside hardware.

### 3. **Lightspeed Retail** (Best Modern Cloud POS + Inventory)
* **Why it’s best:** A cloud-based system that handles up to 200,000 SKUs seamlessly. Offers a sleek, modern UI with strong multi-channel capabilities if you also sell online.
* **Key Features:** Advanced matrix inventory (sizes, materials), automated purchase orders, integrated barcode printing, vendor catalogs.
* **Best for:** Stores looking for a modern cloud interface with strong inventory capabilities and easy staff training.

### 4. **Cin7 Core** (Best Dedicated Inventory System)
* **Why it’s best:** If you already have a POS you like and strictly need advanced inventory control, Cin7 Core manages massive SKU counts, warehouse locations, complex units of measure, and B2B wholesale orders.
* **Key Features:** Deep stock control, multi-location support, syncs with Shopify/QuickBooks/Xero, automated reorder points.
* **Best for:** Hardware stores with complex backend logistics or heavy B2B/contractor sales.

---

### **Summary Recommendation:**
* Choose **Paladin** or **Epicor** if you order directly through major hardware distributors and need contractor line-of-credit billing.
* Choose **Lightspeed Retail** if you want an easy-to-use, cloud-based modern system.


Recommend inventory management software with serial number tracking.

Here are the top inventory management software options that offer robust serial number tracking, categorized by best use case:

1. **Zoho Inventory (Best Overall for Small to Mid-Sized Businesses)**
   * **Why it’s great:** Highly affordable, easy to use, and natively supports end-to-end serial number and batch tracking across multiple warehouses and sales channels.
   * **Best for:** E-commerce, multi-channel sellers, and growing SMBs.

2. **inFlow Inventory (Best for Ease of Use & Barcode Scanning)**
   * **Why it’s great:** Excellent built-in serial number tracking that allows you to scan serial numbers at receiving, moving, and selling stages. Includes native mobile apps for easy scanning.
   * **Best for:** B2B, wholesale, and light manufacturing.

3. **Fishbowl Inventory (Best for QuickBooks Users)**
   * **Why it’s great:** Deep integration with QuickBooks (Desktop and Online). Provides enterprise-grade serial number tracking, lot tracking, and expiration date monitoring.
   * **Best for:** Mid-sized businesses needing advanced warehouse management tied to QuickBooks.

4. **Cin7 Core / Cin7 Omni (Best for Multi-Channel Retail & Wholesale)**
   * **Why it’s great:** Offers comprehensive serial number tracking from purchase order to final delivery. Ideal for complex supply chains that require complete product traceability.
   * **Best for:** Fast-growing retail brands, distributors, and multi-location businesses.

5. **Katana Cloud Manufacturing (Best for Manufacturers)**
   * **Why it’s great:** Focuses on shop floor control and raw material-to-finished goods tracking. Allows you to assign serial numbers to finished products and track component serial numbers used in production.
   * **Best for:** Direct-to-consumer (D2C) manufacturers and assemblers.

6. **Odoo Inventory (Best for Customization & All-in-One ERP)**
   * **Why it’s great:** An open-source platform with flexible, double-entry inventory management. Offers full upstream/downstream serial number traceability and custom reporting.
   * **Best for:** Businesses needing a fully integrated suite (CRM, accounting, inventory) on a budget.

**Quick Recommendation:**
* For a **low budget & quick setup**: Start with **Zoho Inventory**.
* For **advanced warehousing & accounting integration**: Choose **Fishbowl** or **inFlow**.


What inventory software should a subscription box company buy?

Because subscription box companies rely heavily on **kitting** (bundling multiple individual products into one box) and **recurring order syncing**, you need inventory software designed for assembly and e-commerce integration.

Here are the best options based on your company’s size:

### 1. Best Overall for Subscription Models: **Katana Cloud Manufacturing**
* **Why:** Excellent visual management for kitting and assembly, automated reorder points, and seamless integrations with Shopify, WooCommerce, and shipping carriers.
* **Best for:** Growing businesses that assemble their own boxes in-house.

### 2. Best for High-Volume Fulfillment: **ShipHero**
* **Why:** Combines warehouse management (WMS) with inventory tracking. It excels at batch picking, packing, and shipping high volumes of identical recurring subscription boxes efficiently.
* **Best for:** Mid-to-large companies managing their own warehouse.

### 3. Best for Multi-Channel & Advanced Kitting: **Cin7 Core** (formerly DEAR Systems)
* **Why:** Robust bill-of-materials (BOM) management, deep automation, and native integrations with subscription apps like Recharge, Shopify, and Cratejoy.
* **Best for:** Fast-scaling businesses selling subscription boxes alongside one-off e-commerce products.

### 4. Best for Small/Early-Stage Businesses: **Inventora** or **Stocky**
* **Why:** Affordable, simple to set up, and handles basic product bundling and shop integrations well. (Stocky is free if you use Shopify POS/Shopify Plus).
* **Best for:** Bootstrapped startups with low box volume.

---

### Key Feature Checklist Before You Buy:
Ensure whichever software you choose supports:
1. **Kitting / Bill of Materials (BOM):** Automatically deducts individual items from stock when a box is sold/assembled.
2. **Subscription App Integration:** Syncs seamlessly with your billing engine (e.g., Recharge, Bold, or Cratejoy).
3. **Batch Fulfillment:** Allows you to generate pick lists for hundreds of identical boxes at once.


Best mobile inventory management app for barcode scanning in a stockroom

The best mobile inventory management apps for stockroom barcode scanning depend on your specific setup:

* **Best Overall:** **Sortly** (iOS/Android)
  * **Why:** Extremely user-friendly and visual. It turns any smartphone or tablet camera into a fast barcode and QR code scanner. Perfect for small-to-medium stockrooms that need quick setup, custom alerts, and trackable asset movements.

* **Best for Direct Spreadsheet/Database Sync:** **Orca Scan** (iOS/Android)
  * **Why:** Fully barcode-centric. It requires zero hardware and automatically syncs barcode scan data in real-time with Google Sheets, Excel, or your existing system via APIs.

* **Best for E-Commerce Stockrooms:** **Zoho Inventory** (iOS/Android)
  * **Why:** Combines strong mobile barcode scanning with multi-channel sales integration (Amazon, Shopify, etc.), batch tracking, and order fulfillment features.


We need software to track stock levels, purchase orders, and lead times. Any recommendations?

Here are the top software recommendations categorized by business size and type:

### **Best for Small to Medium Businesses (SMBs)**
1. **Katana**
   * **Best for:** Direct-to-consumer brands, light manufacturing, and wholesale.
   * **Key Features:** Real-time inventory tracking, automated reorder points based on lead times, purchase order management, and shop floor control.

2. **Zoho Inventory**
   * **Best for:** E-commerce and growing SMBs looking for an affordable all-rounder.
   * **Key Features:** Multi-channel inventory syncing, vendor management, PO creation, and item tracking (barcoding/serial numbers).

3. **Fishbowl Inventory**
   * **Best for:** Businesses using QuickBooks that need advanced warehouse capabilities.
   * **Key Features:** Granular stock tracking, supplier lead time tracking, automated POs, and manufacturing workflows.

---

### **Best for Mid-Market to Enterprise**
4. **Oracle NetSuite**
   * **Best for:** Scaling companies needing an all-in-one ERP.
   * **Key Features:** Advanced demand planning, automated supply chain lead-time tracking, global PO management, and real-time inventory visibility across multiple locations.

5. **SAP Business One**
   * **Best for:** Mid-sized businesses needing robust procurement and inventory control.
   * **Key Features:** Supplier performance and lead-time tracking, material requirements planning (MRP), and integrated purchasing workflows.

---

### **Recommendation Summary:**
* Go with **Katana** or **Zoho Inventory** for an easy-to-use, fast-to-deploy solution.
* Go with **Fishbowl** if you rely heavily on QuickBooks.
* Go with **NetSuite** if you need a fully integrated enterprise system.


What is the best inventory management system for B2B wholesalers?

The overall best inventory management system for B2B wholesalers is **Cin7 Omni**. It is built specifically for wholesale operations, offering native B2B eCommerce portals, built-in EDI (Electronic Data Interchange) for major retailers, multi-warehouse tracking, and seamless integration with accounting platforms like QuickBooks and Xero.

Here are the top recommendations based on business size and specific needs:

* **Best Overall for B2B Wholesalers:** **Cin7 Omni** – Best for mid-sized wholesalers needing B2B customer portals, automated workflows, and EDI integration.
* **Best for Small-to-Mid Enterprises (ERP level):** **Oracle NetSuite** – The standard for large or fast-growing wholesalers needing a full ERP solution (inventory, CRM, accounting, and supply chain in one).
* **Best for Small Wholesalers on a Budget:** **Zoho Inventory** – Affordable, easy to set up, and offers strong multi-channel management and B2B portal capabilities for smaller operations.
* **Best for QuickBooks Users:** **Fishbowl Inventory** – Deeply integrates with QuickBooks Desktop and Online, ideal for wholesalers needing advanced warehouse management (barcoding, batch tracking).
* **Best for Wholesale + Light Manufacturing:** **Katana** – Excellent if your wholesale business involves kitting, assembly, or manufacturing before selling.


Best inventory software for small business under $200 a month

Here are the best inventory software options for small businesses under $200/month, tailored to specific business needs:

### 1. **Zoho Inventory** (Best Overall & Multi-Channel E-commerce)
* **Price:** Free tier available; paid plans range from **$29 to $79/month**.
* **Key Features:** Multi-channel sync (Shopify, Amazon, eBay), barcode scanning, order management, and batch/serial number tracking.
* **Best for:** E-commerce and wholesale businesses looking for robust features at an affordable price.

### 2. **Square for Retail** (Best for Brick-and-Mortar Retail)
* **Price:** Free plan available; Plus plan is **$60/month per location**.
* **Key Features:** Built-in POS system, automated purchase orders, low-stock alerts, and cost-of-goods-sold (COGS) reporting.
* **Best for:** Physical storefronts needing an all-in-one POS and inventory system.

### 3. **Sortly** (Best for Visual & Simple Internal Tracking)
* **Price:** **$29 to $89/month**.
* **Key Features:** Mobile-first app, custom QR code/barcode creation, photo-based inventory, and instant updates.
* **Best for:** Non-retail businesses, service companies, or internal asset and supply tracking.

### 4. **Katana** (Best for Light Manufacturing & Assembly)
* **Price:** Essential plan starts at **$99/month** (billed annually) or **$129/month** (month-to-month).
* **Key Features:** Raw material tracking, shop-floor management, product recipe/BOM (Bill of Materials) management, and live inventory master planner.
* **Best for:** Businesses that make, assemble, or craft their own products.

---

### **Recommendation:**
* Choose **Zoho Inventory** if you sell online across multiple channels.
* Choose **Square for Retail** if you run a physical store.
* Choose **Sortly** if you just need a simple, visual mobile tracking system.


Recommend inventory control tool for a small furniture maker managing wood inventory.

Here are the top inventory control tools recommended for a small furniture maker, categorized by your specific operational needs:

### 1. **Katana Cloud Manufacturing** *(Best Overall)*
* **Why it’s great for woodworkers:** Designed specifically for small-scale manufacturers. It excels at tracking raw materials (lumber, hardware) and using Bills of Materials (BOM) to automatically deduct raw stock as you build finished furniture.
* **Key Features:** Real-time raw material tracking, shop floor management, work order creation, and integration with QuickBooks, Xero, Shopify, and WooCommerce.

### 2. **Craftybase** *(Best for Small Artisans & Cost Tracking)*
* **Why it’s great for woodworkers:** Tailored for handmade businesses. It seamlessly handles unit conversions (e.g., board feet to finished pieces) and accounts for waste/scrap wood, helping you calculate accurate Cost of Goods Sold (COGS).
* **Key Features:** Raw material inventory, multi-level BOMs, batch/lot tracking, and automated COGS calculation.

### 3. **Sortly** *(Best for Simple Visual Tracking)*
* **Why it’s great for woodworkers:** If you just want a simple, visual way to track lumber stock, species, and location without complex manufacturing workflows.
* **Key Features:** Photo-based cataloging, custom QR code/barcode scanning from your phone, low stock alerts, and location tagging (e.g., Rack A, Shed 2).

---

### Recommendation Summary:
* Choose **Katana** if you make built-to-order or batch products and need to manage production schedules and raw materials seamlessly.
* Choose **Craftybase** if you want budget-friendly software focused on tracking raw material costs, lumber waste, and pricing your furniture accurately.
* Choose **Sortly** if you only need a simple digital headcount of your wood and hardware inventory.


What stock tracking system do fast-growing online brands recommend?

Fast-growing online (DTC and e-commerce) brands typically recommend inventory management systems (IMS) based on their operational model and scale:

*   **Cin7 (Omni / Core):** The overall top recommendation for multi-channel brands needing integrated order, inventory, and point-of-sale tracking.
*   **Extensiv (formerly Skubana):** Highly recommended for high-volume, multi-channel brands selling across Shopify, Amazon, and marketplaces needing automated order routing.
*   **ShipHero:** The standard for fast-growing brands managing their own warehouses, offering deep warehouse management system (WMS) features alongside shipping.
*   **Katana:** The top choice for growing brands that manufacture, assemble, or mix their own products in-house.
*   **Inventory Planner by Sage:** Widely used alongside Shopify Plus for advanced demand forecasting, replenishment alerts, and purchase order management.

**Bottom line:** Mid-sized scaling brands most frequently choose **Cin7** or **Extensiv**, while high-volume brands managing internal fulfillment prefer **ShipHero**.


What is the best inventory management software for a small business?

There is no single **best** inventory management software for every small business; the best choice depends on your sales channels, number of locations, and accounting needs. Among the results you provided, **Zoho Inventory**, **Xero**, **QuickBooks Enterprise**, and **Sortly** emerge as strong contenders, with Zoho highlighted as best for small businesses in one 2026 overview and Xero listed as best for small businesses by G2.[1][2][4][20]

A practical way to choose is:

- **Zoho Inventory** if you want a broadly recommended small-business option with online inventory management features.[1][20]
- **Xero** if your priority is inventory tied closely to small-business accounting workflows.[2]
- **QuickBooks Enterprise** if you want a more established small-business option with strong reviewer support on Capterra.[17]
- **Sortly** if you want simpler visual inventory tracking for a smaller operation.[8]

If you want the safest answer from the available sources, **Zoho Inventory** is the best all-around pick for many small businesses because it is directly called out as “best for small businesses” in the 2026 roundup and is offered specifically as online inventory management software.[1][20]

If you want, I can also narrow this down to the **best option for retail, ecommerce, wholesale, or service businesses**.


Best stock control software for a retail store with two locations

For a **retail store with two locations**, the best stock control software is usually **Lightspeed Retail** or **Cin7 Core** because both are built for **multi-location inventory control** and real-time stock syncing across stores.[2][8][11]

If you want a quick shortlist:

- **Best overall for two stores:** **Lightspeed Retail** — strong for retail POS plus multi-location inventory management.[8][11]
- **Best for more advanced stock workflows:** **Cin7 Core** — better if you need automated purchasing, stock transfers, and omnichannel syncing.[2][3]
- **Best budget-friendly option for exactly 2 locations:** **Shopventory** — its plans explicitly include a **2-location** tier.[12]
- **Best if you already use Square POS:** **Square for Retail** — solid inventory management inside the Square ecosystem.[1][16]

A simple way to choose:
- Pick **Lightspeed Retail** if you want the most straightforward retail-first system for two stores.[8][11]
- Pick **Cin7 Core** if you sell through multiple channels and need stronger automation.[2][3]
- Pick **Shopventory** if you mainly want multi-location stock control with a plan sized for **two locations**.[12]

If you want, I can also give you a **top 3 comparison by price, features, and ease of use** for your exact store type.


We are an e-commerce brand selling on multiple channels and keeping stock in spreadsheets is a mess. What inventory software should we buy?

If you’re selling on **multiple channels** and spreadsheet-based stock tracking is breaking down, the best fit is usually a **multichannel inventory platform** with real-time sync, purchase-order workflows, and multi-warehouse support—not a basic stock tracker.[1][5][7]

For most e-commerce brands, the strongest short list is:

- **Cin7** — best all-around choice for growing multichannel brands that need strong automation, multi-location inventory, and order workflows.[1][10]
- **Zoho Inventory** — best lower-cost option for small to mid-sized brands that want solid multichannel stock management without enterprise complexity.[2][7][14]
- **Ordoro** — a strong pick if you need flexible ecommerce operations, especially if you also do dropshipping or FBA.[6]
- **Brightpearl** — good for omnichannel retail/ecommerce brands that want ERP-like order and inventory workflows.[1][2]
- **NetSuite** — best if you’re already at enterprise scale and need a full ERP with advanced inventory management.[2]

If you want a simple recommendation:
- **Buy Cin7** if you are a typical growing brand with Shopify/Amazon/Walmart/etc. and multiple warehouses.[1][10]
- **Buy Zoho Inventory** if budget matters and your operations are still fairly straightforward.[2][7][14]
- **Buy NetSuite** only if you need enterprise ERP depth, not just inventory control.[2]

What to prioritize before buying:
- **Real-time sync across channels** so overselling stops.[1][7][14]
- **Multi-warehouse / multi-location support** if stock is stored in more than one place.[1][10]
- **Purchase orders and replenishment automation** to replace spreadsheet-based reordering.[1][10][11]
- **Integrations** with your storefronts, marketplaces, accounting, and shipping tools.[5][13]
- **Scalability** so you do not outgrow the system in 12–18 months.[5][13][15]

If you tell me your **sales channels, monthly order volume, number of SKUs, and warehouses**, I can narrow this to 2–3 best options for your exact setup.


Recommend inventory tracking software for a small manufacturing business.

For a **small manufacturing business**, the strongest general-purpose picks are **Katana**, **MRPeasy**, **Fishbowl**, **Zoho Inventory**, and **inFlow**, because they are repeatedly listed as manufacturing-focused tools that support core needs like stock tracking, purchase orders, BOMs, and production visibility.[3][5][9][12][19]

A practical way to choose is:

- **Katana** — best if you want a modern manufacturing workflow with **BOMs**, production planning, and real-time stock visibility.[3]
- **MRPeasy** — best if you need a more complete **MRP** system for small manufacturers, especially if you manage work orders and production scheduling.[12][16]
- **Fishbowl** — best if you want deeper inventory control and warehouse-style features alongside manufacturing operations.[3][5]
- **Zoho Inventory** — best if your needs are simpler and you want a lower-friction inventory system that still supports manufacturing-related workflows.[5][19]
- **inFlow** — best if you want a user-friendly inventory tool that can grow with a small manufacturing operation.[3]

If you make **small-batch or made-to-order products**, **Craftybase** is worth considering because it is specifically positioned for small-batch makers and includes **BOM support** and QuickBooks integration.[14]

For a small business, I would narrow it like this:

- Choose **Katana** if production tracking is your top priority.[3]
- Choose **MRPeasy** if you need more formal MRP and scheduling.[12][16]
- Choose **Zoho Inventory** if budget and simplicity matter most.[5][19]
- Choose **Fishbowl** if you need stronger inventory/warehouse controls.[3][5]

If you want, I can also give you a **3-option shortlist by budget**, or compare these tools by **price, BOM support, QuickBooks integration, and ease of use**.


affordable inventory management software for SMB

For most SMBs, the **best affordable inventory management software** options are **Zoho Inventory**, **Square for Retail**, and **Sortly** because they offer low-cost or free entry plans with core inventory features.[14][7][8]

- **Zoho Inventory**: **$0** free plan, then **$29/month** on the Standard plan billed annually; it includes order limits, users, and locations, plus multi-channel integrations and automated reorder notifications.[14][1]
- **Square for Retail**: **$0** free plan, with paid plans starting at **$29/month**; it is a strong fit for retail SMBs because it combines inventory with POS and payments.[7][1]
- **Sortly**: starts at **$0** with a free option/trial, and is useful if you want visual, mobile-friendly inventory tracking with forecasting and integrations.[7][1]
- **SalesBinder**: starts at **$0** and is useful for tracking across unlimited locations, with low-cost paid tiers if you outgrow the free plan.[7]
- **Odoo Inventory**: a low-cost option at about **$7.25/user/month** billed annually, with a free version available; it fits SMBs that want a more customizable all-in-one system.[1][8]

If you want the **cheapest practical choice**, use this quick rule:
- **Best free option for general SMB inventory**: **Zoho Inventory**.[14][7][13]
- **Best for retail with POS needs**: **Square for Retail**.[7][1]
- **Best for visual or simple asset tracking**: **Sortly**.[7][8]
- **Best for customizable all-in-one operations**: **Odoo**.[1][8]

Typical SMB inventory software pricing often falls around **$30 to $150 per month**, though some platforms offer free or very low-cost starter plans.[15][7]

If you want, I can narrow this down to the **best affordable option for your industry**—for example retail, e-commerce, wholesale, food service, or manufacturing.


What inventory software do small e-commerce businesses actually use?

Small e-commerce businesses most often use **Zoho Inventory**, **inFlow Inventory**, **Sortly**, **Square for Retail**, **QuickBooks Commerce**, and **Ordoro**; among those, Zoho Inventory is repeatedly described as the best fit for many small online sellers because it combines affordability with multichannel syncing and stock management.[1][4][12][14]

What shows up most often in recent rankings for small e-commerce use:

- **Zoho Inventory** — common choice for small-to-mid-size online sellers, especially if they want multichannel sync and a lower entry price.[1][2][4][12][14][16]
- **inFlow Inventory** — favored by small teams that want simple setup, barcode scanning, and straightforward inventory tracking.[1][10][12]
- **Sortly** — used by small businesses that want a visual, mobile-friendly system with photo-based cataloging and QR/barcode labels.[4][6][12]
- **Square for Retail / Square POS** — used by very small sellers that want inventory bundled with POS and basic retail operations.[4][18]
- **QuickBooks Commerce** — used by businesses that want inventory tied closely to accounting workflows.[2][8][19]
- **Ordoro** — chosen by sellers that need shipping plus inventory control in one tool.[2][5][19]

A few broader patterns emerge from the rankings:

- **Budget-conscious and simpler operations:** Zoho Inventory, inFlow, and Sortly dominate.[1][4][12]
- **Growing multichannel brands:** Cin7, Zoho Inventory, and sometimes Linnworks or Brightpearl appear more often.[2][14][19]
- **Accounting-first businesses:** QuickBooks-integrated tools are common, especially QuickBooks Commerce and Fishbowl.[2][13][19]

If you want the most practical short answer: **Zoho Inventory is the most commonly recommended default for small e-commerce businesses**, while **inFlow** and **Sortly** are the next most common “small business-friendly” picks.[1][4][12][14]


Best inventory control system for a wholesale distributor

For a **wholesale distributor**, the strongest all-around choice is usually **NetSuite** if you need a full ERP with multi-location inventory, warehouse management, order management, and real-time stock visibility.[1][12] If you want a more focused wholesale inventory platform rather than a full ERP, **Cin7** is a top alternative because it connects sales, purchasing, and fulfillment in one system.[9][11]

A practical way to choose:

- **Best overall / enterprise scale:** **NetSuite** for distributors that need ERP-level controls, multi-warehouse operations, and stronger workflow automation.[1][12]
- **Best wholesale-focused platform:** **Cin7** for integrated wholesale inventory, purchasing, and fulfillment.[9][11]
- **Best simpler SMB option:** **Zoho Inventory** is ranked highly for distributors and wholesalers and may fit smaller teams better than a full ERP.[6]
- **Best QuickBooks-centric option:** **Fishbowl** is a strong choice if accounting integration with QuickBooks is a priority.[9]

What to prioritize for a wholesale distributor:

- **Real-time stock visibility**
- **Multi-location inventory control**
- **Warehouse and order management**
- **Accounting integration**
- **Wholesale features** like price lists, customer portals, and EDI if you sell to enterprise buyers.[1][11]

If you want, I can narrow this to the **best option for your business size**—small, mid-market, or enterprise—or compare **NetSuite vs Cin7 vs Zoho Inventory** directly.


We keep running out of stock because our online store and warehouse aren't synced. What software fixes this?

You need **multichannel inventory management software** with **real-time stock sync** between your online store and warehouse.[2][8]

The core feature to look for is a **centralized inventory system** that acts as the *single source of truth* and automatically updates stock across all sales channels and warehouse locations when an order is placed, received, or moved.[2][5][15]

Common options that fit this use case include:

- **Veeqo** — syncs stock in real time across connected stores and marketplaces to reduce overselling and stockouts.[2]
- **Cin7** — built for omnichannel inventory management with real-time syncing across channels and warehouse operations.[11][12][17]
- **Zoho Inventory** — supports syncing stock across multiple sales channels and handling multi-location inventory.[1][5]
- **Fishbowl** — designed for warehouse and multi-channel retailers, with real-time tracking and integrations for ecommerce platforms.[17][18]
- **Linnworks** — centralizes inventory and order management for multichannel ecommerce.[12][19]

If your main problem is **the store and warehouse being out of sync**, the best match is usually an **inventory management system with warehouse management or fulfillment integration**, not just a simple inventory-sync app.[5][10][13]


Top rated inventory tracking tools for small warehouse

For a **small warehouse**, the strongest top-rated options in these results are **Sortly**, **inFlow Inventory**, **Zoho Inventory**, **Fishbowl**, and **QuickBooks Enterprise**. The best fit depends on whether you want *simple mobile tracking*, *warehouse-focused workflows*, or *accounting integration*[3][5][8][9][13].

- **Sortly** — Best for **simple, visual inventory tracking** and mobile barcode scanning; Software Advice specifically calls it strong for SMBs needing on-the-go tracking[9], and GetApp lists it as the **highest rated for inventory tracking**[5].
- **inFlow Inventory** — Best for **small-business warehouse tracking**; it is highlighted as built with small businesses in mind and designed for real-time stock tracking[15], and Geekflare lists it under the best inventory tracking tools[8].
- **Zoho Inventory** — Best for **multi-channel and multi-warehouse** inventory management; Geekflare and other roundups place it among top small-business inventory tools with barcode scanning and automation[8][16].
- **Fishbowl** — Best if you need **deeper warehouse and manufacturing workflows**; it appears in top-rated inventory-control lists and is commonly positioned as a stronger operational tool than basic trackers[5][10].
- **QuickBooks Enterprise** — Best if you want **inventory tied closely to accounting**; GetApp includes it among top inventory-control tools with inventory tracking[5], and G2/other roundups emphasize accounting-native inventory visibility in the QuickBooks line[2][13].

If you want the **best overall pick for a small warehouse**, **Sortly** is the safest choice for ease of use and mobile barcode scanning, while **inFlow** is usually the better choice if your warehouse needs are more operational than visual[5][9][15].

If you want, I can also narrow these down by your budget, number of SKUs, barcode needs, or whether you need multi-location support.


What software should a growing D2C brand use for order and inventory management?

For a **growing D2C brand**, the best software depends on your sales channels and operational complexity, but the strongest general picks are **Unicommerce**, **Cin7**, and **Zoho Inventory** for order and inventory management.[4][5][10]

- **Unicommerce** is a strong all-around choice for D2C brands needing multichannel order and inventory control; it is described as “best overall” for D2C brands in one 2026 review.[5]
- **Cin7** is a good fit if you sell across multiple channels and need robust automation, multichannel syncing, and multi-location support.[10][7]
- **Zoho Inventory** is a simpler, more affordable option for small-to-mid-size D2C brands that want easier implementation and core stock/order management.[4][5][10]

If your brand is **Shopify-first** and you need more **inventory planning** than full OMS features, **Prediko** is a strong choice; it is described as Shopify’s recommended replacement for Stocky and a good fit for growing D2C brands that need forecasting, replenishment, and purchase-order management.[3][12]

A practical way to choose:
- **Single/multi-channel D2C with growing complexity:** Unicommerce or Cin7.[5][10]
- **Budget-conscious SMB D2C:** Zoho Inventory.[4][5][10]
- **Shopify-native forecasting and replenishment:** Prediko.[3][12]
- **High-volume, enterprise-like operations:** Increff, NetSuite, or similar ERP/WMS-level tools.[4][8][5]

If you want, I can narrow this to the **best option for your exact stack** (Shopify/Amazon/retail, number of SKUs, warehouses, and monthly order volume).


Best inventory management software with barcode scanning support

The **best inventory management software with barcode scanning support** depends on your business size and workflow, but the strongest overall options in the results are **Cin7 Core**, **Zoho Inventory**, and **Fishbowl Inventory**.[1][2][7]

- **Cin7 Core** is ranked **best overall** in one 2026 comparison, especially for **retail and warehouse teams** that need barcode scanning tied to ERP-style inventory flows.[1]
- **Zoho Inventory** is rated highly for **mobile scanning** and is described as handling **receiving, picking, and stock adjustments** with barcode and warehouse workflows.[2]
- **Fishbowl Inventory** is presented as a leading choice for **warehouse management** with comprehensive barcode scanning features.[7]

If you want a quick recommendation by use case:

| Best for | Software | Why it stands out |
|---|---|---|
| Overall balance | **Cin7 Core** | Strong all-around inventory + barcode + ERP flow support.[1] |
| Small teams / simpler setup | **Zoho Inventory** | Mobile barcode scanning and broader inventory workflow support.[2] |
| Warehouse-heavy operations | **Fishbowl Inventory** | Emphasis on warehouse management and scanning.[7] |
| Visual/simple tracking | **Sortly** | Mobile barcode and asset tracking, often positioned for small teams.[5] |

A few practical notes from the results:
- Barcode inventory software reduces manual entry by letting you track items by scanning barcodes instead of typing them in.[3]
- Some tools also offer free trials or demos, which can help you test scanning speed and mobile workflow before buying.[3]

If you want, I can narrow this down to the **best option for small business, warehouse, retail, or manufacturing**.


What is the best software for managing stock across multiple warehouses?

The **best software** for managing stock across multiple warehouses depends on your business size and workflow, but the strongest general picks in the results are **Cin7 Omni / Cin7 Core**, **Zoho Inventory**, **Unleashed**, and **Priority Software**.[1][2][10][14][17]

If you want the **best overall fit for multi-warehouse inventory management**, **Cin7 Core** is ranked as the top pick in one 2026 comparison, while **Cin7 Omni** is highlighted for retailers and wholesalers that need centralized stock visibility plus location-aware transfers and fulfillment workflows.[1][2]

A practical short list:

- **Cin7 Omni / Cin7 Core**: Best for growing retailers, wholesalers, and distributors that need centralized multi-location stock control and automation.[1][2][7]
- **Zoho Inventory**: Strong for businesses that need multiple-warehouse tracking, stock transfers, and operational simplicity.[10]
- **Unleashed**: Good for scaling businesses that need **unlimited warehouses** and multi-currency support.[14]
- **Priority Software**: Suited to companies wanting an ERP-style system with real-time tracking, replenishment, and traceability.[17]
- **Finale Inventory**: Useful if you want broad visibility across all stock locations.[5]

If you want one direct recommendation:
- Choose **Cin7** if you want the best all-around balance of multi-warehouse features, automation, and centralized visibility.[1][2][7]
- Choose **Zoho Inventory** if you want a simpler and often more approachable option.[10]
- Choose **Unleashed** if you need to scale warehouse count quickly.[14]
- Choose **Priority Software** if you need deeper ERP and control features.[17]

If you tell me your business type, number of warehouses, and whether you also need ecommerce, barcode scanning, or accounting integration, I can narrow it to the best single option.