Best Inventory Management Software for Small Businesses

Automation in businesses of all sizes can reduce human error while saving time and money. These software options can automate the inventory process. With the vast array of inventory management software options on the market, choosing the best one can be difficult. If you’re looking to improve operating efficiency, customer service, and profitability, consider the options below for the best inventory management software for small businesses.

8 Best Inventory Management Software for Small Businesses

The best inventory management software for small businesses blends automation and real-time tracking, with options for scalability and a user-friendly interface. It’s one of the best software options for entrepreneurs looking to take their businesses to the next level this year. Here are some top inventory management software for you to consider. 

Monday.com

If you’re looking for free inventory management software, monday.com is a great place to start. Paid subscriptions run from $8 to $16 per user. This all-in-one solution allows you to customize cloud-based workforce, project, and operations management. Choose from hundreds of functional templates, including those that track stock levels, vendors, and warehouse locations. 

Pros of Monday.com

• The only free option on the list
• Low-cost paid premium plans
• Options for expanding or scaling as your company grows
• Import orders from e-commerce platforms using Zapier

Cons of Monday.com

• Tracking features are too basic
• You’ll need add-ons to use barcodes or purchasing features 

inFlow

If your business is a B2B or wholesale business, inFlow allows you to combine stock tracking, purchasing, and fulfillment features specifically geared for B2B and wholesale businesses, but it can also work for retailers and manufacturers. inFlow supports multi-warehouse management, drop shipping, and purchasing automation, as well as tracking of parts, assemblies, and finished units with or without barcodes. 

inFlow integrated with major e-commerce platforms, shipping apps, and third-party logistics (3PL) companies, making it a simple, effective, and comprehensive inventory management solution. 

Pros of inFlow

• Sets up a virtual showroom for wholesale and B2B sales
• Customized solution for B2B and wholesale
• Choose from monthly and annual billing 
• Sales rep order routing with tagging
• One-click to create a quote, order, or invoice

Cons of inFlow

• If your company grows from one month to the next, you could be forced to upgrade
• You can only access the virtual showroom from higher tiers
• Live phone support only available during select business hours

Katana

With a low purchase price and 24/7 support, Katana blends some of the high-end features in other software at a price attainable for businesses of all sizes. Features include order management, inventory tracking, and shipping, including barcode-enabled parts tracking, assembly tracking, storage and floor management, supplier logistics, production planning, and more.

Plan prices start at $99 a month with an annual subscription, with the most advanced plan priced at $299 monthly when paid annually. 

Pros of Katana

• 24/7 support via email or chat
• Plans start at $99 per month
• Free 14-day trial
• High-level features at a low price
• Integrates with most e-commerce platforms and shipping apps
• Purchase order creation and tracking features

Cons of Katana

• No live phone support
• While the price is low, additional costs add up fast 

Cin7

Cin7 is one of the leading overall inventory management software solutions for small businesses. You get integrations, stock tracking, automated purchasing, and warehouse management tools that can be paired with online stores and marketplaces. Sync stock in multiple warehouses, track bundled parts or assembled goods, and automate purchase orders based on sales volume. You can also automate order forwarding to warehouses and dropship suppliers for efficient fulfillment. 

Cin7 starts at $349 a month. It offers 24/7 support on all plans along with online tutorials and an extensive knowledge base.

Pros of Cin7

• Automation at every stage of delivery
• Built-in POS systems 
• Integrates with major e-commerce and shipping platforms
• Multi-warehouse order automation 
• Integrates with Amazon FBA or drop shipping solutions

Cons of Cin7

• No free trial
• No EDI connections on the base plan
• Requires add-on for shipping

Zoho Inventory

Zoho is an inventory management software available at a great price for growing businesses. Zoho offers comprehensive management, inventory tracking, and shipping tools for shipping-based businesses. The only downside is that Zoho integrates only with Shopify, Zoho Commerce, Amazon, Etsy, and eBay marketplaces, rather than all major e-commerce platforms. Plans start as low as $59 a month. 

Pros of Zoho Inventory

• Plans start at just $59 a month
• Autofill purchase orders for suppliers and drop shippers
• Integrates with Zoho Books, CRM, Analytics, and Sign apps
• Shopify integrations

Cons of Zoho Inventory

• Fewer e-commerce and marketplace integrations than other options
• With growth, pricing increases 

ShipBob Merchant Plus

ShipBob is a major fulfillment and logistic (3PL) service that added Merchant Plus, an inventory management software full of features like ShipBob’s cutting-edge supply chain, inventory, and shipping tools.

Merchant Plus users also get access to ShipBob’s nationwide carrier networks, fulfillment expertise, and personalized support. Get support like automated purchase orders and multi-warehouse inventory tracking and shipping. Finally, if you need to expand, you can easily upgrade to ShipBob’s full-service 3PL option. It’s a great choice for omnichannel, wholesale, and B2B businesses.

Pros of ShipBob Merchant Plus

• Automated purchase orders
• Multi-warehouse inventory tracking and shipping
• Automated order pick-and-pack processes
• Best-in-class supply chain tools
• Add outsourced fulfillment as sales demand

Cons of ShipBob Merchant Plus

• You’ll only get pricing by asking for a quote
• Fewer online help and tutorials than other options
• You’ll need a minimum of 3,500 orders per month

Ordoro

Ordoro offers exceptional inventory management software to streamline every aspect of multichannel sales. It provides high-end features like supply chain management while syncing inventory levels and shipping status in real time. Another plus is that Ordoro integrates with nearly all e-commerce platforms and online marketplaces. You can also use the open API to sync with Square, Shopify, and others. 

If your business involves custom products, Orduro is a top choice as it allows you to easily track raw goods and parts for made-when-ordered goods and subscription boxes. Pricing ranges from $59 to $159 per month. 

Pros of Ordoro

• Strong integrations
• Sync with most e-commerce stores and online marketplaces
• Easily sell and track kitted, bundled, and assembly products
• Automate dropshipping 
• Easily create multi-warehouse management

Cons of Ordoro

• If you need an inventory plan, it could cost extra
• No mobile app for mobile stock counts
• No remote management

Skubana by Extensiv

The final pick on the list is a good choice for Amazon FBA or drop shippers. If you’re looking for inventory management software to support high-volume businesses based on online marketplaces like Amazon, Walmart, or eBay, consider Skubana by Extensiv. It offers multichannel order, inventory, warehousing, supplier, and reporting features that sync in real-time across all sales platforms. Prices are by quote only but start at $1,000 per month.

Pros of Skubana by Extensiv

• Automated purchase orders
• Automated dropshipping
• Syncs global inventory
• Optimize inventory in FBA and WFS

Cons of Skubana by Extensiv

• Expensive than other options here
• You’ll need to request a personalized quote
• No live phone support

What Is Inventory Management Software?

Inventory management software allows companies of all sizes to track inventory from suppliers to end consumers. This type of software allows you to track inventory levels, orders, sales, and deliveries while also integrating with major e-commerce platforms and marketplaces. 

Inventory management software is used by all types of businesses, including retailers, drop shippers, and manufacturers. One key feature of the best inventory management software for small businesses is automated purchase orders, work orders, bills of materials, and other documents.

Why Do Small Teams Need Inventory Management Software?

Small teams need inventory management software to improve efficiency, reduce human error, and improve processing times. The benefits of having inventory management software for small teams are far-reaching – from saving on delays to cost savings from additional features. By automating processes, inventory software can reduce the likelihood of errors and improve data accuracy.

Features to Look for in Inventory Management Software for Your Small Business

Inventory management software helps organize your business and save both time and money. Here are some key features you should look for when selecting inventory management software for your small businesses. 

Automation of Inventory Tasks

Automation is essential to save time on repetitive tasks. Look for inventory management software that automates tasks like purchase orders, billing, and invoicing to save time for more important tasks. 

Integration With Other Systems

The majority of sellers online use other systems such as e-commerce platforms or marketplaces. Depending on your business, look for integrations with the platforms you use.

Real-Time Data Tracking and Reporting

Real-time data tracking and reporting are essential to understanding workflows, improving efficiency, and offering greater value to clients. 

Barcode Scanning Capabilities

Barcode scanning takes inventory management to the next level with extensive efficiency. When inventory tracking software includes options both with and without barcodes, you have the option for quick and accurate product tracking. 

User-Friendly Interface

If you want your team to start using inventory management software, an intuitive, clear, and simple interface is essential. Look for inventory management software with good customer support, excellent training resources, and, most importantly, an interface that’s easy to use. 

Scalability 

Ideally, your business will grow. Can the inventory management software you’re using today grow with you and scale for the next one to five years or beyond? If not, the software could limit business growth or become prohibitively expensive. 

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