Tired of losing sales because items are out of stock? Drowning in spreadsheets trying to track what's where? Spending hours manually updating inventory levels across multiple channels? A stockout during peak season just cost you thousands in lost revenue.
A single out-of-stock moment can be the difference between keeping a customer and losing them.
The best inventory management software helps you stay ahead. I tested the top tools and pulled together the best inventory management software to help you solve your stock challenges.
How I test and review software To give you the most accurate recommendations, I personally test and review every inventory management tool featured in this guide. My evaluation process focuses on real-world usability: I sign up for each platform, build sample databases, verify how easily stock numbers update, assess user permission security, and evaluate integration options and scaling costs.
Best inventory management apps at a glance
What is inventory management software?
Inventory management software is a digital system that tracks stock levels, automates reorder processes, and provides real-time visibility into your inventory across multiple locations and sales channels. It eliminates manual spreadsheets and reduces the risk of stockouts or overstocking.
Here are the main types of inventory management software and what they're best for.
Types of inventory management software
Cloud-based inventory systems
Cloud-based systems operate entirely online, offering real-time access from anywhere. They typically include automatic updates, built-in integrations, and scalable pricing models.
Who it's for: Small to medium businesses that need remote access, automatic backups, and want to avoid IT maintenance. Growing e-commerce businesses that need to scale quickly without infrastructure investments.
On-premise inventory systems
On-premise solutions are installed locally on your company's servers, giving you complete control over data and customization options.
Who it's for: Larger businesses with dedicated IT teams, companies with strict data security requirements, or businesses that need extensive customization and have the technical resources to maintain the system.
Industry-specific systems
Specialized inventory software designed for specific industries like manufacturing, retail, or food service, with features tailored to unique requirements.
Who it's for: Businesses with specialized needs like lot tracking, expiration date management, bill of materials, or industry-specific compliance requirements.
What to look for in inventory management software
Here's what to evaluate when choosing the right inventory management system for your needs:
Real-time tracking: Look for software that updates inventory levels instantly across all sales channels and locations to prevent overselling and stockouts.
Multi-channel integration: Ensure the system connects with your existing sales platforms, e-commerce sites, and marketplaces to centralize inventory data.
Automated reorder points: The system should automatically generate purchase orders when stock levels hit predetermined thresholds, saving time and preventing stockouts.
Reporting and analytics: Comprehensive reporting features help you identify trends, optimize stock levels, and make data-driven purchasing decisions.
Scalability: Choose software that can grow with your business without requiring a complete system overhaul or major price increases.
User permissions: Role-based access controls ensure team members only see relevant information and can perform appropriate actions based on their responsibilities.
Mobile accessibility: Mobile apps or responsive interfaces let you manage inventory on-the-go and perform tasks like receiving shipments or conducting cycle counts.
Integration capabilities: The software should connect with your existing accounting, e-commerce, and business management tools to avoid data silos.
1. Softr - Best for flexible, data-driven inventory management
Softr is a web application platform that lets business operators build custom, production-ready inventory management software. Instead of trying to adapt to rigid systems, you can build your system on top of native Softr Databases or connect to 16+ external data sources like Airtable, Google Sheets, HubSpot, and SQL databases. Everything syncs in real time, keeping your stock counts and orders accurate without manual work.
To start, you can describe your requirements to the Softr AI Co-Builder, which automatically generates a complete inventory application with structured tables, sample data, and custom layouts in seconds. Alternatively, you can start from a free inventory management template or connect to your existing Google Sheets inventory database to build from a blank canvas. This flexibility lets you shape your operational tools around your specific warehouse processes, supplier workflows, and multi-location logistics. You can modify pages and blocks on the fly.
Inside the editor, you can customize layouts visually, add features like charts, or ask the AI Co-Builder to generate pages or blocks for you. Learn how to build an inventory dashboard in minutes. To customize databases and automate tasks, you can use the Database AI Co-Builder to create tables or define automated alerts using the Workflow AI Co-Builder.
Instead of managing inventory through static Excel tables, Softr lets you build multi-user apps. By replacing spreadsheets with real databases, your team escapes the risk of overwriting cells and version control issues.
"Using related fields is the way to make your data structure as robust and scalable as possible. It is way better, way more organized and structured than Excel."
Guillaume Duvernay, Builder at Softr
You are also not limited to inventory. With Softr, you can build CRMs, vendor portals, and other business apps in the same platform.
"Managing external partners through emails and spreadsheets is a nightmare. A portal allows you to only surface the information that is relevant to them and make approvals on the fly."
Shiran Brodie, Head of Marketing at Softr
As a long-term user of Softr, I believe that the granularity with which administrators can set access permissions for various teams and departments within their organization is particularly useful. Softr offers a much more user-friendly upgrade for organizations used to managing their inventory levels using a spreadsheet, making it the most fuss-free yet feature-rich platform on this list.
Softr pros and cons
Pros:
- Native Softr Databases ensure lightning-fast performance and seamless setup.
- Built-in AI Co-Builder generates apps, databases, and workflows from text prompts.
- Granular, role-based permission settings secure access for internal teams and vendors.
- Unlimited published applications on all pricing tiers (including the Free plan).
Cons:
- Requires third-party integrations for legacy ERP batch processing logic.
- Advanced CSS styling requires custom code insertion.
Features
- Native Softr Databases: Define your product tables, supplier relationships, and purchase orders natively within Softr. You can build schemas manually or generate them instantly using the Database AI Co-Builder.
- Flexible data source integration: If you already store data elsewhere, you can link to external databases like Airtable, Google Sheets, or SQL databases. Any changes made in your app sync immediately to the data sources.
- Granular permission controls: Define exact view and edit permissions for different roles (such as warehouse operators, supply chain managers, or vendors). This secures your data and prevents accidental deletions, going far beyond typical spreadsheet sharing controls.
- Native Workflows and Automations: Build custom workflows triggered directly by action buttons (like checking in stock or placing an order), or set up rules with the Workflow AI Co-Builder to automatically notify suppliers.
Ease of Use
Softr caters to business operators who want a fast, direct solution to manage operations without developer help. G2 reviewer Joe L. shared that "setup was very easy using the AI assistant" and highlighted that "working with a database in Softr is similar to an Excel spreadsheet," making it intuitive to migrate. Another G2 customer, Marco D., recommended the platform, noting: "It is fantastic to be able to create portals without writing a line of code quickly but with great results." It provides professional customization without requiring code.
Softr offers a range of free templates, including one specifically for inventory management. I found the template to be incredibly in-depth for a web app platform (not the cookie-cutter version that other app development tools offer). For a step-by-step guide, check out how to build a custom inventory management system with Softr. Moreover, the platform does not restrict me when using the template. I have the freedom to customize almost every aspect of the application, from the layout and design to the data sources and integrations.
Security
Inventory data can include sensitive information like supplier details, pricing, and stock levels. That is why you need to host your inventory management tool on a secure platform with robust threat detection and access management features.
Softr takes data security and privacy very seriously. It uses AWS data centers located in the EU, which are SOC 1, SOC 2, and ISO 27001 certified.
Moreover, Softr has implemented several other levels of security, all performed server-side. This approach ensures that there is no chance for malicious actors to modify queries on the client side and access more data than the system is configured to expose. Some of these measures include:
- Dynamically evaluating which user belongs to which user groups;
- Evaluating block and page visibility rules on the server side;
- Evaluating data conditional filters on the server side;
- Working only with tables and fields configured within blocks;
- Working with data sources via API and short-term caching, avoiding creating additional copies of data.
Besides all this, Softr also offers security audits for users on the Enterprise plan. This allows businesses to offload crucial cybersecurity tasks while ensuring that their applications are configured correctly and securely.
Pricing
Softr offers a range of pricing plans tailored to different organizational needs:
- Free Plan ($0): Build and launch unlimited published apps with unlimited collaborators. It includes 10 app users, 5,000 database records, 500 workflow actions, and 5 AI credits per month, along with core building features and integrations.
- Basic Plan ($49/month): Best suited for building simple apps, supporting 20 app users, 50,000 database records, 2,500 workflow actions, and 10 AI credits per month.
- Professional Plan ($139/month): Ideal for internal tools and client portals. It includes 100 app users (with options to purchase more), 500,000 database records, 10,000 workflow actions, 50 AI credits per month, custom user groups, and advanced integrations like ClickUp and monday.com.
- Business Plan ($269/month): Designed for scale, offering 500 app users, 1 million database records, 25,000 workflow actions, 100 AI credits per month, unlimited user groups, and premium integrations including SQL databases, HubSpot, and REST APIs.
- Custom Plan (Contact Sales): Tailored for enterprise needs with custom limits, SAML SSO, advanced security compliance, SLAs, and dedicated customer success support.
For those looking to build an inventory management tool on Softr, the choice of plan should be based on the organization's size and requirements. While the Free plan offers a lot, a paid plan (such as the Professional or Business plan) would likely provide a more comprehensive set of features suitable for a robust inventory management system.
Netsuite
NetSuite is a comprehensive cloud enterprise resource planning (ERP) system that provides businesses with the tools they need to operate efficiently and foster growth. The platform caters to organizations of varying sizes across numerous industries. It offers a suite of applications that encompass finance, supply chain, customer relationship management, human resources, professional services, e-commerce, and more.
One of the standout features of NetSuite is its unified approach, where all these applications share a common database. This ensures real-time updates and provides authorized users with a 360° view of the business, enabling them to identify areas of excellence and those that require improvement.
NetSuite's inventory management system is a comprehensive solution, designed to cater to the diverse needs of enterprise-level organizations. From basic inventory tracking to advanced demand-based replenishment, I found that the platform offers plenty of tools to optimize inventory operations, with an expensive pricing structure that clearly reflects its feature-rich nature.
Features
- Real-time monitoring: NetSuite allows businesses to monitor real-time information about inventory costs, quantities, and asset values. This ensures that businesses always have up-to-date information about their stock levels, which is crucial for making informed purchasing and sales decisions. I especially liked the Inventory Workflow, which updates inventory records with every transaction, ensuring precise information;
- Advanced inventory management: This feature is designed for businesses that require a more sophisticated approach to inventory management. It helps automate demand-based inventory replenishment by planning inventory based on supply and demand calculations. A few features that I found noteworthy include Demand Planning and Available to Promise, which allow businesses to expand inventory commitment calculations and consider future and on-hand inventory on supply orders;
- Inventory reporting: NetSuite offers a robust suite of reporting tools that provide businesses with a bird's eye view of their inventory data. For example, I can examine stock levels using the Current Inventory Snapshot Report, delve into item activity with the Inventory Activity Detail Report, and assess merchandise turn rates with the Inventory Turnover Report. Additionally, tools like the Physical Inventory Worksheet are also available for taking physical stock counts;
- Demand planning: Demand Planning is a tool integrated into NetSuite's Advanced Inventory Management feature, but it still deserves a separate mention. It allows businesses to plan their inventory based on supply and demand calculations. By analyzing past sales data and considering factors like seasonal trends, businesses can forecast future demand for products.
Ease of Use
I'd categorize Netsuite's interface as user-friendly, even if it's not as intuitive as some of the other tools on this list. This is the kind of platform where having a bit of technical know-how is appreciated, especially during the initial setup phase. Still, some online documentation is available for those who haven't used an inventory management platform of this scale before.
Unfortunately, the documentation isn't always sufficient for a platform this massive, forcing users to rely on human consultants for support. The customer support team at Netsuite, while definitely not the worst, is still a bit of a hit-and-miss. With more features added every day, it can become a bit challenging to jump into calls with the customer support team every now and then to figure out essential features.
Security
Because of the mission-critical nature of the data they handle, NetSuite places a strong emphasis on security infrastructure, both physically and digitally.
Its state-of-the-art data centers are equipped with strict access controls, surveillance, and monitoring, ensuring that data remains protected at all times. They also feature fire suppression systems, redundant power supplies, and climate control to guarantee uninterrupted operation.
Security is further bolstered by encryption protocols, both when data is in transit over the internet and when it's stored on their servers. Regular third-party security audits are conducted to ensure compliance with industry standards and to identify and address potential vulnerabilities promptly.
The platform's role-based access control allows administrators to define roles and permissions, ensuring users access only the business data and features relevant to their tasks. This minimizes the risk of unauthorized access and potential breaches. An added layer of protection is provided through two-factor authentication, requiring users to offer a secondary form of identification, typically a code sent to their phone.
NetSuite's robust backup and disaster recovery protocols ensure that inventory data is regularly backed up and can be restored swiftly in case of any unforeseen issues. Advanced network security measures, including firewalls and intrusion detection systems, shield against external threats. Furthermore, the platform's design incorporates application security measures like session timeouts and secure cookies, offering protection against potential cyberattacks.
Pricing
NetSuite operates on an annual subscription model, with the license fee comprising three primary elements: the core platform, additional modules, and the total number of users.
An initial one-time implementation fee is charged for the setup process. As businesses expand, they have the flexibility to seamlessly integrate new modules and onboard more users, showcasing the adaptability of cloud-based software. The platform license already encompasses inventory management features.
For a precise quotation tailored to your specific organization, you can reach out to the sales team directly.
Fishbowl
As a niche ERP platform, Fishbowl offers inventory management solutions specifically tailored for manufacturing and warehousing operations. Its features are designed to streamline business operations, merging inventory and accounting features into a single platform.
Fishbowl offers two distinct products: Fishbowl Manufacturing and Fishbowl Warehouse. The former is crafted for tasks like assembly, disassembly, repair, and replacement, aiding in streamlining the manufacturing process from start to finish. Fishbowl Warehouse focuses on tracking inventory throughout its lifecycle, from stock alerts to shipping.
Fishbowl's one-time purchase model is the one standout feature that sets it apart from the other inventory management solutions on this list. This means businesses don't have to worry about recurring monthly fees, ensuring uninterrupted access to all inventory management features. This model is particularly beneficial for seasonal businesses that might face occasional slow months.
Features
- Advanced inventory management: Fishbowl provides a single platform for both warehousing and manufacturing processes. It offers automated stock counts, efficient purchasing management, customizable workflows, streamlined order management, and automated reporting. I can use the platform to easily maintain accurate inventory records and make informed decisions based on real-time data;
- QuickBooks integration: One of Fishbowl's standout features is its seamless integration with QuickBooks, a popular accounting software solution for small to medium-sized businesses. This integration ensures that I can gather, analyze, and share insights securely and swiftly via cloud storage as a business owner;
- Inventory forecasting: Fishbowl optimizes inventory levels by suggesting reorder points and economic order quantities (EOQs). I found the forecasting feature really useful, especially if you have to deal with overstocking or stockouts;
- Extensive reporting options: Fishbowl offers a wide range of reporting options, allowing businesses to analyze various aspects of their inventory management processes. Reports can cover areas like accounting, purchase orders, sales orders, bill of materials, and labels. With over 200 advanced reporting options, I can customize reports to meet their specific needs, from adjustment reports to work order summaries.
Ease of Use
Fishbowl is designed to be intuitive, with a user interface that simplifies complex inventory management tasks. Whether it's tracking inventory across multiple warehouses, managing purchase orders, or overseeing manufacturing processes, the platform provides a streamlined experience.
While some users have complained about the slightly dated layout of the interface, I personally found it easy enough to use. However, customer support issues can make any hiccups in the usage experience more difficult to navigate. While the platform itself can be purchased as a one-off, you'd need to resubscribe each year to continue receiving updates and support.
Security
Fishbowl takes measures to ensure PCI Compliance across the organization, which includes both the platform itself and the company's own data management practices. However, there have been instances where attacks exposed vulnerabilities in the platform's security infrastructure, such as the Java deserialization vulnerability exposed by White Oak Security in 2022.
While these vulnerabilities have been promptly addressed by Fishbowl in future patches, it's worth remembering that you must subscribe to the annual version to receive continuous updates.
Pricing
Fishbowl provides specific implementation packages for warehousing and manufacturing. These are one-time purchases and acquiring one is mandatory when buying Fishbowl. Each package is customized to the business's operational requirements. Prices start from $329 for the Warehousing package and $429 for the Manufacturing package. Before committing, businesses can also explore the platform through a free trial.
Moreover, to ensure the success of businesses using Fishbowl, the company requires the purchase of an implementation package alongside the main software. This package is tailored to the specific operational needs of the business, but usually includes:
- A dedicated implementation specialist;
- Data migration (excluding historical data);
- 6-week training & certification for warehousing and 8-week training & certification for manufacturing;
- Dedicated go-live support.
Brightpearl
Brightpearl excels in automating almost every aspect of retail management, from multi-channel order fulfilment to accounting. Its ability to provide real-time updates across all channels and locations, even during peak periods, is what sets it apart in my opinion.
It offers advanced inventory planning solutions that can handle unpredictable demand and supply chain disruptions. It provides buying recommendations based on accurate sales forecasting, allowing businesses to make informed decisions on what to order, how much, and when. It even informs KPIs like Customer Acquisition Cost (CAC), Lifetime Value (LTV), best-selling products, as well as paid search and social performance.
Designed for retail businesses that operate on multiple channels, Brightpearl is a solution that helps automate operations, streamline inventory management, and gain insights into sales performance. Operating as a part of Sage Group PLC and as a partner of Shopify, it's trusted by over 5,000 pioneering brands across the retail space.
Features
- Powerful automation engine: Automation Engine is a feature designed to significantly reduce manual tasks, allowing businesses to process orders faster and more efficiently. By automating tasks like order fulfilment, multi-location inventory management, shipping, and accounting, businesses can save thousands of hours with Brightpearl;
- Advanced inventory planning: Brightpearl offers a sophisticated inventory planning solution capable of handling unpredictable demand and supply chain disruptions. It provides detailed sales forecasting, giving businesses buying recommendations tailored to their needs. The system ensures businesses maintain optimal stock levels, preventing stockouts of best-sellers and overstocking of slow-moving items;
- Retail analytics with industry benchmarks: Brightpearl's retail analytics provides businesses with key performance indicators, such as Customer Acquisition Cost (CAC), Lifetime Value (LTV), and best-selling products. Additionally, it allows businesses to access industry benchmarks to compare their performance with competitors;
- Integrations library: Brightpearl boasts a vast library of plug-and-play integrations, enabling businesses to quickly add new sales channels and integrate with platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and more. With these, businesses can expand their reach without the technical complexities often associated with adding new sales channels.
Ease of Use
Brightpearl's user interface is slick and easy to navigate, making everything from initial setup to ongoing maintenance a breeze. With seamless integration with popular sales channels like eBay, it makes it easy to manage your entire retail operation from a single touchpoint. What's more, the support team has received several commendations for their knowledge and friendliness.
However, like any platform, Brightpearl has areas of improvement. Some users have pointed out challenges with the search functionality, especially when names are misspelt or when middle names need to be included. Additionally, there have been mentions of difficulties in determining the credit amount for wholesale customers. However, Brightpearl is generally perceived to be user-friendly and I personally didn't encounter any issues performing basic tasks within the UI.
Security
Brightpearl is built upon Amazon Web Services (AWS), one of the most secure and reliable cloud computing environments available today. It uses the EC2 platform to host its web servers on powerful virtual machines while utilizing Amazon's managed MySQL product for database management.
Accessing the Brightpearl system requires an account ID, username, and password. The connection to the back-office administration area is secured using TLS encryption, ensuring data in transit remains confidential. Every client has their own dedicated database, ensuring data segregation and security. Users can also set up their accounts to be accessible only from specific IP addresses, adding an extra layer of security.
Brightpearl allows account administrators to configure user access based on roles. This ensures that users only access areas relevant to their job functions, further securing sensitive data using the principle of least privilege. Should essential information be lost accidentally, the platform backs up the entire data nightly and retains these backups for 30 days.
Overall, Brightpearl's security infrastructure is one of the most robust I've seen among inventory management solutions. If your organization deals in sensitive data and places a high emphasis on data integrity, this might be the platform for you.
Pricing
Brightpearl's pricing is based on a tried-and-tested formula that factors in the pace of a business's growth. This ensures that businesses never pay for more than they need. As the business grows and order volume increases, the cost per order decreases, providing economies of scale.
It's also worth noting that Brightpearl's pricing is tailored for merchants trading $1M or above, or those that expect to reach this threshold in the next 12 months. For specific pricing details, potential users are encouraged to contact their sales team directly.
Acumatica
Acumatica provides a full suite of integrated business management tools, including Financials, Distribution, Manufacturing, Project Accounting, and CRM. The inventory management module offers a comprehensive set of tools to help businesses manage their inventory more efficiently. A few features I really liked include inventory tracking, reorder point automation, multiple warehouse management, and lot and serial tracking.
Acumatica's cloud-based platform is known for its scalability. Since it doesn't charge organizations based on the number of users, companies can rapidly scale their internal teams without incurring additional costs. It also integrates seamlessly with a variety of third-party business solutions, making it perfect for multi-channel business management and reporting.
Features
- Real-time inventory tracking: Acumatica provides real-time visibility into inventory levels across multiple locations. This ensures that businesses always have an accurate picture of their stock levels, helping them make informed decisions about reordering and stock allocation;
- Multiple warehouse management: Acumatica allows businesses to manage multiple warehouses seamlessly. It supports the transfer of inventory between warehouses, tracks inventory costs by location, and even allows for different pricing structures for different locations. For businesses with multiple storage facilities or retail locations, this feature is invaluable;
- Lot and serial tracking: Acumatica's inventory management system supports lot and serial number tracking. This means you can track individual items or batches of items throughout their lifecycle, from procurement to sale. I find this feature especially good at tracking perishable goods, high-value items, or products that require traceability for compliance reasons;
- Reorder point automation: Acumatica allows businesses to set reorder points for each product. When stock levels fall below the set point, the system can automatically generate purchase orders to replenish stock. To me, this felt like a really useful feature addition that saves hours of management time from dealing with overstocking and stockouts.
Ease of Use
Acumatica is a flexible and fully customizable cloud ERP solution. Its modular architecture allows businesses to choose specific modules that meet their requirements, enabling them to scale as they grow and their needs evolve. This makes sure that teams aren't overwhelmed with feature bloat during the implementation phase.
In terms of UI accessibility, Acumatica provides role-based views and dashboards for different business roles, such as finance, engineering, operations, sales, and marketing. This allows users to create their own customized dashboard views, enhancing efficiency by reducing the need to switch between different modules.
Overall, I found Acumatica's interface to be pleasing and user-friendly in its design. It gets extra points in my book for the additional customizability, which sets it apart from inventory management tools built exclusively for sales and revenue teams.
Security
While it's a cloud-based platform, Acumatica's physical servers that host the platform are protected by several layers of security measures. This includes CCTV monitoring, badge identification, and other advanced on-premise security features.
As for the platform itself, data is encrypted both in transit and at rest. This means that when data is being transferred between the user and Acumatica's servers, it's protected from interception. Similarly, when data is stored on Acumatica's servers, it's encrypted to protect against unauthorized access.
Acumatica also provides role-based access control features and regular scheduled data backups to prevent accidental loss and human error from damaging mission-critical business data. Third-party providers must undergo a detailed evaluation process before integrating with Acumatica, which further secures the platform against accidental leaks through third-party vulnerabilities.
Pricing
Acumatica offers custom plans tailored to the specific needs of your organization. The plans are resource-based and come with the ability to add an unlimited number of users without worrying about individual licensing fees. It also does not have a lock-in period, which makes committing towards an engagement a little less daunting for smaller organizations.
Choosing the right inventory management software
Before selecting a rigid, pre-packaged system, consider whether a custom solution is right for your business. For most teams, building a custom tool with Softr is the most effective path to escape spreadsheet chaos and design a secure, production-ready system that matches your exact warehouse layouts, supplier relationships, and user roles.
By utilizing native Softr Databases and the collaborative AI Co-Builder, you can go from a description to a fully functional app in minutes, getting a solution tailored precisely to your operational needs without developer costs or seat-based licensing fees.
However, if you have highly specialized legacy requirements, other options include:
- For large enterprises requiring complete resource planning across multiple global warehouses, NetSuite or Acumatica offer full-scale ERP solutions (provided you have the budget and IT resources for implementation).
- For multi-channel retailers focused on rapid Shopify or eBay order fulfillment, Brightpearl excels at automated retail workflows.
- For niche manufacturing and QuickBooks-focused businesses, Fishbowl provides solid on-premise and hybrid desktop solutions.
