20 Best Inventory Software for Small Business: 2024 Guide

In the world of business management, finding the right inventory software for small businesses can make a huge difference in the efficiency and success of daily operations.

In this blog post, we will explore 20 exceptional tools that can cater to the unique inventory management needs of small businesses.

These solutions offer a comprehensive approach to streamline stock management, orders, and overall inventory processes.

From user-friendly interfaces to advanced features tailored for different industries, we will provide detailed descriptions, pros, cons, and ideal use cases for each of these indispensable inventory software for small businesses.

Read on to discover the top inventory software for small businesses.

20 best inventory software for small business

1. Zoho Inventory

Zoho Inventory is a robust inventory management solution designed for small businesses. This comprehensive tool goes beyond basic inventory tracking, offering features such as order management, invoicing, and real-time tracking. With a user-friendly interface and seamless integration with other Zoho applications, businesses can streamline their operations and enhance overall efficiency. While some advanced features may have a learning curve, Zoho Inventory remains an affordable choice, making it an excellent option for small businesses seeking an integrated solution.

Pros:

• User-friendly interface
• Integration with other Zoho applications
• Affordable pricing plans

Cons:

• Advanced features may require a learning curve
• Limited customization for certain reports

Best For:

Small businesses looking for an integrated solution with other Zoho applications.

2. Square for Retail

Square for Retail stands out as a versatile point-of-sale and inventory management system, known for its simplicity. Tailored for small retail businesses, it offers seamless integration with Square’s POS system, making it a preferred choice for those requiring an easy-to-use solution. The platform excels in easy setup and use, robust reporting features, and integration with e-commerce platforms.

Pros:

• Easy setup and use
• Seamless integration with Square’s POS system
• Robust reporting features

Cons:

• Limited scalability for larger businesses
• Advanced inventory features may be lacking

Best For:

Small retail businesses requiring an easy-to-use POS and inventory management system.

3. QuickBooks Commerce

QuickBooks Commerce is an inventory and order management platform that seamlessly integrates with QuickBooks. This user-friendly solution offers multi-channel selling capabilities and a customizable interface. It is best suited for small businesses seeking integration with QuickBooks to achieve seamless accounting and inventory management.

Pros:

• Integration with QuickBooks
• Multi-channel selling capabilities
• User-friendly interface

Cons:

• Advanced features may require a higher-tier subscription
• Learning curve for new users

Best For:

Small businesses seeking integration with QuickBooks for seamless accounting and inventory management.

4. TradeGecko

TradeGecko is a cloud-based inventory management platform tailored for wholesalers and distributors. Recognized for its robust order and inventory management features, TradeGecko stands out with its integration capabilities with various e-commerce platforms. While the pricing may be on the higher side for some businesses, its customizable reporting and real-time tracking make it a comprehensive solution.

Pros:

• Robust order and inventory management
• Integration with e-commerce platforms
• Customizable reporting

Cons:

• Pricing may be on the higher side for some businesses
• Complex features may require training

Best For:

Wholesalers and distributors looking for a comprehensive cloud-based inventory solution.

5. InFlow Inventory

InFlow Inventory is a user-friendly, affordable inventory management software designed for small and medium-sized businesses. Offering easy setup and use, it comes with mobile accessibility, making it a convenient choice for businesses on the go. While it may have limited scalability for larger businesses, its affordability and straightforward features make it an excellent choice for smaller enterprises.

Pros:

• Easy setup and use
• Affordable pricing
• Mobile accessibility

Cons:

• Limited scalability for larger businesses
• Advanced features in higher-tier plans

Best For:

Small to medium-sized businesses needing a straightforward and cost-effective inventory management solution.

6. Ordoro

Ordoro is a specialized order and inventory management platform designed for e-commerce businesses. Recognized for its intuitive user interface, Ordoro excels in multi-channel order management and integrates seamlessly with shipping and tracking systems. While it may have a learning curve for beginners, its features make it an excellent choice for e-commerce businesses seeking centralized control over their orders and inventory.

Pros:

• Multi-channel order management
• Shipping and tracking integration
• Intuitive user interface

Cons:

• May have a learning curve for beginners
• Pricing may not be suitable for very small businesses

Best For:

E-commerce businesses seeking a centralized platform for order and inventory management.

7. Lightspeed Retail

Lightspeed Retail is a comprehensive point-of-sale and inventory management system tailored for retail businesses. It stands out with its robust POS system, comprehensive inventory management, and integration with e-commerce platforms. While the pricing may be higher for small businesses, its feature-rich offerings make it an ideal choice for retail businesses looking for an all-in-one solution.

Pros:

• Robust POS system
• Comprehensive inventory management
• Integration with e-commerce platforms

Cons:

• Pricing may be higher for small businesses
• Advanced features in higher-tier plans

Best For:

Retail businesses looking for a feature-rich POS and inventory management system.

8. Fishbowl Inventory

Fishbowl Inventory is a comprehensive solution designed for small to midsize businesses. Noteworthy for its integration with QuickBooks, Fishbowl offers advanced inventory tracking and customizable reporting. While it may have a steeper learning curve, its features and integration capabilities make it a solid choice for businesses seeking advanced inventory management.

Pros:

• Integration with QuickBooks
• Advanced inventory tracking
• Customizable reporting

Cons:

• Higher pricing for additional users
• May have a steeper learning curve

Best For:

Small to midsize businesses seeking advanced inventory tracking and integration with QuickBooks.

9. Cin7

Cin7 is a cloud-based inventory management platform designed for multichannel businesses. It stands out with its multichannel inventory management capabilities, integration with various e-commerce platforms, and automation of order processes. While the pricing may be higher for smaller businesses, Cin7’s features make it an ideal solution for businesses managing inventory across different sales channels.

Pros:

• Multichannel inventory management
• Integration with various e-commerce platforms
• Automation of order processes

Cons:

• Pricing may be higher for smaller businesses
• Learning curve for advanced features

Best For:

Multichannel businesses looking for a centralized solution to manage inventory across different sales channels.

10. Unleashed

Unleashed is a cloud-based inventory management solution suitable for businesses of all sizes. Recognized for its real-time inventory tracking and scalability, Unleashed integrates seamlessly with various e-commerce platforms. While pricing may be on the higher side for very small businesses, its features make it an excellent choice for businesses looking for real-time inventory tracking and scalability.

Pros:

• Real-time inventory tracking
• Scalable for growing businesses
• Integration with various e-commerce platforms

Cons:

• Pricing may be on the higher side for very small businesses
• Advanced features may require training

Best For:

Businesses of all sizes looking for real-time inventory tracking and scalability.

11. DEAR Inventory

DEAR Inventory is an all-in-one inventory management platform with features for purchasing, sales, and warehouse management. Recognized for its comprehensive inventory and order management capabilities, DEAR integrates seamlessly with accounting software and supports multi-location operations. While it may have a learning curve for new users and higher pricing for small businesses, its all-encompassing features make it an excellent choice for businesses seeking integration with accounting.

Pros:

• Comprehensive inventory and order management
• Integration with accounting software
• Multi-location support

Cons:

• May have a learning curve for new users
• Pricing may be higher for small businesses

Best For:

Businesses looking for an all-encompassing inventory solution with accounting integration.

12. Katanacuts

Katanacuts is a specialized inventory management tool tailored for manufacturing businesses. Focused on production processes, order management, and inventory tracking, Katanacuts stands out with its specialization. While it may be too specialized for non-manufacturing businesses and have limited scalability for very large manufacturers, its features make it an ideal choice for manufacturing businesses seeking specialized solutions.

Pros:

• Specialized for manufacturing businesses
• Production process management
• Integration with other business tools

Cons:

• May be too specialized for non-manufacturing businesses
• Limited scalability for very large manufacturers

Best For:

Manufacturing businesses seeking a specialized solution for production and inventory management.

13. Stitch Labs

Stitch Labs is a comprehensive inventory management platform that centralizes inventory, order, and multichannel selling processes. Recognized for its multichannel selling capabilities, integration with various e-commerce platforms, and real-time inventory updates, Stitch Labs is an excellent choice for businesses engaged in multichannel selling. While pricing may be higher for small businesses and there may be a learning curve for advanced features, its centralized features make it a solid solution.

Pros:

• Multichannel selling capabilities
• Integration with various e-commerce platforms
• Real-time inventory updates

Cons:

• Pricing may be higher for small businesses
• Learning curve for advanced features

Best For:

Businesses engaged in multichannel selling looking for a centralized inventory management system.

14. Wasp Inventory Control

Wasp Inventory Control is a solution designed to help businesses automate their inventory tracking and management processes. Noteworthy for its efficient barcode-based inventory control, Wasp Inventory Control offers a user-friendly interface and scalability for growing businesses. While it may lack some advanced features and pricing may be on the higher side for very small businesses, it’s an excellent choice for businesses looking for an efficient barcode-based inventory control system.

Pros:

• Barcode scanning for efficient inventory control
• User-friendly interface
• Scalable for growing businesses

Cons:

• May lack some advanced features
• Pricing may be on the higher side for very small businesses

Best For:

Businesses looking for an efficient barcode-based inventory control system.

15. EZOfficeInventory

EZOfficeInventory is a cloud-based inventory management system that helps businesses track and manage their assets. Known for its easy asset tracking, cloud-based accessibility, and customization features, EZOfficeInventory is suitable for businesses of all sizes. While its user-friendly features make it an attractive choice, pricing may be on the higher side for very small businesses.

Pros:

• Easy asset tracking
• Cloud-based accessibility
• Customization features

Cons:

• Pricing may be on the higher side for very small businesses
• Advanced features may require training

Best For:

Businesses looking for an easy-to-use asset tracking solution with cloud-based accessibility.

16. Veeqo

Veeqo is an advanced inventory management and order fulfillment platform designed for retail and e-commerce businesses. Recognized for its seamless multichannel selling capabilities, Veeqo helps businesses manage inventory, orders, and shipping from a centralized platform. While it may have a learning curve for advanced features and the pricing may be on the higher side, its comprehensive features make it an ideal choice for businesses focused on efficient order fulfillment.

Pros:

• Multichannel selling capabilities
• Centralized inventory and order management
• Integration with various e-commerce platforms

Cons:

• Learning curve for advanced features
• Pricing may be higher for smaller businesses

Best For:

Retail and e-commerce businesses looking for a centralized solution with advanced order fulfillment capabilities.

17. Megaventory

Megaventory is a cloud-based inventory management software that caters to small and medium-sized businesses. Offering features such as order management and real-time tracking, Megaventory is known for its scalability and customization options. While the learning curve may be steeper for advanced features, its cloud-based accessibility and scalability make it a solid choice for growing businesses.

Pros:

• Scalability for growing businesses
• Customization options
• Cloud-based accessibility

Cons:

• Learning curve for advanced features
• May have a higher starting price for some businesses

Best For:

Small and medium-sized businesses seeking scalable and customizable cloud-based inventory management.

18. HandiFox

HandiFox is a mobile inventory tracking and management solution designed for small businesses. This tool stands out for its mobile accessibility, barcode scanning capabilities, and integration with QuickBooks. While it may have limitations for very large businesses, its mobile features make it an ideal choice for small businesses seeking flexibility in inventory management.

Pros:

• Mobile accessibility
• Barcode scanning capabilities
• Integration with QuickBooks

Cons:

• May have limitations for very large businesses
• Advanced features may require training

Best For:

Small businesses seeking mobile-friendly and QuickBooks-integrated inventory management.

19. Finale Inventory

Finale Inventory is a cloud-based inventory management solution suitable for businesses of all sizes. Recognized for its real-time inventory tracking and automation features, Finale Inventory integrates seamlessly with e-commerce platforms. While pricing may be on the higher side for very small businesses, its real-time tracking and automation features make it an excellent choice for businesses seeking efficiency in inventory management.

Pros:

• Real-time inventory tracking
• Automation features
• Integration with various e-commerce platforms

Cons:

• Pricing may be on the higher side for very small businesses
• Advanced features may require training

Best For:

Businesses of all sizes looking for real-time inventory tracking and automation.

20. Sortly

Sortly is an intuitive and user-friendly inventory management solution designed for small businesses. Known for its simplicity and visual organization features, Sortly helps businesses keep track of their inventory efficiently. While it may lack some advanced features and scalability for very large businesses, its simplicity and visual appeal make it an ideal choice for small businesses with straightforward inventory needs.

Pros:

• Intuitive and user-friendly
• Visual organization features
• Affordable pricing plans

Cons:

• May lack some advanced features
• Limited scalability for very large businesses

Best For:

Small businesses with straightforward inventory needs seeking an intuitive and visual inventory management solution.

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

Choosing the right inventory management software for small business is crucial for the success of any small business. 

And finding the best inventory software for small business, can be tricky, as there are several options available in the market. 

Whether you’re in retail, manufacturing, or another industry, selecting the right solution can streamline your operations and enhance efficiency.

One of the key considerations when evaluating inventory management software for small manufacturing business is the specific needs of your industry. 

For small manufacturing businesses, the software should cater to the unique requirements of production processes, while retail businesses may prioritize features that support sales and order fulfillment.

Here are some top contenders in the realm of inventory management software for small business:

• Zoho Inventory
• Square for Retail
• QuickBooks Commerce
• TradeGecko
• InFlow Inventory

5 reasons why you should invest in inventory software for small business

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Running a small business comes with its own set of challenges, and effective inventory management is a critical aspect that can significantly impact your bottom line.

Investing in dedicated inventory management software for small businesses offers numerous advantages. 

Here are five reasons to consider integrating such a solution into your operations:

Improved efficiency

Streamline your day-to-day operations by automating manual tasks, reducing errors, and enhancing overall efficiency.

Real-time visibility

Gain instant insights into your inventory levels, sales trends, and order statuses, empowering you to make informed business decisions.

Cost savings

Minimize the risk of overstocking or stockouts, leading to optimized inventory levels and reduced holding costs.

Enhanced customer satisfaction

Ensure timely order fulfillment and accurate stock information, contributing to a positive customer experience.

Scalability

As your business grows, a robust inventory management system can adapt and scale to meet the increasing demands of your operations.

Is Excel good inventory software?

While Excel is a widely used tool for various business functions, it may not be the most suitable choice for comprehensive inventory management, especially as your business expands. 

Excel lacks the automation and real-time tracking features that dedicated inventory management software for small businesses provides.

For small businesses with minimal inventory needs, Excel can serve as a basic solution.

However, as your business grows, investing in specialized inventory control software for small business becomes increasingly essential. 

Here are some limitations of using Excel for inventory control for small businesses:

• Limited automation: Manual data entry can lead to errors and inefficiencies.
• Lack of real-time updates: Excel doesn’t provide instant updates on inventory levels or order statuses.
• Scalability issues: Excel may become cumbersome as your inventory and operations expand.