If you're running an online store through Shopify, keeping your inventory in check is paramount.
But inventory management can be a daunting task for smaller businesses that don't have the resources to employ sophisticated or costly systems.
That's precisely why we dove into the world of inventory management software designed for Shopify, seeking robust yet affordable solutions.
You don't need to be a tech guru to get started—these tools are designed with user-friendliness in mind, handling all the intricate details for you. And with the latest advancements in technology, streamlining your inventory has never been more efficient.
I dedicated several weeks to thoroughly testing numerous options, and here are the very best inventory management software solutions for Shopify in 2024.
Shopify is a comprehensive commerce platform designed to empower entrepreneurs across the globe to build, run, and grow their businesses seamlessly. Trusted by millions, Shopify caters to businesses of all sizes—from startups to large enterprises—by providing a robust and scalable solution for both online and in-person sales. Entrepreneurs can craft their brand and establish an online presence using Shopify's intuitive drag-and-drop store builder, customizable templates, and a vast array of business apps.
One of Shopify's standout features is its marketing and sales capabilities, which enable merchants to reach a broader audience through SEO optimization, social media integrations, and personalized email campaigns. The platform's world-class checkout process ensures higher conversion rates, while its flexible Point of Sale (POS) system bridges the gap between online and offline retail, syncing inventory and sales data in real-time.
Shopify also offers comprehensive business management tools, including advanced analytics, inventory management, and a dedicated shipping and fulfillment network. Entrepreneurs can manage their finances with ease using Shopify Balance and secure necessary funding through Shopify Capital. The platform's built-in features and extensive API support make it easy to integrate with third-party apps and tailor solutions to specific business needs.
To support ongoing growth, Shopify provides 24/7 customer support, a rich library of educational resources, and a vibrant community of developers and partners. With flexible pricing plans starting at just $1 for the first month, Shopify offers a cost-effective solution to launch and expand your business, making it a preferred choice for entrepreneurs worldwide.
Lightspeed Retail is a comprehensive point of sale (POS) and commerce platform designed to support various industries, including retail, hospitality, and golf.Lightspeed Retail is trusted by businesses in over 100 countries and operates in approximately 165,000 locations worldwide. The platform facilitates seamless transactions, evidenced by customers processing $90.7 billion in gross transaction volume (GTV) in fiscal 2024.The platform offers a wide range of features tailored specifically for each supported industry:
Retail POS:
Basic Plan: $89/month
Core Plan: $149/month
Plus Plan: $289/month
Restaurant POS:
Starter Plan: $69/month
Essential Plan: $189/month
Premium Plan: $399/month
Additional costs may apply for extra locations, registers, and payment processing fees. Custom rates are available to meet unique business needs. Lightspeed Retail provides a scalable, intuitive, and highly supportive platform, making it a robust choice for retail, hospitality, and golf enterprises worldwide. Regular webinars, demo sessions, and a community forum offer ongoing learning and support.
Oracle NetSuite ERP is a robust, AI-driven cloud business management solution designed to streamline and optimize various core business processes. Trusted by over 38,000 customers globally, NetSuite ERP helps organizations manage their accounting, order processing, inventory management, production, supply chain, and warehouse operations from a single, integrated platform. Offering real-time visibility into operational and financial performance, NetSuite ERP empowers companies to make better decisions, drive innovation, and stay competitive in a rapidly evolving market.
NetSuite ERP's unique features make it an indispensable tool for businesses looking to reduce manual processes, gain comprehensive insights, and achieve tighter control over their operations. The system facilitates effortless management of multiple subsidiaries, business units, and legal entities, and provides real-time visibility at local, regional, and headquarter levels. Additionally, customizable dashboards, reports, and visual analytics allow users to access both summary-level overviews and in-depth accounts of business activities.
Seamless integrations are a key advantage of NetSuite ERP, ensuring businesses can scale and adapt their ERP capabilities in line with growth objectives. NetSuite supports over 27 languages and 190 currencies, making it an ideal choice for companies operating on a global scale. With options for customizable subscription terms and tailored pricing plans, including industry-specific packages, NetSuite ERP offers flexibility to meet the diverse needs of small to large enterprises.
By automating core business processes and providing extensive management tools, NetSuite ERP delivers a rapid return on investment and reduces the time to value. Comprehensive resources including product demos, customer stories, data sheets, and educational guides assist businesses in leveraging the full potential of the platform. NetSuite's commitment to enhancing business performance has made it a preferred ERP solution for organizations worldwide.
Users subscribe to NetSuite for an annual license fee. Your license is made up of three main components: core platform, optional modules and the number of users. There is also a one-time implementation fee for initial setup. As your business grows, you can easily activate new modules and add users—that's the beauty of cloud software.
- Get started now with Industry Editions of NetSuite ERP that include accounting capabilities and modules to address industry-specific needs.
- NetSuite Pricing Calculator allows you to calculate your exact user cost and explore advanced modules tailored to your business requirements.
- NetSuite offers flexible subscription-based licensing with customizable contractual periods. Annual subscriptions provide flexibility for budget reassessment, while multi-year options often come with discounted pricing and cost predictability benefits.
Sumtracker is a robust inventory management platform specifically designed to streamline operations for e-commerce merchants. The tool enables seamless synchronization of inventory across multiple e-commerce platforms such as Shopify, Amazon, Etsy, eBay, BigCommerce, and WooCommerce, providing accurate and real-time updates across all sales channels. With sophisticated features like bundle and kit management, comprehensive purchase order workflows, and insightful inventory reports, Sumtracker simplifies the complexities involved in managing stock.
One of Sumtracker's standout functions is its multi-location inventory management, which includes low stock alerts and incoming stock tracking to prevent overselling and stockouts. The software also excels in managing product variants and supports bulk updates, aiding in maintaining precise inventory levels with ease. Additionally, its 'Close at Quantity' feature ensures products are automatically marked out of stock at specified quantities, and API access connects Sumtracker with other tools for enhanced workflow automation.
Sumtracker offers flexible pricing plans starting from $39 per month for up to 250 orders (Starter Plan), to $99 per month for up to 1,000 orders (Growth Plan). Larger businesses with tailored needs can opt for a custom-priced Enterprise Plan. A 30-day free trial is available to explore all features.
Cin7 Orderhive is an all-in-one, cloud-based inventory management software tailored for small to medium-sized businesses across sectors such as manufacturing, retail, wholesale, and e-commerce. With two main solutions – Cin7 Core and Cin7 Omni – it aims to streamline business operations and enhance efficiency. Cin7 Core focuses on inventory management, POS, B2B portals, commerce integration, and basic accounting, while Cin7 Omni adds advanced features for order management, multi-channel sales support, and return management. Both versions include robust reporting and integration with popular platforms like Amazon, Shopify, QuickBooks Online, and Xero.
Cin7 Orderhive stands out thanks to its real-time inventory tracking capabilities, workflow automation, and detailed analytics. It supports seamless communication with third-party logistics providers through native EDI and 3PL integrations and offers compatibility with various e-commerce platforms and accounting systems.
Though Cin7's pricing requires contacting the company for a customized quote, it provides comprehensive plans with standard features like warehouse management and manufacturing capabilities. Add-ons such as B2B portals, RMAs, automation, and mobile applications enhance its appeal, offering businesses the customization and scalability they need.
While the interface might initially seem complex, experienced users benefit greatly from its in-depth functionality. Cin7 Orderhive is designed to streamline processes, improve operational efficiency, and enhance customer experience, making it a valuable asset for growing businesses.
While exact pricing in dollars isn't directly provided, contacting Cin7 for a quote will get you tailored pricing based on your business needs. All plans feature:
Additional feature add-ons include:
User access varies with different plans, and additional user access can be purchased to suit specific business requirements.
1. What are the key features to look for in inventory management software for Shopify?
The best inventory management software for Shopify should offer real-time inventory tracking, automated stock level updates, multi-channel inventory synchronization, easy integration with Shopify, robust reporting and analytics, support for barcode scanning, and efficient order management capabilities. It's also beneficial if the software provides forecasting and demand planning tools and has a user-friendly interface.
2. Why do I need inventory management software for my Shopify store?
Inventory management software helps you keep track of your stock levels, prevents overstocking and stockouts, and streamlines your order fulfillment process. It ensures that you have the right amount of stock at the right time, improves your cash flow, and enhances overall operational efficiency. This leads to better customer satisfaction and can significantly boost your sales and profitability.
3. Can inventory management software integrate with other tools and platforms?
Yes, most leading inventory management software solutions offer integrations with various tools and platforms. These can include accounting software, ERP systems, third-party logistics (3PL) providers, and different sales channels (such as Amazon, eBay, and brick-and-mortar POS systems). Integration capabilities ensure a seamless flow of information and eliminate manual data entry, offering greater accuracy and efficiency.
4. How does inventory management software help with order fulfillment?
Inventory management software automates the order fulfillment process, reducing human error and speeding up operations. It can automatically allocate stock to orders, generate picking lists, and integrate with shipping providers to streamline packing and dispatching. Real-time inventory updates ensure that your stock levels are accurate across all sales channels, preventing overselling and enhancing customer satisfaction.
5. Is it possible to manage inventory for multiple Shopify stores using a single software?
Yes, many advanced inventory management software solutions allow you to manage inventory across multiple Shopify stores from a single dashboard. This multi-store management feature provides centralized control over stock levels, pricing, and order fulfillment, simplifying operations and improving efficiency.
6. How does inventory management software support dropshipping?
Inventory management software can integrate with your dropshipping suppliers, automatically syncing inventory levels and order details between your Shopify store and the suppliers. This automation helps ensure that your product listings are up-to-date and that orders are accurately and promptly processed, improving the reliability of your dropshipping business.
7. What kind of businesses benefit most from inventory management software?
Businesses of all sizes that deal with physical products can benefit from inventory management software. This includes e-commerce stores, brick-and-mortar shops, wholesalers, and manufacturers. The software is particularly beneficial for businesses with complex inventory needs, such as those managing multiple locations, a large product catalog, seasonal stock variations, or multiple sales channels.
8. How expensive is inventory management software for Shopify?
The cost of inventory management software can vary widely based on features, scale, and the level of customization required. Some solutions offer tiered pricing plans based on the number of users or orders processed per month. It's essential to evaluate your specific needs and budget and choose a solution that offers the best value for your investment.
9. Can I try inventory management software before purchasing?
Yes, most inventory management software providers offer free trials or demo versions. These allow you to explore the features, evaluate the user interface, and understand how the software aligns with your business processes before making a purchase decision.
10. What kind of support and training is available for inventory management software?
Reputable inventory management software providers offer comprehensive support options, including online documentation, video tutorials, live chat, email support, and phone support. Some providers also offer onboarding and training sessions to help you and your team quickly get up to speed with the software and utilize its full potential.