This is where you may need to break up your list into must-haves and nice-to-haves. This should include the number of users, products, orders, and locations the software should be able to accommodate on its free plan.įor this list, also consider the type of inventory you’re tracking and what other information you need to track alongside it-variants, purchase orders, vendor information, individual parts, location within your warehouse, sales or use history, etc. Step 1: Determine Your NeedsĬreate a list of your must-have features. You can choose from a number of free inventory management software options-to find a solution that matches your business, assess your needs, current systems, and future plans for growth. *Percentages of overall score How to Choose the Best Free Inventory Management Software I also prioritized software that is cloud-based and easy to use, and sought out software that can cater to a wide variety of industries-not just retail.Ĭlick through the tabs below for a more detailed breakdown of my evaluation criteria. In this update, I only considered forever-free inventory systems that also offer paid versions or add-ons at a price suited for small and midsize businesses (SMBs). My colleagues, including Brigitte Hodge and Karina Fabian, have also evaluated these systems in the past, and this guide builds on their findings. Methodology: How I Evaluated Free Inventory SoftwareĪs I mentioned above, I evaluated 13 free inventory software across 26 data points. If you need an option with more included integrations, Square is your best bet. The software can only be installed on PCs and cannot integrate with any other programs automatically. In our evaluation, ABC Inventory took a huge hit in ease of use for its dated interface and lack of live customer support. Purchased licenses also include free add-ons and lifetime updates. You will also need to purchase one of Almyta Systems’ licenses if you want customer support of any kind. However, you need the paid version if you want to use the software across multiple workstations. Here is a breakdown of the other features available in each software’s free plan: Free Inventory Management Software ComparedĪBC Inventory’s free version comes with every tool, making it a great option for a small business with a single workplace. Unlimited locations (except for Zoho, which is limited to one location and one Shopify store).Granular inventory (variants, modifiers).ABC Inventory: Best for manufacturing and repair shopsĪll the products that made our list had to include the following features in their free plans:.SalesBinder: Best for small international businesses.Sortly: Best free inventory app with barcoding and scanning.Zoho Inventory: Best for large inventories.Square: Best for retailers and restaurants. While free inventory systems are more limited than their paid counterparts, we found free options with enough tools for small businesses to get started, forever-free subscriptions with options to upgrade, cloud-based functionality, and easy-to-use interfaces.īased on my evaluation, the six best free inventory management software for small businesses are: If you aren’t ready to invest in an inventory management system, consider the free options we explore in this guide. The best inventory management software, whether used on its own or with a point-of-sale (POS) system, should make it easy for businesses to track products, tools, and assets from production to sale.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |