9 Best Zoho Inventory Alternatives for Manufacturing Operations

What if you could solve your biggest inventory frustrations without a massive, complicated software overhaul? Zoho Inventory is a capable tool inside a vast ecosystem, but its one-size-fits-all approach often creates complexity that doesn't work for every business-especially on a busy manufacturing shop floor.

You might be struggling with a system that your shop floor teams resist using, an implementation that takes weeks, or persistent stockouts of those low-cost, high-impact parts that bring production to a halt. If these pain points sound familiar, you're in the right place. We've curated a guide to the best Zoho Inventory alternatives, each designed to master a specific challenge, from hybrid physical-digital systems to powerful multi-channel e-commerce platforms.

Quick Comparison: Top Zoho Inventory Alternatives at a Glance

The 9 Best Zoho Inventory Alternatives in Detail

1. Arda

Arda isn't just another software; it's a complete system designed to bridge the critical gap between your physical shop floor and digital automation. It operates on a simple, powerful concept: physical, QR-coded kanban cards that trigger automated digital reordering workflows the moment they are scanned. This hybrid approach is built to solve real-world manufacturing challenges, earning positive user feedback on platforms like G2.

Key Features of Arda

• QR-Code Powered Physical Cards: Tactile cards serve as the trigger for the entire digital workflow, making the process intuitive for shop floor teams.
• Automated Order Management: A card scan initiates a full order queue, generates purchase orders, and sends supplier notifications automatically.
• Real-Time Digital Dashboard: While the trigger is physical, a digital dashboard provides instant visibility into order status, bottlenecks, and inventory needs.
• Multi-Action "Projects": Go beyond simple reordering by creating complex workflows that can trigger part orders, start production tasks, and assign duties simultaneously.

Strengths: Where Arda Shines

• Unbeatable Simplicity & Adoption: Unlike complex software that requires weeks of training, Arda can solve a major pain point "in an afternoon." It was built for the shop floor, not an office, which makes team adoption nearly seamless.
• Closes the Communication Gap: A card scan is a "clear, unambiguous signal" from the people who use the parts to the people who buy them. This direct link eliminates delays, miscommunication, and human error.
• Minimal Disruption to Operations: You don't need a massive, facility-wide overhaul. Arda allows you to start small with just one production line or a handful of critical parts and scale as you prove its value.

Limitations to Consider

• Focused on Reordering Workflows: Arda is expertly designed for reordering and replenishment. It is not a full-scale ERP for managing finance or HR.
• Dependent on Team Discipline: The system's effectiveness relies on the simple discipline of scanning the cards when parts are needed.

Pricing Structure

Arda uses a straightforward per-seat subscription model:

• Growth Plan: $149 per seat/month
• Pro Plan: $279 per seat/month
• Enterprise: Custom pricing

Best Use Cases:

Ideal for manufacturers, machine shops, and any operation struggling with poor software adoption on the shop floor, frequent stockouts of critical parts, and time-consuming manual reordering processes.

While Arda is a game-changer for physical manufacturing workflows, businesses that operate primarily in the digital world of e-commerce have a different set of needs. That's where our next alternative, Cin7, shines.

2. Cin7

Cin7 is a powerful, cloud-based inventory and order management platform built for the modern product seller. It centralizes operations for businesses managing inventory across multiple online and offline channels, earning a solid 4.3-star rating from over 700 users. It is designed to connect every part of your sales process, from purchasing to fulfillment.

Key Features of Cin7

• Extensive Integration Ecosystem: Cin7 connects with over 700 applications, including major e-commerce platforms like Shopify and Amazon, 3PLs, and accounting software.
• AI-Powered Demand Forecasting: Its ForesightAI tool helps you anticipate demand, optimize order planning, and avoid costly overstock or stockout situations.
• Comprehensive Manufacturing Module: The system supports everything from simple product kits to complex assemblies with multi-level bills of materials (BOMs).
• Built-in B2B Portal and POS: Manage wholesale operations with custom, tiered pricing and run physical retail locations from the same unified platform.

Strengths: Where Cin7 Shines

• Unmatched Connectivity: With 700+ integrations, Cin7 acts as a central hub, eliminating data silos between your sales channels, warehouse, and accounting software.
• Designed for Scale: The platform is built to grow with your business, handling expanding product lines and increasing order volumes without a drop in performance.
• Actionable Intelligence: The AI-driven forecasting provides a competitive edge, offering insights typically found only in enterprise-level ERP systems.

Limitations to Consider

• Opaque Pricing: Cin7 does not publicly list its prices, requiring you to contact their sales team for a custom quote.
• Potential Complexity: The sheer number of features and integrations can be overwhelming for smaller businesses or those with very simple needs.

Pricing Structure

Cin7 provides custom, quote-based pricing based on your specific business needs and order volume.

Best Use Cases:

The go-to choice for complex e-commerce and retail operations that need a central, scalable hub to manage all their sales channels, warehouses, and production workflows.

3. Fishbowl Inventory

Fishbowl is a robust inventory and manufacturing platform specifically built to work in perfect harmony with QuickBooks. For businesses whose operations revolve around their accounting software, Fishbowl provides the advanced features they need without forcing them to abandon the financial system they trust.

Key Features of Fishbowl Inventory

• Deep QuickBooks Integration: Offers a seamless, real-time, two-way sync with both QuickBooks Desktop and QuickBooks Online, eliminating double entry.
• Advanced Manufacturing Tools: Manage complex, multi-level bills of materials, work orders, and production planning with features like AI-powered scheduling.
• Multi-Location Warehouse Management: Track inventory across thousands of locations and sub-locations, with real-time visibility and easy stock transfers.
• Lot and Serial Number Tracking: Maintain detailed traceability for compliance and quality control, with one-click recall reports for audits.

Strengths: Where Fishbowl Inventory Shines

• The "Accounting-First" Advantage: The integration is Fishbowl's superpower. It keeps your financial and inventory data perfectly synchronized, providing accurate, real-time cost tracking.
• Handles Complexity at Scale: The platform is designed to manage complex manufacturing and multi-warehouse operations, scaling with your business as it grows.
• AI-Driven Efficiency: Built-in AI helps optimize production schedules and forecast demand, reducing the need for manual planning and preventing costly delays.

Limitations to Consider

• Implementation Can Be Involved: The platform's comprehensive nature means setup can be more complex than simpler, more focused tools.
• Best for the QuickBooks Ecosystem: While it integrates with other software, its core value is most realized by businesses deeply invested in QuickBooks.

Pricing Structure

Fishbowl offers several product tiers, including Fishbowl Advanced and Fishbowl Drive. Pricing is quote-based, tailored to the specific modules and user seats you require.

Best Use Cases:

If your business lives and breathes QuickBooks and you need advanced manufacturing or warehousing features, Fishbowl is the undisputed leader for seamless integration.

4. inFlow Inventory

inFlow Inventory is a flexible and accessible inventory management system that excels in mobile-first environments. It empowers teams to manage stock, process orders, and run warehouse operations directly from their smartphones, making it perfect for businesses with active, on-the-move teams.

Key Features of inFlow Inventory

• Mobile-First Design: The full-featured mobile app allows users to pick, pack, ship, receive stock, and even create sales orders and invoices from anywhere.
• Barcode and QR Code Scanning: Use your smartphone's camera or dedicated scanners to manage inventory, perform cycle counts, and process orders quickly.
• Multi-Channel Syncing: Connect with over 30 e-commerce platforms like Shopify, Amazon, and Etsy to keep inventory levels updated automatically across all channels.
• Optional Manufacturing Module: Start with simple inventory tracking and add a manufacturing module with BOMs and work orders as your business needs grow.

Strengths: Where inFlow Inventory Shines

• Empowers Mobile Teams: inFlow is designed for the reality of a busy warehouse, allowing your team to work efficiently without being tied to a desktop computer.
• Scales with Your Business: The ability to add manufacturing capabilities means you don't have to switch systems as you scale from simple retail to light assembly.
• Strong Integration Capabilities: With 30+ e-commerce integrations and deep connections to QuickBooks Online and Xero, inFlow fits well into a modern tech stack.

Limitations to Consider

• Advanced Features Are Upgrades: Key functionalities like the manufacturing module are add-ons, which can increase the total cost.
• Pricing Tiers: Specific features are locked into higher-priced plans, so you'll need to choose carefully based on your needs.

Pricing Structure

inFlow offers tiered monthly subscription plans based on the number of users, orders, and features required. Pricing information is available on their website.

Best Use Cases:

Excellent for businesses with active warehouse teams who need to pick, pack, and manage stock on the go. It's also a great scalable option for e-commerce sellers who may expand into manufacturing.

5. Odoo

Odoo is not just an inventory tool; it's a complete suite of open-source business management applications. Its unique modular approach allows you to build a completely custom ERP, starting with just the inventory app and adding others like CRM, Accounting, or HR as you grow. This makes it an incredibly flexible and cost-effective alternative.

Key Features of Odoo

• Modular Architecture: Choose from over 43,000 apps to build a system that perfectly fits your business, without paying for features you don't need.
• Open-Source Community Edition: A free, powerful version of the software provides extensive functionality, making it accessible for businesses on a tight budget.
• Comprehensive Inventory Management: The inventory module supports real-time tracking across multiple warehouses, barcode scanning, and advanced routing rules.
• Unified Business Platform: Because all apps are integrated, data flows seamlessly from sales to inventory to accounting, providing a single source of truth.

Strengths: Where Odoo Shines

• Ultimate Customizability: Odoo's modular design and open-source nature mean you can tailor it to your exact business processes in a way that off-the-shelf software cannot.
• Incredible Cost-Effectiveness: The free Community Edition offers a remarkable amount of power, and the paid plans are competitively priced for an all-in-one ERP.
• Scalability: You can start with a single app for one business function and expand the system to run your entire company as you scale.

Limitations to Consider

• Can Require Technical Expertise: While powerful, implementing and customizing Odoo, especially the Community Edition, may require technical knowledge or a partner.
• Potential for Complexity: The sheer number of apps and configuration options can be overwhelming if you don't have a clear implementation plan.

Pricing Structure

Odoo offers several plans:

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• Community Edition: Free and open-source.
• Enterprise Edition: A per-user, per-month fee that includes all apps, support, and hosting.

Best Use Cases:

Perfect for businesses that want to build a completely custom, all-in-one business management system on a budget, provided they have the technical know-how or implementation support.

6. QuickBooks Commerce

QuickBooks Commerce is an inventory and order management platform specifically designed for online sellers already using the QuickBooks ecosystem. Its core purpose is to act as an integration hub, syncing inventory from various marketplaces and sales channels directly back into QuickBooks Online for automated bookkeeping.

Key Features of QuickBooks Commerce

• Multichannel Inventory Syncing: Connect multiple e-commerce stores and marketplaces like Etsy and Amazon to keep inventory levels accurate everywhere you sell.
• Automatic Bookkeeping: Sales and cost-of-goods-sold data flow automatically into QuickBooks Online, dramatically reducing manual data entry and reconciliation time.
• Centralized Order Management: View and manage orders from all your sales channels in one centralized location.
• B2B Wholesale Support: Includes features to manage wholesale customers and sales processes separately from your direct-to-consumer channels.

Strengths: Where QuickBooks Commerce Shines

• Seamless QuickBooks Integration: As an Intuit product, its connection to QuickBooks Online is its greatest strength, ensuring your financial records are always up-to-date.
• Simplifies Multichannel Selling: It is built to solve the primary headache for online sellers: keeping inventory and sales data consistent across multiple platforms.
• Centralized Visibility: It provides a single dashboard to monitor your entire online selling operation, from inventory to sales.

Limitations to Consider

• Key Features Missing: The platform does not support dropshipping, serial number tracking, or custom products, which can be deal-breakers for many businesses.
• Less Suited for Complex Operations: It is designed for the simpler needs of online sellers and lacks the deep manufacturing or warehouse features of other tools.

Pricing Structure

QuickBooks Commerce is typically bundled with higher-tier QuickBooks Online subscriptions. Pricing is based on your QuickBooks plan.

Best Use Cases:

A solid choice for small online sellers who are already deeply embedded in the QuickBooks ecosystem and need a simple way to manage inventory across a few e-commerce channels.

7. Katana

Katana is a visual manufacturing ERP built for the needs of modern, small-scale producers and direct-to-consumer brands. It combines inventory control, production scheduling, and order management into an intuitive platform that gives you a live look at your entire business.

Key Features of Katana

• Visual Production Planning: A drag-and-drop dashboard makes it easy to prioritize production orders and manage your resources.
• Real-Time Inventory Control: Automatically allocates raw materials and finished goods to orders, giving you an accurate, live view of your stock levels.
• Shop Floor Control App: Empowers your production team to track their tasks and time directly from the shop floor, improving visibility and efficiency.
• Seamless E-commerce Integration: Integrates deeply with platforms like Shopify and WooCommerce to streamline make-to-order workflows.

Strengths: Where Katana Shines

• Incredibly User-Friendly: Katana's clean, visual interface is a major advantage, making powerful manufacturing features accessible to non-experts.
• Excellent for DTC Brands: Its focus on e-commerce and make-to-order workflows is perfect for modern brands selling directly to consumers online.
• Live, Actionable Data: The real-time connection between sales, production, and inventory helps you make smarter purchasing and production decisions.

Limitations to Consider

• Lacks Advanced Financials: Katana is not an accounting platform and relies on integrations with software like QuickBooks or Xero for financial management.
• Focused on Smaller Operations: It may not have the depth required for highly complex, enterprise-level manufacturing.

Pricing Structure

Katana offers tiered monthly plans based on the number of users and feature sets, with pricing available on their website.

Best Use Cases:

Ideal for small- to medium-sized manufacturers, especially direct-to-consumer brands, who need a visual and intuitive system to manage inventory, sales, and production in one place.

8. Unleashed

Unleashed is a powerful, cloud-based inventory management platform designed specifically for manufacturers, wholesalers, and distributors. It provides end-to-end visibility and control over your supply chain, from purchasing raw materials to selling finished goods.

Key Features of Unleashed

• Comprehensive B2B Functionality: Features include multi-tiered customer pricing, a dedicated B2B e-commerce portal, and robust sales order management.
• Batch and Serial Tracking: Maintain complete traceability throughout your supply chain, essential for businesses in food and beverage, electronics, or regulated industries.
• Bill of Materials & Assembly: Manage multi-level BOMs and track the costs of finished goods with precision.
• Multi-Warehouse Management: Easily track stock levels across different locations and manage transfers between them.

Strengths: Where Unleashed Shines

• Purpose-Built for B2B: Unleashed excels at managing the complexities of wholesale and distribution, an area where many generic inventory tools fall short.
• Granular Costing and Tracking: Its ability to track costs and products by batch or serial number provides deep insights and control over margins and quality.
• Strong Integration Ecosystem: Connects seamlessly with leading e-commerce, accounting (especially Xero), and point-of-sale systems.

Limitations to Consider

• No Built-in Accounting: Like Katana, it is a dedicated inventory platform and requires integration with separate accounting software.
• Interface Can Be Dense: The sheer amount of data and features can make the user interface feel less intuitive than some newer, more visual platforms.

Pricing Structure

Unleashed offers tiered subscription plans based on the number of users and required features.

Best Use Cases:

A top choice for established wholesalers, distributors, and manufacturers who need a robust system to manage B2B sales, complex product assemblies, and detailed inventory tracking.

9. NetSuite ERP

Oracle NetSuite is in a different class from most tools on this list. It is a true, all-in-one cloud business management suite that combines inventory management with financials, CRM, e-commerce, and more. It is a fully unified platform designed to run an entire enterprise.

Key Features of NetSuite ERP

• Unified Business Platform: All business functions-from accounting to inventory to customer relationship management-operate from a single database.
• Advanced Inventory Management: Supports demand planning, cycle counting, multi-location fulfillment, and detailed costing.
• Extreme Scalability: NetSuite is built to support businesses from the mid-market level all the way to large enterprises, handling immense complexity and transaction volume.
• Deep Customization: The platform can be extensively customized to match unique business processes and workflows.

Strengths: Where NetSuite ERP Shines

• A Single Source of Truth: Having every piece of business data in one system provides unparalleled visibility and eliminates integration headaches.
• Enterprise-Grade Power: It offers a depth of functionality in supply chain management, financials, and reporting that smaller systems cannot match.
• Future-Proof Scalability: For businesses with aggressive growth plans, NetSuite provides a platform that they are unlikely to outgrow.

Limitations to Consider

• Significant Cost and Complexity: NetSuite is a major investment in both time and money. Implementation is a large project, and subscription costs are high.
• Overkill for Small Businesses: The platform's power and complexity are far more than what most small or even many medium-sized businesses need.

Pricing Structure

NetSuite pricing is entirely custom and quote-based, involving licensing fees, user seats, and implementation costs.

Best Use Cases:

Best for fast-growing, mid-market to enterprise-level companies that need a single, scalable, and powerful platform to manage all of their core business operations.

How to Choose the Right Zoho Inventory Alternative for Your Business

Navigating this list can feel overwhelming. To find the perfect fit, forget about features for a moment and focus on your core needs by asking these questions.

1. Who are the primary users? If your answer is accountants and managers in an office, a complex digital interface might work. But if your primary users are your shop floor staff, you need a system they will actually use. Prioritize simple, visual systems like Arda that are designed for the manufacturing environment.

2. What is your single biggest pain point? Is it inaccurate financial reports? Or is it the constant, frustrating stockouts of critical parts that halt production? If you are constantly plagued by reordering delays and communication breakdowns, you need a solution laser-focused on solving that problem, like Arda's streamlined reordering workflow.

3. Do you need physical and digital integration? Many systems force a digital-only workflow onto a very physical environment. If your team works with their hands, consider a hybrid system. A tool that uses a physical trigger-like scanning a card-to initiate a digital process respects existing workflows and dramatically increases user adoption. This is the core strength of Arda.

4. How important are e-commerce integrations? If your business is primarily an online, multi-channel retail operation, then connectivity is king. A tool with hundreds of integrations like Cin7 should be at the top of your list.

5. What accounting software do you use? If your entire business world revolves around QuickBooks, an alternative with deep, seamless integration is non-negotiable. In that case, Fishbowl is purpose-built for you.

6. What is your budget and implementation timeline? Are you prepared for a months-long ERP implementation project? Or do you need to solve a critical problem right now? If you need a fast, low-disruption solution that can deliver value "in an afternoon," you should look at a system like Arda that allows you to start small and prove its worth immediately.

Picking The Right Zoho Inventory Alternative for You

The "best" inventory software is the one that solves your most pressing problems without adding unnecessary complexity. Zoho Inventory is a capable jack-of-all-trades, but specialized tools will always master one.

For complex, multi-channel e-commerce sellers, Cin7 is king. For businesses that run on QuickBooks and need serious manufacturing power, Fishbowl is a must-have.

But for manufacturers who are ready to empower their shop floor teams, eliminate stockouts for good, and simplify their entire reordering process with a system that just works, Arda is the clear choice. See how Arda can transform your workflow with a demo today.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. What is the best free alternative to Zoho Inventory? For a truly comprehensive free option, Odoo's Community Edition is hard to beat, but it requires technical knowledge for setup and customization. For a free tool you can use immediately to improve your processes, check out Arda's free kanban card generator to start visualizing your workflow today.

2. Which Zoho alternative is best for manufacturing? This depends on your specific needs. For complex, ERP-level manufacturing with deep accounting integration, Fishbowl is a very strong contender. However, for lean, agile manufacturing focused on solving the root cause of stockouts and empowering the shop floor, Arda's unique hybrid physical-digital system is unparalleled in its simplicity and effectiveness.

‍3. How is a hybrid kanban system like Arda different from traditional software? Traditional software tries to impose a digital-only workflow on a physical environment, which often leads to poor adoption by shop floor teams. Arda meets your team where they are. It uses a physical, tactile card as the simple trigger for a powerful digital automation process. This small but critical difference drastically increases adoption rates and closes the communication gap between the floor and the purchasing office.