Free Inventory Management

Last updated: August 2022

Compare different inventory management software solutions, explore our in-depth reviews & informative articles, and choose the best solution for you.

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DISCLAIMER: The “free inventory management software” options are recommendations designed to get you off the ground. While these programs are indeed “free” on the most basic levels or for limited times, it’s important to note that once the free trial period concludes, you will be required to pay for continued use. Additionally, if you use “Freemium” inventory tracking solutions, you must pay for more advanced eCommerce features and functionality. 

What is Inventory Management Software?

Inventory tracking software helps automate certain aspects of stock management. Generally, managing inventory levels, reordering supplies at the right time, forecasting future sales, and seamless customer order fulfillment can be challenging for small business owners, solopreneurs, and freelancers. 

Fortunately, most inventory management solutions can do these things for you. A few key features of the best free inventory management software include: 

  • Centralized inventory management features, including supply chain and  order management optimization 
  • The ability to tag, barcode, and add SKUs and serial numbers to inventory 
  • Shipping label printing for purchase orders 
  • Business reporting (i.e., historical sales reports, forecasting, etc.)
  • Real-time stock alerts when stock levels are depleting, or items are overstocked 
  • Adequate security features and ability to back up inventory in the cloud 
  • The ability to integrate inventory management apps with other software, including eCommerce platforms, plugins, CRMs, accounting software, point of sale (POS) software, and more

It’s important to note that there is a significant difference in functionality, customer support, and customization options between free inventory management tools and paid versions. Learn about the pros and cons of free inventory control programs below. 

Pros and Cons of Free Inventory Management Tools

Free and open-source inventory tracking software can be excellent for small businesses and entrepreneurs. They are an essential aspect of optimized warehouse management for individuals and companies who would otherwise be stuck with Excel spreadsheets. 

However, before you download or use an inventory management solution on your PC, Android, or iOS mobile device, there are a few advantages and disadvantages you should consider. 

Advantages of Free Inventory Management Systems

The free version of inventory management apps and software can be a lifesaver for busy businesses and eCommerce store owners. In addition to the benefits mentioned in previous sections, some of the most notable advantages of using the free version of this type of software include: 

  • Accurate inventory tracking in real-time
  • Mobile compatibility (iOS, Android, etc.)
  • The ability to reorder items at the click of a button 
  • Limited integrations with accounting software, eCommerce platforms, and the like 
  • Time and cost savings associated with automatic inventory management 

Improved workflows, ordering strategies, and sales order management

Disadvantages of Free Inventory Management Software

While there are countless advantages to using the free versions of inventory tracking apps like Shopify, Zoho Inventory, Square For Retail, and the like, there are also a few drawbacks. A few of the more notable disadvantages of using free inventory management software include: 

  • Limits on the advanced inventory tracking software you can access
  • Limits on the number of users
  • Inability to access key features of the paid version 
  • Inadequate security features
  • Inability to integrate multiple sales channels and software 
  • The learning curve without customer support 

Sometimes, paid plans just make more sense for your business. Other times, they are unnecessary. Suppose you have a lot of inventory to manage or a complicated supply chain. In that case, there will likely be many cons to free inventory management software, regardless of the free version you’re using. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About The Free Inventory Management Apps 

We understand that inventory management is the backbone of your business. Running a brick-and-mortar or online business can be difficult without an accurate assessment of your stockpile and optimized inventory tracking solutions. In the sections below, learn the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about the best free inventory management software.

What Is The Best Free Inventory Management Software?

Generally, the best free inventory management software for your business depends on your needs, budget, future plans, supply chain complexity, and more. Some of the best inventory tracking and order fulfillment software on the market (i.e., free plans, free trials, and freemium offers) include: 

  • Zoho Inventory 
  • Square 
  • Ordoro
  • skuIQ
  • UpKeep
  • StockPile 
  • Sortly 
  • And more. 

Even if you want to use the paid version, signing up for a free trial or freemium plan can be advantageous first to ensure the inventory management app fits your needs. 
Lastly, if you’re not ready to invest your time, money,  and energy in an inventory control app, you may want to consider sites like eBay and Amazon, as they can help track inventory, print shipping labels, create business reports, etc.

Which Software is Best For Inventory Management? (Overall)

The best inventory management software for your online store depends on your industry (i.e., retail, food & beverage, manufacturing, etc.) and overall needs. 

Generally, some of the most highly regarded paid versions of inventory tracking programs include: 

  • Microsoft Dynamics 365
  • Zoho Inventory (paid version) 
  • Square (paid version)
  • Quickbooks Inventory Management 
  • Upserve
  • Megaventory 
  • inFlow 
  • Orderhive 

Does Microsoft Have an Inventory App?

Microsoft Dynamics 365 is an excellent inventory management tool that integrates with just about every software application. However, it’s typically used for large enterprises. Additionally, there are other free and paid versions of inventory software management apps in the Microsoft app store. 

Is Zoho Inventory Really Free?

Zoho Inventory is really free! However, if you want to use more advanced inventory management features, you’ll need to sign up for a paid plan. The good news is that you can use a free trial to test out paid versions and only pay when you’re ready to fully integrate Zoho Inventory into your business. 

Does Google Have an Inventory Template?

Many small businesses and eCommerce companies use Google sheets to track inventory. There are a few inventory templates available online for you to try. However, we’d recommend using Google Sheets only if you have a limited stock, a simple supply chain, and advanced spreadsheet ability. Otherwise, it could result in a major headache. 

Does Square Keep Up With Inventory?

Square offers basic inventory tracking features for all accounts. However, if you want to take full advantage of its inventory management system, you’ll need to sign up for a Square For Retail account and get a Square POS system. 

 

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