Free Inventory Software: Managing inventory efficiently is crucial for any business, big or small. With the right software, you can easily track stock levels, sales, and orders. Thankfully, there are some excellent free inventory management systems available in 2024. This article compares the top options to help you find the best free software for your business needs.
Why Use Inventory Management Software?
Before delving into the specific programs, let’s review some of the key reasons to use inventory software:
- Saves Time – Automatically tracking stock quantities, sales, shipments, etc saves huge amounts of manual work.
- Boosts Efficiency – Software gives instant access to data needed to optimize stock levels, minimizing waste.
- Improves Accuracy -Human error risks are removed by automation, ensuring reliable inventory numbers.
- Enhances Reporting – Detailed historical reports provide insights to spot issues and make better decisions.
For small businesses without room in the budget, free software lets you access the above benefits at no cost.
The Top 5 Free Inventory Management Systems
1. Skyware Inventory
Skyware Inventory is an excellent free option, with robust features including:
- Web Based
- Easy to Use
- No Item Limits
- Imports & Exports
- 4.7 Star Ranking
Free inventory management software allows you to easily and accurately track all your products, supplies, parts, tools, equipment, and more for free. And cloud-based free inventory software lets you work 24/7 from anywhere at any time.
2. Sortly Pro
Ideal for small-scale retail and manufacturing, Sortly Pro’s free features consist of:
- Cloud-based inventory tracking
- Custom organizational tags
- Transfer orders between locations
- Scan item barcodes
- Reporting on stock levels and value
While capabilities are more basic than Zoho, there is still plenty to manage your inventory effectively.
3. Stocky
Stocky provides a fast, simple inventory monitor for new businesses via their free plan which includes:
- Inventory tracking with barcode scanner
- Real-time stock quantity syncing
- Purchase order generation
- Demand forecasting
- Reporting on top-selling items
The interface is intuitive and easy to learn for those new to inventory software. However Stocky does have significant limitations on several products and orders.
4. inFlow Cloud
inFlow Cloud offers straightforward, useable free inventory monitoring and sales tracking tools:
- Inventory, sales, and purchase tracking
- Custom fields for products and orders
- Barcode scanning capability
- Up to 5 users
- Reporting on 30+ metrics
While the free inFlow lacks advanced options, it provides solid fundamentals for understanding your inventory. Their paid upgrades add more punch for growing an ecommerce business over time.
5. TradeGecko
Finally, TradeGecko gives you a general feature set comparable to the above programs through their free Start plan:
- Inventory management
- Order tracking
- Barcode scanning
- Pick/pack fulfillment
- Reporting
The software is geared primarily at wholesale/distribution companies rather than retailers. If that matches your business, TradeGecko deserves your consideration.
Choosing the Best Free Inventory Software
When selecting from the top free systems in 2024, start by checking which has the features that best match your current business requirements. Consider aspects like several products, order volumes, users, and locations that need to be tracked.
Also, review if free features can scale if your company grows. Finally, factor if the program’s interface appeals and seems easy for staff to utilize. Taking time to evaluate different options is important – an ideal system will save hours of work over the coming years!
FAQs
Can I use free inventory software on mobile devices?
Yes, the leading options provide mobile apps enabling access via phones/tablets to check inventory quantities, fulfill orders, etc on the go.
Do I need an IT team to run free inventory software?
No, the user interfaces are designed even for staff without technical expertise in most cases. However basic training would be advised before rolling software out company-wide.
Does free inventory software link to popular sales channels?
Some support integration with sales platforms like Shopify, Amazon, or eBay out-the-box or via plugins, enabling order synchronization – check options for the channels you sell through.
When would I outgrow free inventory software?
If your business exceeds limits on users, products, locations, or transactions – or if you require specialized supply chain/manufacturing features – it may become necessary to upgrade to full-featured paid inventory management platforms.
Disclaimer
This article provides general guidance and recommendations only. Please ensure you evaluate free inventory software fully to assess suitability for your specific business requirements. I recommend also reviewing paid inventory software if volumes exceed free plan capacity. Contact the software vendors directly regarding any queries on features, capabilities, or costs of licenses to confirm the accuracy of information provided in this article before making purchase decisions.
Conclusion
Inventory management tools are invaluable for monitoring stock quantities, sales, and shipments and identifying issues quickly. Thankfully there are capable free software options like Zoho, Sortly Pro, Stocky, inFlow Cloud, and TradeGecko available in 2024. Each caters well to specific business types and volumes. Reviewing the unique advantages of the top five contenders should help you select the best free inventory management system for empowering your organization.
Mustafa Al Mahmud is the founder and owner of Gizmo Concept, a leading technology news and review site. With over 10 years of experience in the tech industry, Mustafa started Gizmo Concept in 2017 to provide honest, in-depth analysis and insights on the latest gadgets, apps, and tech trends. A self-proclaimed “tech geek,” Mustafa first developed a passion for technology as a computer science student at the Hi-Tech Institute of Engineering & Technology. After graduation, he worked at several top tech firms leading product development teams and honing his skills as both an engineer and innovator. However, he always dreamed of having his own platform to share his perspectives on the tech world. With the launch of Gizmo Concept, Mustafa has built an engaged community of tech enthusiasts who look to the site for trusted, informed takes on everything from smartphones to smart homes. Under his leadership, Gizmo Concept has become a top destination for tech reviews, news, and expert commentary. Outside of running Gizmo Concept, Mustafa is an avid traveler who enjoys experiencing new cultures and tech scenes worldwide. He also serves as a tech advisor and angel investor for several startups. Mustafa holds a B.S. in Computer Science from HIET.