Best Stock Control Software Shortlist
Here’s the shortlist of the best tools that I’ll cover in this article.
- 5. Acctivate Inventory Management — Best for inventory management that seamlessly integrates with QuickBooks
One of the essential parts of building a successful business is knowing what you have in your inventory. Transparent stock control ensures seamless transactions that sync in real-time whether you’re selling online or in store. Stock control software takes the effort of manual tracking off your plate — freeing up your time for other essential business needs.
Whether you run a retail shop, a restaurant, or a manufacturing plant, there is an inventory management system that provides the right tools for your business. Read on to discover how stock control will add value to your operations and learn more about the best inventory management software to streamline your processes.
What is Stock Control Software?
Stock control software is a digital system for managing your inventory. It tracks inventory levels, sales, and deliveries to ensure you have what you need to meet customer orders. Any stock management software will effectively oversee the flow of units in and out of your existing inventory to simplify day-to-day tracking.
How I Selected the Best Stock Control Software
If you’re wondering how I could sort through all the stock control software options available today, I built this list by evaluating and comparing the top-rated inventory management systems with high user ratings.
I further narrowed down my top choices with the selection criteria below — namely usability, standout features, software integrations, and pricing. I also factored in the use purpose for each type of software, as some are designed to cater to all types of businesses, while others are ideal for manufacturing, retail, or restaurants.
Seeing how each software stacked up against the next, I also drew on my years of ecommerce experience to pinpoint the industry-specific features and integrations that add the most value. If you have any additional questions about stock control software or picking the best options for your organization, skip down to the frequently asked questions below.
Otherwise, head down to the detailed software summaries to see which ones made my top 10 list. You’ll also find a few additional options that didn’t quite make the cut all the way at the bottom of the page.
Selection Criteria
Here’s a short summary of the main selection and evaluation criteria I used to develop my list of the best stock control software for this article:
Usability
In addition to ensuring software is easy to learn and use, it also needs to be useful. An intuitive user interface is an essential part of the equation, but I also made sure that each one of these stock control systems offered the basic components of any inventory management method, like a barcode scanner, mobile computing power, and POS integrations.
Standout Features
Knowing that the following stock control software options can fulfill your basic needs is one thing — but do any of them go above and beyond to deliver more flexibility for your business? Those options with standout features, including automation, cloud-based systems, and multi-channel tracking, definitely made the list.
Software Integrations
While some stock control software options come as part of a larger business management platform, others are single-use and purpose-built just for inventory management. For these standalone tools, you definitely need integrations that work with all your other digital tools. I chose stock control software with an emphasis on easy integration.
Pricing
This list of the top stock control systems will have options for single-person operations, small businesses, and enterprise-level organizations — and the price needs to be just right for each type of business. Explore a range of pricing that meets the needs of your business without killing your budget.
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Overviews Of The 10 Best Stock Control Software
You can use the simple overviews of each tool below to understand how each tool stands out from other stock control software.
Zoho Inventory
Best for mobile inventory management with iOS and Android
As a cloud-based inventory management system, Zoho Inventory provides more accessibility, tools, and solutions for wherever you happen to be, including integrations with top shipping carriers, out of the box integrations, and mobile management on all your devices.
Why I picked Zoho Inventory: A standout feature to me is the mobile stock control and management. Whether you’re on Apple or Android technology, you can take your work with you to track inventory end-to-end, provide customer support, get notifications, and get real-time inventory data. The app for all their inventory management tools is available in Google Play and the Apple App Store.
Zoho Inventory offers solutions for the smallest of operations, all the way up to the largest enterprises. With six unique package offerings, any organization can customize their inventory management software plan to meet their unique needs.
Zoho Inventory Standout Features and Integrations
Features include item grouping and bundling, multi-warehouse management, serial and batch tracking, sales order management, packaging and shipping, barcode scanning, vendor price lists, SKU generator, analytics and reporting, CRM, accounting solutions, amd reorder points.
Integrations include Amazon, eBay, Etsy, Shopify, QuickBooks Online, Stripe, PayPal, Avalara, Shipping Carriers, and AfterShip.
Pros
- Simple user interface
- Offers everyday business operation tools
- Is available for free
Cons
- Could use more bulk editing features
- Reports don’t provide enough granularity
Finale Inventory
Best for growing businesses that need flexibility and scalability
As an intuitive cloud-based stock control software, Finale Inventory is designed for small and growing businesses with easy-to-use features that can scale with the rising demands of your organization, including purchasing, sales, and order tracking.
Why I picked Finale Inventory: Finale Inventory has a number of features that help with business scaling, but one of the most useful is the multichannel integration option. While your organization may start as a small shop on Etsy or eBay, eventually, you might add your own website along with a brick-and-mortar store. Finale Inventory can help you manage and track every channel in one location.
Whether you’re in food and beverage, fireworks, or asset management, Finale Inventory offers solutions across a variety of industries. They specialize in working with pre-launch startups and small businesses, but their platform can still support medium and large organizations.
Finale Inventory Standout Features and Integrations
Features include kitting and bundles for ecommerce, label printing, stock takes and cycle counting, multi-warehouse management, serial number tracking, stock auditing, order management, purchasing and replenishment, various batch methods, and mobile barcode scanning.
Integrations include Amazon, eBay, Newegg, Rakuten, Etsy, Walmart, Shopify, Squarespace, WooCommerce, and Lightspeed.
Pros
- Lots of customizable features
- Versatile system and procedures
- Great onboarding process
Cons
- Reports are very basic
- Integrations may take some time to sync
Fishbowl
Best ERP system for medium and large businesses
As a comprehensive inventory and manufacturing management solution, Fishbowl was designed to meet the demand trends and supply needs of medium and large businesses through automation, integrations, and planning tools that maximize production efficiency.
Why I picked Fishbowl: One of the features that truly elevates and transforms inventory management is their automated part tracking process. This tool provides manufacturing facilities with more traceability for each element and component. With part tracking, you can leverage a number of built-in options for better order management, including creation and expiration dates, lot and serial numbers, and country of origin.
While Fishbowl offers asset management solutions for many industries, like consumer goods, food and beverage, healthcare, and technology, they place a special focus on manufacturing services. Their inventory-centric approach provides solutions for construction and engineering, parts repair, third-party logistics, wholesale distributors, and all types of fabrication.
Fishbowl Standout Features and Integrations
Features include multi-location management, part tracking, asset management, real-time inventory reports, mobile accessibility, scanning, barcoding, pricing estimator, cost tracking, lifecycle management, CRM, data sync, material requirements planning, and inventory audits.
Integrations include UPS Ready, Shopify, QuickBooks, Salesforce, eZCom, Xero, DropBox, Wasp Barcode, Adobe Commerce, and eBay.
Pros
- Easy system to learn
- Provides remote access from anywhere
- Ideal for companies with a lot of moving parts
Cons
- Needs more customization options
- Not a good fit for small businesses
Flowtrac
Best for tracking parts and products by any categorization
As a warehouse management solution, Flowtrac can help businesses in a variety of sectors streamline asset tracking, manufacturing, and inventory management by assigning assets to employees, monitoring statuses, and automating alerts for new stock and return dates.
Why I picked Flowtrac: Many businesses only print labels to track individual products, but with Flowtrac, you can organize your entire warehouse with labeling to signify bin locations, work centers, racks, damaged areas, and quarantine areas. With this type of labeling feature, you’ll always know the location, status, and expiration of your inventory.
Flowtrac has years of experience supporting businesses of all sizes in a variety of sectors, including education, chemical, humanitarian, laboratories, government, solar, and commercial. While they’re based in the USA, they serve large and small organizations around the world.
Flowtrac Standout Features and Integrations
Features include unit of measures, report designer, language options, location tracking, pick orders, direct put away, expiration dates, bill of materials, label designer, weight calculation, vendor costing, purchase orders, directed picking, mobile app, and crossover prevention.
Integrations include QuickBooks, Xero, ShipStation, Shopify, Unanet, WooCommerce, Salesforce, Tims, Epicor, Shiphawk, UPS, and Skynet.
Pros
- Simplified digitization for manual companies
- Data history tracking for increased integrity
- Scales to grow with you
Cons
- Customization requires significant work
- Data filtering can be cumbersome
Acctivate Inventory Management
Best for inventory management that seamlessly integrates with QuickBooks
As an inventory management system with a heavy focus on QuickBooks-centralized platform, Acctivate Inventory Management blends stock control software, operations management, and accounting all in one place.
Why I picked Acctivate Inventory Management: It has a powerful suite of tools, including an inventory product screen to ensure distributors have quick access to real-time information. With one look, you’ll be able to check inventory quantities, costing, product specifications, and orders for full company visibility, which allows for higher efficiency, powerful forecasting, and better decision-making.
This platform is best for small and mid-size companies with a heavy focus on QuickBooks integration. They offer focused solutions to a number of industries, including food and beverage, construction, auto parts, aviation, electronics, medical and pharmaceutical, publishing, furniture, and sports equipment.
Acctivate Inventory Management Standout Features and Integrations
Features include inventory control and auditing, accounting integrations, EDI, customer database and history, data sync, kitting, delivery management, alerts and notifications, cataloging, data visualization, lot tracking, mobile access, demand forecasting, and order entry.
Integrations include QuickBooks Desktop Enterprise, QuickBooks Online, QuickBooks Desktop Pro, QuickBooks Online Advanced, QuickBooks Payments, ShipStation, WooCommerce, Adobe Commerce, Avalara, and SmartVault.
Pros
- Highly customizable reports
- Massive potential with versatile features
- Quick cross-platform syncing with integrations
Cons
- Some features still need streamlining
- Can be overkill for small businesses
SKULabs
Best for supercharging your fast-growing business
As a web-based multichannel inventory and order management platform, SKULabs is an optimized tool for ecommerce businesses that need accurate order picking, barcoding, purchasing, receiving, and multi-carrier shipping — all available online and as a mobile app.
Why I picked SKULabs: SKULabs provides multi-channel order tracking in one place, real-time inventory control and syncing, shipping rate comparison, and 100% accurate packing and shipping. The Pick, Pack, and Ship feature streamlines order fulfillment workflows with barcode scanning that verifies orders and automatically chooses the cheapest options for shipping.
This platform is ideal for medium-sized global businesses, as well as enterprise-level organizations across a number of industries. Whether you need to track, pack, and ship 1,000 orders or 50,000 orders each month, SKULabs can provide the support you need.
SKULabs Standout Features and Integrations
Features include order picking, shipping, batch picking, order management, point of sales, inventory management, purchase orders, warehouse management, catalog management, insight reporting, real-time tracking and sync, cycle counting, and barcode scanning.
Integrations include Shift4Shops, BigCommerce, Amazon, Kickstarter, Square, PayPal, Stripe, World Wide Shipping, FlxPoint, and Authorize.Net.
Pros
- Amazing customer support team
- Customized implementation and functionality
- User-friendly interface
Cons
- Product search requires exact word search
- Doesn’t have as many integrations
Inventory Planner
Best for hassle-free inventory forecasting and buying recommendations
If you need software to help you automate inventory management on one centralized platform, Inventory Planner is the perfect solution for businesses with large inventories and multiple locations. This software can help you keep track of stock levels and prevent out-of-stock situations.
Why I picked Inventory Planner: One of the best features from Inventory Planner is their forecasting tool. Because consumer demand and trends are constantly changing, it can be tough to analyze reports on your own. Let Inventory Planner do it for you with next-level forecasting features, including custom models that adapt fast to new trends, reduce safety stock, and align marketing with forecasting.
Inventory Planner can support multichannel organizations, including ecommerce brands, retailers, wholesalers, and manufacturers. This stock control software is viable across nearly every industry and businesses of all sizes.
Inventory Planner Standout Features and Integrations
Features include order management, reorder management, alerts and notifications, reporting and statistics, cataloging and categorization, inventory replenishment, sales trend analysis, shopping cart, ecommerce management, inventory optimization, and item management.
Integrations include Shopify, Magento, Walmart, Amazon, NetSuite, SnowFlake, ShipBob, Cin7, Zoho, and QuickBooks.
Pros
- Logical user interface and experience
- Great customer support team
- Deep insights in to each SKU
Cons
- Bug fixes have a long lead time
- Manufacturing replenishment can be off
Think Aisle
Best for increasing inventory turnover and planning accuracy
The Think Aisle inventory management software solution targets stock control needs through a cloud-based system that incorporates inventory list and detail tracking, item history, barcode scanning, automated notifications, and comprehensive reporting for actionable insights that improve your workflow.
Why I picked Think Aisle: One of the unique inventory management features from Think Aisle is the inventory stock-on-hand report. This report details the total units on hand, as well as total costs, profit value, retail value, taxability, and profit margin all in one place for easy access to all the data when you need it.
Think Aisle is best for business owners with small and medium organizations. They offer a variety of solutions based on industry, enhancing efficiency, improving client experiences, and ensuring greater precision for every task.
Think Aisle Standout Features and Integrations
Features include warehousing management, shipping label printing, item history, detailed reports, automated notifications, stock adjustments, bundles and kitting, 3PL management, customizable branding and reports, and inventory auditing and replenishment.
Integrations include Shopify, WooCommerce, marketplace integrations, dropshipping integrations, POS system integrations, and accounting integrations.
Pros
- Great customer service team
- Easily integrates with current operations
Cons
- Has some issues with time difference management
Salesforce Commerce Cloud
Best for adapting quickly to business and customer needs
The Salesforce Commerce Cloud is one arm of the Salesforce platform that provides comprehensive tools for omnichannel digital sales, including customer support, inventory management, automations, and intelligent insights with actionable recommendations.
Why I picked Salesforce Commerce Cloud: Whether you’re interested in increasing productivity or innovating with new workflow strategies, Salesforce automations are the key to your success. You can optimize stock control and order fulfillment for speed, cost, and sustainability with real-time automations to simplify even the most complex ordering processes for all marketplaces.
Salesforce Commerce Cloud is capable of supporting businesses of all sizes with low-cost options based on number of orders, as well as customizable enterprise-level plans. Some of the solutions they offer target specific industries like automotive, communications, consumer goods, education, utilities, financial services, and manufacturing.
Salesforce Commerce Cloud Standout Features and Integrations
Features include order servicing, distributed order management, omnichannel inventory, backorder management, inventory auditing, data synchronization, accounting software, low stock alerts, offline management, shipping management, and shopping cart.
Integrations include PayPal, Stripe, ShipStation, Klaviyo, Yotpo, Avalara, Flow, Aspire, Kount, Luigi’s Box, and API integrations.
Pros
- Highly adaptable to business needs
- Large selection of collaborative tools
- Can handle large volume purchases
Cons
- Classifying and location tools can be tough
- Backend can be cumbersome because of all the features
Tecsys Elite
Best for elite enterprise solutions
Tecsys Elite supports large organizations with a variety of supply chain and inventory management solutions, including warehousing, transportation, and delivery, through modern mobile technology that’s available online through any device.
Why I picked Tecsys Elite: One feature that ensures Tecsys Elite stands out is the executive dashboard, which has embedded Warehousing Education and Research Council metrics. This tool allows business owners to track warehouse performance and compare it with competitors. The executive dashboard can also extend supply chain execution capabilities.
Anyone interested in scalable mid-size or large distribution solutions can benefit from the software available at Tecsys Elite. They currently service a wide range of verticals, including industrial goods, heavy equipment, parts distribution, healthcare, giftware, and third-party logistics. They also have a massive network of partners to better serve their customers.
Tecsys Elite Standout Features and Integrations
Features include 3PL management, inventory control and optimization, kitting, real-time analytics, barcode and ticket scanning, forecasting, discount management, carrier management, budget control, delivery tracking, labeling, order fulfillment, mobile alerts, and RFID scanning.
Integration details are not available at this time.
Pros
- Comprehensive shared digital workspace
- Easy to use
- Versatile functionality
Cons
- Charges customer support fees
- Requires some training
The 10 Best Stock Control Software Summary
Tool | Free Option | Price | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Zoho Inventory Best for mobile inventory management with iOS and Android | 14-day free trial + free plan available | From $79/month. | Visit Website |
2 | Finale Inventory Best for growing businesses that need flexibility and scalability | 14-day free trial available | From $75/month | Visit Website |
3 | Fishbowl Best ERP system for medium and large businesses | Free demo available | Pricing upon request | Visit Website |
4 | Flowtrac Best for tracking parts and products by any categorization | Free demo available | Pricing upon request | Visit Website |
5 | Acctivate Inventory Management Best for inventory management that seamlessly integrates with QuickBooks | Free demo available | Starter lifetime license starts at $833/month but pricing may vary | Visit Website |
6 | SKULabs Best for supercharging your fast-growing business | 30-day free trial available | From $299/month (billed annually) | Visit Website |
7 | Inventory Planner Best for hassle-free inventory forecasting and buying recommendations | 14-day free trial | Pricing upon request | Visit Website |
8 | Think Aisle Best for increasing inventory turnover and planning accuracy | Free demo available | From $199/month | Visit Website |
9 | Salesforce Commerce Cloud Best for adapting quickly to business and customer needs | 14-day free trial | From 1% of your gross merchandise value | Visit Website |
10 | Tecsys Elite Best for elite enterprise solutions | No free plans or demo available | Pricing upon request | Visit Website |
Other Options
Here are a few more options that didn’t make the best stock control software list:
- Kechie
Best for cloud-based enterprise resource planning
- NetSuite
Best for all-in-one inventory and business management solutions
- TallyPrime
Best for managing multiple businesses
- Infoplus
Best for handling special inventory with customizations
- Cin7 Core
Best for real-time data sync and inventory updates
- ArbiMed Inventory
Best for clinical inventory management
- Lefio Inventory Management
Best for self-regulating AI-based technology
- Raptech
Best for SMBs to streamline lead and project management
People Also Ask
Here are a few popular questions answered for your convenience!
What are the five major stock control systems?
What are the key features of stock control software?
What other inventory management software should I use?
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