Key features and benefits

• Drag-and-drop interface builder: Softr's interface builder lets you drag and drop pre-built building blocks to create your inventory management app from scratch.
• Integrations: It has native integrations with Airtable, Google Sheets, and other data sources. Inventory updates get synced in real time to both your inventory management system app and the database solution you're using. It also integrates with email tools, analytics, and other tool types.
• Workflow automation: Use the no-code automation builder or integrations with Zapier and Make to connect your Softr app with more than 5,000 apps.
• Advanced permissions: Granular permissions and custom user groups allow precise control over what different users, such as managers, employees, contractors, and vendors can access and do in your system.
• Inventory tracking: Users can add new assets directly from the system and get a real-time overview of stock quantities to avoid overstocking or backorders.
• Order management: Use Kanban and timeline views to track order progress, from placement to delivery, and ensure inventory levels are adjusted in real-time
• Reporting and dashboards: Use visually appealing reports and dashboards to oversee your entire inventory operations and project profitability, predict stock timeouts, and analyze asset performance

Pros and cons

✅ Offers complete customization and configuration of your inventory app

✅ Integrated AI helps in creating fully functional apps using text-based prompts

✅ Convert your web app into a PWA (Progressive Web App) with a click. Immediately available on both Apple and Android devices

❌ Softr is not a dedicated inventory management system. Some functionality will require customization of our template. At the same time, customization is typically easier without developers, and you can also use Softr to build other tools for your business.

Limitations of the free version

Softr's free version is limited to 5 collaborators and allows a maximum of 1,000 records per dynamic block. Besides, you've limited views and support available. It is truly free forever, no credit card required.

However, despite this nitty-gritty, Softr's free plan is designed for pure value. It lets you build and publish unlimited applications or portals with unlimited visitors and integrations to popular data sources. 

While Softr's free version offers robust features, upgrading to a paid plan unlocks advanced capabilities like adding collaborators, Kanban and Calendar views, a downloadable mobile app (PWA), and much more, making it an ideal choice for businesses looking to scale efficiently.

Ideal use cases

Softr is the go-to app builder for small to medium-sized businesses, solopreneurs, agencies, and more. Using the no-code builder, users can build:

• Cloud, vendor, or employee portals
• Internal tools for inventory management, team intranet, or even fully functional CRMs
• Full-fledged websites and apps

Key features and benefits

• In-built SKU generator to group and bundle items based on the attributes and rules
• Use barcode scanners to auto-fill item information, enhancing inventory tracking
• Get real-time carrier rates and shipping labels from over 30 shipping carriers
• Leverage Backordering to prioritize and fulfill orders of a regular customer
• Handle sales returns and refunds efficiently, with options to apply credits to invoices
• Enhance collaboration with customer and vendor portals
• Accept multi-currency payments via integrations to payment gateways like PayPal, Braintree, and more

Pros and cons

✅ Offers highly-responsive mobile apps for Android and iOS

✅ Well-integrated with the Zoho app ecosystem, e-commerce platforms, carrier services, and payment gateways

✅ Built-in dropshipping tools

❌ Unlike Softr, the platform lacks customization options for interface and reports

❌ Since the platform is not very configurable, it boasts a learning curve for new users

Limitations of the free version

Zoho Inventory offers a generous free version. However, the free plan limits a single user to 50 orders and invoices per month. You also miss out on essential inventory tracking features like barcode tracking, automation, customization options, and access to advanced analytics. 

Comparably, Softr gives large enterprises more flexibility to customize, collaborate, and scale with the free plan. 

Key features and benefits

• Add and organize inventory items using custom fields, folders, tags, and photos
• Track inventory items using barcodes, QR codes, and custom labels
• Set up in-app and email alerts for low stocks, maintenance hours, and other time-sensitive tasks
• Offline mobile access lets you track and update inventory even when you're offline
• Get in-depth reports on items, folders, user histories, stock levels, and more
• Integrates with accounting software like Intuit QuickBooks and communication tools like Slack and MS Teams

Pros and cons

✅ Ability to create multiple folders for different clients

✅ Cross-platform synergy allows real-time visibility into inventory operation

✅ Supports offline inventory tracking and management via mobile app

❌ Lacks vendor management features

❌ Limited automation tools, not much to streamline inventory workflows

Limitations of the free version

Sortly has a license-based plan that would restrict large organizations from scaling. Sortly's free version allows 1 user and supports 100 orders. Besides, some key features are lacking, like real-time alerts, reporting, and integrations to third-party data sources and communication apps. 

Key features and benefits

• Get real-time stock inventory levels with inventory location
• Enable item knitting to offer related products to customers with custom pricing rules
• Organize and label products using barcodes, serial numbers, or part data
• Implement routing capabilities for timely and efficient pickups throughout warehouses
• Create custom part tracking options to meet specific inventory management needs
• Automate documentation to generate packing slips, bills of landing, and commercial invoices
• Integrates with major e-commerce platforms, accounting software, and carrier services 
• Display and manage inventory based on product variance, alternatives, and add-ons to  cross-sell customers with ease

Pros and cons

✅ Allows tracking and optimizing routes for inventory pickup and distribution

✅ Offers seamless integration with QuickBooks and essential apps

✅ Automatically generates purchase orders when inventory reaches reorder points

❌ Time-consuming initial setup and challenging customization

❌ Lacks reporting features, with reporting being laggy and unsuitable for displaying inventory data

Key features and benefits

• Built-in CRM to track your customer accounts, add contact, information, purchase history, and more data
• Use Stock Transfer to balance supply levels at different locations
• Native integrations with QuickBooks, WooCommerce, and Xero, while Zapier integrations allow connecting to 5000+ apps
• Use SalesBinder's profit analysis widget to outline profit margins while creating estimates, sale orders or invoices.
• Use tracking codes to automate shipping updates supported by over 60+ international shipping carriers (FedEx, UPS, DHL, USPS, Canada Post, and many more)

Pros and cons

✅ Excels at multi-location inventory management

✅ Integrated CRM and tracking codes help enhance order fulfillment

✅ Accepts payments in multiple currencies supported in over 130+ countries

❌ Lacks built-in payment processing capabilities and requires you to use Zapier connectivity for a secured payment gateway

❌ Businesses in manufacturing may find that SalesBinder does not meet all their needs

Limitations of the free version

SalesBinder's free plan limits to 100 active records (also the storage) with next-to-no integration capabilities with other software. Surprisingly, the starter plan also has no integration capabilities. 

Comparably, Softr's free version offers 1,000 records per dynamic block and up to 5 collaborators. 

Key features and benefits

• Supports barcode, QR Code and GS-1 for inventory traceability and tracking
• Map out locations to receive products, store, pack, and other warehouse operations
• Create custom routes to automatically plan transfers between any warehouses and locations based on item type and shipping methods
• Odoo automatic scheduler triggers operations for you based on product availability and demand forecasts
• Real-time reports on stock, inventory moves, and production
• Generate real-time inventory valuation using flexible costing and valuation methods
• Use API to integrate with third-party logistics (3PL) services and hardware devices like scales, barcode scanners, and RFID (Radio-Frequency Identification) systems

Pros and cons

✅ Has dedicated dashboards for centralized inventory management

✅ Integrates modules for different but connected operations, making the process flow comfortable

✅ Exceptional automation and vendor management tools

❌ Highly specific or complex customization requirements may necessitate developers with extensive technical expertise

❌ Oddo struggles with the synergy between accounting and inventory management, making it hard to crunch numbers on the platform

Limitations of the free version

While Oddo features hundreds of apps, the free plan gives you access to only one app. It typically includes basic features, insufficient for businesses with complex inventory needs. Advanced features like multi-warehouse support and detailed reporting are unavailable with the free plan.

Key features and benefits

• Enhance purchase management with role-based purchase dashboards with quotes, estimates, price breaks, and more
• Create and share purchase orders with one click
• Access to 45+ filterable reports for purchase orders, inventory valuation, stock levels, P/L statements, and aging reports
• Record stock transfer between warehouses, stock wastage, raw material consumption and production of finished goods
• Allows creating multiple warehouses for better inventory tracking
• Automatic inventory accounting revenue and taxes, expenses and account for cost of goods sold

Pros and Cons

✅ Support trade in multiple currencies with dedicated reports showing gain or loss due to currency fluctuation

✅ Has an excellent gallery of report and dashboard templates

✅ Real-time stock replenishment

❌Limited scalability (focuses on small and medium businesses)

❌Lack of third-party integrations

Limitations of the free version

ProfitBooks free plan offers basic inventory management features like invoicing, expense tracking, and currency payments. However, it's designed for a single user who can create up to 25 monthly invoices and manage up to 100 customers.

Only when you upgrade to a paid plan, you can add unlimited users. With Softr, it's the other way around. Softr's free plan supports up to 5 collaborators and unlimited app viewers, among other necessary integrations and features. 

‍