Stockouts lose sales. Overstock ties up cash. The best inventory tracking apps in 2026 solve both problems by giving you real-time visibility into what you have, where it is, and when to reorder. Modern apps scan barcodes with your phone camera, sync across locations instantly, and alert you before stock runs low. Pair your inventory tool with a POS system and accounting software for complete business operations.
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1. Sortly
Sortly Best for Small Business
Sortly makes inventory tracking visual and simple. Every item gets a photo, description, QR code, and custom fields. The mobile app scans barcodes and QR codes using your phone camera to instantly update stock levels, move items between locations, or check details. For small businesses with 50-5,000 items, Sortly provides the easiest path from spreadsheets to real inventory management.
The folder structure organizes items by location, category, or any hierarchy that matches your business. Low stock alerts trigger email notifications when items drop below thresholds you set. The activity log tracks every change - who moved what, when, and where - creating accountability without cameras.
- Pricing: Free (100 items); Advanced $49/mo; Ultra $149/mo
- Pros: Visual inventory, easiest setup, great mobile app, QR code generation
- Cons: 100-item free limit, no purchase orders, limited integrations
- Best for: Small businesses wanting visual, phone-based inventory tracking
2. inFlow Inventory
inFlow Best Growing Business
inFlow bridges the gap between basic inventory apps and enterprise systems. It combines inventory tracking with purchase orders, sales orders, bill of materials, and customer management. When stock drops below reorder points, inFlow generates purchase orders automatically. When you sell, inventory deducts in real time across all locations.
The showroom feature creates a B2B storefront where wholesale customers browse your catalog and place orders that feed directly into your inventory system. Multi-location tracking shows stock levels per warehouse, store, or vehicle. For businesses growing from 1 to 10 locations, inFlow scales without requiring a platform change.
- Pricing: Free (100 products); Small $89/mo; Medium $159/mo; Large $299/mo
- Pros: Full order management, purchase orders, multi-location, B2B showroom
- Cons: Expensive for small businesses, learning curve, desktop-first design
- Best for: Growing wholesale and distribution businesses needing order + inventory in one
3. Cin7 Core
Cin7 Core Best Multi-Channel
Cin7 Core (formerly DEAR Inventory) connects your inventory to every sales channel - Shopify, Amazon, eBay, WooCommerce, POS systems - and keeps stock synchronized in real time. When you sell on Amazon, inventory updates across all channels instantly, preventing overselling. The warehouse management features handle pick-pack-ship workflows for efficient order fulfillment.
Manufacturing support tracks raw materials, work-in-progress, and finished goods with bill of materials and production orders. For businesses selling across multiple channels while maintaining their own inventory, Cin7 Core eliminates the spreadsheet reconciliation that eats hours every week.
- Pricing: Standard $349/mo; Pro $599/mo; Advanced custom
- Pros: Best multi-channel sync, manufacturing support, warehouse management, 700+ integrations
- Cons: Expensive, complex setup, steep learning curve, minimum contracts
- Best for: Multi-channel sellers needing real-time inventory sync across all platforms
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Get Inventory Buyer Leads4. Zoho Inventory
Zoho Inventory Best Value
Zoho Inventory offers comprehensive inventory management at the most competitive price in the category. Multi-channel selling (Amazon, eBay, Shopify, Etsy), batch and serial number tracking, warehouse management, and automated reordering are included even on the Standard plan. The Zoho ecosystem integration means inventory data flows to Zoho Books, CRM, and Analytics automatically.
The mobile app handles barcode scanning, stock adjustments, and order management. Composite items (bundles and kits) track component inventory when assembled items sell. For cost-conscious businesses wanting features that competitors charge 3-5x more for, Zoho Inventory delivers exceptional value.
- Pricing: Free (50 orders/mo); Standard $29/mo; Professional $79/mo; Premium $129/mo
- Pros: Best value, multi-channel, Zoho ecosystem, batch/serial tracking, good free tier
- Cons: Order limits on plans, less polished mobile, depends on Zoho ecosystem for full value
- Best for: Budget-conscious businesses wanting comprehensive features at low cost
5. Stockpile
Stockpile Best Free
Stockpile is completely free with no item limits, no user limits, and no time limits. It tracks items across multiple locations with barcode scanning, custom fields, and basic reporting. For micro-businesses and organizations that need inventory tracking without any budget, Stockpile removes the cost barrier entirely.
The interface is straightforward - add items, set locations, scan barcodes, adjust quantities. No purchase orders, no sales integration, no manufacturing support. Stockpile does one thing (track inventory) and does it free. For nonprofits, schools, and startups counting physical assets, it is the best zero-cost option available.
- Pricing: Free (unlimited items and users)
- Pros: Completely free, unlimited items, multi-location, barcode scanning
- Cons: No order management, no integrations, basic reporting, no mobile app
- Best for: Organizations needing basic inventory tracking at zero cost
6. Fishbowl
Fishbowl Best QuickBooks Integration
Fishbowl is the leading inventory add-on for QuickBooks, filling the inventory management gap that QuickBooks handles poorly on its own. Advanced manufacturing, warehouse management, and multi-location tracking sync with QuickBooks accounting in real time. Work orders, bill of materials, and production tracking handle manufacturing workflows that QuickBooks cannot.
For manufacturers and distributors already running QuickBooks who need serious inventory management without switching accounting platforms, Fishbowl is the standard solution. The Fishbowl Drive cloud version eliminates on-premise server requirements while maintaining the deep QuickBooks integration.
- Pricing: Fishbowl Drive from $329/mo; Fishbowl Advanced from $429/mo
- Pros: Best QuickBooks integration, manufacturing support, warehouse management, barcode scanning
- Cons: Expensive, QuickBooks-centric, complex setup, requires training
- Best for: Manufacturers and distributors using QuickBooks who need advanced inventory
7. Shopify POS Inventory
Shopify POS Best for Retail
Shopify's built-in inventory management tracks stock across online and physical retail locations with automatic syncing. When someone buys in-store, online inventory updates. When stock arrives at a location, a few taps on the POS hardware update levels across all channels. For retailers already on Shopify, the inventory features are included in your plan at no extra cost.
Transfer tracking moves stock between locations with documentation. The inventory reports show sell-through rates, days of inventory, and ABC analysis to optimize purchasing decisions. For Shopify merchants with 1-10 retail locations, the built-in inventory handles most needs without additional software.
- Pricing: Included with Shopify ($29-299/mo); POS Pro $89/location/mo
- Pros: Included with Shopify, online-offline sync, transfer tracking, retail reports
- Cons: Shopify-only, limited manufacturing, basic for wholesale, POS Pro expensive per location
- Best for: Shopify retailers selling online and in physical stores
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Platform | Starting Price | Free Tier | Mobile Scan | Multi-Location | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sortly | $49/mo | 100 items | Yes | Yes | Small business |
| inFlow | $89/mo | 100 products | Yes | Yes | Growing business |
| Cin7 Core | $349/mo | Trial | Yes | Yes | Multi-channel |
| Zoho Inventory | $29/mo | 50 orders/mo | Yes | Yes | Best value |
| Stockpile | Free | Unlimited | Yes | Yes | Zero budget |
| Fishbowl | $329/mo | Trial | Yes | Yes | QuickBooks users |
| Shopify POS | $29/mo | Trial | Yes | Yes | Shopify retail |
Ready to get stock under control?
Start with Sortly or Zoho Inventory free tier. Import your current spreadsheet and compare the experience.
Get Matched to the Right AppHow to Choose
Small business, phone-based? Sortly. Visual inventory with the best mobile scanning experience.
Growing wholesale/distribution? inFlow. Purchase orders, sales orders, and multi-location in one platform.
Selling on multiple channels? Cin7 Core. Real-time sync across Amazon, Shopify, eBay, and POS.
Budget-conscious? Zoho Inventory. Most features per dollar with a usable free tier.
On QuickBooks? Fishbowl. The deepest QuickBooks integration for manufacturers and distributors.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best inventory tracking app?
Sortly is best for small businesses with visual inventory and QR/barcode scanning. inFlow is best for growing businesses needing purchase orders. Cin7 Core is best for multi-channel sellers needing real-time sync.
How much does inventory tracking software cost?
Inventory apps range from free (Stockpile) to $350+/month. Most small businesses spend $30-100/month. Free tiers exist for under 100 items.
Can I track inventory with my phone?
Yes. Most modern inventory apps include mobile barcode and QR scanning using your phone camera. Sortly, inFlow, and Zoho Inventory all offer mobile scan-to-update capability.
Do I need inventory software or a spreadsheet?
Spreadsheets work for under 50 SKUs. Beyond that, inventory software saves significant time with barcode scanning, automatic reorder alerts, and multi-location tracking.
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