Cin7 Alternatives: The Top 7 Competitors Compared

Why you should consider Cin7 alternatives 

Cin7 is overall a useful platform but has come in for serious criticism from its users in recent years. For example, one user complains on tech review platform G2 that the tech team deploys new features without rigorous QA testing, which damages the setup. 

"The tech team deploys new features without rigorous QA testing and ends up messing your whole setup, and all the damages are non-reversible. And if it happens to be reversible, be ready to book your human resources for days and days trying to manually fixing what the developers have damaged."

Meanwhile a slew of complaints on sites like Capterra & SoftwareAdvice suggest high levels of user dissatisfaction with the Cin7 Omni product. 

Some users also report that Cin7 can be overly complex for businesses with simple inventory management needs. This means in many cases, Cin7 might not be the best option for small and medium-sized businesses. 

Ranking Cin7 competitors: Qualities to look for 

When evaluating Cin7 alternatives, remember to aim for a solution that offers everything Cin7 offers and fills the gaps where Cin7 falls short. Here’s what you should look for when evaluating inventory management software: 

• Customisation and flexibility: Choose a platform that can adapt to the needs of your business and industry. See if it supports custom workflows, reporting dashboards, and the ability to handle unique SKUs and bundles. 
• Multi-warehouse integration: Make sure the platform you select supports all platforms you sell on. Also ensure the platform syncs inventory levels, orders, and returns across all channels and warehouses in real time.
• Strong reporting and analytics: Reports and data help ensure smarter decisions by providing insights into inventory trends and sales performance. Look for customizable reports, demand forecasting tools, and visual dashboards for tracking KPIs.
• Integration with existing systems: Integration helps avoid siloed data and ensures smooth operation across platforms. Choose a platform that integrates nicely with your current tech stack – or the tools that you plan to use if you’re upgrading all your technology.
• Cost and pricing structure: Ensure the platform fits your budget without sacrificing necessary features. Look for transparent and scalable pricing plans, ensure there are no hidden fees, and that you’ll be able to access the tools you need without expensive upgrades. 

We looked at these factors, user reviews, and pricing to find the top Cin7 alternatives. Evaluate these alternatives in the context of your needs to find the best solution for your business. 

The seven best Cin7 alternatives at a glance

We researched the top inventory management platforms available today. We were left with seven viable Cin7 alternatives after we evaluated these platforms. 

1. Unleashed: Best for SMBs
2. NetSuite ERP: Best for large businesses
3. Odoo Inventory: Most customizable alternative
4. SAP Business One: Best for enterprise operations
5. Zoho Inventory: Best budget-friendly alternative
6. DEAR Systems / Cin7 Core: Best for manufacturing workflows
7. QuickBooks: Easiest for US eCommerce 

1. Unleashed

Unleashed tops the list for its combination of features, ease-of-use, very high ratings by users, and excellent support. 

Unleashed offers a more intuitive user interface compared to Cin7 and doesn’t overwhelm users with features they don’t need but still pay for. 

Who does this Cin7 alternative suit? 

If you’re a small or medium-sized business, Unleashed is your best bet. You get a specialised feature set geared towards purchasing, inventory control, production planning and sales management, with all core features available on all plan sizes. 

Pros: 

• Easy to use
• Cost-effective
• Supported integrations with Shopify, Xero, Amazon, and more 

Cons: 

• Not suitable for large enterprises

Plans and pricing 

All plans include the following: 

• Inventory management
• Purchasing
• Sales management
• Production 

The price is primarily dictated by the number of users, with licenses approximately US$60 per person per month – licenses are cheaper in higher quantities. 

Unleashed accepts payments in GBP, AUD, NZD and USD ensuring price stability to users from those countries. Users outside of the UK, Australia, New Zealand or the US are typically billed in USD. 

View full pricing details here. 

2. NetSuite ERP: Best for large businesses 

NetSuite ERP is an enterprise resource planning (ERP) solution, which means inventory management is one part of a broader set of capabilities that also includes business management tools for financial reporting, customer relationship management (CRM), and more. 

Even though Cin7 offers more than just inventory management, its scope is significantly narrower than NetSuite ERP. Implementing NetSuite ERP is more time- cash- and resource-intensive and requires additional training for long-term success. 

Who does this Cin7 alternative suit? 

If you’re managing a multinational operation, NetSuite might be a better option given that it can handle accounting, payroll, inventory management, multi-currency transactions, global tax compliance, and localised reporting, all in the same solution. However, NetSuite ERP is overkill for a smaller business. 

Pros: 

• Extensive feature set that includes inventory management
• End-to-end integration
• Customizable reports and real-time insights
• Cloud-based accessibility 

Cons: 

• High cost
• Steep learning curve
• Slow to implement 

Plans and pricing 

• Custom pricing only 

3. Odoo Inventory: Most customizable alternative 

Odoo Inventory is part of the larger Odoo ecosystem that also includes business apps for CRM, accounting, and project management. It’s budget-friendly so if you’re a small or medium-sized business, Odoo might be a fit for your budget. 

The platform includes various automation features. You can automate tasks like replenishment, stock transfers, and cycle counting. The system supports barcode scanning, real-time inventory tracking, and advanced routing. 

Who does this Cin7 alternative suit? 

Cin7 offers omnichannel features, but it can feel bloated and unnecessarily complex for businesses that don’t need its full suite. Odoo offers streamlined functionality and offers a better pricing structure. 

Pros: 

• Free open-source version and competitively priced paid versions
• Highly customisable workflows, reports, and integrations
• Integrates with most of the popular business apps
• Automation features 

Cons: 

• Less focused on retail and omnichannel 

Plans and pricing 

• One App Free: $0 for any one app (unlimited users)
• Standard: $19.90/user/month for Odoo Online (all apps)
• Custom: $29.90/user/month for all apps (includes Odoo Online/Odoo.sh/On-premise, Odoo Studio, multi-company, and external API) but excludes the cost of Odoo.sh hosting 

4. SAP Business One: Best for enterprise operations 

SAP Business One is an enterprise-grade ERP system, just like NetSuite, and offers inventory management as part of a broader feature set. It’s useful if your company has multiple locations or handles global operations, thanks to its support for multi-currency transactions, taxation regulations, and compliance standards. 

If your business has outgrown Cin7 or has needs that Cin7 can’t fulfil, SAP Business One might be a great alternative. However, be mindful that SAP Business One comes with a bigger price tag and lengthy implementation process, which means the payback period will be longer than Cin7. 

Who does this Cin7 alternative suit? 

SAP Business One is a better alternative if you’re looking for a tool that covers end-to-end business processes. The platform also facilitates faster reporting, better forecasting, and smarter decision-making, thanks to real-time analytics using SAP’s in-memory database SAP HANA. 

Pros: 

• SAP Business One integrates multiple business functions in one system
• Extensive customisation
• Real-time insights powered by SAP HANA
• Specialized modules for industries like retail, manufacturing, and distribution 

Cons: 

• Complex implementation
• Steep learning curve / challenging UX
• Plans and pricing
• Custom pricing only 

5. Zoho Inventory: Best budget-friendly alternative 

Zoho Inventory is a cloud-based inventory management solution. It’s part of the broader Zoho ecosystem and integrates with other Zoho apps like Zoho Books, Zoho CRM, and Zoho Analytics. 

The platform includes useful features such as multichannel selling, shipping integrations, and automation tools. Zoho Inventory is easy to use, so you can hit the ground running without spending months on training and implementation. However, it doesn’t offer advanced features that large enterprises with complex supply chains need.  

Who does this Cin7 alternative suit? 

If you’re looking for affordability, simplicity, and a cohesive suite of tools that can grow with your business, Zoho Inventory is an excellent alternative to Cin7. It’s a suitable option for small and medium businesses looking to modernize inventory management without investing a ton of money upfront. 

Pros: 

• Affordability
• Ease of use
• Shipping and order management features
• Integrations with Shopify, Amazon, eBay, Etsy, and more 

Cons: 

• Limited advanced features 

Weaker multi-warehouse management 

Plans and pricing 

• Standard: £25/organisation/month (billed annually)
• Professional: £65/organisation/month (billed annually)
• Premium: £105/organisation/month (billed annually)
• Enterprise: £199/organisation/month (billed annually) 

6. DEAR Systems / Cin7 Core: Best for manufacturing workflows 

DEAR Systems was acquired by Cin7 and has now been rebranded to Cin7 Core. It’s a cloud-based inventory solution that’s especially useful for businesses involved in manufacturing or light assembly. The platform offers Bill of Materials (BOM) capabilities that allow you to manage production orders, track raw materials, and generate more precise cost breakdowns. 

It also offers detailed analytics to help you track profit margins, production costs, and stock movements. The reporting tools are more extensive compared to Cin7 – as a manufacturer, these insights can be valuable in making smarter business decisions. 

Who does this Cin7 alternative suit? 

Cin7 offers limited tools relevant to manufacturing businesses. If you’re a manufacturer, Cin7 Core / DEAR Systems is a better alternative because it offers features like BOMs, production orders, and raw material tracking. 

Pros: 

• Features relevant for manufacturers
• Advanced reporting and analytics
• eCommerce integrations
• Modular and flexible 

Cons: 

• Smaller partner ecosystem
• Complex pricing, with some features only available on more expensive plans
• Steeper learning curve 

Plans and pricing 

• $349 USD / month for Standard (lacks many features)
• $599 USD / month for Pro (the option with most of the main features)
• $999 USD / month for Advanced (all features + extra users) 

APIs, production module, and various other features cost extra. 

7. QuickBooks: Easiest for US eCommerce 

QuickBooks used to offer a dedicated inventory app called QuickBooks Commerce (formerly TradeGecko), but in a move that sent shockwaves through the small business community, has since discontinued that app (jettisoning many customers in the process) and now only offers limited inventory functionality natively within QuickBooks itself. 

Quickbooks now offers the ability to: 

• Track products and cost of goods, and receive notifications when inventory is low.
• See what's popular, create purchase orders, and manage suppliers.
• Import from Excel, or sync with Amazon, Shopify, Etsy, and more. 

Anyone requiring inventory functionality such as batch tracking, serial tracking, Bills of Materials, etc. is advised to integrate a dedicated app.  

• You can learn about QuickBooks inventory management with Unleashed here. 

Who does this Cin7 alternative suit? 

If you’re in the United States and a small to medium eCommerce or wholesale business and already use QuickBooks Online as your accounting tool, then upgrading to enable Quickbooks inventory functionality could be a good Cin7 alternative. 

Pros: 

• Easy to use
• eCommerce integrations
• Onboarding speed 

Cons: 

• Lack of feature depth
• Limited customisation options 

Plans and pricing 

While QuickBooks has four pricing tiers, only the two most expensive levels – Plus and Advanced – offer inventory features.  

• Plus: US$40/month
• Advanced: US$76/month 

Other Cin7 alternatives to consider 

There are several other tools we reviewed that didn’t make it to our list of the top seven Cin7 alternatives: 

• Brightpearl: Tailored for omnichannel retail and wholesale operations.
• Fishbowl Inventory: Cost-effective solution, especially suitable for businesses that already rely on QuickBooks for accounting.
• Ordoro: Great support for shipping workflows with carriers like FedEx and UPS, but offers limited inventory-specific features.
• Katana: Suitable for small and medium-sized DTC businesses. 

Unleashed is the best Cin7 alternative. With real-time inventory tracking, multi-location management, and specialised inventory management capabilities for manufacturers, retailers and wholesalers, Unleashed is laser-focused on inventory while excluding features like accounting modules that are bundled into Cin7. 

Cin7 leans more towards mid-sized to enterprise-level companies. By contrast, Unleashed hits the sweet spot between small-to-mid-sized businesses looking for powerful inventory control without an enterprise price tag