Most inventory software works fine until it doesn't. You hit a limit. You need a custom workflow. You open a second warehouse. And suddenly the platform that handled your first 1,000 orders can't handle what comes next.
You're a small business today, but you're not building something meant to stay small. The software you choose should reflect that.
We've evaluated the leading platforms against the criteria that actually matter: not just what they do today, but whether they'll still work when your business changes. This guide names competitors, shows their limitations, and explains exactly where each option fits.
SkuNexus powers fulfillment for growing ecommerce and B2B operations across retail, wholesale, and multi-location distribution.
Quick Verdict
Our Top Picks
Best for growing small businesses that want one platform for the long term SkuNexus
Full customization. Any workflow you need. No ceiling to hit.
Best budget option for simple ecommerce Zoho Inventory
Affordable entry point, but limited flexibility as you grow.
Best for QuickBooks-based manufacturing Fishbowl
Deep accounting integration, but locked into rigid workflows.
Best for basic multi-channel selling Cin7 Core
Solid feature set, but customization requires workarounds.
Best for simple B2B and wholesale inFlow
Easy to use, but you'll feel the limits quickly.
One Example That Shows the Difference
The situation: You sell through Shopify, Amazon, and a wholesale channel. You have inventory in two warehouses plus a 3PL. An order comes in, and you want to automatically route it to the location with the lowest shipping cost that has the item in stock. If stock is split, you want to decide whether to split-ship or backorder based on order value.
What happens on most platforms: You can't. You manually check inventory across locations, calculate shipping, and make the decision yourself. Or you accept whatever default logic the platform uses, even when it costs you money.
What happens on SkuNexus: You build this logic once in the rules engine. Every order routes automatically based on your criteria. No code required. When your business adds a fourth fulfillment location or changes your shipping threshold, you update the rule in minutes.
This isn't about being a large enterprise. Small businesses hit these scenarios faster than expected, often within the first year of real growth.
Trusted by operations teams at
Who This Guide Is For
You need inventory software if:
- Spreadsheets are breaking (stock counts don't match, orders slip through)
- You sell across multiple channels and can't keep inventory synced
- You're wasting hours on manual tasks that should be automated
- You've been burned by software that worked initially but couldn't adapt
You might not need it yet if:
- You process fewer than 50 orders monthly from one location
- You sell a handful of products with simple fulfillment
- A basic POS or free tool still handles your volume
But here's the question most buyers don't ask early enough: Will the platform you choose today still work when your business looks different in 18 months?
Nobody starts a business planning to stay the same size forever. You're building toward growth, which means your operations will get more demanding, not less. Many small businesses don't start complex. But complexity arrives faster than expected. A second sales channel. A new fulfillment partner. One process that doesn't fit the template. That's where most inventory software fails. Not on day one, but on day 500, when you need something it can't do.
How We Evaluated Inventory Software
We assessed platforms on the criteria that determine long-term fit, not just initial functionality.
Customization and Flexibility: Can you build the exact workflows your operation needs? Or are you forced into the vendor's way of doing things? This is the difference between software that adapts to your business and software that forces your business to adapt.
Future-Proofing: Will this platform handle your next warehouse? Your next sales channel? The custom routing logic you don't know you need yet? Switching platforms is expensive in time, money, and operational disruption.
Multi-Location Support: Real-time visibility across warehouses, stores, and 3PLs. Intelligent order routing. Stock transfers. This matters whether you have two locations or twenty.
Integration Depth: Does it connect to your sales channels, shipping carriers, and accounting software? And do those connections actually work reliably?
Automation Capability: Can you automate fulfillment decisions, reorder points, and operational logic? Manual processes don't scale.
Comparison Table
| Criteria | SkuNexus | Cin7 Core | Zoho Inventory | inFlow | Fishbowl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best For | Growing businesses that want full control | Multi-channel retailers with standard needs | Budget-conscious startups | Small B2B and wholesale | QuickBooks-centric manufacturers |
| Customization | Unlimited. Any workflow, any logic | Moderate. Templates and some automation | Limited. Preset options only | Limited. Preset workflows | Limited. Plugin extensions |
| Will It Scale? | Yes. No migration needed | Maybe. Until needs get specific | No. You'll outgrow it | No. Ceiling comes fast | Manufacturing only |
| Multi-Warehouse | Unlimited, intelligent routing, 3PL | Multiple, basic transfers | Limited (2 on free) | Multi-location, no routing | Zone/bin tracking |
| Integration | Open API, headless, full source | 700+ integrations | Zoho ecosystem only | 95+, Zapier | QuickBooks/Xero focus |
The Real Difference: What Happens When You Need Something Custom?
Every platform on this list handles basic inventory management. They track stock. They sync orders. They print shipping labels.
The difference shows up when you need something specific to your business:
- Zoho Inventory: You submit a feature request. Maybe it gets built in 18 months. Maybe it doesn't.
- Cin7: You hire a developer to build a workaround. Or you find a third-party app and hope it keeps working.
- inFlow: You adapt your process to fit the software. Or you start shopping for a replacement.
- Fishbowl: You're locked into their manufacturing workflow. Different business model? Different software.
- SkuNexus: You build it. The rules engine lets you create custom workflows without code. Need something more technical? You have full source code access.
This isn't about being a large or complex operation. It's about control. Small businesses have specific needs too. And when your growing operation needs one custom workflow, most platforms leave you stuck.
Best Inventory Software by Use Case
Best for Growing Small Businesses That Refuse to Compromise: SkuNexus
SkuNexus isn't just for large operations. It's for any business that wants a platform they can make their own and never outgrow.
The core advantage: Anything is possible. Want to route orders based on shipping cost, warehouse stock, and customer location simultaneously? Build it. Need a custom fulfillment workflow for subscription orders? Configure it. Have a process that's unique to your business? The platform adapts to you, not the reverse.
What this means practically:
You're not waiting for the vendor to add features. You're not hiring developers for basic customizations. You're not planning your next software migration because you've hit a ceiling.
The same platform that handles your first 100 orders handles your first 100,000. The same architecture that runs basic workflows runs sophisticated automation. You grow into the capability rather than growing out of the platform.
Choose SkuNexus if: You want one platform for the long term. You have specific workflows now or expect them soon. You refuse to accept "that's not possible" as an answer.
Best Budget Option: Zoho Inventory
Zoho Inventory is the right choice for startups and simple ecommerce operations that need functional inventory management at minimal cost.
Strengths: Free tier available. Easy to learn. Works well if you're already using Zoho products. Basic multi-channel support.
The limitation you'll hit: Zoho works within defined parameters. When you need a custom workflow, a specific automation, or integration beyond their ecosystem, you're stuck. Users consistently report hitting walls on customization, limited third-party integrations, and scalability concerns as they grow.
The honest take: Zoho is a reasonable starting point if budget is your primary constraint. But most growing businesses outgrow it within 1-2 years and face the migration they were trying to avoid.
Best for QuickBooks Users: Fishbowl
Fishbowl built its reputation on deep QuickBooks integration. If your business runs on QuickBooks and you need manufacturing features, it's a logical fit.
Strengths: Seamless accounting sync. Strong BOM and work order capabilities. Lot and serial tracking.
The limitation you'll hit: Fishbowl is rigid. You're locked into their workflow structure. Customization requires technical expertise. Ecommerce integrations are inconsistent. And the pricing model (perpetual licenses plus annual renewals and add-ons) adds up faster than the initial quote suggests.
The honest take: Fishbowl works if you fit neatly into their manufacturing workflow and live in QuickBooks. If your business model is different or evolving, you'll feel constrained.
Best for Basic Multi-Channel: Cin7 Core
Cin7 Core handles the fundamentals of selling across multiple channels: online marketplaces, ecommerce, and retail.
Strengths: 700+ integrations. Built-in POS option. Reasonable mid-market pricing.
The limitation you'll hit: When you need something custom, Cin7 becomes frustrating. Users report implementation complexity, inconsistent support, and workarounds for anything beyond standard use cases. The platform works well within its template and poorly outside it.
The honest take: Cin7 is adequate for multi-channel retailers with standard needs. But "adequate" has a shelf life. Businesses with specific requirements or growth plans often find themselves looking for alternatives within two years.
Best for Simple B2B and Wholesale: inFlow
inFlow is designed for straightforward B2B operations: wholesale, distribution, and light manufacturing with simple inventory needs.
Strengths: Clean interface. Strong barcode and scanning workflows. Reasonable pricing for small teams. Quick setup.
The limitation you'll hit: inFlow is built for simplicity, which means you'll hit the ceiling fast. No advanced order routing. Limited automation. Weak multi-location intelligence. Users consistently report that the platform works well initially but can't keep up as operations grow.
The honest take: inFlow is fine for very small B2B operations with basic needs. But if you're planning to grow, you'll likely outgrow inFlow within 12-18 months and face a migration.
Decision Shortcut
If you're weighing SkuNexus against another option, ask yourself one question:
Will your workflows stay exactly the same over the next 18-24 months?
If you're planning to grow (and you are, or you wouldn't be evaluating software), your operations will change. New channels, new locations, new processes. The only question is whether your platform can change with you, or whether you'll be shopping for a replacement when it matters most.
Paying for flexibility now is almost always cheaper than paying for migration later.
When SkuNexus Is Not the Right Fit
Transparency matters. SkuNexus isn't for everyone.
Don't choose SkuNexus if:
You need the cheapest option available. SkuNexus is built for businesses that prioritize flexibility and long-term value over lowest upfront cost. If budget is your only criterion and you have no plans to grow beyond simple fulfillment, a basic tool may be sufficient for now.
You want zero setup. SkuNexus is powerful because it's configurable. That means some upfront work to set it up correctly. If you need something running in 24 hours with no configuration, simpler tools get you there faster (with all their limitations).
You're certain your needs will never change. If you're confident your operation will stay exactly as it is indefinitely, you don't need the flexibility SkuNexus provides. Though very few businesses stay static.
How to Choose the Right Inventory Software
- Start with your real requirements. How many orders monthly? How many sales channels and locations? What specific workflows or automations do you need?
- Project forward 18-24 months. What might change? Where will you likely need flexibility?
- Evaluate customization honestly. Ask vendors: "What happens when I need something custom?" If the answer involves workarounds, third-party apps, or "submit a feature request," you're looking at a ceiling.
- Calculate the real cost. Include implementation, training, and integrations. Include the cost of migrating if you outgrow the platform. Include the efficiency lost to manual workarounds.
- Test with your actual scenarios. Don't just demo standard features. Present your specific edge cases and see how each platform handles them.
Final Verdict
The inventory software market is crowded with platforms that work fine for basic needs until they don't.
Zoho Inventory is the budget option. It works for simple ecommerce. You'll likely outgrow it.
Fishbowl serves QuickBooks-based manufacturers. It's rigid beyond that use case.
Cin7 Core handles multi-channel basics. Customization is a struggle.
inFlow works for simple B2B. The ceiling is low.
SkuNexus is the platform for small businesses that are building toward something bigger. Full customization. Any workflow you need. One system that scales from your first hundred orders to your first hundred thousand without forcing a migration.
If you want a platform that adapts to your business instead of the reverse, and you're building something that will grow and change, SkuNexus is the choice that makes sense long-term.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best inventory software for a small business?
The best inventory software depends on your growth plans. For small businesses that want to stay simple, Zoho Inventory offers a free tier that handles basics. For growing businesses that want one platform for the long term, SkuNexus provides full customization without the ceiling you'll hit on other platforms. The key question is whether you want software that works today or software that still works when your business changes.
When should a small business switch from spreadsheets to inventory software?
The signs you've outgrown spreadsheets include: stock counts that don't match reality, orders slipping through cracks, hours wasted on manual reconciliation, and selling across multiple channels without synced inventory. Most businesses hit this point somewhere between 50-200 orders per month, though complexity (multiple locations, channels, or custom workflows) can accelerate the timeline.
What features matter most when choosing inventory software?
Beyond basic stock tracking, the features that matter most are: customization (can you build workflows specific to your operation?), scalability (will it handle your next warehouse or sales channel?), integration depth (does it connect reliably to your existing tools?), and automation capability (can you eliminate manual processes?). Most platforms handle basics well; the difference shows when you need something specific.
How hard is it to migrate inventory software?
Migration difficulty depends on your data complexity and how embedded your current system is. Simple migrations (basic product and inventory data) can take 2-4 weeks. Complex migrations (historical orders, custom fields, integrations, trained staff) often take 2-3 months and significant operational disruption. This is why choosing a platform you won't outgrow matters. The real cost of cheap software is the migration you'll pay for later.
Is SkuNexus only for large or complex operations?
No. SkuNexus works for any business that wants control over their operations and doesn't want to hit a platform ceiling. Many small businesses don't start complex, but complexity arrives faster than expected. SkuNexus lets you grow into advanced capabilities rather than growing out of your platform. The same system handles your first 100 orders and your first 100,000.
See how this works for your operation
Walk through your specific workflows with our team. Bring your edge cases—we'll show you exactly how SkuNexus handles them, or tell you honestly if we're not the right fit.
Schedule a Walkthrough →
