Inventory Management Apps for Shopify: Complete Comparison Guide
For most Shopify stores, Stocky (free with Shopify POS Pro) or SKULabs ($299+/month) offer the best balance of features and value. Small stores (<500 SKUs) can often use Shopify's built-in inventory plus spreadsheets. Growing stores (500-5,000 SKUs) benefit from dedicated apps like Stocky, Katana, or inFlow. Enterprise operations (5,000+ SKUs or multi-warehouse) need robust solutions like SKULabs, Cin7, or NetSuite. Key features to evaluate: demand forecasting accuracy, multi-location support, purchase order automation, and integration with your shipping workflow. The right choice depends on your SKU count, order volume, and whether you manufacture or purchase finished goods.
Running out of stock costs sales. Overstocking ties up cash. The right inventory management app helps you find the balance—and integrates with your shipping and fulfillment workflow.
Shopify's built-in inventory tracking works for simple operations, but growing stores need more: demand forecasting, multi-location management, purchase order automation, and integration with packaging and shipping decisions.
This guide compares the leading inventory management apps for Shopify, helping you choose the right tool for your operation size and complexity.
Inventory Management Needs by Store Size
Small Stores (Under 500 SKUs)
Typical requirements:
| Need | Solution Level |
|---|---|
| Stock tracking | Shopify built-in sufficient |
| Reorder alerts | Basic app or manual |
| Purchase orders | Spreadsheet or simple app |
| Forecasting | Not critical |
Recommended approach:
| Option | Cost | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Shopify built-in | Free | Getting started |
| Stocky (with POS Pro) | $89/month | Basic forecasting |
| Simple reorder app | $10-30/month | Low-stock alerts |
Mid-Size Stores (500-5,000 SKUs)
Typical requirements:
| Need | Solution Level |
|---|---|
| Stock tracking | Multi-location capable |
| Reorder alerts | Automated with forecasting |
| Purchase orders | Integrated with suppliers |
| Forecasting | Important for cash flow |
| Reporting | Detailed by product/category |
Recommended approach:
| Option | Cost | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Stocky | $89/month (with POS Pro) | Retail-focused |
| Katana | $99-299/month | Manufacturing |
| SKULabs | $299+/month | Multi-channel, shipping focus |
| inFlow | $79-349/month | Wholesale/B2B |
Large Stores (5,000+ SKUs)
Typical requirements:
| Need | Solution Level |
|---|---|
| Stock tracking | Real-time, multi-location |
| Reorder alerts | AI-driven, exception-based |
| Purchase orders | Automated, supplier integrated |
| Forecasting | Advanced algorithms |
| Reporting | Custom, exportable |
| Integration | ERP, accounting, 3PL |
Recommended approach:
| Option | Cost | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Cin7 | $349+/month | Full-featured inventory |
| NetSuite | $999+/month | Enterprise ERP |
| SKULabs | $500+/month | High-volume fulfillment |
| Custom integration | Varies | Unique requirements |
App Comparison
Shopify Built-In Inventory
Features:
| Feature | Capability |
|---|---|
| Stock tracking | Basic counts per location |
| Transfers | Between locations |
| Adjustments | Manual with reasons |
| History | 90-day activity log |
| Alerts | None built-in |
Limitations:
| Limitation | Impact |
|---|---|
| No forecasting | Can't predict demand |
| No purchase orders | Manual reordering |
| No cost tracking | No COGS calculation |
| No barcode scanning | Manual entry only |
| Limited reporting | Basic stock reports |
Best for: Stores under 100 SKUs, single location, simple operations.
Stocky
Overview: Shopify's own inventory app, free with Shopify POS Pro subscription.
Features:
| Feature | Capability |
|---|---|
| Demand forecasting | Based on sales history |
| Purchase orders | Create, send, receive |
| Stock transfers | Multi-location management |
| Low stock alerts | Customizable thresholds |
| Supplier management | Track vendors, lead times |
| Reports | Sales, inventory, forecasts |
Pricing:
| Requirement | Cost |
|---|---|
| Shopify POS Pro | $89/month per location |
| Stocky app | Included |
Pros and cons:
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Free with POS Pro | Requires POS subscription |
| Native Shopify integration | Limited advanced features |
| Solid forecasting | No barcode scanning (unless using POS) |
| Good for retail | Less suited for pure e-commerce |
Best for: Retail stores with POS, growing e-commerce needing basic forecasting.
SKULabs
Overview: Comprehensive inventory and fulfillment platform with strong shipping integration.
Features:
| Feature | Capability |
|---|---|
| Inventory tracking | Real-time, multi-location |
| Order management | Multi-channel aggregation |
| Fulfillment | Pick, pack, ship workflow |
| Barcode scanning | Full support |
| Shipping integration | All major carriers |
| Purchase orders | Full PO lifecycle |
| Reporting | Detailed analytics |
Pricing:
| Plan | Orders/Month | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Core | 500 | $299/month |
| Growth | 2,000 | $499/month |
| Enterprise | 10,000+ | Custom |
Pros and cons:
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Excellent fulfillment features | Higher price point |
| Strong multi-channel | Complexity for simple stores |
| Warehouse operations | Learning curve |
| Shipping rate shopping | Overkill for small operations |
Best for: Multi-channel sellers, stores with warehouse operations, shipping-intensive businesses.
Katana
Overview: Manufacturing-focused inventory with production tracking and MRP.
Features:
| Feature | Capability |
|---|---|
| Raw material tracking | BOM (Bill of Materials) |
| Production planning | Manufacturing orders |
| Inventory control | Multi-location |
| Purchase orders | Supplier management |
| Sales orders | Shopify integration |
| Costing | Per-product COGS |
Pricing:
| Plan | Users | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Essential | 1 | $99/month |
| Advanced | 3 | $299/month |
| Professional | Unlimited | $599/month |
Pros and cons:
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Excellent for manufacturing | Not for pure retail |
| Production scheduling | Complex for simple inventory |
| Cost tracking | Higher learning curve |
| Shop floor features | Manufacturing-specific |
Best for: Makers, manufacturers, brands producing their own products.
inFlow
Overview: Traditional inventory management with strong wholesale/B2B features.
Features:
| Feature | Capability |
|---|---|
| Inventory tracking | Multi-location |
| Sales orders | B2B order management |
| Purchase orders | Full PO workflow |
| Barcode scanning | Supported |
| Reporting | Inventory, sales, purchasing |
| Integrations | Shopify, QuickBooks, more |
Pricing:
| Plan | Orders/Month | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Entrepreneur | 100 | $79/month |
| Small Business | 500 | $179/month |
| Mid-Size | 2,000 | $349/month |
Pros and cons:
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Good for wholesale | Less Shopify-native |
| Solid PO features | B2B focus |
| Accounting integration | May be overkill for DTC |
| Desktop + mobile | Older UI |
Best for: Wholesale businesses, B2B sellers, hybrid retail/wholesale operations.
Cin7
Overview: Enterprise inventory and order management for complex operations.
Features:
| Feature | Capability |
|---|---|
| Inventory management | Advanced, multi-location |
| Order management | Multi-channel |
| B2B portal | Wholesale ordering |
| EDI | Retailer integration |
| 3PL integration | Warehouse management |
| Reporting | Extensive analytics |
Pricing:
| Plan | Starting Cost |
|---|---|
| Core | $349/month |
| Pro | $599/month |
| Advanced | $999/month |
Pros and cons:
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Full-featured | Expensive |
| Enterprise capability | Complex implementation |
| EDI/B2B | Overkill for most Shopify stores |
| 3PL ready | Long onboarding |
Best for: Enterprise operations, multi-channel retailers, businesses selling to major retailers.
Feature Comparison Matrix
Core Features
| Feature | Built-In | Stocky | SKULabs | Katana | inFlow | Cin7 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stock tracking | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Multi-location | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Low stock alerts | - | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Purchase orders | - | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Barcode scanning | - | ✓* | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Forecasting | - | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
*With POS hardware
Advanced Features
| Feature | Built-In | Stocky | SKULabs | Katana | inFlow | Cin7 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing/BOM | - | - | - | ✓ | - | ✓ |
| Multi-channel | - | - | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Fulfillment workflow | - | - | ✓ | - | - | ✓ |
| Shipping integration | - | - | ✓ | - | - | ✓ |
| EDI | - | - | - | - | - | ✓ |
| 3PL integration | - | - | ✓ | - | - | ✓ |
Integration with Packaging and Shipping
Why Inventory-Shipping Integration Matters
Connected workflows:
| Data Point | Benefit |
|---|---|
| Product dimensions | Automatic box recommendation |
| Stock levels | Ship from optimal location |
| Order consolidation | Combine inventory for efficiency |
| Package tracking | Inventory receipt confirmation |
Apps with Best Shipping Integration
| App | Shipping Features |
|---|---|
| SKULabs | Built-in carrier rate shopping, label printing |
| Cin7 | Integrated shipping, 3PL management |
| ShipStation + Stocky | Separate apps, can integrate |
| Katana | Basic shipping, needs separate tool |
Packaging Optimization Considerations
How inventory apps affect packaging:
| Factor | Consideration |
|---|---|
| Product dimensions in system | Enables box size recommendation |
| Multi-item orders | Inventory app sees full order |
| Stock location | Affects shipping origin |
| Bundle/kit tracking | Impacts packaging decisions |
Implementation Considerations
Migration Complexity
Effort by app:
| App | Migration Effort | Typical Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Stocky | Low | 1-2 weeks |
| SKULabs | Medium | 2-4 weeks |
| Katana | Medium | 3-6 weeks |
| inFlow | Medium | 2-4 weeks |
| Cin7 | High | 4-12 weeks |
Training Requirements
| App | Learning Curve | Training Time |
|---|---|---|
| Stocky | Low | 1-2 hours |
| SKULabs | Medium | 4-8 hours |
| Katana | Medium-High | 8-16 hours |
| inFlow | Medium | 4-8 hours |
| Cin7 | High | 16+ hours |
Common Implementation Issues
| Issue | Prevention |
|---|---|
| Duplicate products | Clean data before migration |
| Incorrect stock counts | Full physical inventory first |
| Missing integrations | Verify all connections needed |
| Process mismatch | Map workflows before choosing |
Making the Decision
Decision Framework
| If You... | Consider |
|---|---|
| Have <500 SKUs, simple operation | Shopify built-in + spreadsheets |
| Have retail + e-commerce | Stocky (with POS Pro) |
| Need multi-channel, fulfillment | SKULabs |
| Manufacture products | Katana |
| Do wholesale/B2B | inFlow |
| Need enterprise features | Cin7 |
Cost-Benefit Analysis
Annual cost comparison (at 2,000 orders/month):
| Solution | Annual Cost | Best Value When |
|---|---|---|
| Shopify built-in | $0 | <500 SKUs, simple |
| Stocky | $1,068 | Already using POS |
| SKULabs Growth | $5,988 | High-volume fulfillment |
| Katana Advanced | $3,588 | Manufacturing |
| inFlow Mid-Size | $4,188 | B2B focus |
| Cin7 Core | $4,188 | Enterprise needs |
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need an inventory app beyond Shopify's built-in features?
If you have fewer than 500 SKUs, single location, and simple operations, probably not. Add an app when you need: forecasting to reduce stockouts/overstock, purchase order automation, multi-location management, or barcode scanning for efficiency.
Which app has the best forecasting?
Stocky and SKULabs both offer solid forecasting based on sales history. For simple forecasting, Stocky (included with POS Pro) provides good value. For complex multi-channel forecasting, SKULabs or Cin7 offer more sophisticated algorithms.
Can I use multiple inventory apps together?
Not recommended. Multiple apps create sync conflicts and data inconsistencies. Choose one primary system and use integrations (like separate shipping software) that connect cleanly.
How do inventory apps affect shipping costs?
Good inventory management enables: shipping from optimal locations (lower zone costs), maintaining stock of packaging supplies (no rush orders), accurate product dimensions (better box recommendations), and identifying slow-moving inventory (plan for clearance shipping).
Should I integrate inventory with accounting software?
Yes, if you want accurate COGS and profitability tracking. QuickBooks and Xero integrations are standard in most inventory apps. This connection automates journal entries for inventory purchases, sales, and adjustments.
How long does implementation typically take?
Simple apps (Stocky): 1-2 weeks. Mid-tier apps (SKULabs, Katana, inFlow): 2-6 weeks. Enterprise apps (Cin7): 4-12 weeks. Factor in data cleanup, training, and testing time.
Sources & References
- [1]Stocky Inventory App - Shopify (2025)
- [2]SKULabs Features - SKULabs (2025)
- [3]Katana Manufacturing - Katana (2025)
- [4]Inventory Management Best Practices - Shopify (2024)
Attribute Team
The Attribute team combines decades of e-commerce experience, having helped scale stores to $20M+ in revenue. We build the Shopify apps we wish we had as merchants.