Warehouse inventory management software does more than track products as they flow in and out of your warehouse. The best warehouse inventory management software includes low inventory alerts, improves pick-and-pack efficiency, and handles both vendors and shipping. These tools result in lower error rates, faster fulfillment, happier customers, and greater profits.
We looked at over 30 software solutions for warehouse inventory management. The seven best warehouse management software are:
- Logiwa: Best overall warehouse inventory management software
- ShipBob WMS: Best WMS with optional fulfillment services
- NetSuite WMS: Best for mid-sized and large businesses
- Fishbowl: Best WMS with a POS option for in-person sales
- Cin7 Orderhive: Best for manufacturing warehouses
- Odoo: Best free warehouse inventory software
- Zoho Inventory: Best for small businesses that need simpler warehouse tools
Best Warehouse Inventory Management Software Compared
Monthly Fee | Inventory tracking tools | Walking path optimization | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Call for Quote | Excellent | ✓ | 4.49 out of 5 |
 | Call for Quote | Good | ✓ | 3.65 out of 5 |
 | Excellent | ✓ | 4.02 out of 5 | |
 | From $329 (warehousing), $429 (manufacturing) | Excellent | ✓ | 4.08 out of 5 |
 | $349–$999 | Excellent | ✓ | 4.33 out of 5 |
 | $0–$46.80 | Good | ✕ | 4.06 out of 5 |
 | $0–$399 | Excellent | Limited | 4.36 out of 5 |
Whatever software you choose, a great order fulfillment strategy makes the process even easier. Check out our article on order fulfillment for best practices. If you’re new to retail, also read our article on starting a retail business to get you started on the right foot.
Logiwa: Best Overall Warehouse Inventory Management Software
Pros
- Walking path optimization and multiple picking options for increased efficiency
- 200 + integrations
- Tier 1 WMS at a reasonable price
- Best rated by real-world users: 4.49 out of 5 stars
Cons
- Does not integrate with POS software (except via API)
- No staff management tools
- Quote-based pricing; must pay for installation
- Can take up to 4 weeks to install
Why I Picked Logiwa
Logiwa ranks as the best warehouse inventory management software because of its depth of features, ease of use, and versatility. As a Tier 1 WMS system, it covers the gamut from order to fulfillment, with extensive inventory tools, strong features for pick-and-pack efficiency, and many choices (even box suggestions) for shipping. It even works for warehouses automated with robotic pickers.
It earned 4.52 out of 5 on our list, with pricing being its main drawback. You’ll need to call for a quote, and there’s no free plan. That said, the many picking options and route optimization result in faster packaging times with less moving around the warehouse gathering items, and the inventory tools help you stay in supply without too much dead stock to drain your resources. It’s easy to use and offers over 200 integrations.
Logiwa makes it easy to track inventory and maximize fulfillment efficiencies. (Source: Logiwa)
Logiwa requires you to call for a quote, but we found sources online that listed the starting price as anywhere from $300 to $400. It charges extra for implementation, which will vary according to your needs. This is typical of most of the Tier 1 WMS systems we reviewed. Unlike Cin7 Orderhive and NetSuite WMS, it does require you to sign a contract.
Logiwa offers five levels of plans:
- DTC Launch Edition: Direct-to-consumer businesses with online orders
- DTC Growth Edition: High-volume B2C and DTC businesses that run a digital warehouse
- Enterprise Edition: For high-volume DTC and BTC plus B2B fulfillment
- Wholesale DTC Transition: For existing wholesale warehouses that work with DTC fulfillment
- 3PL Accelerations Edition: For new and existing 3PL and fulfillment networks
- Claims fillers walk 30% less with path optimization
- Picking options include FIFO/FEFO, grouped waves, and more
- 200+ integrations with one-click activation
- Average customer support response time 7–9 minutes
- 3PL analytics software with reports on shipping, tasks, order aging, inventory levels, labor productivity
- Demand forecasting
- Performance monitoring to help improve fulfillment efficiency
- Optimize inventory based on velocity, volume, fragility, temperature requirements, cross-dock, zone, and more
- Plans for B2C and B2B sales, plus 3PL
- Free robotics connectors
Logiwa integrates with over 200 third-party software— the next highest number after Cin7 Orderhive. This includes popular ecommerce integrations like Amazon and Shopify, QuickBooks accounting, robotics integrations, and more. It has over 15 shipping integrations.
Many of these connections are pre-integrated so you can activate them with a click of a button. Finally, its open REST API lets you develop your own integrations with just about any third-party software that offers similar API capabilities. It also supports webhooks and EDI transactions.
Logiwa had the highest average user score of those on our list: 4.49 out of 5 stars. People praised its customizability and said it greatly improved their warehouse management. Ironically, even though most said it’s very easy to use, many of those same people said the user interface could use improvement. As one user put it, “While rich with features, it feels like there’s always an extra click or two to get what you need.”
- Capterra: 4.6 out of 5 stars with 80+ reviews
- G2: 4.2 out of 5 stars with 30+ reviews
ShipBob WMS: Best WMS with Optional Fulfillment
Pros
- Wide, global fulfillment network with a large number of shipping options
- Flexible options for picking methods
- Unlimited users and unlimited warehouses
- Visual step-by-step packing flows
Cons
- Lacks purchase order and vendor management tools
- Lacks mobile apps
- Minimal walking path optimization tools
- Limited customer relationship management tools
Why I Picked ShipBob WMS
ShipBob is, at its heart, a 3PL order fulfillment business—it is our best overall pick in our evaluation of 3PL providers. However, it offers its WMS software to businesses that have their own warehouses, with the option of using its services to augment your own distribution network. This makes it a good option for B2C or B2B sellers who are looking to expand but aren’t ready to jump into a new location.
That said, the WMS inventory software itself is excellent—even if you don’t need the extra fulfillment capacity. Of particular note are the large numbers of picking options, the path visualizations, and shipping optimizations. It lacks staff management tools like scheduling as well as purchase order and vendor management but is one of the few that integrates with POS software like Square. Overall, it earned 4.31 out of 5 on our rubric.
ShipBob WMS includes order routing and carrier selections for the best transportation routes and deals. (Source: ShipBob)
ShipBob does not list its WMS software pricing if you buy it on its own. However, the software is free if you use its fulfillment services. Onboarding can run as much as $975 for the full package, or you can DIY.
Its fulfillment plans are priced per order on top of monthly storage fees and inventory receiving fees. ShipBob sets itself apart from other leading WMS solutions by offering unlimited users and warehouse locations with its software.
- Access to ShipBob’s 40+ fulfillment centers in the US, Europe, Australia, and Canada
- Order routing and carrier selection for optimum shipping
- Integrates with POS software, as well as accounting, ecommerce, and ERP
- Multiple pick option—batch, auto-cluster, custom cluster, and single-order picking—with analysis tools to pick the optimal method
- Visual step-by-step packing flows to make it easy for employees to follow their path
- On-site white glove implementation includes warehouse efficiency and change management consultation led by install experts
- Dedicated account manager provides one-on-one support
ShipBob integrates with over 75 partners. The integrations run the gamut from popular ecommerce platforms to order management, marketing, custom packaging, and accounting. They’re all free and take only a few minutes to connect.
It also integrates with a multitude of shipping and freight solutions, including DHL, FedEx, UPS, USPS, AfterShip, Anvyl, Echo Global Logistics, EasyPost, FlavorCloud, Flexport, Freightos, Route, Rush, Shippo, and ShipStation. It takes the lead for number of shipping options.
ShipBob had the lowest user review scores of those on this list; however, most of the complaints had to do with shipping fulfillment concerning shipping issues, which is something to keep in mind if you need to use them for fulfilling orders. Those with the most complaints seemed to be smaller businesses.
That said, the software itself was described as easy to learn and intuitive. People praised the installation and onboarding process, sometimes calling out specific representatives by name. Customer support seems to run hot or cold, although the complaints about support seem to be mostly on the fulfillment side.
- Capterra: 3.7 out of 5 stars with 90+ reviews
- G2: 3.6 out of 5 stars with 100+ reviews
NetSuite WMS: Best for Mid-sized & Large Businesses
Pros
- Complete ERP solution
- Prioritizes tasks for employees
- Phenomenal inventory forecasting
- Can track inventory in stores and elsewhere
Cons
- Expensive
- Requires a lot of customizing
- Does not integrate with QuickBooks, other common software
- Annual contract mandatory
Why I Picked NetSuite WMS
NetSuite is more than a warehouse inventory system—it’s a full enterprise resource planning software (ERP). Because of this and its price and annual contract, we recommend it for mid-sized businesses or those who live and die by warehousing and need a comprehensive system that handles day-to-day operations. Despite complaints about the cost and the need for customizations, customers generally commend the software for its excellent features.
NetSuite prices by module as well as number of users, so we did our best to judge just the WMS tool while acknowledging the capabilities if you add modules like CRM. Thus, its score was 4.01 out of 5. We were especially impressed with the picking tools, as NetSuite not only has smart picking and walking path optimization but can also set priorities for workers.
Netsuite lets you not only manage bins but also other types of locations, like store shelves. (Source: Oracle NetSuite)
NetSuite is a complete ERP solution, but you can purchase the WMS as a separate module. It is by far the most expensive WMS on our list, with prices running $1,000–$3,000 per month, according to our research. You’ll also need to pay for implementation. NetSuite requires an annual contract, which includes the core platform, optional modules, and a set number of users.
You can add or subtract other modules anytime during the year.
Unlike most on our list, you also need to pay for the service plan, although critical issues are handled 24/7 for free.
- Custom installation based on two decades of experience and runs entire customer lifecycle
- Can enable locations that are not warehouses, like stores, for pick-and-pack
- Excellent employee tools, like task management that guides them through priorities
- Walking path optimizations
- Pick-and-pack strategies for multiple or single orders
- Inventory forecasting considers historical and seasonal sales data, average lead time and number of inventory days’ of supply left
- Mobile receiving and predefined putaway strategies to increase accuracy and best use of warehouse space
- Cycle counting lets you automate inventory counts without freezing transactions
- Robotics process animations
NetSuite is an ERP, but can be broken into modules. Thus, if you wish, you can get financial management, CRM, business intelligence, order management, commerce, HR, project management, and supply chain apps that work seamlessly with NetSuite’s WMS.
It does have some built-in integrations with ecommerce platforms. You need to work with a NetSuite administrator to set up user access and permissions. If there is something else you need then you need to use NetSuite integration. It provides SuiteTalk API that lets a developer provide a custom integration.
User reviews on third-party sites address the entire ERP rather than the WMS module. However, they are mostly favorable, with scores almost always 3 stars or higher. People say it’s extremely robust while being easy to use with a good flow of information. However, there are many complaints about prices (which one user said increase each year) as well as the need for extensive customizations.
- Capterra: 4.1 out of 5 stars with 1,300+ reviews
- G2: 4 out of 5 stars with 2,700+ reviews
- Trustradius: 7.9 out of 10 stars with 850+ reviews
Fishbowl: Best for In-person as Well as Ecommerce
Pros
- Perfect score for inventory features
- Fully custom reporting
- Built-in POS system
- Manufacturing tools that include BOM, scheduling, labor costs, and more
Cons
- Expensive
- Requires a one-year contract
- High learning curve; online help sources not as complete as users need
- Charges for integrations
Why I Picked Fishbowl
Fishbowl provides excellent inventory and warehouse management tools, earning it a place on our list. However, it stands out because it also offers its own POS system so that you can sell in-person as well as online. In addition to the WMS, it has a manufacturing plan, making it a good option for stores that do custom builds.
It earned 3.95 out of 5 in our evaluation of the best warehouse inventory management software. It was the only one on our list to ace inventory tools, and has a strong score for warehouse features as well— although some features (like scheduling) require the manufacturing plan. It lost points for pricing because it requires a contract, and users say it’s not the easiest to learn, although once mastered, it makes warehouse management much easier.
Fishbowl offers over 150 reports or can create custom reports for you. (Source: Fishbowl)
Fishbowl’s pricing starts at $329 per month for warehousing and $429 per month for manufacturing. However, the price increases as you add users (the plan stats with two), integrations, and other tools. Some users say they spend as much as $11,000 a year.
Fishbowl, like Cin7 Orderhive and NetSuite, requires a one-year contract. You must also purchase an implementation package that includes data migration, a dedicated specialist, six to eight weeks of training and certification, and dedicated support.
- Routing optimization
- Fishbowl will make custom report form upon request
- Extensive CRM that includes groups, discounts, and pricing rules as well as customer information
- Extensive library of training videos
- Includes a desktop POS system for direct-to-customer sales
- Automated purchasing analyzes stock levels, current demand, incoming purchase orders and reorder points
- Kitting, substitutions, and variants
- Manufacturing tools that include customizable bills of materials, work orders, productivity scheduling, and labor cost capture
Fishbowl has over 50 integrations, which is on the low end for the top WMS software on our list. Its integrations cover accounting, ecommerce, shipping, EDI, CRM, and mobile hardware.
Fishbowl integrates with QuickBooks and one other integration of your choice for free; after that, you pay $49 per integration. Others, like Odoo, charge much more for some integrations (while others are free), while still others depend on the plan or have custom integrations.
Like with Cin7 Orderhive, Fishbowl’s reviews seem to run hot or cold. Those who hate it say that it’s too expensive, buggy, and that customer support is nonexistent or useless. Those who love it say the software is feature-rich, accurate, and helpful. One thing everyone seemed to agree on was that it has a steeper-than-average learning curve.
- Capterra: 4.1 out of 5 stars with 800+ reviews
- G2: 4.3 out of 5 stars with 10 reviews
Cin7 Orderhive: Best for Manufacturing
Pros
- Advanced purchase order options, including custom fields, duplication, and importing/exporting features
- Free trial
- Excellent walking path optimization tools
- 700+ integrations
Cons
- Android app only
- Implementation assistance in Omni Plan only
- Requires annual contract
- 20/5 support only during setup; afterward, only through email and chat (except for highest plans)
Why I Picked Cin7 Orderhive
Not everyone needs a warehouse for dropshipping or ecommerce. If you are in the manufacturing business or mostly sell bundles or custom-made items, then Cin7 Orderhive is a great choice because it offers manufacturing features like kitting and even labor tracking. The price is mid-range, depending on your plan, with each tier offering a lot in terms of functionality.
With 3.89 out of 5, it did extremely well for its range of integrations, including POS systems (something not every WMS offers). It did extremely well for inventory and warehouse features, with route optimization and more staff management tools than all the others on our list except Fishbowl.
Cin7 Orderhive has a multitude of ecommerce integrations. (Source: Cin7 Orderhive)
Cin7 Orderhive is about par with the top WMS software on our list, particularly for the warehouse functions it provides. All the plans include:
- Accounting integrations
- Standard warehouse management (pick, pack, restock, real-time tracking)
- Standard manufacturing (assembly/disassembly, auto-kitting)
- Apps for Android and iOS
- EDI and 3PL connections
It offers four plans:
- Standard ($349 per month): 3 users, ecommerce integrations, 6,000 sales orders/year, but does not allow enhanced integration speed, over 100,000 SKUs, additional POS registers, or advanced manufacturing tools
- Pro ($599 per month): 6 users, 4 ecommerce integrations, 12,000 sales orders/year
- Advanced ($999 per month): 10 users, 6 ecommerce integrations, 120,000,000 sales orders/year, automations, advanced warehouse management (kitting, time tracking, FIFO)
- Omni (custom): 8 users, 5 ecommerce integrations, unlimited sales
It has add-on fees for advanced warehouse management, co-manufacturing tools, B2B portal, POS, automations, APIs, Flex APIs with enhanced integration speed, machine learning, and having over 100,000 SKUs. Some of these add-ons are not allowed with a Standard plan.
- 700+ integrations
- Claims to save 40% walking time with path optimization
- Several picking types, including tote picking, which tracks items as they are loaded onto trolleys
- Manufacturing features including kitting, units of measure, and assembly/disassembly analysis
- Ability to add labor to production jobs for items that need assembly
- Assign jobs to specific employees and manage performance
- Batch and expiration date tracking
- Task automations with Advanced Plan
- B2B, POS, automations, and other add-ons available to grow as you do
Cin7 offers an impressive 700+ integrations, second only to Odoo, which has a staggering 42,000+ options but typically charges for most of them. Cin7 Integration categories include accounting, ecommerce, marketplaces, payments, sales, marketing, shipping, supply chain planning, third-party logistics, and retailers like Walmart or Wayfair. It also integrates with Square and Shopify POS systems. If you have a particular software you want to connect to Cin7 Orderhive, then search for it on their website.
Like with Fishbowl, Cin7 Orderhive’s users either love the software or hate it enough to warn people away. Those who love it say it’s easy to use and powerful. Those who hate it say customer support is spotty at best and the software does not work accurately.
- Capterra: 4.4 out of 5 stars with 260+ reviews
- Trustradius: 9.4 out of 10 stars with 5+ reviews
Odoo: Best Free Warehouse Inventory Management Software
Pros
- Free plan for unlimited products, users, and locations
- Automated purchase orders in the free plan
- Free plan includes custom reporting, alerts, and automations
- Easy implementation, even for multiple warehouses
Cons
- Limited customer support; higher learning curve
- Ecommerce and POS cost extra
- Need highest paid plan to get API for integrations
- No walking path or smart picking features
Why I Picked Odoo
Odoo provides a warehouse inventory management system that’s both free and high-powered, capable of handling operations from small inventories to large, multi-warehouse setups. It doesn’t have as many warehouse features as the higher-rated WMS software on our list, but it does offer an incredible number of integrations, including the Odoo suite of products.
With 3.87 out of 5 on our rubric, it’s a strong contender— although if you need efficiency tools like walking path optimization and smart picking options, then consider others on our list (like Zoho if you’re on a tight budget). It has inventory forecasting and many shipping options, even pickup in-store. However, be ready for a learning curve, as this is open-source software, and training and support are online and via community forum only.
It’s easy to set reordering rules for low stock alerts and reorders. (Source: Odoo)
Odoo’s plans are priced differently from any other warehouse inventory management software on our list. You get the Inventory software (or any single Odoo app) free. If you want to add other Odoo apps, like POS, websites, CRM, and the like, then you have to pay for a plan. All plans, including the free one, include unlimited online and community support, hosting, and maintenance. You get discounts on the paid plans for your first year.
- One App (Free): Unlimited users, all features for that application
- Standard ($38.90 per user monthly): All applications: Inventory, Sales, Marketing, Sign, Website, Accounting, CRM, Inventory, HR, Project, POS
- Custom ($58.40 per user monthly): All apps plus Odoo Online, Odoo.sh (for developing custom applications), Odoo On-Premise, Odoo Studio, multi-company use, external API
- Free plan, no limitations
- Inexpensive to add more Odoo software, like CRM, POS, ecommerce
- Incredible number of integrations
- Double-entry tracking reduces errors
- Reordering rules help forecast low stock
- Shipping options include pick up in store, set specific shipping options to certain websites, and let customer choose delivery method
- Dynamic, real-time reports and custom dashboards
- Tracks warranties, variants, large product counts
Odoo first and foremost integrates with other Odoo software, similarly to Zoho. Odoo covers a whopping 47 programs, including accounting, HR, CRM, marketing, ecommerce, chat, learning, project management, manufacturing, quality control, and point-of-sale. They all integrate beautifully, so if you are tech-savvy, you can have a complete business system for less than $50 per month.
If there’s a niche Odoo cannot fill, then you have a choice of over 42,000 integrations. However, many of these integrations come with a fee whereas others on our list provide them gratis. For example, the Shopify integration costs $438.14.
Most user reviews you’ll find address the suite of Odoo products. Like them, Odoo inventory is praised for its ease of use and price, as well as how it integrates with other Odoo products to make an inexpensive but comprehensive business software. Inventory-specific callouts included optimized inventory level tools and WMS customizations. However, most users agreed that there is a steeper learning curve than with other paid software.
- Capterra: 4.1 out of 5 stars with 700+ reviews (for the suite, not just inventory)
- G2: 4.5 out of 5 stars with 50+ reviews
- Trustradius: 6.4 out of 10 stars with 75 reviews (for the suite, not just inventory)
Zoho Inventory: Best Inexpensive Warehouse Management With Focus on Inventory
Pros
- Free plan
- Handles multiple channels, warehouses, and currencies
- Bundling, composite, and kitting tools
- Some POS integrations
Cons
- Lacks return management
- Limited warehouse management features
- No staff management tools
- No forecasting for low stock alerts
Why I Picked Zoho Inventory
Zoho is one of the best inventory management software, and it has tools for managing your warehouse, too. While its warehouse management features are not as strong as the others on our list, its inventory tracking is robust and plays nicely with its other functions. Plus, the price works great for small businesses that are more interested in inventory management but need some simple warehouse functionality.
Zoho rated 3.82 out of 5 on our assessment. It lost points for having the fewest warehouse features, lacking granular location tools and staff management features, and having only a few shipping features aside from the many integrations for shipping services. However, it has strong inventory tools, even tracking by expiration date, kitting, and automated purchase orders.
Zoho has multi-warehouse capabilities so you can transfer or consolidate stock as needed. (Source: Zoho)
Zoho is the cheapest WMS after Odoo (which has a full-featured free option). Zoho also offers a free plan, but the monthly orders are limited. In fact, it’s the only WMS on our list that charges by number of orders. You may need to pay to add warehouses and users. There are discounts for annual plans.
- Free: 50 monthly online orders, 1 warehouse, 2 users, and integrate 1 Shopify store, customer portal, other ecommerce integrations
- Standard ($79/month): Free with 1,500 online orders, 2 warehouses, 3 users, and integrate 1 Shopify store
- Professional ($129/month): Standard with 7,500 online orders, 5 warehouses, 5 users, and integrate 2 Shopify stores + vendor portal, 5 automated workflows, serial and batch tracking
- Premium ($199/month): Professional with 15,000 online orders, 7 warehouses, 10 users, and integrate 5 Shopify stores, 10 automated workflows + picklists, batch and serial number tracking, unit of measurement conversions and contextual chat
- Elite ($299/month): Elite with 25,000 orders, 15 warehouses, 15 users, integrate 5 Shopify stores, 10 automated workflows, advanced multi-currency handling
- Ultimate ($399/month): For Elite + Zoho Analytics
- Limited free plan for very small businesses
- Sales order geometry shows packers the optimal placement of objects in the box for safest packing
- 24/5 phone support
- Hundreds of integrations, including international delivery services
- Mobile app for Android and iOS provides nearly the same functionality as the desktop program
- Highly detailed and customizable reports
- Expiration date tracking
- Automatic reorders
- Other automatic tasks like order confirmations
Zoho integrates with hundreds of third-party tools for shipping, ecommerce, EDI, sales, manufacturing, accounting, payments, and even communication tools like Slack or Microsoft. Zoho has a complete suite of compatible software as well for accounting, analytics, CRM, e-signatures, and communication.
With the EasyShip integration, it exceeds ShipBob for shipping integrations in terms of variety and reach. However, its shopping cart options are limited to Shopify and Zoho Commerce.
Zoho users give the software high marks for ease of use, saying it saves them time and trouble. There were a couple of complaints about customer support and that the integrations can be glitchy.
- Capterra: 4.5 out of 5 stars with 370+ reviews
- G2: 4.3 out of 5 stars with 80+ reviews
- Trustradius: 7.4 out of 10 stars with 10+ reviews
Methodology – How We Evaluated Warehouse Inventory Management Software
When judging the best warehouse management software for small business, we began looking at over 30 before narrowing down for small businesses and popularity with users and reviewers. Then we took the remaining 15 and gave them careful consideration using these criteria:
15% of Overall Score
While we appreciate transparency, we did not penalize those with custom plans. What we did look for were a free plan or trial, an inexpensive beginning option, and a monthly plan (as opposed to contracts of a year or more). We also considered the number of users and warehouses included as well as implementation support.
25% of Overall Score
Like with the best inventory software, we looked for tracking, re-order alerts, mobile tools, and vendor management, including purchase orders. We also gave points for customer relationship management and the ability to manage inventory over multiple channels.
20% of Overall Score
These features set a WMS apart from basic inventory. We looked for shipping options, how detailed locations are (bins as opposed to shelves, for example), and optimization features for packers like walking path optimization. We also looked for tools that help manage staff, like scheduling.
20% of Overall Score
Here, we looked at customer support hours, integrations, training tools, and real-world ratings from customer reviews.
20% of Overall Score
Types of Warehouse Inventory Management Software
There are three types, or tiers, of WMS software:
- Tier 1: The most sophisticated, it’s also the most expensive. It offers in-system configurations, task management, RFID, automation support, global reach (including measurement conversions), and more. You can expect professional installation, training, and tech support.
- Tier 2: Less robust than Tier 1, but nonetheless offers more functionality for multiple warehouse environments, labor management, and transportation. These may be add-ons. They also integrate with warehouse control systems for automated material handling.
- Tier 3: These are more typical for inventory management systems and may integrate with an ERP, but they often don’t support multiple warehouses. They are less expensive and easier to install but may need manual customization.
Regardless of tier, the best warehouse inventory management software should include the ability to track and locate items, low-stock alerts, and purchase order management.
What to Look for in Warehouse Inventory Management Software
When looking for the best warehouse management software for you, consider your business size and needs first. As noted above, Tier 1 WMS systems will do it all, but can be pricey and more complex. If you are a small business with a single warehouse, a simpler WMS may work just as well in combination with other programs you have.
Consider the tools you need carefully, and get into the nitty-gritty. Do you need to locate products by bin, or will the shelf do? Do you have a huge number of variants? Do you assemble multiple products into packages or are you tracking parts to create a finished product? What kind of vendor support do you need—do you have your preferred vendors, or do you want to incorporate a catalog for finding the best deals at the time?
In addition to price vs tools, look for ease of use and integration capability. You will want your WMS to integrate with your accounting, ecommerce, POS, or ERP software to avoid having to double-enter information, which can lead to mistakes. Getting a demo will give you a good idea on the software’s ease of use, but also check third-party review sites like Capterra or G2, which offer reviews from real-world users.
Best Warehouse Inventory Management Software Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some of the most common questions we get about warehouse inventory management software.
Warehouse management software (also called warehouse inventory management software or warehouse inventory system) is a complex program to help you manage all aspects of your warehouse operations, from receiving to shipping. It tracks inventory levels, streamlines processes, manages orders, and can help with customer and employee management.
The best warehouse inventory management software will help you optimize your operations by streamlining and automating some practices, like tracking inventory and providing insights into what products are selling or how long it’s taking to fulfill and order. Some of the advantages include: optimizing and standardizing warehouse practices, speeding up order processing, improving inventory visibility, reducing dead stock, and making labor more efficient to free up time for building your business.
Yes. Some provide scheduling tools, while others can help you determine the best routes for picking, packing, and shipping. You can use a WMS to assign priority to tasks and measure employee performance.
Based on our research of popularity, NetSuiteWMS is the most-used among small businesses, with over 30,000 customers, 77% of which are small businesses processing less than $50M in sales.
If you don’t own a warehouse, then you may not need a full WMS software. There are excellent inventory management software that can do the job and cost less. In addition, if you are a retailer or own a restaurant, you may find that POS software with a strong inventory module will suit your needs without additional expense.
Dead stock is inventory that does not sell. It can also be expired or outdated stock. Dead stock can drain your business not only because it’s lost profit but also because it takes space you can use for stock that sells. A good WMS will flag dead stock so you can move it or get rid of it.
Bottom Line
The best warehouse inventory management software will pay for itself in time saved and errors reduced. It not only assists in more efficient pick-and-pack but also offers reports that help you keep up with your inventory and plan for the future. The top WMS software are worth the investment.
We chose Logiwa as the best WMS software. As a Tier 1 WMS, it offers a complete system from ordering products to shipping them out to customers. It offers a free trial and demo, so contact them for more information and a quote.
