What makes the best Xero inventory add on?
To address the limitations of Xero's built-in inventory management and cater to the diverse needs of product-based businesses, the best Xero inventory add-on should include the following essential features:
- Real-time, two-way Xero sync for accurate financials and stock visibility
- Multi-warehouse and location management
- Batch and serial number tracking for traceability and compliance
- Advanced pricing and discounting options
- Bill of materials (BOM) for complex manufacturing
- Demand forecasting and inventory optimisation to reduce costs
- Barcode scanning for efficient warehouse operations
- Inventory reporting and analytics for data-driven decisions
Most importantly, the best Xero inventory add on needs to have a reliable, internally managed integration with Xero accounting software.
9 best inventory management software for Xero
After researching the best inventory app for Xero, there were nine tools that stood out above the rest.
- Unleashed: Best for real-time inventory management
- Zoho Inventory: Best for small businesses
- Katana: Best for mid-sized manufacturers
- Sortly: Best for entrepreneurs
- inFlow Inventory: Best for US-based B2B firms
- Inventory Planner: Best for stock optimisation and demand planning
- Fishbowl: Best for basic manufacturing inventory control
- Restroworks: Best for restaurants
- EZOfficeInventory: Best for large enterprises
Keep reading to learn about the pros, cons, pricing, and features of these Xero inventory management software solutions.
1. Unleashed
Unleashed is a cloud-based inventory management software that streamlines your inventory control, purchasing, and production processes while accurately tracking all your costs. Key features include multi-warehouse management, batch and serial number tracking, bill of materials, and integration with eCommerce platforms and accounting software like Xero.
Pros
- User-friendly interface and inclusive documentation
- Real-time inventory tracking across multiple locations
- Seamless integration with Xero and eCommerce platforms
- A complete system for managing stock, sales, purchasing, and production
Cons
- Not suitable for larger organisations with complex needs
- Subscription prices can be too expensive for small start-ups
- A learning curve may be required for inexperienced teams
Plans and pricing
Plans start from £292/month, including core features and three users. Additional user pricing varies by plan.
Start your free 14-day trial today to experience Unleashed's efficient inventory management and grow your business.
2. Zoho Inventory
Zoho Inventory streamlines order processing and stock control for small businesses. Key features include multi-channel selling, shipping integrations, and advanced inventory tracking. Its integration with Zoho apps and free trials make it a unique option for small businesses.
Pros
- Seamless integration with Zoho apps for customization
- User-friendly interface and features tailored to small businesses
- Flexible templates for invoices, sales orders, and purchase orders
Cons
- Users have reported issues with Shopify integration and data export
- Limited stock inventory management functionality compared to sales
- Some customers find the onboarding process confusing and time-consuming
Plans and pricing
Plans start from £22/month (billed annually) with 500 orders, two users, and one warehouse. Higher-tier plans with more features range from £60 to £191/month. A free subscription option is also available.
3. Katana Cloud Inventory
Katana Cloud Inventory centralises inventory management, providing a real-time overview of stock, orders, and sales across channels. It streamlines sales, purchasing, production, and accounting. Unique features include a Shop Floor App, batch tracking, and automation.
Pros
- Users praise Katana's customer service for learning features and problem-solving
- The Shop Floor App provides accurate production and assembly time tracking
- Easy job re-prioritisation and automatic stock refactoring
Cons
- Lack of user-accessible backup options
- Users have reported occasional glitches with purchase prices displaying accurately
- May be inadequate for complex needs, and MRP software can be complicated and expensive
Plans and pricing
Small businesses can purchase plans starting from £137/month (billed annually). All plans include unlimited users, SKUs, and integrations.
- Compare MRP Inventory software: Katana vs Unleashed
4. Sortly
Sortly is a user-friendly cloud inventory management software for tracking and managing stock from any device. Key features include mobile barcode/QR scanning, custom labels and alerts, offline access, and customizable organisation options.
Pros
- Affordable pricing with inclusive features
- Significant time-saving benefits due to ease of use
- Highly customizable to specific needs
- User-friendly interface for easy navigation
Cons
- Software design can be time-consuming
- Initial learning curve may require extensive training
- Lack of instant notifications for item changes
- Users have reported issues with items disappearing or moving between accounts
Plans and pricing
Monthly plans for 100 products and one user are £0. Paid plans offer 500–5,000 items, 2–8 users, and advanced features cost £18–£114/month. Custom enterprise plans exist—discounted annual plans.
5. inFlow Inventory
inFlow Inventory streamlines inventory management for wholesale, distribution, manufacturing, and eCommerce businesses. Unique features include multi-location stock tracking, pick/pack/ship support, BOM and assemblies, and 35+ eCommerce integrations.
Pros
- Intuitive reporting tools for informed decision-making
- User-friendly interface simplifying stock tracking
- Cost-effective solution maintaining inventory accuracy and control
- Efficient and friendly customer support team
Cons
- Limited functionality in Windows app compared to mobile
- Lack of API access and limited integrations
- Occasional login instruction inconsistencies
- Difficulties in automatically calculating component shortages
Plans and pricing
Plans start at £68/mo (billed annually) for two users, 100 orders/mo, and 1 location. Add-ons are available separately. Customisable plans are available to suit business needs.
6. Inventory Planner
Inventory Planner optimises stock levels with accurate purchase recommendations based on demand forecasts, considering seasonality and market shifts. Its advanced forecasting models, detailed reporting, and user-friendly interface make it one of the best inventory management software for Xero.
Pros
- Streamlines inventory processes for efficiency
- Fast and efficient calculation of formulas
- Customisable forecasting options for different products or categories
Cons
- Pricing may be a barrier for smaller businesses
- Extended downtime can lead to data loss through failed syncs
- Some users report disappointing experiences and financial losses
- Limited functionality in identifying dead stock and predicting stockouts
Plans and pricing
Inventory Planner's £192/month package includes demand forecasts and inventory procurement advice for your team.
7. Fishbowl
Fishbowl Inventory is an inventory management and manufacturing solution that automates processes, reduces costs, and maximises profitability. It offers advanced features like work orders, MRP, bills of materials, and barcode scanning.
Pros
- Visual aids for easy order status tracking
- Useful and reliable software integrations
- User-friendly interface and helpful documentation
Cons
- User interface can be complicated to navigate
- Reporting features may be challenging and inaccurate
- Fixing problems often requires contacting support
- Lacks automatic scheduling for material planning
Plans and pricing
Fishbowl offers flexible product bundles for inventory, warehousing, or manufacturing needs. Contact Fishbowl directly for pricing details.
8. Restroworks
Restroworks is a cloud-based solution that simplifies restaurant operations with real-time tracking of recipes and ingredients. It offers precise control over the supply chain, back-of-house operations, and kitchen management through integrations. Partnerships with global chains like Taco Bell and Subway set it apart.
Pros
- User-friendly interface for efficient inventory management
- Inclusive reports for valuable decision-making
- Intuitive recipe management and precise indenting functionality
Cons
- Initial difficulty understanding specific business needs
- No manual inventory record maintenance
- Missing PAX and cost info in Planning Sheet, cumbersome database updates
- Lacks yield percentage feature for recipe inputs
Plans and pricing
Personal demos of Restroworks' platform include hands-on testing, use case exploration, and 24/7 restaurant management. For demos and pricing information, contact sales.
9. EZOfficeInventory
EZOfficeInventory is an asset-tracking software for managing inventory and assets company-wide. It offers vendor tracking, multi-location inventory management, low-stock alerts, barcode/QR/RFID scanning, mobile apps, and quick replenishment. Its inclusive features and user-friendly interface set it apart.
Pros
- Versatile solution for tracking inventory and assets
- Intuitive interface for easy navigation and documentation
- Wide variety of easy-to-generate reports
Cons
- Small layout buttons make sorting equipment challenging
- Inconvenient process when adding items to a card
- Lacks 'cart' function, requiring one-by-one item requests
- Users report a frustrating import process with limited options
Plans and pricing
With asset tracking and maintenance features, plans start at £30/month for 250 items and unlimited users. Higher tiers (£42-£50/month) include advanced features like custom fields and integrations. Custom enterprise plans are available. All plans offer a 15-day free trial.
Limitations of using Xero for inventory management
Xero's inventory management is often too limited for complex businesses. Manufacturers cannot employ bill of material functionality, and wholesalers and distributors lack inclusive pricing and discount systems. It also only supports multi-warehouse operations and batch or serial tracking.
Key missing features include:
- Real-time inventory tracking
- Demand forecasting capabilities
- Advanced reporting (stock performance, margin analysis, inventory turnover)
- Stock valuation flexibility
- Multi-location stock management
Other Xero inventory add-ons to consider
Our study turned out several more inventory control systems are not included on our list:
- Odoo Inventory
- NetSuite
- MRPeasy
- Genius ERP
- WooCommerce
- Asset Panda
Each option has outstanding features and benefits but may not fulfill our top ten list requirements. Depending on your needs, they may be helpful to inventory management tools for Xero.
What’s the best Xero inventory management software overall?
We recommend Unleashed as the best inventory add-on for Xero. In addition to than real-time sync, multi-warehouse management, and batch tracking, Unleashed offers:
- Custom dashboards and reports for rapid tracking
- Mobile barcode scanning and warehouse management app
- 30+ seamless integrations
- Excellent customer service and learning resources
Unleashed's functionality, scalability, and user-friendliness make it the best inventory management and growth solution for Xero users. Start your free 14-day trial today to see how Unleashed can improve inventory management and scale your business.
