The 10 Best Free Inventory Management Software of 2025

Introduction: Why Inventory Management Matters in 2025

In 2025, effective inventory management isn't just a nice-to-have, it's a necessity. The rise of e-commerce, increasingly complex supply chains, and evolving customer expectations demand a more sophisticated approach to stock control. Simply put, inefficient inventory practices can lead to lost sales, increased storage costs, and ultimately, a hit to your bottom line.

Think about it: delayed shipments frustrate customers, overstocking ties up valuable capital, and stockouts can cripple operations. As businesses navigate a competitive landscape and grapple with potential economic fluctuations, having a solid grasp of your inventory levels-knowing what you have, where it is, and when you need to replenish it-is critical for survival and growth.

This isn't solely about larger enterprises either. Small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) are equally vulnerable to the pitfalls of poor inventory management. The good news is, powerful, and increasingly affordable (often free!) inventory management software solutions are available to help businesses of all sizes thrive. Let's explore why finding the right tool is so vital for success in the years ahead.

What to Look for in Free Inventory Management Software

Before diving into our top picks, it's crucial to understand what makes a free inventory management software good. Not all free options are created equal, and choosing the right one can significantly impact your business. Here's what you should consider:

• Essential Features: Do you really need advanced features like barcode scanning or multi-channel selling? Or are basic functionalities like tracking stock levels, managing suppliers, and generating reports enough to start?
• Scalability: Can the software handle your business's growth? While it's free now, will it still be suitable as your inventory expands?
• User-Friendliness: How easy is it to learn and use? A complex system can waste valuable time and training resources.
• Integrations: Does it connect with your existing accounting software, e-commerce platforms, or other essential tools?
• Mobile Accessibility: Can you manage inventory on the go with a mobile app or responsive web design?
• Reporting Capabilities: Does it offer insightful reports to help you identify trends, optimize stock levels, and make informed decisions?
• Limitations: Be aware of what you don't get with a free plan. There are often restrictions on the number of users, products, or features.
• Security: Ensure the software prioritizes data security and protects your valuable inventory information.
• Support: While free plans often have limited support, check if there's a community forum or online resources available for assistance.

The 10 Best Free Inventory Management Software of 2025

Before we dive into our top 10 picks, let's quickly clarify what inventory management software actually does and why it's crucial for businesses of all sizes. Simply put, it helps you track your stock levels, manage orders, and optimize your supply chain. Manual tracking with spreadsheets can quickly become overwhelming and prone to errors, especially as your business grows.

Good inventory management software provides real-time data, automates tasks, and can even help you predict future demand. This leads to reduced carrying costs, fewer stockouts (lost sales!), and increased efficiency across your operations.

We've focused on free options for this list, but keep in mind that "free" often means limited features or restrictions on users/storage. We're highlighting platforms that offer a solid foundation for smaller businesses or those just starting out with inventory management. We'll also briefly mention potential limitations to help you decide if a paid upgrade might be worthwhile down the line.

1. Zoho Inventory (Free Plan)

Zoho Inventory's free plan is a solid starting point for small businesses just dipping their toes into inventory management software. It supports up to 100 orders per month, allowing you to manage a decent volume of sales before needing to upgrade. Key features include multi-channel selling (integrating with platforms like eBay and Amazon), basic reporting, and order tracking. You can manage up to 100 products and handle a reasonable number of customers.

However, it's important to note the limitations. The free plan doesn't offer advanced features like batch tracking, kitting, or landed cost calculations. Also, you're limited to a single user, meaning collaboration can be tricky. Zoho's branding will be visible on your reports and invoices with the free plan. Despite these restrictions, it's a powerful and user-friendly option for businesses with basic inventory needs and tight budgets. It offers a good balance of functionality and affordability for startups and small-scale operations.

2. ERPNext

While most lists focus on simple inventory trackers, ERPNext deserves a spot because it's a full-fledged ERP system with a surprisingly capable free tier. It's not just about inventory; it handles accounting, CRM, manufacturing, and more. Think of it as a whole suite of business tools rolled into one.

What Makes ERPNext Stand Out?

• Comprehensive Functionality: It's far more than just inventory management. You can manage your entire business, from order processing to finances.
• Open Source: ERPNext is open-source, meaning it's free to use. However, there's a catch (see "Important Considerations" below).
• Customizable: Highly customizable to fit your specific business needs.
• Strong Community: A large and active community provides support and resources.

Who is ERPNext Right For?

ERPNext is best suited for businesses ready to commit to a more complex system and have (or are willing to develop) some technical expertise. It's great for small to medium-sized businesses looking for an all-in-one solution and a long-term investment.

Important Considerations: The Self-Hosting Requirement

Here's the key: ERPNext's free tier requires self-hosting. This means you'll need to set up and maintain your own server to run the software. This involves technical skills and ongoing maintenance responsibilities, which can be a significant undertaking. While there are managed hosting options (paid), the core software itself is free. Consider the cost and time commitment of self-hosting before committing.

3. InFlow Inventory (Free Version)

InFlow Inventory offers a surprisingly robust free version, making it a strong contender for smaller businesses just starting to formalize their inventory processes. While the free version has limitations compared to the paid plans (more on those later!), it provides a solid foundation for managing basic inventory tasks.

What You Get in the Free Version:

• Inventory Tracking: Track items, locations, and suppliers.
• Order Management: Manage purchase orders and sales orders.
• Reporting: Access a limited set of reports to understand your stock levels.
• Barcoding: Supports barcode scanning for efficient data entry.
• User Roles: Allows for basic user access control.

Who It's Ideal For:

The free version of InFlow is best suited for single-location businesses with a relatively small inventory and limited users. It's a great starting point for companies looking to move beyond manual tracking or basic spreadsheets.

Limitations to Consider:

• User Limit: The free version restricts you to a single user.
• Limited Integrations: Integrations with other platforms are primarily available in paid plans.
• No Serial Number Tracking: Important for businesses dealing with products requiring serial number management.
• Limited Customer Support: Support options are restricted compared to paid subscriptions.
• No Bill/Invoice Generation: Creating professional invoices and bills isn't a feature in the free version.

4. Odoo Inventory (Free and Open Source)

Odoo Inventory stands out as a particularly robust and customizable option, especially appealing to businesses with complex needs or those anticipating growth. While the core Odoo system is open-source and free, keep in mind that certain modules and services (like hosting and advanced support) come with associated costs. The free version offers a powerful foundation for basic inventory tracking, including stock valuation, product movement, and automated replenishment.

What makes Odoo special is its modularity. It's not just an inventory system; it's an ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) suite. You can seamlessly integrate it with modules for accounting, sales, manufacturing, and more. This interconnectedness provides a holistic view of your business operations.

Key Features:

• Lot & Serial Number Tracking: Ideal for businesses dealing with products requiring traceability.
• Multi-Location Inventory: Manage stock across multiple warehouses and stores.
• Barcode Scanning: Improve accuracy and speed up inventory processes.
• Automated Replenishment: Set reorder points and automate purchase orders.
• Drop Shipping: Integrate with online stores for streamlined fulfillment.

Who is it for? Odoo is a great choice for businesses of all sizes, but particularly those with intricate inventory processes, a desire for customization, and potential to expand into other areas of ERP functionality. Be prepared for a steeper learning curve compared to simpler options, and factor in potential costs for advanced features and support.

5. Stocky

Stocky positions itself as a particularly user-friendly option, especially appealing to smaller businesses or those new to inventory management software. Its interface is clean and intuitive, prioritizing simplicity over a sprawling feature set. While this means it might not have every bell and whistle found in more robust platforms, it excels at core inventory tracking functions.

Key features include:

• Basic Inventory Tracking: Easily add, categorize, and track stock levels.
• Order Management: Track purchase orders and sales orders.
• Low Stock Alerts: Customizable alerts to prevent stockouts.
• Reporting: Generate simple reports on inventory levels and sales.
• Mobile App: A companion mobile app (iOS and Android) lets you manage inventory on the go.

Who is it best for? Stocky is ideal for startups, solopreneurs, and small businesses with relatively straightforward inventory needs. Its ease of use makes it a great entry point for those intimidated by more complex systems. While it lacks advanced features like barcode scanning or multi-user capabilities in the free tier, its core functionality is surprisingly capable. It's also a good choice if you value a visually appealing and uncluttered interface.

6. Tooljet

Tooljet stands out as a powerful, open-source low-code platform that allows you to build custom internal tools - including robust inventory management dashboards and workflows. While not strictly just inventory management software out-of-the-box, its flexibility allows you to connect to various data sources (like Google Sheets, Airtable, databases, and APIs) to create a bespoke inventory system perfectly tailored to your specific needs.

Who is it for? Tooljet is ideal for businesses with unique inventory processes or those who want granular control over their system. You'll need some technical aptitude or a team member comfortable with basic coding or low-code principles to set it up and maintain it.

Key Features:

• Customizable Dashboards: Design visually appealing dashboards to track key inventory metrics.
• Data Source Integration: Connect to virtually any data source to pull inventory data.
• Workflow Automation: Automate tasks like reordering, stock adjustments, and reporting.
• Open Source & Self-Hosted: Offers complete control over your data and infrastructure.
• Collaboration Features: Enable team members to access and update inventory information.

Limitations: The learning curve can be steeper compared to simpler, dedicated inventory management tools. Requires more technical expertise to implement and maintain.

7. Katana MRP (Limited Free Plan)

Katana MRP stands out with its focus on manufacturing and production-based businesses. While their free plan is limited, it's a fantastic entry point for smaller operations or those just starting to explore MRP systems.

Here's what you get with the free plan:

• Up to 10 orders per month: This is a significant limitation, but sufficient for very small businesses or those in the early stages of scaling.
• Limited production planning: You can start to understand how Katana's production planning features work, even with a small volume of orders.
• Basic inventory tracking: Track your raw materials, work-in-progress, and finished goods, though with restricted reporting capabilities.
• Bill of Materials (BOM) management: Essential for understanding what materials are needed to produce your goods.
• Supplier Management: Keep track of your suppliers and their details.

Who is it for? Katana's free plan is ideal for micro-manufacturers, small workshops, or startups producing limited quantities of goods. It's a chance to get your feet wet with a powerful MRP system before committing to a paid subscription.

Caveats: The low order limit is a major constraint. As your business grows, you'll likely need to upgrade to a paid plan to unlock the full potential of Katana MRP. Be sure to carefully evaluate your business needs and anticipated growth before relying solely on the free plan.

8. Orderly (Free for Small Businesses)

Orderly is a relatively newer platform, but it's quickly gaining traction for its clean interface and focus on simplicity. It's designed to be user-friendly, even for those without extensive inventory management experience. The free plan caters exceptionally well to small businesses, allowing you to manage up to 500 products and five locations.

Key Features in the Free Plan:

• Multi-Channel Sales: Integrate with popular platforms like Shopify, Amazon, and Etsy to centralize your sales data.
• Low Stock Alerts: Receive notifications when your stock levels are running low, preventing costly stockouts.
• Basic Reporting: Access essential reports to understand sales trends and identify areas for improvement.
• Product Variants: Easily manage products with different sizes, colors, or styles.
• Supplier Management: Keep track of your suppliers and their contact information.

What's the Catch?

While the free plan is generous, it does have limitations. As your business grows, you'll likely need to upgrade to a paid plan for features like advanced reporting, more integrations, and unlimited users. However, for startups and small businesses just starting to implement inventory management, Orderly's free tier provides a solid foundation. It's particularly well-suited for businesses that value ease of use and a modern, intuitive design.

9. Boxstorm

Boxstorm caters specifically to the needs of small to medium-sized businesses, particularly those in the retail and wholesale sectors. What sets it apart is its focus on ease of use and its modular design - you only pay for the features you need.

Key Features:

• Multi-Channel Inventory Management: Syncs with popular e-commerce platforms like Shopify, WooCommerce, and Amazon, allowing you to manage inventory across multiple sales channels from a single dashboard.
• Low Stock Alerts: Set reorder points and receive notifications when stock levels are running low, preventing costly stockouts.
• Order Management: Track orders from placement to fulfillment, streamlining your shipping process.
• Reporting & Analytics: Gain valuable insights into your inventory performance with customizable reports.
• Barcode Scanning: Simplify receiving and shipping processes with barcode scanning capabilities (often requires an upgrade).
• User Permissions: Control access to different functions within the system.

Pros: User-friendly interface, scalable features, strong integration capabilities.

Cons: Free plan has limited features, advanced functionalities require paid upgrades, reporting can be basic in the free version.

Pricing: Offers a free plan with limited features; paid plans start at $49/month.

Ideal For: Retailers and wholesalers looking for an easy-to-use, scalable inventory management solution with good e-commerce integration.

10. Sunrise Inventory (Basic Free Plan)

Sunrise Inventory offers a surprisingly robust free plan, making it a solid contender for smaller businesses just starting with inventory management. While the free tier has limitations (primarily around user accounts and features), it's a great way to get your feet wet with their platform.

Here's what you get:

• Basic Inventory Tracking: Manage product details, quantities, and locations.
• Order Management: Handle purchase orders and sales orders.
• Reporting: Access essential reports on stock levels and sales.
• Multi-Channel Integration (Limited): Connect to select sales channels.

The free plan supports a limited number of users and has restrictions on certain integrations and advanced features like landed costs and batch tracking. However, it's an excellent entry point to explore Sunrise Inventory's capabilities and consider upgrading as your business grows. They really focus on manufacturing and wholesale businesses, so if your needs are complex in those areas, this one is definitely worth a closer look. Remember to check their website for the most up-to-date feature list for the free plan, as it can change.

11. ChecklistGuro: BPM & Inventory Management Powerhouse

While we're listed as a bonus pick for free inventory management software, ChecklistGuro offers a significantly different and powerful approach. We're not solely an inventory management tool; we're a full-fledged Business Process Management (BPM) platform. Think of it as having inventory management *integrated* within a framework for managing all your business operations.

How it works for Inventory: ChecklistGuro allows you to build custom workflows to handle everything from receiving goods and tracking stock levels to managing orders, shipping, and even returns. You create checklists - visual, interactive workflows - to define each step. This level of customization lets you tailor your inventory processes exactly to your unique needs, automating tasks and improving accuracy.

Why it's a Bonus: We understand that completely free inventory solutions are limited. While ChecklistGuro has a generous free plan, it's designed to showcase the power of BPM. For extensive inventory needs and advanced automation, our paid plans unlock even greater functionality. However, the free tier offers substantial capabilities for smaller businesses or those just starting to optimize their processes.

Key Features (Even in the Free Plan):

• Customizable Checklists: Design workflows for every stage of your inventory lifecycle.
• Real-time Tracking: Know exactly where your inventory is and how much you have.
• Task Assignment & Notifications: Keep your team accountable and informed.
• Reporting & Analytics: Gain insights into your inventory performance.
• Integrations: Connect with other tools you already use (limited on the free plan).

Choosing the Right Software for Your Business Needs

Before diving into the list, it's crucial to understand that "best" is subjective. What works wonders for a small Etsy shop selling handmade jewelry might be a terrible fit for a rapidly growing e-commerce business or a brick-and-mortar retailer with multiple locations. To truly find the right inventory management software, consider these key factors:

• Business Size & Complexity: Are you a solopreneur, a small team, or a larger enterprise? More complex operations require more robust features.
• Inventory Volume: How many SKUs (Stock Keeping Units) do you manage? Some free options have limitations on the number of items you can track.
• Sales Channels: Where are you selling your products? (e.g., online store, marketplaces, physical store). Integration capabilities are vital.
• Features Required: Do you need barcode scanning, batch tracking, order management, reporting, or integrations with accounting software?
• User Friendliness: The software should be intuitive and easy for your team to learn and use. A steep learning curve can hinder adoption and reduce efficiency.
• Scalability: While you're looking for free now, think about future growth. Can the software handle increased inventory and transaction volumes?
• Mobile Accessibility: Does the software offer a mobile app for on-the-go inventory management?

Conclusion: Optimizing Your Inventory in 2025

Choosing the right inventory management software can feel overwhelming, but remember that the best solution isn't a one-size-fits-all answer. It depends entirely on your business's unique needs, size, and future growth plans. The options detailed in this guide represent a fantastic starting point for 2025, offering a range of features and capabilities - all at no cost.

Don't be afraid to take advantage of free trials and demo accounts to thoroughly test each platform before committing. Consider factors beyond just the feature list; ease of use, customer support, and integration capabilities with your existing tools are crucial for long-term success.

Ultimately, embracing free inventory management software is a smart move for businesses looking to optimize their operations, reduce costs, and gain a competitive edge in the years to come. Proactive inventory control isn't just about tracking what you have; it's about knowing exactly what you need, when you need it, and making informed decisions that drive profitability. Good luck!

Resources & Links

• Inflow Inventory - User-friendly, good for small to medium businesses.
• ABC Inventory - Comprehensive solution with strong reporting.
• Zoho Inventory - Integrates with other Zoho apps, suitable for growing businesses.
• Fishbowl Inventory - Popular for manufacturing and wholesale.
• monday.com - Flexible work management platform with inventory capabilities.
• Shiprocket - Focus on e-commerce and shipping integrations.
• Katana MRP - Manufacturing and production-focused.
• Stocky - Simple, mobile-first inventory management.
• ObeeDoo - Ecommerce and Retail Management
• Sortly - Visual inventory management, good for small businesses and retail.