- Parts inventory software compared
- Eleven parts inventory tools to look at
- Match the tool to the work
- Aftermarket parts and the warranty question
- Counting parts versus planning parts
- Questions to ask each vendor
- Signs your parts tracking needs fixing
- My plain advice on parts inventory software
- Frequently asked questions
The best parts inventory software tells you which parts you have, where they are and when to reorder, so jobs don't stall waiting for a component. The right tool depends on the work: auto repair shops, maintenance teams, electronics makers and OEMs all track parts differently. Eleven options follow in no particular order.
A missing part stops a job dead. The car sits on the lift, the machine stays down, or the build waits, all because the stock count said there was one on the shelf.
Parts inventory software fixes the count and the reordering. The eleven tools below are listed alphabetically and in no particular order, and every description comes from the vendor's own website, read this week. For general stock control in a small business, my guide to inventory software for small businesses goes wider.
Parts inventory software compared
I checked the free plan column on each tool's own website, as of Oct 2026. Yes means the site names a free plan, a free version, a free account or an open source edition. Trial only means a time-limited trial. Not stated means the pages I read named neither, even where there's a button inviting you to try it, so check the vendor's page before you sign up.
| Tool | Type | Good for | Free plan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Descartes Finale | Ecommerce inventory software | Online sellers with many channels | Not stated |
| EZO | Asset management and CMMS | Spares tied to maintenance work | Not stated |
| Fishbowl | Inventory management software | QuickBooks and Xero users | Not stated |
| inFlow | Inventory management software | Vans, warehouses and field stock | Trial only |
| Limble | Maintenance asset management | Spare parts for maintenance teams | Not stated |
| PartsBox | Electronic parts inventory | Electronic components and BOMs | Not stated |
| PartsTech | Parts ordering platform | Finding parts across suppliers | Yes |
| Shopmonkey | Auto repair shop software | Running a garage end to end | Not stated |
| Sortly | Simple inventory app | Visual tracking with photos | Trial only |
| Syncron | Service parts planning | OEM aftermarket parts | Not stated |
| Tekmetric | Shop management software | Shops focused on customer contact | Not stated |
Eleven parts inventory tools to look at
Descartes Finale
Best for: Growing ecommerce brands who want stock control with a long list of sales channel, shipping and accounting integrations.
EZO
Best for: Operations teams who want parts and equipment tracked alongside work orders, preventive maintenance and barcodes in one connected system.
Fishbowl
Best for: Small manufacturers and warehouses who want parts and stock managed alongside QuickBooks or Xero rather than moving to a full ERP.
inFlow
Best for: Field service and HVAC businesses who want simple inventory, barcoding and purchasing, with a free 14-day trial and no card needed.
Limble
Best for: Maintenance managers who want spare parts tracked inside a maintenance and asset management platform built around work orders.
PartsBox
Best for: Hardware makers and contract manufacturers who want electronic parts inventory, BOMs, builds and lot tracing with full traceability in one system.
PartsTech
Best for: Auto repair shops who want to search their parts suppliers in one lookup and order from one platform, with a free account.
Shopmonkey
Best for: Independent garages who want parts, jobs and customers handled in one all-in-one shop management system.
Sortly
Best for: Small teams who want simple, visual inventory with photos, a mobile app and low stock alerts for parts, tools and equipment.
Syncron
Best for: Manufacturers and OEMs who want service parts planning that links stock to real-world usage to raise availability and cut excess.
Tekmetric
Best for: Auto repair shops who want shop management with online booking, reminders and two-way texting alongside their parts and repair orders.
Match the tool to the work
- Auto repair shops: Shopmonkey or Tekmetric.
- Finding parts across suppliers: PartsTech.
- Maintenance spare parts: Limble or EZO.
- Electronic components and BOMs: PartsBox.
- OEM aftermarket parts planning: Syncron.
- QuickBooks and Xero users: Fishbowl.
- Simple visual stock: Sortly or inFlow.
- Ecommerce brands: Descartes Finale.
Aftermarket parts and the warranty question
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) says a car warranty stays in effect if you use aftermarket or recycled parts. But if someone installs a defective aftermarket or recycled part, or doesn't install a part correctly, the manufacturer or dealer can deny warranty coverage for the damaged part.
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That's a good reason for a repair shop to record exactly which part went into each job and where it came from. Good parts software does that as a side effect of tracking stock.
Counting parts versus planning parts
Most shops and maintenance teams need accurate counts, locations and reorder alerts. Barcodes and a mobile app do most of the work.
Manufacturers and OEMs with thousands of service parts need planning: forecasting demand, positioning stock across warehouses and cutting excess. That's a different class of software.
Electronics makers sit in between. They track parts by lot and reel, link them to a bill of materials and pick them for builds.
Questions to ask each vendor
- Can we scan parts in and out with barcodes?
- Does it link parts to jobs or work orders?
- Will it suggest reorders before we run out?
- Can we track stock across vans and sites?
- Does it connect to our suppliers or accounts software?
- Can we record lots or serial numbers?
Signs your parts tracking needs fixing
- Jobs wait for parts you thought you had. Count and label.
- Duplicate orders keep arriving. Centralise purchasing.
- Old stock gathers dust. Review slow movers.
- Nobody knows which part went where. Link parts to jobs.
Do you make parts, inventory or shop management tools? Tool makers can ask to be considered for a featured place on this list.
My plain advice on parts inventory software
Do a full count before you switch, then label every shelf and bin. Software can only keep a count accurate; it can't fix one that was wrong on day one.
Pick the tool built for your kind of work, because a garage, a maintenance team and an electronics workshop need different things. Garages looking at automation can read how car garages use AI for quotes and reminders.
Frequently asked questions
What is parts inventory software?
It's software that tracks spare parts and components: how many you have, where they're stored and when to reorder.
Does using aftermarket parts void a car warranty?
The FTC says a warranty stays in effect if you use aftermarket or recycled parts, although a defective or badly fitted part can lead to coverage being denied for the damage it causes.
Is there free parts software for auto shops?
At least one parts ordering platform for auto repair offers a free account, and several inventory tools offer free trials.
What's the difference between parts inventory and a CMMS?
A CMMS manages maintenance work orders and assets, and usually includes spare parts tracking. Standalone inventory tools focus on stock itself.
Can I track parts by lot or serial number?
Yes. Several tools support lot tracing or serial tracking, which matters for electronics and regulated parts.
Do these tools work on a phone?
Most offer a mobile app for scanning and checking stock on the floor or in a van.
