- Free inventory tools at a glance
- Ten free inventory management tools to try
- The barcode rule product sellers miss
- What a small business needs from inventory software
- Moving from a spreadsheet to inventory software
- Stock mistakes that hurt small sellers
- My plain advice on free inventory software
- Frequently asked questions
Free inventory management software tracks what you have, where it's kept and when to reorder, so you stop overselling or running out. Free plans from business software suites suit small shops, open-source systems suit businesses with technical help, and simple apps suit makers and small stockrooms. Free plans usually limit items, users or locations.
Spreadsheets work for stock until they don't. One day two people update the same sheet, an online order sells something that's already gone, and a customer gets an apology instead of a parcel.
Below are ten free inventory tools in no particular order, sorted alphabetically, from small open-source projects to free plans from well-known companies. Each description comes from the tool's own website, re-checked today. If you sell online, my tips on choosing ecommerce platforms that drive sales cover the shop side of the setup.
Start by counting what you track. A craft seller with fifty products needs something very different from a business with stock in two warehouses and three sales channels.
Free inventory tools at a glance
In the free plan column, Yes means the tool's own site describes a free plan or free use, Trial only means a time-limited trial, and No means neither is stated. Free plans often cap items, orders, users or locations.
| Tool | Type | Good for | Free plan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dolibarr | Open-source business software | Stock and orders for very small firms | Yes |
| ERPNext | Open-source business software | Stock inside a full business system | Yes |
| InvenTree | Open-source inventory system | Parts and component tracking | Yes |
| OpenBoxes | Open-source supply management | Tracking stock across locations | Yes |
| Snipe-IT | Open-source asset management | Tracking equipment and IT assets | Yes |
| Sortly | Visual inventory app | Simple stock with photos and QR labels | Yes |
| Square for Retail | Point-of-sale software for shops | In-store and online selling | Yes |
| Tryton | Open-source business platform | Modular stock and order management | Yes |
| Veeqo | Shipping and inventory software | Online sellers on several channels | Yes |
| Zoho Inventory | Stock and order management | Small online and offline sellers | Yes |
Ten free inventory management tools to try
Dolibarr
Best for: Very small businesses who want free open-source software for stock, orders and invoices in one place.
ERPNext
Best for: Growing businesses who want inventory alongside accounting, buying and selling in one open-source system.
InvenTree
Best for: Makers and small manufacturers who want to track parts, stock locations and suppliers in a self-hosted system.
OpenBoxes
Best for: Organisations that move stock between sites and want free, open-source supply tracking.
Snipe-IT
Best for: Businesses that need to track laptops, tools and equipment rather than stock for sale.
Sortly
Best for: Small businesses and makers who want a simple, visual way to track items with photos and labels.
Square for Retail
Best for: Retailers who want stock levels that update as they sell in-store and online.
Tryton
Best for: Small firms with technical help who want a free, modular open-source platform for stock, purchasing and sales.
Veeqo
Best for: Ecommerce sellers who want inventory and shipping across marketplaces and their own shop.
Zoho Inventory
Best for: Small sellers who want order, stock and warehouse tracking on a free starter plan.
The barcode rule product sellers miss
Here's the catch for anyone selling physical products through retailers or big online stores. GS1 US explains on its own barcode page that each variation of each product you sell requires a unique barcode. A t-shirt in three sizes and two colours isn't one product, it's six, and each needs its own number.
That matters for your inventory system too. Set up every variation as its own item from day one, with its own barcode, so your stock counts match what's on the shelf. Merging variants later is one of the most painful clean-up jobs in retail.
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What a small business needs from inventory software
- Real-time stock levels: updated the moment something sells.
- Low-stock alerts: a nudge before you run out.
- Sales channel sync: one stock count across your shop and marketplaces.
- Barcode or QR scanning: faster counts and fewer typos.
- Simple reports: what sells, what sits, and what to reorder.
Moving from a spreadsheet to inventory software
- Clean your spreadsheet: one row per product variation.
- Add a unique code or barcode for each row.
- Import the list into the new system.
- Do a full physical count and correct the numbers.
- Connect your sales channels and test with a small order.
Stock mistakes that hurt small sellers
- Overselling: two channels selling the same last item.
- Dead stock: products nobody checks until they're out of date.
- No reorder point: running out of a best seller in a busy month.
- One person knows everything: stock lives in someone's head.
If you're building an online shop around your products, my guide on making money with ecommerce covers the bigger picture.
Whichever tool you choose, give one person ownership of stock accuracy. Software helps, but a named owner is what keeps the numbers right week after week.
Do you make inventory software? Tool makers can ask to be considered for a featured place on this list.
My plain advice on free inventory software
Count carefully once before you switch. Moving messy numbers into a new system just gives you messy numbers in a nicer layout, and you'll lose faith in the tool within a week.
And pick the tool that connects to where you sell. A clever system that doesn't sync with your shop means you're still updating stock by hand.
Frequently asked questions
Is there free inventory management software?
Yes. Several business software companies offer free plans, and open-source systems are free if you can host them.
What's the best free inventory software for small business?
It depends on how you sell. Retail shops, online sellers and makers each suit different tools.
Do I need barcodes?
If you sell through retailers or large online stores, usually yes. GS1 US says each product variation needs its own barcode.
Can I track inventory in a spreadsheet?
For a handful of products, yes. Once you sell on more than one channel, software saves time and mistakes.
What limits do free plans have?
Common limits are the number of items, orders, users or warehouses.
Can inventory software sync with my online shop?
Many tools connect to popular shop platforms and marketplaces. Check before you choose.
How often should I count stock?
Many small businesses do a full count every few months and spot-check fast sellers more often.
What's the difference between inventory and asset tracking?
Inventory is stock you sell, while asset tracking covers equipment you keep and use.
Can I use my phone to scan stock?
Yes. Many inventory apps scan barcodes or QR codes with a phone camera.
