Quick Overview
- 1#1: ApparelMagic - Comprehensive ERP software tailored for apparel businesses to manage inventory, production, purchasing, and order fulfillment across sizes, colors, and styles.
- 2#2: BlueCherry - Enterprise ERP platform designed for apparel, footwear, and sewn goods companies, offering advanced inventory control, PLM, and supply chain management.
- 3#3: PolyPM - Fashion-focused PLM and product information management system that tracks inventory, tech packs, and SKUs with variant support for apparel lines.
- 4#4: Cin7 - Omnichannel inventory management software that syncs stock levels across e-commerce, POS, and warehouses, ideal for multi-variant apparel retail.
- 5#5: NetSuite - Cloud ERP solution with robust inventory management features for fashion enterprises, including lot tracking, demand planning, and multi-location support.
- 6#6: Fishbowl - Advanced inventory control software for manufacturing and wholesale apparel, supporting barcode scanning, assemblies, and QuickBooks integration.
- 7#7: Brightpearl - Retail operations platform that unifies inventory, orders, and finance for multi-channel apparel brands with real-time stock visibility.
- 8#8: Katana MRP - Cloud-based manufacturing resource planning tool for small apparel makers to track live inventory, production planning, and material requirements.
- 9#9: MRPeasy - MRP software for small manufacturers handling apparel production scheduling, inventory tracking, and procurement with variant support.
- 10#10: Lightspeed Retail - POS and inventory management system for retail stores, supporting apparel variants, purchasing, and multi-store stock synchronization.
Tools were chosen based on tailored functionality (variant support, PLM, multi-channel sync), technical reliability, user-friendliness, and overall value, ensuring they meet the distinct needs of apparel enterprises.
Comparison Table
Apparel inventory management demands tailored solutions, and this comparison table breaks down top tools—from ApparelMagic and BlueCherry to PolyPM, Cin7, NetSuite, and beyond—to help businesses identify features, scalability, and industry fit. Readers will gain clarity on which software aligns with their operational needs for efficient stock tracking and growth.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | ApparelMagic Comprehensive ERP software tailored for apparel businesses to manage inventory, production, purchasing, and order fulfillment across sizes, colors, and styles. | specialized | 9.5/10 | 9.8/10 | 8.4/10 | 9.2/10 |
| 2 | BlueCherry Enterprise ERP platform designed for apparel, footwear, and sewn goods companies, offering advanced inventory control, PLM, and supply chain management. | enterprise | 1.2/10 | 0.5/10 | 5.0/10 | 1.0/10 |
| 3 | PolyPM Fashion-focused PLM and product information management system that tracks inventory, tech packs, and SKUs with variant support for apparel lines. | specialized | 8.1/10 | 8.5/10 | 7.4/10 | 7.9/10 |
| 4 | Cin7 Omnichannel inventory management software that syncs stock levels across e-commerce, POS, and warehouses, ideal for multi-variant apparel retail. | specialized | 8.4/10 | 9.2/10 | 7.6/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 5 | NetSuite Cloud ERP solution with robust inventory management features for fashion enterprises, including lot tracking, demand planning, and multi-location support. | enterprise | 8.2/10 | 9.1/10 | 6.4/10 | 7.5/10 |
| 6 | Fishbowl Advanced inventory control software for manufacturing and wholesale apparel, supporting barcode scanning, assemblies, and QuickBooks integration. | enterprise | 8.2/10 | 8.8/10 | 7.4/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 7 | Brightpearl Retail operations platform that unifies inventory, orders, and finance for multi-channel apparel brands with real-time stock visibility. | enterprise | 8.3/10 | 8.7/10 | 7.8/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 8 | Katana MRP Cloud-based manufacturing resource planning tool for small apparel makers to track live inventory, production planning, and material requirements. | specialized | 8.4/10 | 9.0/10 | 8.5/10 | 7.8/10 |
| 9 | MRPeasy MRP software for small manufacturers handling apparel production scheduling, inventory tracking, and procurement with variant support. | other | 7.8/10 | 8.2/10 | 7.4/10 | 7.9/10 |
| 10 | Lightspeed Retail POS and inventory management system for retail stores, supporting apparel variants, purchasing, and multi-store stock synchronization. | other | 8.2/10 | 8.7/10 | 7.9/10 | 7.6/10 |
Comprehensive ERP software tailored for apparel businesses to manage inventory, production, purchasing, and order fulfillment across sizes, colors, and styles.
Enterprise ERP platform designed for apparel, footwear, and sewn goods companies, offering advanced inventory control, PLM, and supply chain management.
Fashion-focused PLM and product information management system that tracks inventory, tech packs, and SKUs with variant support for apparel lines.
Omnichannel inventory management software that syncs stock levels across e-commerce, POS, and warehouses, ideal for multi-variant apparel retail.
Cloud ERP solution with robust inventory management features for fashion enterprises, including lot tracking, demand planning, and multi-location support.
Advanced inventory control software for manufacturing and wholesale apparel, supporting barcode scanning, assemblies, and QuickBooks integration.
Retail operations platform that unifies inventory, orders, and finance for multi-channel apparel brands with real-time stock visibility.
Cloud-based manufacturing resource planning tool for small apparel makers to track live inventory, production planning, and material requirements.
MRP software for small manufacturers handling apparel production scheduling, inventory tracking, and procurement with variant support.
POS and inventory management system for retail stores, supporting apparel variants, purchasing, and multi-store stock synchronization.
ApparelMagic
specializedComprehensive ERP software tailored for apparel businesses to manage inventory, production, purchasing, and order fulfillment across sizes, colors, and styles.
Advanced style management with infinite size/color matrices and integrated PLM for seamless product lifecycle tracking
ApparelMagic is a comprehensive cloud-based ERP platform tailored for apparel, footwear, and sewn goods businesses, offering advanced inventory management with style, color, and size matrices. It integrates purchasing, sales order processing, accounting, EDI, PLM, and warehouse management to streamline operations from design to fulfillment. The software excels in handling complex apparel-specific workflows like cost sheets, bill of materials, and multi-channel selling.
Pros
- Highly specialized apparel inventory tools with unlimited size/color matrices and costing capabilities
- Full ERP integration including EDI, PLM, and accounting in one platform
- Scalable for multi-location warehouses and robust reporting/analytics
Cons
- Steep learning curve due to extensive features requiring training
- Pricing is custom and can be costly for small businesses
- Interface feels dated compared to modern SaaS apps
Best For
Mid-sized to enterprise-level apparel manufacturers, distributors, and brands needing end-to-end inventory and supply chain management.
Pricing
Custom pricing based on users and modules; typically starts at $100-$200 per user/month with enterprise plans higher.
BlueCherry
enterpriseEnterprise ERP platform designed for apparel, footwear, and sewn goods companies, offering advanced inventory control, PLM, and supply chain management.
Advanced multi-camera support with motion detection for security monitoring
BlueCherry is an open-source video surveillance software primarily designed for managing IP cameras, live video feeds, recording, and remote monitoring in security applications. It supports features like motion detection, event notifications, and multi-site management but lacks any functionality related to inventory tracking, SKU management, or supply chain operations. As an apparel inventory management solution, it offers no relevant tools for handling sizes, colors, stock levels, or order fulfillment, making it entirely unsuitable for this purpose.
Pros
- Free and open-source core software
- Reliable for video surveillance tasks
- Supports a wide range of IP cameras
Cons
- No inventory tracking or SKU management capabilities
- Completely irrelevant for apparel-specific needs like size/color variants
- Requires technical setup unsuitable for retail inventory users
Best For
Security teams in retail stores needing camera surveillance alongside inventory systems, but not as a standalone apparel inventory solution.
Pricing
Free open-source software; optional paid support plans starting around $100/year and hardware bundles from $200+.
PolyPM
specializedFashion-focused PLM and product information management system that tracks inventory, tech packs, and SKUs with variant support for apparel lines.
PDN (Production Detail Network) for seamless, real-time sharing of patterns, tech packs, and inventory data across design-to-production teams
PolyPM is a web-based apparel software platform specializing in pattern design, grading, marker making, and production lifecycle management (PLM) tailored for the fashion industry. It includes inventory management capabilities for tracking raw materials like fabrics, trims, and findings, with real-time visibility into stock levels during production planning. While excelling in pre-production workflows, its inventory features support apparel-specific needs such as size/color variants and cost integration, making it suitable for manufacturers bridging design and production.
Pros
- Deep integration of pattern design with material inventory tracking
- Apparel-specific tools for grading, nesting, and production costing
- Cloud-based collaboration via PDN for teams
Cons
- Steep learning curve for advanced CAD/pattern features
- Limited support for retail/e-commerce inventory syncing
- Inventory module less robust for finished goods compared to pure ERP systems
Best For
Mid-sized apparel manufacturers and brands needing integrated production inventory management alongside pattern and PLM workflows.
Pricing
Subscription-based with custom pricing starting at around $200/user/month; scales with modules and users—contact for demo and quote.
Cin7
specializedOmnichannel inventory management software that syncs stock levels across e-commerce, POS, and warehouses, ideal for multi-variant apparel retail.
Matrix SKU builder supporting unlimited size/color/style variants with automated stock allocation across channels
Cin7 is a powerful inventory management platform tailored for omnichannel retailers, excelling in apparel by supporting matrix SKUs for sizes, colors, and styles to handle complex variant inventories. It provides real-time stock visibility across multiple locations and sales channels like Shopify, Amazon, and POS systems, with automated purchasing, fulfillment, and integrations to accounting tools such as Xero. Ideal for scaling apparel businesses, it streamlines operations from supplier orders to customer delivery while minimizing stockouts and overstock.
Pros
- Robust matrix inventory for apparel variants (sizes/colors)
- Seamless multi-channel integrations and real-time sync
- Advanced automation for purchasing and fulfillment
Cons
- Steep learning curve for complex setups
- Higher pricing may not suit small businesses
- Limited built-in reporting customization
Best For
Mid-sized apparel retailers managing multi-channel sales with high SKU complexity and needing supplier integration.
Pricing
Starts at $349/month (Cin7 Core, billed annually); Cin7 Omni is custom-priced based on order volume (typically $1,000+/month).
NetSuite
enterpriseCloud ERP solution with robust inventory management features for fashion enterprises, including lot tracking, demand planning, and multi-location support.
Advanced matrix item management for efficient handling of apparel SKUs across sizes, colors, and styles
NetSuite is a comprehensive cloud-based ERP platform from Oracle that offers robust inventory management capabilities tailored for apparel businesses through its retail and wholesale suites. It handles complex needs like matrix items for sizes/colors/styles, multi-location inventory tracking, demand planning, and supply chain automation. The system integrates inventory with finance, CRM, order management, and e-commerce for streamlined operations in growing apparel companies.
Pros
- Powerful matrix item support for apparel variations (sizes, colors, styles)
- Scalable multi-location inventory and warehouse management
- Deep integration with ERP, financials, and e-commerce
Cons
- Steep learning curve and complex customization
- High implementation costs and ongoing fees
- Overkill for small apparel businesses
Best For
Mid-sized to large apparel retailers and wholesalers requiring enterprise-grade ERP with advanced inventory controls.
Pricing
Custom enterprise pricing; typically starts at $999/month base + $99/user/month, often $20K+ annually with implementation fees.
Fishbowl
enterpriseAdvanced inventory control software for manufacturing and wholesale apparel, supporting barcode scanning, assemblies, and QuickBooks integration.
Matrix inventory capabilities that natively handle complex apparel SKUs with attributes like size, color, and style in a single item record
Fishbowl Inventory is a robust warehouse management and inventory control software that integrates deeply with QuickBooks, enabling real-time tracking of stock levels, orders, and manufacturing processes. Tailored for small to midsize businesses, it supports apparel inventory through matrix items for handling size, color, and style variations, barcode scanning, and multi-location management. It streamlines fulfillment, PO management, and reporting to optimize supply chain operations for apparel retailers and distributors.
Pros
- Seamless two-way QuickBooks integration for accurate inventory and financial syncing
- Matrix inventory support for apparel variants like sizes and colors
- Advanced multi-location tracking and barcode/mobile scanning for efficient warehouse ops
Cons
- Steep learning curve and complex initial setup
- Primarily desktop-based with limited mobile-first features
- Higher upfront costs compared to cloud-only SaaS alternatives
Best For
QuickBooks-using apparel wholesalers, manufacturers, or distributors needing advanced warehouse and multi-location inventory control.
Pricing
One-time perpetual license starting at $4,395 for Warehouse edition (up to 10 users), plus ~20% annual maintenance and optional add-ons like Manufacturing module.
Brightpearl
enterpriseRetail operations platform that unifies inventory, orders, and finance for multi-channel apparel brands with real-time stock visibility.
Unified retail operations platform combining inventory, orders, finance, and CRM in a single workspace
Brightpearl is a cloud-based retail ERP platform designed for multi-channel retailers, offering robust inventory management capabilities tailored for apparel businesses with complex product variants like sizes and colors. It provides real-time visibility and synchronization across online stores, physical locations, and wholesale channels, while integrating order fulfillment, financials, and CRM functionalities. The software excels in demand forecasting and automated replenishment to optimize stock levels for seasonal apparel trends.
Pros
- Seamless multi-channel inventory synchronization prevents overselling
- Advanced variant management handles apparel SKUs with sizes, colors, and styles
- Intelligent forecasting and replenishment tools optimize stock for seasonal demand
Cons
- Steep learning curve requires training for full utilization
- Pricing can be high for small apparel businesses
- Limited out-of-the-box customizations without developer support
Best For
Mid-sized apparel retailers managing multiple sales channels who need an integrated ERP for inventory and operations.
Pricing
Quote-based pricing starts around $500/month for entry-level plans, scaling with users, channels, and modules.
Katana MRP
specializedCloud-based manufacturing resource planning tool for small apparel makers to track live inventory, production planning, and material requirements.
Dynamic MRP engine that automatically generates production orders, purchase orders, and stock alerts based on real-time sales and inventory data
Katana MRP is a cloud-based manufacturing resource planning software tailored for small to medium manufacturers, including apparel businesses, providing real-time inventory tracking, production scheduling, and order management. It supports complex bills of materials (BOMs) with variants for sizes, colors, and styles, enabling accurate stock control from raw fabrics to finished garments. The platform automates purchasing, integrates with e-commerce and accounting tools, and offers multi-location visibility to streamline apparel production workflows.
Pros
- Real-time inventory tracking with variant support for apparel SKUs
- Automated MRP for production and purchasing based on demand
- Seamless integrations with Shopify, QuickBooks, and other e-commerce/accounting tools
Cons
- Higher pricing tiers can be costly for very small operations
- Limited advanced PLM features compared to apparel-specific tools
- Initial setup requires detailed BOM configuration
Best For
Small to medium apparel manufacturers handling make-to-order production who need integrated inventory and MRP without enterprise-level complexity.
Pricing
Starts at $99/month (Essentials, up to 100 orders/mo), $299/month (Professional, up to 500 orders), custom Enterprise plans.
MRPeasy
otherMRP software for small manufacturers handling apparel production scheduling, inventory tracking, and procurement with variant support.
Dynamic 3-week production planning that automatically reschedules based on real-time inventory and demand changes
MRPeasy is a cloud-based MRP/ERP software tailored for small to medium-sized manufacturers, providing robust tools for production planning, inventory management, purchasing, and sales order processing. For apparel inventory management, it effectively handles raw material tracking (fabrics, trims), bill of materials for garment assembly, multi-location inventory, and lot/batch tracing to ensure quality control. While not exclusively apparel-focused, its real-time demand forecasting and production scheduling help manage seasonal fluctuations and custom orders efficiently.
Pros
- Strong MRP capabilities for accurate material planning and production scheduling
- Real-time inventory visibility with lot tracing ideal for apparel quality control
- Scalable cloud platform with good integrations for e-commerce and accounting
Cons
- Lacks specialized apparel tools like size/color variant matrices or PLM features
- Steep learning curve for users new to ERP systems
- Per-user pricing model can become expensive for larger teams
Best For
Small to medium apparel manufacturers prioritizing production efficiency and inventory accuracy over retail-specific or design tools.
Pricing
Starts at €49/user/month (Standard plan, billed annually); higher tiers like Gold (€99/user/month) add advanced features; custom Enterprise pricing available.
Lightspeed Retail
otherPOS and inventory management system for retail stores, supporting apparel variants, purchasing, and multi-store stock synchronization.
Inventory matrix for complex apparel variants with unlimited SKUs per product
Lightspeed Retail is a cloud-based POS and inventory management platform tailored for retail businesses, with strong capabilities for apparel stores through variant tracking for sizes, colors, and styles. It enables real-time inventory synchronization across multiple locations, purchase order automation, and omnichannel selling by integrating with e-commerce platforms like Shopify. The software provides detailed analytics, stock alerts, and supplier management to optimize apparel inventory workflows.
Pros
- Robust variant matrix for apparel sizes/colors/styles
- Real-time multi-location inventory syncing and omnichannel support
- Advanced reporting and automated reordering tools
Cons
- Higher pricing may strain small boutiques
- Steeper learning curve for advanced features
- Some integrations require additional fees
Best For
Multi-location apparel retailers needing integrated POS, inventory, and e-commerce management.
Pricing
Starts at $89/month (Lean plan) up to $269/month (Enterprise), plus 0.2-0.5% transaction fees and hardware costs.
Conclusion
The top tools offer tailored solutions for apparel inventory needs, with ApparelMagic leading as the most comprehensive option, integrating inventory, production, purchasing, and fulfillment across diverse styles. BlueCherry impresses as a strong enterprise choice for advanced supply chain and PLM, while PolyPM shines for its focus on variant tracking and tech pack management, making it ideal for specific fashion workflows.
Don't miss out on optimizing your operations—start with ApparelMagic to unlock streamlined inventory management and support for every aspect of your apparel business.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison
