Quick Overview
- 1#1: ApparelMagic - Comprehensive ERP software tailored for apparel businesses, managing inventory with style, color, and size matrices.
- 2#2: PolyPM - Product lifecycle management platform for fashion and sewn goods, handling detailed clothing inventory and specifications.
- 3#3: BlueCherry - Enterprise ERP solution for apparel and fashion, providing advanced inventory control across production and distribution.
- 4#4: Lightspeed Retail - Cloud-based POS and inventory system optimized for clothing retail stores with multi-location and variant tracking.
- 5#5: Cin7 - Multi-channel inventory management software connecting e-commerce, POS, and suppliers for fashion retailers.
- 6#6: Zoho Inventory - Cloud inventory tool supporting clothing variants, serial numbers, and integrations for small to medium retailers.
- 7#7: inFlow Inventory - Intuitive inventory software for clothing businesses, managing stock levels, orders, and bundles efficiently.
- 8#8: Fishbowl Inventory - Warehouse and inventory management system with QuickBooks integration for apparel distribution.
- 9#9: Katana MRP - Manufacturing resource planning software tracking raw materials and finished clothing inventory in real-time.
- 10#10: SkuVault - Omnichannel inventory and fulfillment platform designed for e-commerce clothing brands with variant support.
Tools were ranked by evaluating key factors like variant management capabilities (style, color, size), integration flexibility, user experience, and overall value, ensuring they align with the unique challenges of fashion and apparel operations.
Comparison Table
Clothing businesses rely on efficient inventory software to track stock, streamline operations, and meet customer demand. This comparison table explores tools like ApparelMagic, PolyPM, BlueCherry, Lightspeed Retail, Cin7, and more, equipping readers to choose the solution that aligns with their specific needs.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | ApparelMagic Comprehensive ERP software tailored for apparel businesses, managing inventory with style, color, and size matrices. | specialized | 9.4/10 | 9.8/10 | 8.3/10 | 9.1/10 |
| 2 | PolyPM Product lifecycle management platform for fashion and sewn goods, handling detailed clothing inventory and specifications. | specialized | 9.0/10 | 9.5/10 | 7.5/10 | 8.5/10 |
| 3 | BlueCherry Enterprise ERP solution for apparel and fashion, providing advanced inventory control across production and distribution. | enterprise | 8.5/10 | 9.2/10 | 7.4/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 4 | Lightspeed Retail Cloud-based POS and inventory system optimized for clothing retail stores with multi-location and variant tracking. | enterprise | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.3/10 | 7.8/10 |
| 5 | Cin7 Multi-channel inventory management software connecting e-commerce, POS, and suppliers for fashion retailers. | enterprise | 8.2/10 | 9.1/10 | 7.4/10 | 7.7/10 |
| 6 | Zoho Inventory Cloud inventory tool supporting clothing variants, serial numbers, and integrations for small to medium retailers. | other | 8.3/10 | 8.5/10 | 8.7/10 | 9.0/10 |
| 7 | inFlow Inventory Intuitive inventory software for clothing businesses, managing stock levels, orders, and bundles efficiently. | other | 7.8/10 | 7.5/10 | 8.5/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 8 | Fishbowl Inventory Warehouse and inventory management system with QuickBooks integration for apparel distribution. | enterprise | 7.6/10 | 8.2/10 | 6.8/10 | 7.0/10 |
| 9 | Katana MRP Manufacturing resource planning software tracking raw materials and finished clothing inventory in real-time. | specialized | 8.2/10 | 8.5/10 | 8.7/10 | 7.9/10 |
| 10 | SkuVault Omnichannel inventory and fulfillment platform designed for e-commerce clothing brands with variant support. | enterprise | 8.2/10 | 8.8/10 | 7.5/10 | 7.9/10 |
Comprehensive ERP software tailored for apparel businesses, managing inventory with style, color, and size matrices.
Product lifecycle management platform for fashion and sewn goods, handling detailed clothing inventory and specifications.
Enterprise ERP solution for apparel and fashion, providing advanced inventory control across production and distribution.
Cloud-based POS and inventory system optimized for clothing retail stores with multi-location and variant tracking.
Multi-channel inventory management software connecting e-commerce, POS, and suppliers for fashion retailers.
Cloud inventory tool supporting clothing variants, serial numbers, and integrations for small to medium retailers.
Intuitive inventory software for clothing businesses, managing stock levels, orders, and bundles efficiently.
Warehouse and inventory management system with QuickBooks integration for apparel distribution.
Manufacturing resource planning software tracking raw materials and finished clothing inventory in real-time.
Omnichannel inventory and fulfillment platform designed for e-commerce clothing brands with variant support.
ApparelMagic
specializedComprehensive ERP software tailored for apparel businesses, managing inventory with style, color, and size matrices.
Sophisticated style matrix management supporting unlimited color/size variations with dynamic BOMs and costing.
ApparelMagic is a robust ERP platform designed specifically for the apparel, fashion, and soft goods industries, excelling in clothing inventory management with features like style-color-size matrix tracking, multi-warehouse support, and real-time stock visibility. It integrates inventory control with purchasing, production planning, sales orders, EDI, and accounting for end-to-end operations. This solution streamlines complex supply chains, reducing stockouts and overstock while supporting scalability for growing businesses.
Pros
- Advanced matrix inventory for styles, colors, sizes, and SKUs with lot/serial tracking
- Seamless integrations with e-commerce platforms, EDI, and QuickBooks
- Multi-location warehouse management with real-time visibility and automated replenishment
- Comprehensive reporting and analytics tailored to apparel workflows
Cons
- Steep learning curve due to extensive features requiring training
- Pricing can be high for small businesses or startups
- Implementation may take time for full customization
Best For
Mid-to-large apparel manufacturers, distributors, and retailers handling complex, multi-variant inventory and supply chains.
Pricing
Quote-based pricing; cloud subscriptions typically start at $150-$300 per user/month depending on modules, with on-premise options available.
PolyPM
specializedProduct lifecycle management platform for fashion and sewn goods, handling detailed clothing inventory and specifications.
Advanced size, color, and style matrix for precise, visual clothing inventory management across the product lifecycle
PolyPM is a specialized Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) and ERP software tailored for the apparel and sewn goods industry, offering robust clothing inventory management alongside design, production, and supply chain tools. It tracks inventory across complex SKUs with size, color, and style variants, providing real-time visibility into stock levels, raw materials, and finished goods. The platform streamlines operations from tech packs to purchase orders, making it ideal for fashion brands handling multifaceted inventory needs.
Pros
- Deeply specialized for apparel with size/color matrices and lot tracking
- Integrated PLM, inventory, and production workflows
- Strong analytics and reporting for inventory forecasting
Cons
- Steep learning curve due to comprehensive feature set
- Custom pricing can be expensive for small businesses
- Fewer out-of-the-box integrations with non-fashion tools
Best For
Mid-to-large apparel brands requiring an end-to-end PLM and inventory solution for complex, variant-heavy clothing stock.
Pricing
Quote-based enterprise pricing, typically starting at $150-$300 per user/month depending on modules and scale.
BlueCherry
enterpriseEnterprise ERP solution for apparel and fashion, providing advanced inventory control across production and distribution.
Advanced style-color-size matrix inventory system optimized for fashion merchandising
BlueCherry is a comprehensive ERP solution tailored for the apparel and fashion industry, offering robust inventory management capabilities including real-time tracking, multi-location support, and matrix-based handling for sizes, colors, and styles. It integrates inventory with merchandising, production planning, PLM, and financials to streamline clothing supply chains. Designed for mid-to-enterprise-level clothing businesses, it provides scalability and industry-specific features beyond basic inventory tools.
Pros
- Highly specialized inventory matrix for apparel styles, sizes, and colors
- Seamless integration with PLM, production, and accounting modules
- Real-time visibility and scalability for multi-location operations
Cons
- Steep learning curve and complex setup requiring professional implementation
- Enterprise-level pricing not suitable for small businesses
- Limited customization without developer support
Best For
Mid-sized to large apparel brands seeking an all-in-one ERP with advanced inventory management for complex clothing assortments.
Pricing
Custom quote-based pricing; typically starts at $5,000/month for mid-tier deployments with implementation fees.
Lightspeed Retail
enterpriseCloud-based POS and inventory system optimized for clothing retail stores with multi-location and variant tracking.
Matrix inventory grids that visually manage complex clothing SKUs by size, color, and style in one interface
Lightspeed Retail is a comprehensive cloud-based POS and inventory management platform tailored for retail businesses like clothing stores, offering real-time tracking of stock levels, sizes, colors, and variants across multiple locations. It streamlines purchase orders, receiving, and transfers while integrating seamlessly with e-commerce platforms for omnichannel selling. Advanced reporting and analytics help retailers forecast demand and minimize stockouts or overstock situations specific to apparel inventory needs.
Pros
- Robust matrix inventory for clothing variants like sizes and colors
- Real-time sync across POS, online store, and multi-locations
- Powerful analytics and purchase order automation
Cons
- Higher pricing tiers can be costly for small boutiques
- Steep initial learning curve for advanced features
- Some integrations and add-ons incur extra fees
Best For
Mid-sized clothing retailers with physical stores and online sales needing integrated POS and advanced inventory control.
Pricing
Starts at $89/month for Essentials (1 register), up to $249/month for Advanced tier; custom quotes for enterprise, plus transaction fees and hardware costs.
Cin7
enterpriseMulti-channel inventory management software connecting e-commerce, POS, and suppliers for fashion retailers.
Product Matrix for handling unlimited clothing variants with dynamic pricing and bundling
Cin7 is a powerful inventory management platform tailored for retailers and wholesalers, specializing in multi-channel order and stock control for clothing businesses. It handles complex product variants such as sizes, colors, and styles through its matrix system, ensuring accurate real-time inventory visibility across e-commerce, POS, and marketplaces. With deep integrations to platforms like Shopify, Amazon, and QuickBooks, it automates fulfillment, purchasing, and reporting to scale fashion operations efficiently.
Pros
- Robust variant management for sizes, colors, and styles
- Real-time multi-channel inventory syncing prevents overselling
- Extensive integrations with e-commerce and accounting tools
Cons
- Steep learning curve for setup and customization
- Pricing can be high for small clothing businesses
- Limited built-in reporting customization without add-ons
Best For
Mid-sized clothing retailers and wholesalers managing high-volume SKUs across multiple online and physical channels.
Pricing
Cin7 Core starts at $349/month (billed annually); Cin7 Omni is custom-priced from $999/month based on order volume.
Zoho Inventory
otherCloud inventory tool supporting clothing variants, serial numbers, and integrations for small to medium retailers.
Multi-channel inventory synchronization that keeps clothing stock levels updated in real-time across Shopify, Amazon, and other platforms
Zoho Inventory is a cloud-based inventory management platform designed for small to medium businesses, offering tools for tracking stock, managing orders, and handling fulfillment across multiple channels. It excels in supporting product variants like sizes, colors, and styles essential for clothing inventory, with features including barcode scanning, batch tracking, and multi-warehouse management. Seamless integrations with Zoho's ecosystem (CRM, Books) and e-commerce platforms like Shopify and Amazon make it a versatile choice for clothing retailers.
Pros
- Strong support for product variants (sizes/colors/styles) ideal for clothing SKUs
- Seamless integrations with e-commerce platforms and Zoho apps
- Affordable scaling with a free tier and mobile app access
Cons
- Lacks deep clothing-specific tools like advanced sizing matrices or garment costing
- Reporting and analytics not as robust as dedicated fashion software
- Customer support can be slower for non-enterprise users
Best For
Small to medium clothing retailers needing affordable, scalable inventory synced across online stores and warehouses.
Pricing
Free for up to 20 online store orders/month; paid plans start at $29/user/month (Standard) up to $199/user/month (Elite), billed annually.
inFlow Inventory
otherIntuitive inventory software for clothing businesses, managing stock levels, orders, and bundles efficiently.
inFlow On-the-Go mobile app for real-time barcode scanning, stocktaking, and receiving on iOS/Android devices
inFlow Inventory is a user-friendly inventory management software tailored for small to medium-sized businesses, including clothing retailers, offering real-time stock tracking, purchase/sales orders, and barcode scanning. It supports clothing inventory through customizable SKUs for sizes, colors, and styles, with multi-location management and e-commerce integrations like Shopify. The platform emphasizes mobile accessibility via its inFlow On-the-Go app, making it suitable for on-the-floor inventory tasks in retail environments.
Pros
- Intuitive interface with quick setup for SMBs
- Powerful mobile app for barcode scanning and stock checks
- Seamless integrations with QuickBooks, Shopify, and WooCommerce
Cons
- Lacks advanced clothing-specific tools like size/color matrices or garment cutting optimization
- Reporting features are solid but not deeply customizable for fashion analytics
- Pricing tiers can become expensive for high-volume operations
Best For
Small to medium clothing retailers or boutiques needing straightforward, mobile-friendly inventory tracking without specialized apparel ERP complexity.
Pricing
Starts at $89/month (Starter: 100 orders/mo), $159/month (Professional: 500 orders), up to $489/month (Premium: unlimited orders); 14-day free trial.
Fishbowl Inventory
enterpriseWarehouse and inventory management system with QuickBooks integration for apparel distribution.
Matrix inventory management for effortlessly tracking clothing variants like sizes and colors as configurable SKUs
Fishbowl Inventory is a robust warehouse management and inventory control software that integrates deeply with QuickBooks, enabling clothing businesses to track SKUs across sizes, colors, and styles via matrix items. It excels in multi-location inventory, barcode scanning, cycle counting, and light manufacturing processes, making it suitable for wholesalers handling apparel variants. While versatile for general inventory needs, it requires configuration for clothing-specific workflows like seasonal adjustments.
Pros
- Seamless QuickBooks integration for real-time financial syncing
- Matrix item tracking ideal for clothing sizes, colors, and styles
- Advanced multi-warehouse and lot/serial number controls
Cons
- Steep learning curve with complex setup for apparel variants
- High upfront perpetual license cost
- Limited built-in retail POS or e-commerce features for clothing stores
Best For
Mid-sized clothing wholesalers and manufacturers needing detailed inventory control tied to QuickBooks accounting.
Pricing
Perpetual license starting at $4,395 for standard edition, plus ~20% annual maintenance fees; cloud options available.
Katana MRP
specializedManufacturing resource planning software tracking raw materials and finished clothing inventory in real-time.
Real-time MRP engine that automatically recalculates production needs based on live sales, stock levels, and supplier data
Katana MRP is a cloud-based manufacturing resource planning software tailored for small to medium-sized clothing businesses, offering real-time inventory tracking, production scheduling, and order management. It excels in handling multi-variant SKUs for sizes, colors, and styles, while automating purchase orders and bill of materials for apparel production. The platform integrates with e-commerce tools like Shopify and accounting software like QuickBooks, providing end-to-end visibility from raw materials to finished garments.
Pros
- Real-time multi-location inventory tracking with variant support for clothing SKUs
- Automated production planning and BOM management tailored for manufacturing
- Seamless integrations with Shopify, WooCommerce, and accounting platforms
Cons
- Pricing scales quickly with order volume, which can be costly for high-volume brands
- Less specialized for pure retail forecasting or fashion trend analytics
- Limited native support for advanced serial tracking in complex apparel batches
Best For
Clothing manufacturers and brands with in-house production needing integrated inventory and MRP for scaling operations.
Pricing
Starts at $99/month (Essentials, up to 100 orders), $299/month (Professional, up to 500 orders), with Enterprise custom pricing based on volume.
SkuVault
enterpriseOmnichannel inventory and fulfillment platform designed for e-commerce clothing brands with variant support.
Smart Order Routing that automatically directs orders to the optimal warehouse based on real-time inventory and proximity
SkuVault is a comprehensive inventory management platform designed for e-commerce businesses, particularly those in clothing retail handling SKUs with variants like sizes and colors. It offers real-time inventory syncing across multiple sales channels such as Shopify, Amazon, and Walmart, along with warehouse management, order fulfillment automation, and picking/packing tools. This solution excels in preventing stockouts and overselling for multi-location operations, making it suitable for scaling apparel brands.
Pros
- Seamless multi-channel inventory synchronization prevents overselling across platforms
- Advanced warehouse tools including multi-location support and smart order routing
- Robust variant management ideal for clothing SKUs with sizes, colors, and styles
Cons
- Steep learning curve and complex initial setup for smaller teams
- Pricing scales quickly with order volume, less ideal for low-volume sellers
- Reporting features lack deep customization compared to competitors
Best For
Mid-sized clothing e-commerce brands with multiple sales channels and warehouses seeking automated fulfillment.
Pricing
Core plan starts at $449/month (up to 1,000 orders), plus $0.50-$1.50 per additional order; Enterprise custom pricing.
Conclusion
Evaluating 10 top clothing inventory tools reveals ApparelMagic as the top choice, with comprehensive ERP capabilities tailored to apparel businesses through style, color, and size matrix management. PolyPM follows closely, excelling in product lifecycle management for detailed fashion inventory specifics, while BlueCherry stands out for advanced control across production and distribution. Each of the top three offers distinct strengths, with ApparelMagic leading as the best overall solution for apparel needs.
Take the first step in optimizing your inventory by exploring ApparelMagic—its tailored features make it a standout tool for apparel businesses of all sizes.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison
