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Manufacturing Engineering

Top 10 Best Contract Manufacturing Software of 2026

Discover top contract manufacturing software solutions to streamline operations. Compare features and find the best fit today.

Min-ji Park

Min-ji Park

Feb 11, 2026

10 tools comparedExpert reviewed
Independent evaluation · Unbiased commentary · Updated regularly
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For contract manufacturers, robust software is essential for streamlining production, maintaining quality, and aligning operations with global supply chain demands. With a broad spectrum of tools—from cloud-based ERP platforms to real-time MES solutions—choosing the right system can drive efficiency and competitive advantage, as showcased in the top 10 options below.

Quick Overview

  1. 1#1: Plex - Cloud-native MES and ERP platform providing real-time visibility, quality management, and supply chain control for contract manufacturers.
  2. 2#2: Epicor Kinetic - Comprehensive ERP solution with advanced manufacturing, CRM, and financials tailored for discrete and contract manufacturing operations.
  3. 3#3: MRPeasy - Cloud-based MRP software for small to mid-sized contract manufacturers handling production planning, inventory, and shop floor control.
  4. 4#4: Global Shop Solutions - ERP system designed for job shops and contract manufacturers with quoting, scheduling, and quality management features.
  5. 5#5: E2 Shop System - Shop floor management software for contract manufacturers focusing on quoting, scheduling, inventory, and real-time tracking.
  6. 6#6: JobBOSS² - Shop management software for make-to-order and contract manufacturing with CRM, estimating, and production control.
  7. 7#7: Katana MRP - Inventory and production planning tool for small contract manufacturers enabling live inventory tracking and multi-location support.
  8. 8#8: Prodsmart - Real-time shop floor control and MES software for contract manufacturers to monitor production, reduce waste, and improve efficiency.
  9. 9#9: Fishbowl - Inventory management and manufacturing software integrating with QuickBooks for order fulfillment and production tracking in contract scenarios.
  10. 10#10: DELMIAworks - Integrated ERP and MES for plastic and contract manufacturers offering process management, quality control, and supply chain tools.

These tools were selected based on comprehensive evaluation of key features (including MES, inventory management, and quality control), user experience, reliability, and value, ensuring they suit the diverse needs of contract manufacturing operations.

Comparison Table

Navigating contract manufacturing software can be complex, but this comparison table simplifies the process by evaluating tools like Plex, Epicor Kinetic, MRPeasy, Global Shop Solutions, E2 Shop System, and more. It breaks down key features to help readers determine which platform aligns best with their specific operational requirements.

1Plex logo9.7/10

Cloud-native MES and ERP platform providing real-time visibility, quality management, and supply chain control for contract manufacturers.

Features
9.8/10
Ease
9.4/10
Value
9.6/10

Comprehensive ERP solution with advanced manufacturing, CRM, and financials tailored for discrete and contract manufacturing operations.

Features
9.4/10
Ease
8.2/10
Value
8.7/10
3MRPeasy logo8.7/10

Cloud-based MRP software for small to mid-sized contract manufacturers handling production planning, inventory, and shop floor control.

Features
9.0/10
Ease
8.5/10
Value
9.2/10

ERP system designed for job shops and contract manufacturers with quoting, scheduling, and quality management features.

Features
8.7/10
Ease
7.2/10
Value
7.9/10

Shop floor management software for contract manufacturers focusing on quoting, scheduling, inventory, and real-time tracking.

Features
8.7/10
Ease
7.6/10
Value
8.4/10
6JobBOSS² logo7.8/10

Shop management software for make-to-order and contract manufacturing with CRM, estimating, and production control.

Features
8.4/10
Ease
6.7/10
Value
7.5/10
7Katana MRP logo8.3/10

Inventory and production planning tool for small contract manufacturers enabling live inventory tracking and multi-location support.

Features
8.5/10
Ease
9.2/10
Value
8.1/10
8Prodsmart logo8.2/10

Real-time shop floor control and MES software for contract manufacturers to monitor production, reduce waste, and improve efficiency.

Features
8.5/10
Ease
8.7/10
Value
8.0/10
9Fishbowl logo7.8/10

Inventory management and manufacturing software integrating with QuickBooks for order fulfillment and production tracking in contract scenarios.

Features
8.2/10
Ease
7.2/10
Value
8.0/10
10DELMIAworks logo7.9/10

Integrated ERP and MES for plastic and contract manufacturers offering process management, quality control, and supply chain tools.

Features
8.4/10
Ease
7.1/10
Value
7.5/10
1
Plex logo

Plex

enterprise

Cloud-native MES and ERP platform providing real-time visibility, quality management, and supply chain control for contract manufacturers.

Overall Rating9.7/10
Features
9.8/10
Ease of Use
9.4/10
Value
9.6/10
Standout Feature

Plex Smart Manufacturing Platform's real-time infinite scalability and embedded IIoT analytics for predictive maintenance and zero-downtime operations

Plex is a comprehensive cloud-native smart manufacturing platform designed specifically for contract manufacturers, integrating ERP, MES, QMS, SCM, and asset performance management into a single system. It provides real-time visibility across the entire supply chain, from quoting and planning to production execution and quality control, enabling seamless collaboration with customers and suppliers. With embedded analytics and IIoT connectivity, Plex automates processes, reduces waste, and drives continuous improvement in high-mix, high-volume environments.

Pros

  • End-to-end integration eliminates silos for unparalleled operational visibility
  • Real-time data and AI-driven insights enable proactive decision-making
  • Infinite scalability with no hardware costs, ideal for growing contract manufacturers

Cons

  • Initial implementation can require significant configuration time
  • Pricing is quote-based and may be steep for very small operations
  • Advanced customization needs partner involvement

Best For

Mid-sized to large contract manufacturers handling complex, customer-driven production with multiple suppliers and needing real-time traceability.

Pricing

Custom quote-based pricing starting around $150/user/month, scaled by modules, users, and production volume; includes all updates and support.

Visit Plexplex.com
2
Epicor Kinetic logo

Epicor Kinetic

enterprise

Comprehensive ERP solution with advanced manufacturing, CRM, and financials tailored for discrete and contract manufacturing operations.

Overall Rating9.1/10
Features
9.4/10
Ease of Use
8.2/10
Value
8.7/10
Standout Feature

Contract Manufacturing Workbench for streamlined quoting, order fulfillment, and real-time visibility into customer-specific BOMs and inventory

Epicor Kinetic is a cloud-native ERP platform designed for manufacturing enterprises, offering robust support for contract manufacturing through advanced production planning, multi-level BOM management, and customer-specific inventory tracking. It integrates shop floor execution, quality management, and supply chain visibility to handle complex outsourced production workflows efficiently. With AI-driven insights and real-time analytics, it enables contract manufacturers to meet stringent customer demands and scale operations seamlessly.

Pros

  • Deep manufacturing-specific modules including MES integration and advanced scheduling for contract production
  • Scalable cloud deployment with strong multi-site and multi-customer support
  • Excellent traceability, quality control, and compliance tools for regulated industries

Cons

  • Steep learning curve due to extensive customization options
  • Higher implementation costs and time for full deployment
  • Interface can feel overwhelming for smaller teams without training

Best For

Mid-to-large contract manufacturers handling complex, customer-specific production with needs for end-to-end ERP integration.

Pricing

Quote-based subscription pricing, typically starting at $150/user/month with annual contracts from $100,000+ depending on modules and users.

3
MRPeasy logo

MRPeasy

specialized

Cloud-based MRP software for small to mid-sized contract manufacturers handling production planning, inventory, and shop floor control.

Overall Rating8.7/10
Features
9.0/10
Ease of Use
8.5/10
Value
9.2/10
Standout Feature

Dynamic Gantt chart scheduling that auto-reschedules production based on real-time capacity, material availability, and priorities

MRPeasy is a cloud-based MRP/ERP software tailored for small to medium-sized discrete manufacturers, including contract shops, providing end-to-end tools for production planning, inventory management, quoting, and order fulfillment. It excels in handling make-to-order and engineer-to-order workflows common in contract manufacturing, with features for job costing, capacity scheduling, and multi-level BOMs. The platform integrates CRM, purchasing, shop floor execution, and basic financials into a single intuitive dashboard, making it suitable for managing customer-specific production runs efficiently.

Pros

  • Unlimited users included in pricing
  • Powerful visual production scheduling with automatic capacity balancing
  • Strong inventory and multi-level BOM management for complex contract jobs

Cons

  • Limited native support for advanced quality management or traveler documents
  • Integrations with external systems can require custom work
  • Reporting is functional but lacks deep customization for large-scale analytics

Best For

Small to mid-sized contract manufacturers focused on discrete production needing affordable, integrated MRP without per-user fees.

Pricing

Starts at €49/month (Essentials plan, unlimited users), with tiers scaling by annual revenue up to custom Enterprise pricing; 30-day free trial available.

Visit MRPeasymrpeasy.com
4
Global Shop Solutions logo

Global Shop Solutions

enterprise

ERP system designed for job shops and contract manufacturers with quoting, scheduling, and quality management features.

Overall Rating8.1/10
Features
8.7/10
Ease of Use
7.2/10
Value
7.9/10
Standout Feature

Shop Activity Live: Real-time dashboard visualizing shop floor status, bottlenecks, and machine utilization.

Global Shop Solutions is a robust ERP software designed specifically for job shops and contract manufacturers, integrating quoting, scheduling, inventory management, shop floor control, quality assurance, and accounting into a single platform. It excels in handling complex make-to-order environments with real-time data collection and visibility into production processes. The system supports multi-location operations and provides tools for CRM, purchasing, and financial reporting to streamline contract manufacturing workflows.

Pros

  • Comprehensive ERP tailored for job shops with strong quoting and scheduling
  • Real-time shop floor monitoring and data collection
  • Integrated quality management and traceability features

Cons

  • Steep learning curve and complex initial setup
  • Higher pricing may not suit very small shops
  • Limited out-of-box customization without services

Best For

Mid-sized contract manufacturers needing an all-in-one ERP for complex job shop operations and real-time production visibility.

Pricing

Quote-based; typically $1,000+ per user/month with implementation fees starting at $40,000+ depending on modules and scale.

Visit Global Shop Solutionsglobalshopsolutions.com
5
E2 Shop System logo

E2 Shop System

specialized

Shop floor management software for contract manufacturers focusing on quoting, scheduling, inventory, and real-time tracking.

Overall Rating8.2/10
Features
8.7/10
Ease of Use
7.6/10
Value
8.4/10
Standout Feature

Graphical Interactive Scheduling (GIS) for visual, drag-and-drop production planning and bottleneck identification

E2 Shop System is an ERP software designed specifically for job shops and contract manufacturers, offering end-to-end management from quoting and order entry to scheduling, inventory control, quality assurance, and accounting. It provides real-time shop floor visibility through wireless time clocks and graphical scheduling tools, enabling precise job tracking and cost monitoring. Tailored for small to mid-sized operations, it streamlines contract manufacturing workflows while integrating CRM and financial modules for complete visibility from quote to cash.

Pros

  • Comprehensive job costing and tracking tailored for contract manufacturing
  • Real-time shop floor data capture via wireless clocks
  • Integrated quoting, scheduling, and accounting modules

Cons

  • Primarily on-premise deployment with limited cloud flexibility
  • Steep learning curve for non-technical users
  • Scalability challenges for very large enterprises

Best For

Small to medium-sized contract manufacturers and job shops needing robust shop floor control and real-time production insights.

Pricing

Quote-based; perpetual licenses start at ~$15,000-$50,000 based on modules/users, plus ~20% annual maintenance.

6
JobBOSS² logo

JobBOSS²

enterprise

Shop management software for make-to-order and contract manufacturing with CRM, estimating, and production control.

Overall Rating7.8/10
Features
8.4/10
Ease of Use
6.7/10
Value
7.5/10
Standout Feature

Advanced job traveler system with barcode-enabled shop floor data collection for precise real-time production tracking and costing.

JobBOSS² by ECI Software Solutions is a comprehensive ERP system tailored for job shops and contract manufacturers, streamlining operations from quoting and order entry to production scheduling, inventory management, and accounting. It excels in handling complex make-to-order processes with features like job costing, shop floor control, and quality management. The software supports real-time data capture and integrates CRM and financial modules for end-to-end visibility in contract manufacturing environments.

Pros

  • Robust job costing and multi-level BOM/routing support ideal for custom manufacturing
  • Integrated accounting and shop floor execution with real-time tracking
  • Highly customizable workflows for diverse contract manufacturing needs

Cons

  • Dated user interface with a steep learning curve for new users
  • Limited mobile accessibility compared to modern cloud-native competitors
  • Pricing can escalate quickly with add-on modules and user counts

Best For

Small to mid-sized job shops and contract manufacturers seeking an all-in-one ERP for complex quoting, production, and financial management.

Pricing

Quote-based pricing starting around $150-$250 per user/month, depending on modules, users, and deployment (cloud or on-premise).

Visit JobBOSS²ecisolutions.com
7
Katana MRP logo

Katana MRP

specialized

Inventory and production planning tool for small contract manufacturers enabling live inventory tracking and multi-location support.

Overall Rating8.3/10
Features
8.5/10
Ease of Use
9.2/10
Value
8.1/10
Standout Feature

Dynamic MRP engine that auto-generates precise work orders and purchase needs from live sales and inventory data

Katana MRP is a cloud-based manufacturing resource planning software tailored for small to medium-sized manufacturers, including contract shops, offering real-time inventory tracking, production scheduling, and order management. It automates material requirements planning (MRP), generates work orders and purchase orders from sales demands, and supports multi-location operations with traceability for customer-specific jobs. Ideal for contract manufacturers handling custom BOMs and short-run production, it integrates seamlessly with e-commerce, CRM, and accounting tools to streamline workflows from quote to delivery.

Pros

  • Intuitive drag-and-drop scheduling board for quick production planning
  • Real-time multi-warehouse inventory with serial/lot traceability
  • Robust integrations with QuickBooks, Shopify, and Xero

Cons

  • Limited advanced job costing and quoting tools for complex contracts
  • Reporting dashboard lacks customization depth
  • Enterprise features require higher pricing tiers

Best For

Small to mid-sized contract manufacturers with 5-50 employees seeking user-friendly MRP for inventory-driven production without deep customization needs.

Pricing

Starts at $99/month (Essentials, 1 location), $299/month (Professional), up to $799+/month (Enterprise); annual billing discounts available, per manufacturing site.

Visit Katana MRPkatanamrp.com
8
Prodsmart logo

Prodsmart

specialized

Real-time shop floor control and MES software for contract manufacturers to monitor production, reduce waste, and improve efficiency.

Overall Rating8.2/10
Features
8.5/10
Ease of Use
8.7/10
Value
8.0/10
Standout Feature

Paperless digital job packets delivered via mobile app for instant shop floor execution and traceability

Prodsmart is a cloud-based Manufacturing Execution System (MES) designed for real-time shop floor management in contract manufacturing environments. It enables tracking of production progress, material usage, quality checks, and scheduling across multiple customer jobs with mobile apps for operators. The platform integrates with ERPs like QuickBooks and SAP, providing visibility and analytics to optimize make-to-order operations.

Pros

  • Real-time production tracking and OEE monitoring
  • Intuitive mobile-first interface for shop floor workers
  • Seamless ERP integrations for contract manufacturing workflows

Cons

  • Limited native advanced planning and forecasting tools
  • Customization requires professional services for complex setups
  • Pricing scales quickly for larger operations

Best For

Small to medium-sized contract manufacturers and job shops needing affordable real-time shop floor visibility and control.

Pricing

Subscription-based starting at around $250/month for basic plans, with tiers scaling by users, devices, and features (custom quotes for enterprise).

Visit Prodsmartprodsmart.com
9
Fishbowl logo

Fishbowl

specialized

Inventory management and manufacturing software integrating with QuickBooks for order fulfillment and production tracking in contract scenarios.

Overall Rating7.8/10
Features
8.2/10
Ease of Use
7.2/10
Value
8.0/10
Standout Feature

Deep, native integration with QuickBooks for automatic syncing of inventory, orders, and financial data

Fishbowl is an inventory management software platform tailored for small to mid-sized businesses, offering robust tools for warehouse operations, order fulfillment, and light manufacturing processes. It supports contract manufacturing through features like work orders, bill of materials (BOM) management, job costing, and production tracking, enabling oversight of subcontracted production. The software integrates deeply with QuickBooks for seamless accounting synchronization, making it a go-to for inventory-heavy operations.

Pros

  • Excellent QuickBooks integration for real-time accounting sync
  • Strong multi-location inventory tracking and barcode support
  • Comprehensive manufacturing tools including work orders and BOMs

Cons

  • Steep learning curve for advanced features
  • Reporting capabilities are basic and require customization
  • Customer support can be slow and inconsistent

Best For

Small to mid-sized contract manufacturers relying on QuickBooks who need affordable inventory and basic production management.

Pricing

One-time perpetual license starting at $4,395 for single-user Warehouse edition; scales with users/modules, plus ~20% annual maintenance.

Visit Fishbowlfishbowlinventory.com
10
DELMIAworks logo

DELMIAworks

enterprise

Integrated ERP and MES for plastic and contract manufacturers offering process management, quality control, and supply chain tools.

Overall Rating7.9/10
Features
8.4/10
Ease of Use
7.1/10
Value
7.5/10
Standout Feature

Real-time Wireless Execution System for instant shop floor data capture and production monitoring without manual entry

DELMIAworks, formerly IQMS EnterpriseIQ, is a robust ERP/MES platform tailored for discrete, repetitive, and mixed-mode manufacturers, including contract manufacturers handling complex job shops. It streamlines operations from quoting, planning, and scheduling to real-time production execution, quality management, inventory control, and financials. The solution provides end-to-end visibility and automation, supporting multi-client order tracking and compliance requirements essential for contract manufacturing.

Pros

  • Fully integrated ERP and MES for real-time shop floor control and data accuracy
  • Strong job costing and multi-level BOM support ideal for contract work
  • Scalable with advanced modules for quality, supply chain, and CRM

Cons

  • Steep learning curve and complex initial setup
  • Higher pricing requires significant investment
  • Customization often needed for unique contract manufacturing workflows

Best For

Mid-sized contract manufacturers managing complex, custom orders with a need for integrated ERP/MES in regulated industries.

Pricing

Custom quotes; cloud subscriptions typically start at $1,000-$2,500/month based on users and modules, with on-premise options available.

Visit DELMIAworksdelmiaworks.com

Conclusion

The reviewed contract manufacturing software solutions excel in optimizing operations, with Plex leading as the top choice, boasting a cloud-native MES and ERP platform that offers real-time supply chain, quality, and production visibility. Close behind, Epicor Kinetic and MRPeasy provide strong alternatives—Epicor for discrete manufacturing with integrated CRM and financials, and MRPeasy for small to mid-sized shops focusing on production planning and inventory. Each tool addresses unique needs, ensuring a tailored fit for diverse contract manufacturing scenarios.

Plex logo
Our Top Pick
Plex

Elevate your production efficiency by starting with Plex, the top-ranked solution, or explore its alternatives to find the perfect match for your business.