Quick Overview
- 1#1: JobBOSS - Comprehensive ERP software for job shops and make-to-order manufacturers to manage quoting, job tracking, scheduling, inventory, and invoicing.
- 2#2: Global Shop Solutions - Full-featured ERP system designed for custom manufacturers to track job orders from quote to cash with advanced planning and real-time visibility.
- 3#3: Shoptech E2 - Robust shop floor management software for job shops offering precise job tracking, scheduling, quality control, and cost analysis.
- 4#4: Plex - Cloud-based smart manufacturing platform that provides end-to-end job order tracking, MES, and ERP functionalities for real-time production control.
- 5#5: Odoo - Modular open-source ERP with manufacturing apps for creating, tracking, and managing job orders, work orders, and production processes.
- 6#6: MRPeasy - Cloud MRP software tailored for small manufacturers to handle job orders, production planning, inventory tracking, and CRM integration.
- 7#7: Katana - Real-time inventory and manufacturing platform for tracking production orders, materials, and shop floor activities with live POs.
- 8#8: Fishbowl - Warehouse and manufacturing management tool that tracks job orders, work orders, BOMs, and integrates seamlessly with QuickBooks.
- 9#9: ERPNext - Open-source ERP system with job card tracking, work order management, and production planning for small to mid-sized manufacturers.
- 10#10: Prodsmart - Cloud MES solution for shop floor execution, providing real-time job tracking, performance monitoring, and digital work instructions.
Tools were evaluated based on depth of features (including end-to-end tracking, real-time visibility, and integration capabilities), user experience, reliability, and value, ensuring they cater to diverse manufacturing scales and workflows.
Comparison Table
This comparison table breaks down key job order tracking software solutions, featuring JobBOSS, Global Shop Solutions, Shoptech E2, Plex, Odoo, and more, to highlight differences in functionality, usability, and industry fit. Readers will discover insights into each tool’s core capabilities and unique strengths, helping them identify the best option for their operational needs.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | JobBOSS Comprehensive ERP software for job shops and make-to-order manufacturers to manage quoting, job tracking, scheduling, inventory, and invoicing. | enterprise | 9.2/10 | 9.5/10 | 7.8/10 | 8.7/10 |
| 2 | Global Shop Solutions Full-featured ERP system designed for custom manufacturers to track job orders from quote to cash with advanced planning and real-time visibility. | enterprise | 9.2/10 | 9.6/10 | 7.8/10 | 8.5/10 |
| 3 | Shoptech E2 Robust shop floor management software for job shops offering precise job tracking, scheduling, quality control, and cost analysis. | enterprise | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 7.8/10 | 8.4/10 |
| 4 | Plex Cloud-based smart manufacturing platform that provides end-to-end job order tracking, MES, and ERP functionalities for real-time production control. | enterprise | 1.5/10 | 0.2/10 | 8.0/10 | 0.5/10 |
| 5 | Odoo Modular open-source ERP with manufacturing apps for creating, tracking, and managing job orders, work orders, and production processes. | enterprise | 8.4/10 | 9.1/10 | 7.3/10 | 8.8/10 |
| 6 | MRPeasy Cloud MRP software tailored for small manufacturers to handle job orders, production planning, inventory tracking, and CRM integration. | specialized | 8.2/10 | 8.7/10 | 7.9/10 | 8.3/10 |
| 7 | Katana Real-time inventory and manufacturing platform for tracking production orders, materials, and shop floor activities with live POs. | specialized | 8.1/10 | 8.4/10 | 8.2/10 | 7.7/10 |
| 8 | Fishbowl Warehouse and manufacturing management tool that tracks job orders, work orders, BOMs, and integrates seamlessly with QuickBooks. | specialized | 7.2/10 | 7.5/10 | 6.8/10 | 7.0/10 |
| 9 | ERPNext Open-source ERP system with job card tracking, work order management, and production planning for small to mid-sized manufacturers. | other | 8.1/10 | 8.7/10 | 6.5/10 | 9.3/10 |
| 10 | Prodsmart Cloud MES solution for shop floor execution, providing real-time job tracking, performance monitoring, and digital work instructions. | specialized | 8.1/10 | 8.6/10 | 8.0/10 | 7.6/10 |
Comprehensive ERP software for job shops and make-to-order manufacturers to manage quoting, job tracking, scheduling, inventory, and invoicing.
Full-featured ERP system designed for custom manufacturers to track job orders from quote to cash with advanced planning and real-time visibility.
Robust shop floor management software for job shops offering precise job tracking, scheduling, quality control, and cost analysis.
Cloud-based smart manufacturing platform that provides end-to-end job order tracking, MES, and ERP functionalities for real-time production control.
Modular open-source ERP with manufacturing apps for creating, tracking, and managing job orders, work orders, and production processes.
Cloud MRP software tailored for small manufacturers to handle job orders, production planning, inventory tracking, and CRM integration.
Real-time inventory and manufacturing platform for tracking production orders, materials, and shop floor activities with live POs.
Warehouse and manufacturing management tool that tracks job orders, work orders, BOMs, and integrates seamlessly with QuickBooks.
Open-source ERP system with job card tracking, work order management, and production planning for small to mid-sized manufacturers.
Cloud MES solution for shop floor execution, providing real-time job tracking, performance monitoring, and digital work instructions.
JobBOSS
enterpriseComprehensive ERP software for job shops and make-to-order manufacturers to manage quoting, job tracking, scheduling, inventory, and invoicing.
The advanced Job Traveler module, which creates a digital audit trail documenting every step, material, and labor entry for complete job traceability.
JobBOSS is a robust ERP solution tailored for job shops and make-to-order manufacturers, offering comprehensive job order tracking from initial quote through production, scheduling, inventory control, and invoicing. It provides real-time visibility into job status, costs, labor, and materials, enabling efficient workflow management and decision-making. With integrated accounting, quality control, and reporting tools, it streamlines operations for complex manufacturing environments.
Pros
- Superior end-to-end job order tracking with real-time status updates and cost monitoring
- Highly customizable workflows and robust reporting for detailed job analysis
- Seamless integration of job tracking with inventory, scheduling, and accounting modules
Cons
- Dated user interface that may require training for optimal use
- Complex initial setup and implementation process
- Pricing can be steep for smaller shops without full feature utilization
Best For
Small to mid-sized job shops and custom manufacturers needing comprehensive, real-time job order tracking within a full ERP system.
Pricing
Quote-based pricing starting around $250 per user per month, scaling with modules, users, and company size; includes implementation fees.
Global Shop Solutions
enterpriseFull-featured ERP system designed for custom manufacturers to track job orders from quote to cash with advanced planning and real-time visibility.
Visual Scheduler with drag-and-drop interface for infinite capacity planning and real-time job status updates
Global Shop Solutions is an ERP/MES platform tailored for discrete manufacturers and job shops, offering robust job order tracking from quoting to delivery. It provides real-time visibility into production progress, resource allocation, and bottlenecks via its Job Ops module. The software integrates scheduling, inventory management, and quality control to optimize shop floor operations and ensure on-time job completion.
Pros
- Comprehensive real-time job tracking with mobile access
- Advanced visual scheduling and capacity planning
- Deep integration with quoting, inventory, and CRM modules
Cons
- Steep learning curve due to extensive features
- High upfront implementation costs and customization needs
- Primarily on-premise, limiting cloud flexibility
Best For
Mid-sized job shops and make-to-order manufacturers needing end-to-end job order visibility and production control.
Pricing
Custom pricing starting at $40,000+ for perpetual licenses, plus annual maintenance (15-20%) and implementation fees.
Shoptech E2
enterpriseRobust shop floor management software for job shops offering precise job tracking, scheduling, quality control, and cost analysis.
Touchscreen shop floor terminals for instant, real-time job status updates and data collection
Shoptech E2 is a robust ERP solution tailored for job shops and make-to-order manufacturers, offering comprehensive job order tracking from quoting through production and shipping. It provides real-time visibility into shop floor activities, scheduling, inventory management, and quality control. The software excels in bridging office and shop floor operations with touchscreen data collection terminals.
Pros
- Superior real-time job tracking and dispatching capabilities
- Seamless integration of shop floor data collection with ERP functions
- Highly customizable for complex manufacturing workflows
Cons
- Steep learning curve for initial setup and training
- Pricing can be prohibitive for very small shops
- Reporting requires some customization for advanced needs
Best For
Mid-sized job shops and contract manufacturers seeking end-to-end production visibility and control.
Pricing
Custom quote-based pricing starting around $150/user/month, with modules and implementation fees adding to total cost.
Plex
enterpriseCloud-based smart manufacturing platform that provides end-to-end job order tracking, MES, and ERP functionalities for real-time production control.
Automatic media library organization with rich metadata and seamless remote streaming
Plex is a media server platform designed for organizing and streaming personal media libraries, including movies, TV shows, music, and photos, to various devices over the internet or local network. It excels in media management with automatic metadata fetching, transcoding, and remote access capabilities. However, Plex offers zero functionality for job order tracking, such as workflow management, task assignment, status updates, or order processing relevant to business operations.
Pros
- User-friendly interface for media setup
- Free basic version available
- Strong cross-device streaming compatibility
Cons
- No job order tracking or workflow tools
- Completely unsuitable for business process management
- Irrelevant features for order tracking needs
Best For
Home users streaming personal media collections, not businesses requiring job order tracking software.
Pricing
Free core app; Plex Pass premium features at $4.99/month, $39.99/year, or $119.99 lifetime.
Odoo
enterpriseModular open-source ERP with manufacturing apps for creating, tracking, and managing job orders, work orders, and production processes.
Advanced MRP work order management with multi-level BOM support, automated scheduling, and traceability for serial/lot-tracked jobs
Odoo is a versatile open-source ERP platform with dedicated modules for job order tracking, primarily through its Manufacturing (MRP), Project, and Field Service apps. It enables creating, scheduling, and monitoring job orders with detailed work instructions, resource allocation, progress tracking via Kanban boards, and integration with inventory, CRM, and accounting. The system supports both production and service-based jobs, offering real-time reporting, timesheets, and quality checks for comprehensive oversight.
Pros
- Extremely customizable with modular apps that integrate seamlessly for end-to-end job tracking
- Real-time visibility into job progress, costs, and bottlenecks via dashboards and Gantt charts
- Open-source community edition is free, with scalable enterprise options
Cons
- Steep learning curve due to its comprehensive ERP nature and extensive configuration options
- Performance can lag with large datasets or without proper hosting setup
- Advanced features like IoT integration and some reporting tools require Enterprise subscription
Best For
Growing SMBs in manufacturing or services seeking an all-in-one ERP with robust job order management rather than a standalone tool.
Pricing
Free Community edition; Enterprise apps from $24/user/month; Odoo Online SaaS from $24.90/user/month (billed annually).
MRPeasy
specializedCloud MRP software tailored for small manufacturers to handle job orders, production planning, inventory tracking, and CRM integration.
Real-time shop floor tracking with mobile photo and time reporting for precise job order progress visibility
MRPeasy is a cloud-based MRP (Manufacturing Resource Planning) software tailored for small to medium-sized manufacturers, offering end-to-end visibility into production processes. It excels in job order tracking by providing real-time monitoring of manufacturing orders, shop floor execution, and resource utilization through Gantt charts and mobile reporting. The platform integrates inventory management, BOM handling, and purchasing to streamline the entire job order lifecycle from planning to completion.
Pros
- Real-time job order tracking with Gantt scheduling and drag-and-drop planning
- Shop floor data capture via mobile app including photo reporting
- Seamless integration of inventory, BOMs, and purchasing for comprehensive order management
Cons
- Steeper learning curve for non-manufacturing users due to MRP focus
- Limited customization for service-based job orders outside manufacturing
- Higher pricing tiers required for advanced reporting and multi-site support
Best For
Small to medium manufacturers seeking integrated MRP with robust job order tracking and production scheduling.
Pricing
Starts at $49/user/month (billed annually) for basic plan; scales to $99+/user/month for advanced features like multi-warehouse and custom reports.
Katana
specializedReal-time inventory and manufacturing platform for tracking production orders, materials, and shop floor activities with live POs.
Visual production scheduler with color-coded status updates and capacity planning for real-time job order oversight
Katana is a cloud-based MRP (Manufacturing Resource Planning) software tailored for small to medium-sized manufacturers, focusing on inventory management, production scheduling, and order fulfillment. It enables job order tracking through visual production boards, real-time material allocation, and progress monitoring for manufacturing orders. While strong in make-to-order workflows, it integrates with e-commerce and accounting tools to streamline operations from sales to delivery.
Pros
- Real-time inventory tracking with automatic adjustments for job orders
- Intuitive drag-and-drop scheduling for production visibility
- Seamless integrations with Shopify, QuickBooks, and Xero
Cons
- Limited native job costing and time tracking for complex custom jobs
- Reporting lacks deep customization for advanced analytics
- Higher-tier plans required for multi-location or scaled operations
Best For
Small to medium manufacturers managing make-to-order production who need integrated inventory and scheduling for straightforward job order tracking.
Pricing
Starts at $99/month (Essentials, up to 100 orders/mo), $299/month (Professional), with Enterprise custom pricing.
Fishbowl
specializedWarehouse and manufacturing management tool that tracks job orders, work orders, BOMs, and integrates seamlessly with QuickBooks.
Deep, real-time QuickBooks integration that syncs inventory, orders, and job costs automatically
Fishbowl is a robust inventory management software that integrates deeply with QuickBooks, offering tools for warehouse operations, order fulfillment, and manufacturing processes. In the context of job order tracking, it supports production orders, bill of materials management, material tracking, and basic job costing to monitor progress and expenses. While strong in inventory visibility, it lacks advanced scheduling and Gantt-style job tracking found in specialized solutions. Overall, it's best suited for inventory-heavy operations with moderate job management needs.
Pros
- Seamless two-way integration with QuickBooks for real-time accounting sync
- Powerful inventory tracking tied directly to job orders and production
- Customizable reports and dashboards for job cost analysis
Cons
- Steep learning curve due to complex interface
- Limited advanced job scheduling or visual progress tracking
- Full functionality often requires QuickBooks and add-ons
Best For
Small to mid-sized manufacturers using QuickBooks who prioritize inventory control with basic job order tracking.
Pricing
One-time license starts at $4,395 for standard edition plus $439 per additional user; subscription plans from $169/month.
ERPNext
otherOpen-source ERP system with job card tracking, work order management, and production planning for small to mid-sized manufacturers.
Job Cards module for granular, operation-level tracking with automatic time logging, material issuance, and quality checks
ERPNext is a comprehensive open-source ERP platform that includes robust job order tracking capabilities through its manufacturing and projects modules. It enables users to create work orders, generate job cards for specific operations, track time via timesheets, monitor material consumption, and manage costs in real-time. This makes it suitable for tracking job progress across production or service-based workflows, with seamless integration into accounting, inventory, and CRM functions.
Pros
- Highly customizable open-source architecture allows tailoring job tracking to specific needs
- Deep integration with inventory, accounting, and HR for end-to-end visibility
- Advanced reporting and dashboards for job progress, costs, and efficiency metrics
Cons
- Steep learning curve due to its full ERP complexity, not ideal for quick setup
- Requires technical expertise for self-hosting and customizations
- Interface can feel cluttered for users focused solely on job order tracking
Best For
Small to medium-sized manufacturing or service businesses seeking an integrated ERP with strong job order tracking without high licensing costs.
Pricing
Free open-source self-hosted version; Frappe Cloud hosted plans start at $10/user/month with free tier available.
Prodsmart
specializedCloud MES solution for shop floor execution, providing real-time job tracking, performance monitoring, and digital work instructions.
Mobile-first scanning and Andon alerts for immediate issue detection and job order resolution on the shop floor
Prodsmart is a cloud-based Manufacturing Execution System (MES) focused on real-time shop floor management and job order tracking for discrete manufacturers. It provides visibility into production progress, material usage, labor allocation, and performance metrics like OEE through mobile scanning and digital dashboards. The platform enables paperless operations, downtime monitoring, and actionable insights to streamline manufacturing workflows.
Pros
- Real-time job tracking with mobile scanning for instant updates
- Strong OEE and downtime analytics for performance optimization
- Paperless shop floor management reducing errors and waste
Cons
- Custom pricing can be expensive for small businesses
- Setup and ERP integrations require technical expertise
- Less flexible for non-discrete manufacturing or highly custom workflows
Best For
Small to mid-sized discrete manufacturers needing real-time visibility into job orders and shop floor efficiency.
Pricing
Custom quotes based on users and modules; typically starts at $100-200 per user/month with annual commitments.
Conclusion
JobBOSS emerges as the leading choice, providing comprehensive ERP tools to manage quoting, tracking, scheduling, and invoicing for job shops and make-to-order manufacturers. Global Shop Solutions and Shoptech E2 are strong alternatives, excelling in advanced planning and shop floor management respectively, suiting various operational needs. These top tools collectively offer robust solutions to enhance manufacturing workflows.
Begin using JobBOSS to streamline your job order tracking and operations—its integrated approach is designed to meet the demands of your business, ensuring efficiency from quote to completion.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison