5 Inventory Management Systems That Are Free Yet Powerful

Nils Martens 7/6/2023

With these free merchandise management systems, you save cash and still get enough performance

Table of contents
  1. What functions do free merchandise management systems offer?
  2. Paid vs. free merchandise management system
  3. These are the top 5 free merchandise management systems on OMR Reviews and on the net
  4. 1. JTL
  5. 2. Odoo
  6. 3. VARIO 8
  7. 4. DEWAWI
  8. 5. HYREKA

If you want to get into e-commerce, you will account for the extensive tasks involved by purchasing a competent inventory management system (WMS). With it, you can control, customize and even automate your workflows, thus making your goods flow efficient.

In the end, your suppliers and your customers and you yourself are probably more satisfied with an inventory management system than with Excel lists. However, we also know that there is often a lack of budget to start an online shop to purchase a merchandise management system. Therefore, we went looking for free merchandise management systems and found what we were looking for. Because the still circulating opinion in e-commerce circles that such systems always cost money is not entirely correct.

We will therefore show you what functions you can expect in free merchandise management systems, how they differ from paid versions and which five free merchandise management programs are the best on OMR reviews and on the net.

Recommended Merchandise management systems

On our comparison platform OMR Reviews you can find more recommended inventory management systems. Wir stellen über 300 Lösungen vor, die speziell auf die Bedürfnisse von kleinen und mittleren Unternehmen, Start-ups sowie Großkonzernen zugeschnitten sind. Diese Warenwirtschaftssysteme bieten umfassende Unterstützung in allen Unternehmensprozessen. So take a look and compare the software with the help of authentic and verified user reviews:

What functions do free merchandise management systems offer?

The good news: free merchandise management systems are usually extensively equipped, but limited to a certain number of documents, customers or articles. Ideal for e-commerce startups and small businesses. You can thus master purchasing, goods receipt, storage, distribution of goods, shipping and goods issue free of charge. In addition, a few of the free merchandise management software include additional tools on board that facilitate entry into e-commerce.

The merchandise management freewares are either from the pen of paid systems or are open-sourced. And anyone who later wants to go high and has blown the boundaries of a free merchandise management system, can switch to a scalable ERP system. These have the advantage of covering further e-commerce areas in addition to merchandise management.

Initially, however, you can expect the following features and components in free merchandise management systems:

  • Warehouse management
  • Interfaces to marketplaces like eBay or Amazon
  • CRM
  • Ticket systems
  • Communication and project management tools
  • Item management
  • Asset management
  • Automate work routines
  • Superficial tools for financial accounting
  • Interface to accounting software

Of course, paid merchandise management systems sometimes offer significantly more performance. They also cost a lot of money. Free merchandise management systems, however, do not need to hide from their paid counterparts. As the list of functions has shown, some merchandise management system freewares have a lot under the hood. In both cases, however, it is ALWAYS important that you check beforehand whether the merchandise management system you want to integrate fits your shop system. Not always necessary interfaces exist.

These are the top 5 free merchandise management systems on OMR Reviews and on the net

Let's get started: We will show you the five best merchandise management systems, which you can use without having to pay a cent. Some even have paid extensions if you want to expand. Some are even open source.

We give you a rough overview of each free merchandise management system. You can find details either on the respective website of the provider or on OMR reviews. There you can also expect reviews from other users and ratings for example, customer support and the user-friendliness of the respective tools. On OMR Reviews you can compare other e-commerce softwares such as ERP or shop systems.

These are the five best free merchandise management systems:


 
 

1. JTL


JTL has been surprising online traders for years: actually JTL is a ERP-system, but the part of merchandise management can be used for free in the cloud by anyone without registration. The JTL has the necessary power to set up merchandise management in a professional way. The advantage of using JTL lies mainly in its scalability. It grows with your e-commerce. And if the free inventory management system of JTL is no longer sufficient, there are numerous additional modules from the same house ready for you. There are costs involved, but these are fair in our eyes and in the eyes of many users.


JTL functions

  • Item and assortment maintenance
  • Purchase/Sale
  • CRM
  • Online shop connection
  • Marketplace connection

Information on JTL-prices and user ratings with price reference can be found on OMR Reviews.


JTL Alternatives

On OMR Reviews you will find an overview of JTL-alternatives and based on verified user experiences and reviews, you can choose the most suitable inventory management system or ERP for you.

 
 

2. Odoo


With the open-source software Odoo you have all the functions you need for your company management in one place. Whether you want to increase your sales, create websites, manage finances, optimize operations or improve your marketing: Odoo offers a suitable app for every need and covers all business requirements in a modular solution. Today, 7 million users already use the simple software. If the free Odoo package is not enough for you, you have the choice between two cost-effective extended tariffs, while all tariffs include unlimited support, hosting and maintenance.


Odoo functions

  • CRM
  • E-commerce
  • Financial accounting
  • Production
  • Warehouse management
  • Cash register system
  • Project management
  • Document management

Information on Odoo-prices and user ratings related to prices can be found on OMR Reviews.


Odoo Alternatives

On OMR Reviews you will find an overview of Odoo alternatives, and with the help of verified user experiences and reviews, you can opt for the best suitable inventory management system or ERP for you.

 
 

3. VARIO 8


VARIO 8 is a free full version of an inventory management system. It includes everything from logistics, CRM, to a PPS tool, everything a WMS must do. In addition, you have project management and an asset management included. The interfaces to popular online shop systems like Shopware or OXID makes VARIO 8 the optimal partner for many online retailers. Although VARIO 8 is already very extensive in the free edition, it has not yet reached the end of the flagpole. VARIO 8 adapts to your growth and provides you with additional tool solutions if the free variant should not be enough.


VARIO 8 functions

  • Item management
  • CRM
  • Purchase and Sale
  • Interfaces to Amazon, eBay and real.de
  • Data export and import
  • Project management
  • Cash register system

Information on VARIO-8-prices and user ratings with price reference can be found on OMR Reviews.


VARIO 8 Alternatives

On OMR Reviews you can find a list of VARIO-8 Alternatives and based on verified user experiences and reviews, you can opt for the most suitable inventory management system or ERP for you.

 
 

4. DEWAWI

The simple inventory management system of DEWAWI is an open-source solution. This is cloud-based thanks to responsive design on various devices - including smartphones and tablets. So you always have access to your system. In addition to the basic functions like sales, purchasing, CRM and billing, you can add additional modules to the free inventory management system. These include optimizing business processes and viewing comprehensive statistics. The final extra with DEWAWI: You are not limited. No matter how many customers or users you have.


DEWAWI functions

  • Very comprehensive WMS, without restrictions
  • Modular design
  • Responsive design for mobile use
  • Warehouse management
  • CRM
  • Supplier management
  • Optimize business processes
  • View statistics

Information on DEWAWI-prices and user ratings with price reference can be found on OMR Reviews.


DEWAWI Alternatives

On OMR Reviews you will find an overview of DEWAWI-Alternatives and with the help of verified user experiences and reviews, you can choose the best suitable inventory management system or ERP for you.

 
 

5. HYREKA

With HYREKA, you can organise, optimise and partially automate sales and purchases, inventory management and accounting, as well as shipping. The inventory management system is almost a free ERP system due to its range of functions. HYREKA works web-based or as a SaaS, but not in a cloud. The inventory management system remains free as long as your company does not exceed the mark of 50 jobs. However, if you ever grow beyond that, HYREKA Plus is a competent, but chargeable expansion you can opt for.


HYREKA Functions

  • Supplier management
  • CRM
  • Automated invoice and credit note
  • Shipping to DHL, DPD, Hermes & GLS
  • FiBu-Export
  • Cash book
  • Customisable business papers

Information on HYREKA-prices and user ratings with price reference can be found on OMR Reviews.


HYREKA Alternatives

On OMR Reviews you will find an overview of HYREKA-Alternatives and with the help of verified user experiences and reviews, you can choose the best suitable inventory management system or ERP for you.

Nils Martens
Author
Nils Martens

Nils ist Gründer der Personal Branding Rebels und bereits einige Jahre im LinkedIn-Game unterwegs. Zusammen mit seinem Team unterstützt er Menschen und Unternehmen dabei, auf der Business-Plattform sowie darüber hinaus sichtbar zu werden. Die Rebels bilden dafür Mitarbeitende zu Corporate Influencern aus, übernehmen den Aufbau kompletter Personal Brands und educaten in Workshops.

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