For growing businesses in 2025, inventory management has become one of the most critical aspects of scaling operations. Whether you are a small e-commerce startup, a mid-sized retailer, or a global enterprise, the ability to track, control, and forecast inventory can make the difference between profitability and loss. Poor inventory management often leads to problems like stockouts, overstocking, lost sales opportunities, and cash flow issues. On the other hand, efficient inventory management enables businesses to meet customer demand, reduce waste, and make smarter purchasing decisions.
In the past, many companies relied on spreadsheets or basic accounting software to handle inventory. While adequate for very small businesses, these methods quickly become insufficient as a company grows. Today, businesses are turning to specialized inventory management software that provides real-time visibility, automation, and integration with other systems like CRMs, ERPs, and e-commerce platforms. With advancements in artificial intelligence, modern inventory management tools also offer predictive analytics, demand forecasting, and automated reordering.
This article reviews the five best inventory management tools for growing businesses in 2025: Sortly, InflowInventory, NetSuite, Zoho Inventory, and Cin7. Each of these tools offers unique advantages for different business sizes and industries. We’ll explore their features, pricing, scalability, and integrations, as well as real-world case studies.
The Inventory Management Landscape in 2025
From Manual Spreadsheets to AI-Powered Platforms
Inventory management has evolved significantly. Spreadsheets were once the default for small businesses, but as operations expanded, they quickly became error-prone and difficult to scale. Today’s cloud-based inventory platforms provide automation, dashboards, and real-time updates accessible from any device.
Artificial intelligence has become a major driver of efficiency. AI-powered platforms can predict which products are likely to sell, optimize stock levels across multiple locations, and alert managers before issues occur. Combined with the Internet of Things (IoT), businesses can now track goods across warehouses and supply chains with unprecedented accuracy.
Key Trends in Inventory Management
Several important trends define inventory management in 2025. AI-powered demand forecasting helps businesses avoid both stockouts and overstocking. IoT-enabled systems improve traceability of goods in logistics and supply chains. Cloud-based systems provide global accessibility, allowing managers and teams to work from anywhere. Finally, integration with CRM, ERP, and e-commerce platforms is now a must-have, as businesses look for unified data across operations.
Sortly – Best for Simplicity and Mobile Inventory Tracking
Key Features
Sortly is designed for businesses that need a simple, visual, and mobile-friendly inventory management solution. It uses QR code and barcode scanning for easy tracking. Users can add photos of inventory items, making the system highly visual and intuitive. Multi-location support allows businesses with warehouses, retail stores, or field teams to keep inventory organized across different sites.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Extremely easy to use and set up
- Mobile app allows tracking from anywhere
- Visual inventory with images improves accessibility
Cons
- Limited forecasting and advanced analytics compared to enterprise systems
- Free plan restricts features for larger businesses
Pricing (2025)
Sortly offers a free plan with basic features, while advanced paid tiers start at around $29 per month.
InflowInventory – Best for Small and Medium Businesses
Key Features
InflowInventory is ideal for small to medium businesses that need robust inventory control without enterprise-level complexity. It includes order management, invoicing, and inventory tracking. It integrates with popular e-commerce platforms like Shopify and WooCommerce, making it a strong choice for online retailers. AI-powered features include low-stock alerts, restock suggestions, and reporting for better purchasing decisions.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Comprehensive features for SMBs
- Affordable compared to enterprise solutions
- Strong integrations with e-commerce platforms
Cons
- Less suitable for very large enterprises
- Requires onboarding and training for full use
Pricing (2025)
InflowInventory offers a free trial, with paid plans starting at around $79 per month.
NetSuite Inventory Management – Best for Enterprises
Key Features
NetSuite, part of Oracle’s enterprise suite, is one of the most powerful inventory management systems available. It provides advanced warehouse management, demand planning, and supply chain automation. NetSuite integrates seamlessly with ERP, CRM, and financial systems, providing a truly all-in-one enterprise solution. It uses AI for demand forecasting, predictive analytics, and automated purchasing decisions.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Extremely scalable for global enterprises
- Enterprise-grade features including compliance and supply chain management
- Deep analytics and forecasting powered by AI
Cons
- High cost makes it unsuitable for SMBs
- Requires IT support and training for implementation
Pricing (2025)
NetSuite pricing is customized and typically runs into thousands of dollars per month depending on modules and scale.
Zoho Inventory – Best for Budget-Friendly Growth
Key Features
Zoho Inventory is part of the larger Zoho ecosystem and is one of the most budget-friendly options available. It offers order and shipping management, integrations with Amazon, eBay, and Shopify, and multi-currency support. Its AI assistant, Zia, provides insights, reporting, and smart suggestions. Zoho Inventory is particularly useful for startups and growing businesses that need affordable software without sacrificing essential features.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Affordable pricing with a free tier
- Integrates well with Zoho apps and third-party platforms
- AI assistant adds value for small businesses
Cons
- Limited scalability for very large operations
- Some advanced features require integration with other Zoho products
Pricing (2025)
Zoho Inventory offers a free tier with limited orders, with paid plans starting at $39 per month.
Cin7 – Best for Omnichannel Businesses
Key Features
Cin7 is a cloud-based inventory management solution tailored for omnichannel businesses. It integrates inventory, POS, ERP, and e-commerce, making it ideal for retailers with both online and offline presence. It offers AI-powered demand planning and forecasting, allowing businesses to optimize stock levels across channels.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Excellent for omnichannel retailers
- Strong integration ecosystem
- AI forecasting for smarter purchasing decisions
Cons
- Higher cost compared to SMB-focused tools
- May be too complex for small businesses
Pricing (2025)
Cin7 pricing starts at around $399 per month, making it best suited for mid-market and enterprise businesses.
HubSpot vs Salesforce in Inventory Management Integrations
Features and Usability
HubSpot integrates smoothly with SMB-friendly tools like Sortly and Zoho Inventory. It enables small businesses to connect CRM data with inventory workflows for better customer management. Salesforce, on the other hand, integrates with enterprise-grade platforms like NetSuite and Cin7, making it suitable for large-scale operations with complex workflows.
Pricing and Scalability
HubSpot offers free and low-cost tiers, making it accessible for startups and SMBs. Salesforce is more expensive but provides deep customization, automation, and scalability for enterprises.
Suitability for Different Business Sizes
HubSpot CRM combined with inventory tools is best for small to medium businesses. Salesforce paired with enterprise inventory systems is ideal for global organizations that require advanced automation and integrations.
Comparison Table: HubSpot vs Salesforce for Inventory Management (2025)
| Aspect | HubSpot 2025 | Salesforce 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Ease of Integration | Simple, SMB-friendly | Complex, enterprise-ready |
| Pricing Flexibility | Free & SMB tiers | Higher enterprise cost |
| App Ecosystem | 1,000+ apps | 3,000+ apps |
| Best Fit | SMBs and startups | Large enterprises |
Comparison of the 5 Best Inventory Management Tools (2025)
Features Overview
Sortly is ideal for businesses that want simplicity and mobility. InflowInventory provides a balance of affordability and functionality for SMBs. NetSuite is unmatched in enterprise-grade features. Zoho Inventory is best for budget-conscious businesses, and Cin7 shines for omnichannel retailers.
Pricing Comparison
Sortly and Zoho are the most affordable options, while InflowInventory caters to SMBs with moderate budgets. Cin7 and NetSuite are premium solutions, priced for larger organizations.
Usability and Learning Curve
Sortly and Zoho are the easiest to adopt. InflowInventory requires onboarding, while NetSuite and Cin7 have steeper learning curves due to advanced features.
Scalability and Suitability
NetSuite and Cin7 scale for enterprises, while Sortly, Zoho, and InflowInventory suit small to mid-sized businesses.
Table: 5 Best Inventory Management Tools for Growing Businesses in 2025
| Tool | Best For | Free Plan | AI Features | Scalability | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sortly | Simplicity & mobility | Yes | Smart categorization | Medium | Free/$29 |
| InflowInventory | SMBs | Trial | Low-stock alerts | Medium | $79 |
| NetSuite | Enterprises | No | AI demand planning | Very High | Custom pricing |
| Zoho Inventory | Budget-friendly growth | Yes | Zia AI reporting | Medium | Free/$39 |
| Cin7 | Omnichannel businesses | No | AI forecasting | High | $399 |
Real-World Case Studies
Small Retailer Using Sortly for Visual Inventory Tracking
A boutique retailer adopted Sortly for mobile inventory tracking across two stores. By using QR codes and visual images, the business reduced stock discrepancies by 40%.
SMB E-Commerce Company Scaling with InflowInventory
An online fashion retailer implemented InflowInventory to manage orders across Shopify and WooCommerce. Low-stock alerts helped avoid stockouts, improving customer satisfaction.
Large Enterprise Optimizing Supply Chain with NetSuite
A multinational electronics company adopted NetSuite to unify inventory, financials, and supply chain data. The AI-powered forecasting reduced excess inventory costs by 25%.
Startup Growing with Zoho Inventory’s Free Tier
A small startup selling handmade goods used Zoho Inventory’s free plan to manage orders and track sales. As the business grew, upgrading to a paid tier enabled them to integrate with Amazon and eBay.
Omnichannel Retailer Boosting Efficiency with Cin7
A mid-sized retailer with both physical stores and online channels used Cin7 to manage omnichannel sales. Integration with POS and ERP improved efficiency and reduced errors.
How to Choose the Right Inventory Management Tool for Your Business
Define Business Needs
Determine whether you need basic tracking, advanced analytics, or omnichannel capabilities.
Consider Budget and Pricing Models
Free and low-cost tools are available for small businesses, while larger organizations may need to budget for enterprise solutions.
Evaluate Ease of Use and Training Requirements
Choose a system that your team can adopt quickly, unless you have the resources for extensive training.
Check Integration with CRM, ERP, and E-Commerce Platforms
Ensure the system connects with your existing tech stack.
Plan for Scalability and Future Growth
Select a tool that will grow with your business rather than requiring replacement in a few years.
Conclusion
Inventory management is no longer just about tracking products—it is about driving business growth through smarter decisions, automation, and integration. In 2025, businesses have more choices than ever. Sortly is ideal for simplicity and mobility, InflowInventory is perfect for SMBs, NetSuite delivers enterprise-level control, Zoho Inventory offers affordability, and Cin7 empowers omnichannel retailers.
HubSpot and Salesforce play important roles in connecting CRMs with inventory tools, helping businesses align customer management with operations. HubSpot is ideal for startups and SMBs, while Salesforce suits global enterprises.
By choosing the right inventory management system, growing businesses can reduce costs, improve efficiency, and ensure customer satisfaction in a competitive market.
