Updated for 2026
An honest, in-depth comparison of the top inventory management software options available to Australian businesses in 2026. We review features, pricing, Xero and MYOB integration, and suitability for different business types, including our own product, Frostbyte Pro.
Transparency note: This page is published by Frostbyte Pro. We have done our best to present fair, accurate information about all products listed. Pricing is approximate and may have changed.
Side-by-side comparison of the leading inventory management platforms available to Australian businesses. Pricing shown in local currency where available; USD prices converted at approximate current rates.
| Product | Best For | Starting Price | Xero | MYOB | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frostbyte Pro | AU manufacturers & wholesalers | $89.95 NZD/user/mo (3-user min) | Multi-warehouse, BOM, batch tracking, barcode scanning, production orders | ||
| Unleashed | Mid-market product businesses | From $399 NZD/mo (bills in AUD/NZD/USD/GBP) | Inventory management, BOM, B2B eCommerce, batch tracking, reporting | ||
| DEAR Systems (Cin7 Core) | Multi-channel sellers | ~$535 AUD/mo (~$349 USD) | Inventory, POS, B2B, manufacturing, multi-channel, automation | ||
| Cin7 Omni | Enterprise multi-channel operations | Custom pricing (contact sales) | Omnichannel, EDI, 3PL, warehouse automation, advanced reporting | ||
| Katana | Small-to-mid manufacturing | Free (Core from ~$299 USD/mo) | Manufacturing focus, live inventory, BOM, production scheduling, shop floor app | ||
| Zoho Inventory | Small businesses in the Zoho ecosystem | Free (paid from ~$39 USD/mo) | Order management, multi-channel, shipping integration, warehouse |
An honest overview of each platform for Australian businesses.
Best for: AU manufacturers & wholesalers | Starting at $89.95 NZD/user/mo (3-user min)
Frostbyte Pro is a cloud-based inventory management platform priced in NZD at $89.95 per user per month (3-user minimum, $269.85 NZD/month), with all core inventory features included in a single plan. There are no tiers and no hidden charges. Core strengths include multi-warehouse management, bill of materials and production order management, batch and expiry tracking with FEFO allocation, barcode scanning, and native Xero and MYOB integration. It is particularly well-suited for Australian manufacturers and wholesalers who need batch traceability, FSANZ compliance tools, and accurate BAS-ready accounting. LineConnect+ is an optional add-on module (separate pricing) that connects directly to PLC equipment via OPC-UA to deliver real-time production monitoring and OEE dashboards.
Strengths
Considerations
Best for: Mid-market product businesses | Starting at From $399 NZD/mo (bills in AUD/NZD/USD/GBP)
Unleashed is a well-established inventory management platform founded in New Zealand with a strong Australian presence, now part of the Access Group. It is a solid option for mid-market product businesses that need comprehensive inventory management with strong reporting and B2B eCommerce capabilities. Unleashed offers excellent Xero integration, batch tracking, BOM management, and multi-warehouse support. The platform has a mature feature set and a large user base across Australia and New Zealand. Pricing starts from $399 NZD/month with tiered plans based on user limits. Unleashed bills in the customer's choice of AUD, NZD, USD, or GBP. (Prices last updated early 2026.)
Strengths
Considerations
Best for: Multi-channel sellers | Starting at ~$535 AUD/mo (~$349 USD)
DEAR Systems, now rebranded as Cin7 Core following acquisition by Cin7, is a feature-rich inventory management platform that excels at multi-channel selling. It includes manufacturing features (BOM, production orders), warehouse management, and integrates with both Xero and MYOB. DEAR has a strong following among Australian businesses. The platform is priced in USD, which means costs fluctuate with the AUD/USD exchange rate. The feature set is extensive, though the complexity can mean a steeper learning curve.
Strengths
Considerations
Best for: Enterprise multi-channel operations | Starting at Custom pricing (contact sales)
Cin7 Omni is the enterprise-tier offering from the Cin7 group, designed for larger businesses with complex multi-channel and omnichannel requirements. It provides EDI connections, 3PL integrations, advanced warehouse management, and comprehensive reporting. If you are a larger Australian distributor or retailer managing inventory across physical stores, online channels, and third-party logistics providers, Cin7 Omni is worth evaluating. However, Cin7 Omni uses custom pricing only (contact sales for a quote; 8 users included in base), which puts it firmly in the enterprise category. (Prices last updated early 2026.)
Strengths
Considerations
Best for: Small-to-mid manufacturing | Starting at Free (Core from ~$299 USD/mo)
Katana is a manufacturing-focused inventory platform popular among small-to-mid-sized manufacturers globally. Its visual production scheduling, real-time inventory tracking, and shop floor app make it appealing for manufacturers who want a modern, intuitive interface. Katana integrates with Xero and offers BOM management, production order tracking, and raw material management. It is a solid choice for manufacturers who prioritise ease of use. Pricing is in USD, so Australian costs vary with the exchange rate.
Strengths
Considerations
Best for: Small businesses in the Zoho ecosystem | Starting at Free (paid from ~$39 USD/mo)
Zoho Inventory is part of the larger Zoho suite of business applications. It offers solid inventory and order management features including multi-channel selling and shipping carrier integrations. If you already use other Zoho products (Zoho Books, Zoho CRM), the native integrations are a significant advantage. Zoho Inventory also integrates with Xero. The free tier is limited but useful for testing. For Australian businesses, the main considerations are USD pricing and limited batch tracking and manufacturing features.
Strengths
Considerations
Key criteria Australian businesses should evaluate when choosing inventory management software.
When things go wrong at 2pm on a Tuesday in Melbourne, you need support available during Australian business hours (AEST/AEDT). Check whether support is email, phone, or chat, and what timezone it operates in.
Most Australian businesses use Xero or MYOB for accounting. A deep integration that syncs invoices, purchase orders, contacts, and payments automatically can save hours of manual data entry each week and ensures accurate BAS lodgement.
If you deal with perishable goods, food products, or anything requiring FSANZ traceability, batch tracking is essential. Look for systems that support batch number assignment, expiry date tracking, FEFO allocation, and recall reporting.
Choose software that can grow with your business. Consider how pricing changes as you add users, warehouses, and products. Ideally, the software should handle your current needs and scale to 2-3x your current size without a platform change.
USD pricing means your monthly cost fluctuates with the exchange rate. Look for transparent pricing where you know exactly what you pay. Check whether pricing is per user, per warehouse, or a flat fee, and whether essential features are included or locked behind tiers.
A free trial lets you evaluate the software with your actual products, workflows, and team before committing. Look for trials that give you access to all features (not a limited demo) and do not require a credit card to start.
We built Frostbyte Pro because we saw a gap in the market: existing inventory management options were either designed for the US or UK market, or they were priced in USD, which meant Australian businesses were paying unpredictable monthly costs that fluctuated with exchange rates.
Frostbyte Pro is priced in NZD at $89.95 per user per month (3-user minimum), with all core features included: multi-warehouse management, batch tracking, FEFO allocation, manufacturing and BOM, barcode scanning, and native Xero and MYOB integration. No tiers, no feature gates, no surprises.
For Australian food manufacturers, wholesalers, and distributors, Frostbyte Pro provides the FSANZ traceability tools, BAS-ready GST handling, and audit trail depth you need to stay compliant and operate confidently.
For paid, full-featured inventory management software in Australia, Frostbyte Pro is one of the most affordable options at $89.95 NZD per user per month (3-user minimum) with all features included. Zoho Inventory and Sortly offer free tiers, but these are limited in features and may not suit businesses needing batch tracking, multi-warehouse management, or manufacturing capabilities. When comparing prices, check whether the platform charges in AUD, NZD, or USD, because a $99 USD plan could cost $160+ AUD depending on the exchange rate.
Most major inventory management platforms integrate with Xero in Australia, including Frostbyte Pro, Unleashed, DEAR Systems (Cin7 Core), Cin7 Omni, Katana, Zoho Inventory, and inFlow. The depth of integration varies: some platforms offer deep, bi-directional sync of invoices, purchase orders, contacts, and payments, while others have more basic connections. Frostbyte Pro and Unleashed are known for particularly strong Xero integrations. Frostbyte Pro also integrates with MYOB.
MYOB integration is less common than Xero integration among inventory management platforms. Frostbyte Pro and Cin7 Core (DEAR Systems) both integrate with MYOB. If your Australian business uses MYOB for accounting, check carefully whether the inventory platform you're evaluating has a native MYOB integration or relies on a third-party connector. Frostbyte Pro's MYOB integration syncs invoices, purchase bills, contacts, and payments automatically.
Both Unleashed and Cin7 are established platforms used by many Australian businesses, and the better choice depends on your needs. Unleashed has strong Australian roots, deep Xero integration, and a solid feature set for product-based businesses. Cin7 Omni is more suited to larger, enterprise-level operations with complex omnichannel and EDI requirements. Cin7 Core (formerly DEAR Systems) sits between the two. For simpler operations, Unleashed or alternatives like Frostbyte Pro may be more appropriate and cost-effective.
Spreadsheets work when you have a small number of products and a single location, but they break down quickly as your business grows. Spreadsheets cannot update stock levels in real time across your team, cannot automatically sync with Xero or MYOB, cannot generate picking lists, and cannot maintain the audit trail you need for FSANZ batch traceability. If you are managing more than 50-100 products, have more than one warehouse, need batch or expiry tracking, or have multiple staff managing inventory, dedicated inventory management software will save significant time and reduce costly errors.
The essential features for most Australian businesses include: real-time stock tracking across locations, purchase and sales order management, Xero or MYOB integration with BAS-ready GST handling, barcode scanning, and reporting. If you are a manufacturer, add BOM management, production orders, and batch tracking to your list. If you are a wholesaler, prioritise multi-warehouse management and pick-pack-dispatch workflows. For Australian-specific needs: transparent pricing with all features included, FSANZ traceability tools if you are in food or beverage, and support on Australian business hours.
The complete guide to cloud inventory management for Australian businesses.
Real-time stock control, reorder automation, and Xero integration for AU businesses.
Inventory management for Sydney and NSW businesses.
Inventory management for Melbourne and Victoria businesses.
What Xero can and can't do for inventory, and how to fix its limitations.
The equivalent comparison for New Zealand businesses.
Join businesses across New Zealand who trust Frostbyte Pro to manage their inventory. Start your free 14-day trial today, no credit card required.