Updated for 2026
An honest, in-depth comparison of the top inventory management software options available to New Zealand businesses in 2026. We review features, pricing, Xero 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 since publication.
A side-by-side comparison of the leading inventory management platforms available to NZ businesses. Pricing shown is approximate and may vary.
| Product | Best For | Starting Price | Xero | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frostbyte Pro | NZ manufacturers & wholesalers | $89.95 NZD/user/mo (3-user minimum) | Multi-warehouse, BOM, batch tracking, barcode scanning, production orders | |
| Unleashed | Mid-market product businesses | From $399 NZD/mo | Inventory management, BOM, B2B eCommerce, batch tracking, reporting | |
| DEAR Systems (Cin7 Core) | Multi-channel sellers | ~$349 USD/mo | 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 | |
| Sortly | Simple asset & inventory tracking | Free (paid from ~$49 USD/mo) | Visual inventory, QR codes, mobile-first, asset tracking, simple interface | |
| Zoho Inventory | Small businesses in the Zoho ecosystem | Free (paid from ~$39 USD/mo) | Order management, multi-channel, shipping integration, warehouse, reporting | |
| inFlow | Small businesses wanting simplicity | ~$161 USD/mo | Inventory tracking, order management, barcode scanning, reporting, B2B showroom |
An honest overview of each platform, including strengths and considerations for NZ businesses.
Best for: NZ manufacturers & wholesalers | Starting at $89.95 NZD/user/mo (3-user minimum)
Frostbyte Pro is a cloud-based inventory management platform built specifically for the New Zealand market. It is priced at $89.95 NZD per user per month (3-user minimum) with all core inventory features included in a single plan with 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 integration. It is particularly well-suited for NZ manufacturers and wholesalers who need batch traceability and MPI compliance tools. The NZ-based support team and NZD pricing are genuine advantages for local businesses. LineConnect+, now available in beta, connects directly to PLC equipment via OPC-UA to deliver real-time production monitoring, OEE dashboards, and automated production counting, giving manufacturers end-to-end visibility from the factory floor through to inventory and orders in a single platform. LineConnect+ is an additional module with separate pricing, not included in the base $89.95 plan. No other inventory platform in the NZ market owns this capability natively.
Strengths
Considerations
Best for: Mid-market product businesses | Starting at From $399 NZD/mo
Unleashed is a well-established New Zealand-founded inventory management platform, now part of the Access Group. It is a strong option for mid-market product businesses that need comprehensive inventory management with solid reporting and B2B eCommerce capabilities. Unleashed offers excellent Xero integration (it was one of the first platforms to build a deep Xero connection), batch tracking, BOM management, and multi-warehouse support. The platform has a mature feature set and a large user base in New Zealand and Australia. Pricing starts from $399 NZD/month with tiered plans based on user limits. Unleashed bills in NZD, AUD, USD, or GBP at the customer's choice. Higher tiers cost more and include additional users. (Prices last updated early 2026.)
Strengths
Considerations
Best for: Multi-channel sellers | Starting at ~$349 USD/mo
DEAR Systems, now rebranded as Cin7 Core following acquisition by Cin7, is a feature-rich inventory management platform that excels at multi-channel selling. If you sell across multiple online marketplaces, retail POS, and wholesale channels, DEAR provides strong tools to manage inventory across all of them. It includes manufacturing features (BOM, production orders), warehouse management, and integrates with Xero. The platform is priced in USD, which is a consideration for NZ businesses. The feature set is extensive, though the complexity can mean a steeper learning curve for smaller teams.
Strengths
Considerations
Best for: Enterprise multi-channel operations | Starting at Custom pricing (contact sales)
Cin7 Omni (formerly Cin7) 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 NZ 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 (contact sales for a quote; 8 users included in base), which puts it firmly in the enterprise category. It may be more than smaller wholesalers and manufacturers need. (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 that has gained a strong following among small-to-mid-sized manufacturers globally. Its visual production scheduling, real-time inventory tracking, and shop floor app make it particularly 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 and visual production planning. Katana offers a free plan (limited to 30 SKUs) and a Core plan from ~$299 USD/month with usage-based scaling. No per-user fees. Pricing is in USD. (Prices last updated early 2026.)
Strengths
Considerations
Best for: Simple asset & inventory tracking | Starting at Free (paid from ~$49 USD/mo)
Sortly is a visually-oriented inventory and asset tracking tool designed for simplicity. It is mobile-first, lets you photograph items and organise them with folders and tags, and generates QR codes for quick scanning. Sortly is a good fit for small businesses, teams, or organisations that need basic inventory visibility without the complexity of a full-featured platform. However, it lacks the depth required for manufacturing, wholesale, or distribution operations because there is no BOM management, no production orders, no multi-warehouse logic, and no Xero integration. Best for simple tracking needs.
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, shipping carrier integrations, and warehouse management. If you already use other Zoho products (Zoho Books, Zoho CRM), the native integrations are a significant advantage. Zoho Inventory also integrates with Xero for businesses using it for accounting. The free tier is limited but useful for testing. For NZ businesses, the main considerations are USD pricing, US-centric design, and the fact that batch tracking and manufacturing features are limited compared to dedicated platforms.
Strengths
Considerations
Best for: Small businesses wanting simplicity | Starting at ~$161 USD/mo
inFlow is a straightforward inventory management platform that focuses on being easy to use. It covers the fundamentals well: product tracking, purchase and sales orders, barcode scanning, and basic reporting. The B2B showroom feature lets you create a simple online catalogue for wholesale customers. inFlow integrates with Xero and offers a clean, intuitive interface that does not overwhelm new users. Pricing starts at ~$161 USD/month for the Entrepreneur plan (2 users), scaling to ~$436/month (5 users) and ~$874/month (10 users). 20% discount on annual billing. For NZ businesses with straightforward inventory needs, it is worth considering. However, it lacks the depth for manufacturing (no BOM or production orders) and the multi-warehouse features are more basic than dedicated platforms. (Prices last updated early 2026.)
Strengths
Considerations
With so many options available, here are the key criteria NZ businesses should evaluate when choosing inventory management software.
When things go wrong at 2pm on a Tuesday in Auckland, you need support that is available during NZ business hours. Some platforms offer 24/7 support but it may be from overseas teams unfamiliar with the NZ business context. Check whether support is email, phone, or chat, and what timezone it operates in.
Most NZ businesses use Xero for accounting. A deep Xero integration that syncs invoices, purchase orders, contacts, and payments automatically can save hours of manual data entry every week. Check whether the integration is native or through a third-party connector, and what data it syncs.
If you deal with perishable goods, food products, or anything requiring traceability, batch tracking is essential. Look for systems that support batch number assignment, expiry date tracking, FEFO allocation, and the ability to trace products from receipt through to sale for recalls and audits.
Choose software that can grow with your business. Consider how pricing changes as you add users, warehouses, and products. Some platforms have per-warehouse charges or product limits on lower tiers. Ideally, the software should handle your current needs and scale to 2-3x your current size without a platform change.
Understand the total cost, not just the base price. Check for per-user charges, per-warehouse fees, feature add-ons, setup fees, and training costs. Also check the pricing currency: USD pricing means your cost fluctuates with the exchange rate, while NZD pricing gives you predictable monthly costs.
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 version) and do not require a credit card to start. 14 days is standard; anything less may not give you enough time to evaluate properly.
We built Frostbyte Pro because we saw a gap in the New Zealand market. The existing inventory management options were either designed for the US or UK market with NZ support as an afterthought, or they were priced in USD, meaning NZ businesses were paying unpredictable monthly costs that fluctuated with the exchange rate.
We wanted to build a platform that was genuinely designed for how Kiwi businesses operate. That meant NZD pricing from day one, a support team based in New Zealand that operates on NZ business hours, native Xero integration (because most NZ businesses run Xero), and features that matter to NZ manufacturers and wholesalers like MPI traceability compliance, batch tracking with FEFO allocation, and multi-warehouse management.
We also believed in simple, transparent pricing. One plan. All features included. $89.95 NZD per user per month (3-user minimum). No tiers, no feature gates, no surprises when your next invoice arrives. Every Frostbyte Pro user gets access to everything, from multi-warehouse management and manufacturing to barcode scanning and Xero integration.
We are also honest about where we stand. Frostbyte Pro is a newer platform compared to some of the established names in this space, and our integration marketplace is smaller. But there is one area where we go further than any competitor: LineConnect+, now in beta, connects directly to your PLC equipment via OPC-UA and feeds real-time production data (cycle counts, machine states, OEE) straight into your inventory system. We own the full stack, from the factory floor to your purchase orders and Xero invoices. No middleware, no third-party connectors, no data silos. If full end-to-end visibility across your production lines matters to your business, no other NZ inventory platform offers that natively.
Common questions about choosing inventory management software in New Zealand.
For paid, full-featured inventory management software in NZ, 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 offers a free tier (50 orders/month) with paid plans from ~$39 USD/month. Sortly also has a free tier. These are limited in features and may not suit businesses needing batch tracking, multi-warehouse management, or manufacturing capabilities. Unleashed offers NZD billing starting from $399 NZD/month. When comparing prices, check whether the platform charges in NZD or USD, because a $99 USD plan could cost $170+ NZD depending on the exchange rate. Also check for hidden costs like per-warehouse fees, feature add-ons, and setup charges.
Most of the major inventory management platforms integrate with Xero, 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. Sortly notably does not integrate with Xero. When evaluating, check what specific data syncs between the systems and whether the integration is native or relies on a third-party tool like Zapier.
Both Unleashed and Cin7 are established platforms used by many NZ businesses, and the better choice depends on your specific needs. Unleashed (now part of Access Group) has strong NZ 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 in terms of complexity and price. For simpler operations, Unleashed or alternatives like Frostbyte Pro may be more appropriate. For enterprise multi-channel operations, Cin7 Omni is worth evaluating.
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, cannot generate picking lists, and cannot maintain the audit trail you need for batch traceability. If you are managing more than 50-100 products, have more than one warehouse location, need batch or expiry tracking, or have multiple people managing inventory, dedicated inventory management software will save you significant time and reduce costly errors.
The essential features depend on your business type, but for most NZ businesses you should look for: real-time stock tracking across locations, purchase and sales order management, Xero or MYOB integration, barcode scanning, reporting and analytics, and multi-user access with role-based permissions. 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, price tiers, and pick-pack-dispatch workflows. Also consider NZ-specific factors: NZD pricing, NZ-based support, and GST handling.
Yes. Frostbyte Pro supports data import via CSV files, allowing you to import your products, customers, suppliers, and stock levels from your existing system. Most inventory management platforms allow you to export your data in CSV format. The Frostbyte Pro team can also assist with data migration to ensure a smooth transition. We recommend running both systems in parallel for a brief period during the switch to verify that everything has been migrated correctly before fully cutting over.
Comprehensive guide covering techniques, methods, and best practices.
Why cloud-based inventory software is the smart choice for 2026.
Simple, powerful stock control for growing businesses.
BOM, production orders, and materials planning for manufacturers.
Multi-warehouse distribution and trade inventory management.
Frostbyte Pro, built specifically for the NZ market.
Join businesses across New Zealand who trust Frostbyte Pro to manage their inventory. Start your free 14-day trial today, no credit card required.