Cin7 vs. Traditional ERP: Which Is Right for Your Growing Business?

What growing product sellers and manufacturers need to know when evaluating traditional ERPs vs. inventory management software (IMS). We'll also compare Cin7 to other inventory and ERP tools, so you can size up the main Cin7 competitors with confidence.

Growing fast and wondering if it's time for an ERP? You're really choosing between a traditional ERP system or modern inventory management software (IMS), like Cin7.

Here's the short answer to Cin7 vs. traditional ERP. An ERP runs your entire company, including accounting and HR. Cin7 is an IMS, or "ERP lite," built for inventory, orders, warehousing, and manufacturing.

As a product seller or manufacturer, you need a system that covers inventory, suppliers, production, warehouse, and order management. It should also help you flex when things get unpredictable, boost productivity, and keep customers happy.

Both options bring a lot to the table. But only one delivers the goods with less effort and a friendlier price tag. Let's dig in and see which one fits you.

Key Takeaways

• Implementation speed: Cin7 goes live in weeks to a couple of months, while a traditional ERP often takes months to a year.
• Cost transparency: Cin7 uses clear, tiered pricing, with Cin7 Core starting at $349 per month.
• Accounting integration: Cin7 integrates natively with QuickBooks Online and Xero.
• Manufacturing: Cin7 Core includes BOMs and assembly on every plan, with MRP included on Pro and Advanced (and an add-on on Standard).
• Integrations: Cin7 offers 700+ integrations, including native Shopify, Amazon, QuickBooks Online, and Xero connections.
• Target audience: Cin7 is built for growing SMB product sellers and manufacturers, not enterprise IT teams.

Is Cin7 an ERP?

No. Cin7 is an inventory management system (IMS), sometimes called "ERP lite." It covers ERP-style jobs like inventory, purchasing, orders, warehousing, and manufacturing, then connects to QuickBooks Online or Xero for accounting. You get the operational core of an ERP without the enterprise price tag or the year-long rollout.

That's why you'll also hear us called an ERP for small business. We handle the operational heavy lifting, and your accounting software keeps doing what it does best.

Cin7 vs. Traditional ERP at a Glance

Short on time? Here's the side-by-side.

What You Get With a Traditional ERP System

ERP software is short for enterprise resource planning, and it's technology with roots in the manufacturing industry.

These systems are designed to integrate and automate core business processes across an entire organization.

In a nutshell, a traditional ERP collects, stores, and analyzes company-wide information. It helps businesses manage and automate core functions such as accounting, procurement, project management, supply chain operations, risk management, sales, marketing, and human resources.

However, not all ERP software systems are the same.

Most ERPs provide core features like accounting (for example, General Ledger, Accounts Payable, and Accounts Receivable), standardized business reporting, and basic CRM. The big idea? They tie all your business processes together and pull shared data into a single source of truth, so everyone stays on the same page.

Many ERPs also offer inventory, order, manufacturing, and project management functionality built right in. If they don't, they typically make them available via integrations, along with other applications like human resources management, point of sale (POS), commerce channels, shipping methods, and tax services.

What You Get With Cin7 Inventory Management Software

Inventory management software (IMS) has come a long way from spreadsheets and clipboards. Today, it lets product sellers see inventory across sourcing, production, storage, selling, billing, reporting, and restocking with just a click.

But like ERPs, not all IMS options are created equal. Most inventory management solutions supply the tools to manage the inventory lifecycle. Unfortunately, they often can't deliver seamless business performance, which is where Cin7 comes into play.

Cin7 is a single, connected solution that helps you spend less time managing systems and more time growing your business. Cin7 doesn't offer built-in accounting like most ERPs, but integrates with QuickBooks Online and Xero, keeping your sales and accounting on the same page without any manual re-keying.

Worried about your current tools? Cin7 connects natively with Shopify and Amazon, so your online store and marketplace listings stay in sync automatically.

Altogether, Cin7 provides:

• Product Information Management (PIM): Centralized storage of all product information.
• Inventory Management: Pick, Pack, Ship; warehouse management (WMS); and inventory counts/stocktake.
• Order Management: Manage Sales, Transfer, and Purchase Orders.
• Purchasing and Supplier Management: AI-driven purchasing suggestions, automated reordering, and supplier performance tracking.
• Manufacturing: BOMs, work centers, quality assurance, MRP, and MPS.
• Reporting: 100+ customizable pivot table reports on inventory, cash flow, COGS, and forecasting.
• Demand Forecasting: Foresight AI for algorithmic forecasting and automatic replenishment.
• Returns Merchandise Authorization (RMA): Works for all marketplaces you sell on.
• Native integrations: Amazon, eBay, ShipStation, Avalara, 3PL, EDI, and more.
• Point of Sale (POS): Integrated inventory, omnichannel fulfillment, and unlimited outlets and registers.
• B2B Portal: Wholesale buying with catalog review, order placement, and delivery management.

And Cin7 offers Cin7 Capital, which we launched in 2024. We call it the first embedded lending solution in the inventory management industry. It connects product sellers and small to midsize businesses (SMBs) to vetted funding sources directly within the software, helping them drive operational growth.

Manufacturing in Cin7

Making your own products? Good news: Cin7 works for makers, too. Every Cin7 Core plan includes assembly manufacturing, with bills of materials (BOMs), kits and bundles, and batch, serial, and expiry tracking.

Need more planning muscle? Material requirements planning (MRP) is included on Pro and Advanced, and it's an add-on on Standard. For complex production BOMs, capacity scheduling, and a shop-floor mobile app, our Advanced Production Manufacturing add-on for the Pro and Advanced plans steps in.

Let's be honest, though. If you're a highly complex discrete manufacturer with deep engineering needs, a dedicated MRP or ERP may suit you better. For most growing makers, Cin7 covers the job without the enterprise overhead.

How Cin7 and Traditional ERP Systems Compare

Both traditional ERPs and Cin7 equip product sellers with the tools to manage inventory and overall operations. Many ERPs now offer cloud-based deployment models, which can reduce upfront infrastructure costs.

But even with cloud ERP options in the mix, there are still meaningful differences in total cost and implementation timeframes. Let's break those down.

Cost Differences

The true cost of traditional ERP software is challenging to pin down. It depends on the ERP vendor you choose and their specific pricing structure. For NetSuite alone, EPIQ Infotech puts implementation at about $25,000 to $75,000 for a small rollout. Enterprise projects run $150,000 to $500,000+, before license fees.

• SAP ERP: Pricing depends on business size, users, customization, deployment, and data transfer.
• Oracle NetSuite: Pricing depends on operational complexity, modules selected, and implementation partner.
• Acumatica: Pricing depends on integrated applications, resource consumption, and licensing needs.

If you choose a traditional ERP, ask about any monthly or yearly fees, implementation fees, and support fees. These may not be included in the initial cost or disclosed upfront.

For Cin7, costs are clearly broken down into two options: Core and Omni.

Cin7 Core offers Standard, Pro, and Advanced options for businesses that need out-of-the-box features for selling online and in person, advanced manufacturing capabilities, or both. Here's how the Core plans break down (USD, excluding taxes, for new customers):

• Standard: $349 per month for 5 users, 2 e-commerce or app integrations, 6,000 sale orders per year, and unlimited inventory locations.
• Pro: $599 per month for 10 users, 4 integrations, 24,000 orders per year, and MRP included.
• Advanced: $1,199 per month for 15 users, 6 integrations, 120,000 orders per year, and advanced warehouse management.

Cin7 Omni is a comprehensive option for businesses requiring custom configurations or EDI and 3PL capabilities. Separate from the monthly fee for either Core or Omni are add-on applications available at an additional cost.

Implementation Timeframes

The time difference matters, and so do the extra costs of a longer implementation. You'll pay for your old solution while implementing the new one, so factor in the costs of an extended process.

Switching to Cin7 From Spreadsheets or an ERP

Moving off spreadsheets or a legacy ERP can feel like a big leap. It doesn't have to be! You'll import your product, customer, and supplier data, then get up to speed through group, 1-to-1, or partner-led onboarding.

It's smart to run your old and new systems side by side for a short stretch, so nothing slips through the cracks. And if questions pop up along the way, our 24/7 global support team has your back.

Just ask Lofta, an e-commerce seller of at-home sleep apnea tests and CPAP equipment based in Sorrento Valley, California. Mid-growth, its previous ERP vendor was acquired and shut down.

Lofta evaluated Fishbowl Inventory, Acumatica, Oracle NetSuite, and Cin7, and chose us. Here's what it got:

• Native QuickBooks Online, Shopify, and ShipStation integrations
• Tailored pick, pack, and ship workflows
• Serialization to support product recalls
• Shipping in less than one day for non-prescription orders and less than two days for prescription orders
• Three separate Cin7 instances, added easily for its sister companies

"Before Cin7, we had order delays and inventory adjustments, and after Cin7, we have responsive fulfillment operations and dead-on inventory," says Boyd Goodson, Lofta's general manager.

E-commerce, Integrations, and Accounting

Your inventory system is only as good as its connections. Cin7 offers 700+ integrations, so your sales channels, warehouse, and books all stay on the same page.

Selling on Shopify, Amazon, and More

Cin7 connects natively with Shopify, Amazon, and WooCommerce.

Selling on eBay, BigCommerce, or Walmart? Those channels are part of our 700+ integrations, too. Your stock levels stay in sync across every channel, so you won't sell that last unit twice.

Selling wholesale? Our B2B Portal (an add-on for Cin7 Core) lets your trade buyers browse your catalog and place orders on their own schedule.

Shipping to big-box retailers? Cin7 supports EDI (electronic data interchange) through API and partner solutions. Working with a third-party logistics provider? 3PL Connect links your 3PL to Cin7, so your warehouse partner and your stock counts stay aligned.

Keeping QuickBooks or Xero

Here's the part your accountant will love. Cin7 pairs with QuickBooks Online or Xero on every plan, so your sales and purchase data reaches your books without manual re-keying.

A traditional ERP usually comes with its own built-in General Ledger. Switching to one often means moving your books and retraining your finance team. With Cin7, your accounting stays right where it is.

Cin7 Competitors: How Cin7 Compares to Other Inventory and ERP Software

Traditional ERPs aren't your only alternative. Plenty of Cin7 competitors promise to run your inventory, so it helps to see how they stack up. The table below compares Cin7 to six popular options, and you can dig deeper on each with our head-to-head guides.

Here's a quick read on where each tool fits:

• NetSuite: A full ERP for large enterprises. It's powerful, but larger rollouts typically take 6 to 12+ months, per our NetSuite comparison, and need dedicated IT.
• Fishbowl: A QuickBooks-first tool with desktop roots. Our comparison notes it requires IT infrastructure and has limited native integrations.
• Katana: An MRP built for small manufacturers. Great for shop-floor basics, lighter on forecasting and multichannel sales.
• Odoo: A modular, open-source ERP. Very flexible, but you'll likely need developers to configure and maintain it.
• Brightpearl: A retail operations platform. Strong for omnichannel retail, but it has no dedicated manufacturing module.
• Unleashed: A cloud inventory tool for wholesale. Solid basics, though forecasting is only in its higher-priced Pro plan.

On a tighter budget? Lighter tools like inFlow and Zoho Inventory can work for very small sellers, though they lack Cin7's depth. 

The common thread? Cin7 is built for growing product businesses that have outgrown spreadsheets but don't need a heavy enterprise ERP. With pricing that starts at $349 per month and 700+ integrations, you get enterprise-level features without the enterprise overhead.

When to Choose Cin7 vs. a Traditional ERP

So, we've seen that both ERPs and Cin7 pack a serious punch when it comes to features. Which one's right for your business? Consider these six questions:

1. Are you a small or midsized product seller needing comprehensive inventory management without complexity or overpaying for unused features?
2. Are you adding a second sales channel and outgrowing your manual, error-prone inventory spreadsheets?
3. Are you growing from one to multiple warehouses?
4. Are you wanting to switch to a 3PL?
5. Are you expanding your team and want to train every employee on the same system across departments?
6. Are you modernizing your tech stack while keeping QuickBooks or Xero for accounting?

If you answer "yes" to any of these questions, Cin7 is likely the better choice.

A traditional ERP may fit better if:

• You need native multi-entity accounting across several companies
• You want HR and payroll in the same system as your operations
• You need enterprise-wide consolidation and have a dedicated IT team to run it

That's no knock on ERPs. They're simply built for a bigger, broader job.

Cin7 Delivers Enterprise-Level Features Without the Enterprise Price Tag

Cin7 takes the complexity out of inventory management. As a product seller or manufacturer, you spend less time managing and more time growing. You connect everything, see everything, and scale smarter, all without the enterprise price tag.

Cin7 customer Yiddi Paplanos, owner and CEO of YP Signal, shares: "Before Cin7, I was a hot mess. We were losing money every single day. Everything was in my head and my gut."

"Now, we have everything set up. We don't have to change anything, and a lot of credit goes to the actual software."

Ready to see why Cin7 is a smart, affordable alternative to traditional ERPs? Contact us for a free demo today.

Frequently Asked Questions About Cin7 and ERP Software

What Is ERP Software?

ERP stands for enterprise resource planning. It's software that connects your core business functions, like accounting, inventory, HR, and supply chain, into one system so everything talks to each other in real time.

Traditional ERPs were built for large enterprises, which means they often come with a steep price tag and a long setup process. If you're a growing product seller or manufacturer, Cin7 delivers connected visibility without enterprise complexity or cost.

What Are Some Examples of ERP Software?

Some of the most well-known traditional ERP platforms include SAP, Oracle NetSuite, and Acumatica. They're built for large, complex organizations, and priced to match.

If you're a small or mid-sized product seller or manufacturer, you don't necessarily need a full-scale ERP to get enterprise-level results.

Cin7 is an IMS covering inventory, orders, warehousing, and manufacturing. It costs far less and deploys faster than traditional ERP. You get power without overwhelm.

Is QuickBooks an ERP System?

Not quite. QuickBooks is accounting software, and a great one, but it doesn't manage inventory, orders, warehousing, or manufacturing on its own.

That's where we come in. Cin7 integrates natively with QuickBooks, so you get powerful inventory and order management alongside your existing accounting setup.

No need to rip out what's already working. Think of it as giving QuickBooks a serious upgrade without replacing it.

What Are the Main Types of ERP Systems?

ERP systems generally come in four deployment types. Cloud ERP has become especially popular for growing businesses due to its flexibility and lower upfront costs. Here are the main categories:

• Cloud ERP: Hosted online via subscription. Easy to scale, with no server maintenance.
• On-premises ERP: Installed on your own servers. More control, higher upfront costs.
• Hybrid ERP: A mix of cloud and on-premises for local data and cloud flexibility.
• Two-tier ERP: One system for headquarters, separate systems for divisions or subsidiaries.

For most growing small and mid-sized businesses, cloud-based solutions tend to be the most flexible and affordable, and they're far faster to implement than on-premises setups. That's why many SMBs choose Cin7 over traditional ERP: connected visibility without heavy infrastructure costs.

What Are Some Good Alternatives to Cin7?

Popular Cin7 alternatives include:

• NetSuite
• Fishbowl
• Katana
• Odoo
• Brightpearl
• Unleashed

Each leans toward a specific niche, whether that's enterprise ERP, QuickBooks-centric users, or small-batch manufacturing. If you're a growing product seller who wants deep inventory, order, and manufacturing tools without enterprise overhead, we think Cin7 is tough to beat. You can weigh the full lineup on our Cin7 competitors comparison.

What's the Difference Between Cin7 Core and Cin7 Omni?

Think of them as two doors into the same house. Cin7 Core gives you out-of-the-box tools for selling online and in person, plus advanced manufacturing, and it's ideal for small to mid-sized sellers. Cin7 Omni is the more configurable option, built for businesses that need custom setups or heavy EDI and 3PL connections. Not sure which fits? We'll help you match the right plan to your operation.

Does Cin7 Integrate With Shopify and Amazon?

Yes! Cin7 connects natively with both Shopify and Amazon, so your online store and marketplace listings stay in sync without manual re-keying.

That's part of our 700+ integrations, which also cover QuickBooks Online, Xero, eBay, and more. Sell across channels and let Cin7 keep your stock levels honest behind the scenes.

How Does Cin7 Compare to NetSuite?

NetSuite is a full ERP built for large enterprises, with per-user, module-based pricing. Larger rollouts typically run 6 to 12+ months with consultants, per our NetSuite comparison.

EPIQ Infotech puts small, single-entity NetSuite rollouts at 8 to 12 weeks. Cin7 is an IMS, or "ERP lite." You get connected inventory, orders, warehousing, and manufacturing that goes live in weeks, and pricing starts at $349 per month. If you're a growing SMB rather than an enterprise IT team, Cin7 gives you the power without the price tag or the long wait.

What Did Cin7 Used to Be Called?

Cin7 Core was formerly known as DEAR Systems (also called DEAR Inventory) before it joined the Cin7 family and was rebranded on January 9, 2023. Cin7 Omni was originally the product simply called Cin7. Today both live under the Cin7 name, so you get the same connected inventory management with one shared identity.

How Much Does Cin7 Cost Per Month?

Cin7 Core starts at $349 per month for the Standard plan, which includes 5 users and 6,000 sale orders per year. Pro is $599 per month for 10 users, 24,000 orders per year, and MRP. Advanced is $1,199 per month for 15 users, 120,000 orders per year, and advanced warehouse management. Prices are in USD, exclude taxes, and apply to new customers, while Cin7 Omni is tailored and custom-quoted (check our pricing page for details).

Is Cin7 Good for Manufacturers?

Yes! Every Cin7 Core plan includes assembly manufacturing with BOMs, kits and bundles, and batch, serial, and expiry tracking. MRP is included on Pro and Advanced, and it's an add-on on Standard. On Pro and Advanced, our Advanced Production Manufacturing add-on brings complex production BOMs, capacity-based scheduling, and a shop-floor mobile app. Very complex, engineering-heavy manufacturers may still need a dedicated MRP or ERP, so explore our manufacturing features to see what fits.

Does Cin7 Include Accounting?

Not natively. Cin7 doesn't have its own general ledger, but it integrates with QuickBooks Online and Xero on every plan. Your sales and purchase data syncs automatically, so your books stay in step with your inventory. Your team keeps the accounting software it already knows.

Is Cin7 Cloud-Based?

Yes! Cin7 is a cloud-based platform with no servers to maintain or software to install, so you can manage inventory, orders, and reports from anywhere. Cin7 Core also offers mobile apps for iOS and Android to keep your warehouse team connected.

Does Cin7 Support Multiple Warehouses?

Yes, every Cin7 Core plan includes unlimited inventory locations. Advanced warehouse management for multiple warehouse locations comes with the Advanced plan, and it's an add-on on Pro. If you work with a 3PL, 3PL Connect gives you visibility into stock at your logistics partner. See how we help you manage multiple warehouses.

When Should a Business Move From Inventory Software to a Full ERP?

When your biggest headaches live outside the warehouse. A full ERP makes sense if you need native multi-entity accounting and consolidation, HR and payroll, or enterprise-wide governance with a dedicated IT team. If your pain is inventory, orders, sales channels, and warehouses, an IMS like Cin7 usually solves it faster and for less.