Comparisons
5 Best Alternatives to Linnworks for Inventory Management
- Written by Clare Dyckhoff
There is plenty to be done when it comes to running your online business. Perhaps you are at a stage where you need some guidance on what inventory management solutions there are out there, how they work, and what it can do for your business.
You might also be looking at how to manage multi-channel orders, or finding solutions to streamline the ecommerce order management process to reduce the risk of error.
When it comes to inventory management software systems, there are a few names that often crop up, one of the key players being Linnworks.
But there are a range of providers out there looking to help simplify and improve your inventory management. This guide will help you assess some of the key features, pros and cons of both Linnworks and five alternatives for inventory management.
Table of Contents
What is Linnworks
How Linnworks works
Key features of Linnworks
Linnworks Pricing
Why look for Linnworks alternatives
5 alternatives to Linnworks
ChannelAdvisor
Brightpearl
Oracle
Selro
Veeqo
What is Linnworks?
Linnworks is an online inventory management system which enables eCommerce businesses to streamline their operations and inventory-to-shipping process.
You can choose from a host of features from multi-channel selling, order processing, shipping integration, to receiving deep insights across sales performance and operations to analyse and report on performance.
How does Linnworks work?
Linnworks is a cloud-based, centralised platform. It offers support across inventory management, order management and warehouse management.
It can integrate with other platforms such as Amazon, Shopify and eBay and users can keep better tabs of stock levels, report on performance and order fulfilment, as well as reporting across sales channels and performance.
Key features of Linnworks
1. Multi-channel selling
Businesses can sell products on a variety of e-commerce platforms and online marketplaces, all via the same dashboard.
2. Track and management of inventory data
The central dashboard boasts providing real-time updates to prevent overselling or underselling. You can create, monitor, and adjust inventory details, create warehouse transfers, purchase orders, and variations.
3. Processing orders
By automating order processing, Linnworks claims to help businesses and dispatch customer orders in a more streamlined way.
4. Shipping integrations
By directly integrating with a range of providers, all shipping services are available for use and the shipping labels can be printed directly via Linnworks. Tracking numbers and other shipping information are automatically added to the orders. They can be passed to the customer and the order origin channel when the order is processed to keep tabs on the orders from warehouse to delivery destination.
5. Forecasting
Forecasting tools can help you know how much stock is needed to ensure all orders are fulfilled. Extra features also include expiry dates tracking and stock levels tracking.
Is Linnworks free?
Linnworks is not a free platform, but it does offer pricing options depending on individual business requirements.
Whilst there is no specific pricing listed on the website, you can book a demo with them and read more about their pricing options here*.
*last accessed January 2024
Why look for Linnworks alternatives?
As with any business decision, it is worth weighing up options available before committing to a particular provider or partner.
With a range of Linnworks competitors out there, it is worth looking for alternatives in case a different offering provides you with more of what you require.
Linnworks Pricing
The Linnworks pricing structure is not suitable for all businesses. Pricing can depend on the number of listings and orders managed per month, which can be costly if you are operating at high volume.
Support
Linnworks provides support across community forums, Knowledge Base, and a ticket system. The level of customer support from a different vendor might be better suited to you and your business.
Software
Users have reported that the software is not the easiest to use and takes time to get to grips with. Other reports have mentioned bugs and included delays in inventory level updates resulting in overselling and underselling, and “clunky” label printing processes.
Further reading: Choosing the Right Warehouse Management Software
5 Alternatives to Linnworks
1. ChannelAdvisor
ChannelAdvisor is one of the more known multi-channel software providers, and is now part of the Rithum family*. A cloud-based ecommerce solution, ChannelAdvisor (Rithum) provides advertising, warehouse logistics, and analytics.
*Acquisition information correct as of January 2024
Key features
Now known as Rithum, services include:
Selling products through their ecommerce network
Digital marketing campaign development, management and tracking
Integrating warehouse fulfilment and logistics partners for delivery
Selling strategies, improved listing success, and optimised product data, all personalised to the business
In-depth analytics to improve marketplace sales performance and return on advertising spend
Pricing
Whilst there is no clear pricing models on the website, you can submit information on your business and design your solution* and see what your options are.
*last accessed January 2024
ChannelAdvisor (Rithum) Pros
Customised reports to give the right level of insights to match individual business needs
The services on offer help create a seamless and optimised customer experience
It aims to be a one-size-fits all solution
ChannelAdvisor (Rithum) Cons
Connecting APIs has been reported to be problematic
Clunky software
High fees
Glitches and bugs
2. Brightpearl
A retail operating system, Brightpearl lets business owners add features as they go depending on what they need from the software. Users can manage inventory, warehouse orders, shipping and even CRM.
Key features
Inventory planning based on your sales trends, supply patterns, and future customer demand to help guide what to buy and how much
Automated updates across all channels and locations after every order
Automated tracking of inventory, to decrease manual time demands and risk of human error
Pick, pack, and send shipments faster and with less risk of error with their Automated Engine
With plug & play integrations, you can quickly start selling on new platforms such as Instagram or TikTok, and create your own individual tech stack
All your marketing and sales data can be found in one platform
You can detect your most valuable customers based on your own judging criteria and automatically reward them with rewards such as faster shipping
Pricing
There is no overt pricing structure listed on the website, but you can get a quote* and see if it suits your business needs.
*last accessed January 2024
Pros of Brightpearl
A central hub to manage all orders across sales to make it easier by having everything in one place
Inventory levels and reorder statuses are automatically updated, which can help prevent stockouts
Both sales channels and customers are given tracking references to keep tabs of the order to make for a more streamlined shipping process
Compared to other providers, there are comments from users about stronger customer support
Cons of Brightpearl
Compared to other vendors, reporting is not as strong as it could be
More of the set up could be automated. Users have commented on it being easy to use, but some areas could make it even easier, such as auto-populating certain fields upon setup.
Further reading: Brightpearl vs Linnworks comparison
3. Oracle
A key player in the technology field, Oracle’s Supply Chain Management (SCM) offering is designed to help improve inventory visibility and have better control over inventory operations, all in one single place.
Key features
Track global inventory balances and availability in units of measure
Support order fulfilment
Manufacturing and service in one inventory system
Track product and transaction history
Reconcile inventory balances with cycle counting
Define items and track inventory in one single system
Determine whether the inventory needed is in place and where it is (in transit, receiving, in storage, consigned to customer)
Pricing
Pricing is not structured by tiers clearly labelled on their website, but you can contact a sales representative or book a free demo* if you are interested in finding out more.
*last accessed January 2024
Pros of Oracle
Flexible supply chain planning, manufacturing and execution can help improve forecast accuracy and end-to-end visibility
Customer experience can be harnessed by using product data to predict trends and model scenario
Cons of Oracle
Reports of struggling with large data sets
Customer service and support could be improved
Not the most user friendly compared to other providers
4. Selro
Selro is a multi-channel ecommerce platform designed to help ecommerce businesses improve the inventory-to-shipping journey.
Key features
Integrate with other platforms such as Amazon, eBay, Shopify, and manage all sales in one place
Add, edit, and organise products seamlessly. You can keep your inventory clearly categorised and tagged up for ease of review.
Centralised orders make it easy to automatically process, fulfil, and track all shipment
Monitor levels of stock and inventory, set up and receive low-stock alerts
Reporting and analytics provide data on sales, inventory, and finance to help you make data-informed future decisions.
Pricing
Selro operates on two different price structures, standard and growth. Standard is priced at £79+VAT monthly, and Growth £150+VAT monthly*. You can start a 14-day free trial to test out if it can support you and your business needs.
*last accessed January 2023
Pros of Selro
14-day free trial to test out the software before committing
All orders arrive in one central database
Support centre on-site with FAQs, tickets, support centre
Cons of Selro
Users have reported a distinct lack of support when issues crop up or when onboarding and issues with lack of customer service
Duplication issues have been reported
5. Veeqo
An online, all-in-one shipping software, Veeqo is part of the Amazon family and helps streamline inventory management, keep tabs of your orders, and simplifies the shipping process.
We know how crucial up-to-date inventory data is so have streamlined the fulfilment process by automating it.
Key features
Real-time inventory and warehouse management
Integration with other operators: Amazon, Shopify and Shopify Plus
Digital picking and packing to help reduce risk of human error
Raise POS, track stock across multiple warehouse locations and book new stock in when it arrives
All sales data is clearly laid out in the system so you can keep clear tabs on what is going on in the business and make data-informed decisions
Analytics and forecasting to help you plan what to do in future
Further reading:
7 Ways to Reduce your Seller Shipping Costs
What is an Ecommerce ERP & Does your Business need one?
Pricing
Veeqo is free with unlimited users, shipping and orders, and has no hidden costs. With Veeqo you can expect:
No shipping label limits
No subscription costs
No hidden costs
No extra fees for connecting your own pre-negotiated shipping rates
Further reading: Veeqo vs Linnworks comparison
Pros of Veeqo
All-in-one solution - everything from automating inventory systems, Amazon integrations to shipping labels
Streamlined shipping process - discounted rates are available with some of the biggest shipping operators including UPS and USPS, combining lower fees and high trust shipments will arrive
Easy to use and integration with key partners such as Ebay, Shopify, and Amazon
Part of the Amazon family, greater account protection for businesses
Full A to Z protections for Amazon orders, as long as you ship on time
Which of these Linnworks alternatives are right for your business?
When you are weighing up how to choose which inventory management software to use, be sure to consider the different aspects of your business that are most needed to be fulfilled by the software.
Is it inventory management and shipping? Or do you also need reporting insights and full customer support?
Before you decide, look at:
Reviews and customer testimonials
Pricing options to see which works for your needs
Demos and free trials to get a feel for the database and software
Whilst Linnworks is an established inventory management solution, it is not the only option. So it is well worth digging deeper and seeing what offering out there sounds best for your business.
Veeqo offers a great all-in-one inventory, warehouse, and shipping management solution for businesses of all sizes. Sign-up now for free to start utilising this powerful suite of tools.
