Suggestions appear as you type. Use the up and down arrows to choose one and Enter to open it.

This page's audience real numbers from our own analytics — open to see them
–Visitors
–Page views
–Clicks to vendors
–Time on page
–Reading now
Clicks to vendors, by tool
  • –
Top countries
  • –
Devices
  • –

– · counted by iTechGuides's own first-party analytics, bots removed, every figure rounded down · how we count

Head-to-head · Inventory Control Software

BoxHero vs Katana

  • Updated Sep 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 6 checks side by side
Higher score BoxHero #6 in Inventory Control Software 7.3/10 Free plan · paid from $24/mo (annual) · 30-day trial Free plan✓ 5 of 6 features Visit BoxHero
Katana #7 in Inventory Control Software 7.0/10 Free plan · paid from $299/mo Free plan✓ 2 of 6 features Visit Katana

BoxHero leads on 3 checks, Katana on 0, and 3 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 6 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreBoxHero · 7.3/10
  • Free planboth
  • Most featuresBoxHero · 5 of 6

BoxHero scores higher on our rubric for inventory control software: 7.3 against 7.0 out of 10; our editors rank them #6 and #7.

BoxHero offers multi-location stock; Katana doesn't publish it. BoxHero offers batch/lot tracking; Katana doesn't publish it. BoxHero offers low-stock alerts; Katana doesn't publish it.

BoxHero is the better fit for small teams seeking affordable core inventory control. Katana is the better fit for manufacturers needing inventory and replenishment planning.

  • BoxHero fits best

    Small teams seeking affordable core inventory control

  • Katana fits best

    Manufacturers needing inventory and replenishment planning

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. We may earn a commission when you click some links. It never changes our verdict. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature BoxHero 7.3/10 Visit ↗ Katana 7.0/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 7.3 7.0
Ranking #6 in Inventory Control Software #7 in Inventory Control Software
Best for Small teams seeking affordable core inventory control Manufacturers needing inventory and replenishment planning
Pricing model Free plan + paid Free plan + paid
Starting price Not published Not published
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Cloud, Desktop, Mobile Cloud
Platforms Web, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android Web
Support Email, Docs Docs · 24/7
Compliance GDPR SOC 2, GDPR
Integrations 2 integrations 100+ integrations
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market Small business, Mid-market
Features BoxHero 5/6 · Katana 2/6
Barcode scanning ✓ ✓
Multi-location stock ✓ (best) Not published
Purchase orders ✓ ✓
Batch/lot tracking ✓ (best) Not published
Serial-number tracking Not published Not published
Low-stock alerts ✓ (best) Not published
Specs
Location limit 3 locations Not published
Our review
Pros
  • Scan barcodes with a phone camera or compatible scanner
  • Track transfers, orders, and stock across multiple locations
  • Free Personal plan includes Excel import and export
  • Tracks stock across locations and sales channels in real time
  • Combines barcode workflows with batch and serial traceability
  • Suggests replenishment using demand, lead times, and supplier rules
Cons
  • Personal plan is limited to three locations
  • Business costs $24 per team per month when billed annually
  • Business trial lasts 30 days
  • Core starts at $299 per month
  • Core includes one inventory location; added usage can raise costs
  • Warehouse App is browser-based, not a native mobile app
Our verdict

BoxHero helps small teams track inventory, stock changes, and orders across web, desktop, and mobile. Barcode scanning works with a phone camera or compatible scanner, while custom attributes help organize items. The free Personal plan…

Read the review →

For manufacturers and other product businesses managing stock, orders, and purchasing across channels, Katana brings those operations into a cloud platform. It covers sales and purchase orders, fulfillment, warehouse tasks, manufacturing,…

Read the review →
  1. BoxHeroInventory Control Software 7.3Free plan · paid from $24/mo (annual) · 30-day trial
  2. KatanaInventory Control Software 7.0Free plan · paid from $299/mo

Strengths and trade-offs

  • BoxHero — where it wins

    • Scan barcodes with a phone camera or compatible scanner
    • Track transfers, orders, and stock across multiple locations
    • Free Personal plan includes Excel import and export

    Where it doesn't

    • Personal plan is limited to three locations
    • Business costs $24 per team per month when billed annually
    • Business trial lasts 30 days
  • Katana — where it wins

    • Tracks stock across locations and sales channels in real time
    • Combines barcode workflows with batch and serial traceability
    • Suggests replenishment using demand, lead times, and supplier rules

    Where it doesn't

    • Core starts at $299 per month
    • Core includes one inventory location; added usage can raise costs
    • Warehouse App is browser-based, not a native mobile app
  • BoxHero7.3/10 · Free plan · paid from $24/mo (annual) · 30-day trial

    A practical inventory tool with barcode scanning, orders, and location tracking.

    Visit BoxHeroFull verdict →
  • Katana7.0/10 · Free plan · paid from $299/mo

    Katana connects stock, orders, warehouse work, and replenishment for growing manufacturers.

    Visit KatanaFull verdict →

More comparisons

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Sep 2026

Last updated · How we research and update