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

This page's audience our own tag's counts — open to see them
–Visits
–Page views
–Clicks to vendors
–Time on page
–Reading now
Clicks to vendors, by tool
  • –
Top countries
  • –
Devices
  • –

– · visits, page views and clicks counted by our own tag, which counts more than our checked analytics; every figure rounded down · how we count

Head-to-head · Inventory Control Software

Fishbowl Inventory vs Katana

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 4 checks side by side
Higher score Fishbowl Inventory #2 in Inventory Control Software 8.8/10 Paid ✓ 2 of 6 features Visit Fishbowl
Katana #7 in Inventory Control Software 8.1/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 2 of 6 features Visit Katana

Fishbowl Inventory leads on 1 check, Katana on 1, and 2 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 4 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreFishbowl Inventory · 8.8/10
  • Lowest starting priceFishbowl Inventory · $229/mo
  • Free planonly Katana

Fishbowl Inventory scores higher on our rubric for inventory control software: 8.8 against 8.1 out of 10; our editors rank them #2 and #7.

Katana offers free plan; Fishbowl Inventory doesn't. Fishbowl Inventory is cheaper to start at $229/user/mo against $299/user/mo.

Fishbowl Inventory is the better fit for teams needing traceability and accounting links. Katana is the better fit for manufacturers needing inventory and replenishment planning.

  • Fishbowl Inventory fits best

    Teams needing traceability and accounting links

  • Katana fits best

    Manufacturers needing inventory and replenishment planning

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature Fishbowl Inventory 8.8/10 Visit ↗ Katana 8.1/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.8 8.1
Ranking #2 in Inventory Control Software #7 in Inventory Control Software
Best for Teams needing traceability and accounting links Manufacturers needing inventory and replenishment planning
Pricing model Paid Free plan + paid
Starting price $229/mo (best) $299/mo
Free plan — ✓ (best)
Free trial — —
Deployment Cloud Cloud
Platforms Web, iOS, Android Web
Support Email, Live chat, Phone, Tickets, Community, Docs Docs · 24/7
Compliance SOC 2, GDPR, 2FA SOC 2, GDPR
Integrations 15 integrations 100+ integrations
Built for Small business, Mid-market Small business, Mid-market
Features Fishbowl Inventory 2/6 · Katana 2/6
Barcode scanning ✓ ✓
Multi-location stock Not checked yet Not checked yet
Purchase orders ✓ ✓
Batch/lot tracking Not checked yet Not checked yet
Serial-number tracking Not checked yet Not checked yet
Low-stock alerts Not checked yet Not checked yet
Specs
Location limit Not checked yet Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Syncs with QuickBooks Online, QuickBooks Desktop, and Xero
  • Tracks stock across locations with barcode and QR-code scanning
  • Scale adds lot traceability, audit trails, and demand forecasting
  • 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
  • No free plan; Essentials starts at $229 per month, billed annually
  • Essentials is limited to real-time inventory, reorder points, and mobile scanning
  • Traceability and demand forecasting are reserved for the $729 Scale plan
  • 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

Fishbowl Inventory is cloud inventory and warehouse management software for small and midsize businesses that stock, move, and sell physical products. It suits teams that need real-time stock visibility, barcode workflows, purchase and…

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. Fishbowl InventoryInventory Control Software 8.8Paid
  2. KatanaInventory Control Software 8.1Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Fishbowl Inventory — where it wins

    • Syncs with QuickBooks Online, QuickBooks Desktop, and Xero
    • Tracks stock across locations with barcode and QR-code scanning
    • Scale adds lot traceability, audit trails, and demand forecasting

    Where it doesn't

    • No free plan; Essentials starts at $229 per month, billed annually
    • Essentials is limited to real-time inventory, reorder points, and mobile scanning
    • Traceability and demand forecasting are reserved for the $729 Scale plan

  • 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
  • Fishbowl Inventory8.8/10 · Paid

    A warehouse-focused inventory system with accounting sync and traceability features.

    Visit FishbowlFull verdict →
  • Katana8.1/10 · Free plan

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

    Visit KatanaFull verdict →

More comparisons

All inventory control software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update