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 · Pharmacy Software

FRED Dispense vs DrugMate

  • Updated Sep 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 5 checks side by side
Higher score FRED Dispense #4 in Pharmacy Software 7.4/10 Pricing on request ✓ 2 of 4 features Visit Fred IT
DrugMate #8 in Pharmacy Software 6.6/10 Pricing on request ✓ 2 of 4 features Visit DrugMate

FRED Dispense leads on 2 checks, DrugMate on 2, and 1 is even. Who comes out ahead on the 5 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreFRED Dispense · 7.4/10

FRED Dispense scores higher on our rubric for pharmacy software: 7.4 against 6.6 out of 10; our editors rank them #4 and #8.

FRED Dispense offers prescription management; DrugMate doesn't publish it. DrugMate offers inventory tracking; FRED Dispense doesn't publish it. DrugMate offers point of sale; FRED Dispense doesn't publish it. On pharmacy type, DrugMate gives you Hospital where FRED Dispense offers Community. FRED Dispense offers e-prescribing; DrugMate doesn't publish it.

FRED Dispense is the better fit for community pharmacies focused on prescription dispensing. DrugMate is the better fit for pharmacies prioritizing mobile stock and purchasing.

  • FRED Dispense fits best

    Community pharmacies focused on prescription dispensing

  • DrugMate fits best

    Pharmacies prioritizing mobile stock and purchasing

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. We may earn a commission when you click some links. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature FRED Dispense 7.4/10 Visit ↗ DrugMate 6.6/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 7.4 6.6
Ranking #4 in Pharmacy Software #8 in Pharmacy Software
Best for Community pharmacies focused on prescription dispensing Pharmacies prioritizing mobile stock and purchasing
Pricing model Paid Paid
Starting price Not published Not published
Free plan — Not published
Free trial — —
Support Phone, Tickets, Docs Phone, Email · 24/7
Built for Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features FRED Dispense 2/4 · DrugMate 2/4
Prescription management ✓ (best) Not published
Inventory tracking Not published ✓ (best)
Point of sale Not published ✓ (best)
E-prescribing ✓ (best) Not published
Specs
Pharmacy type Community Hospital
Deployment Not published Not published
Our review
Pros
  • Covers prescription entry, repeats, directions, quantities and pricing
  • Connects with eRx, My Health Record and MedView Flow
  • ScanCheck Rx barcode scanning flags possible medication selection errors
  • Barcode and QR scanning with batch and expiry alerts
  • Integrated stock, purchasing, billing and accounts
  • Reorder suggestions, reports, audit trail and automated backups
Cons
  • Pricing requires contacting Fred IT rather than choosing a published plan
  • Support is not offered 24/7
  • Documented scope centers on dispensing rather than inventory or POS
  • Mobile deployment may not suit desktop-centered pharmacy workflows
  • Prescription management and e-prescribing sit outside the verified feature set
  • Pricing requires contacting the vendor for a quote or demonstration
Our verdict

FRED Dispense is pharmacy dispensing software from Fred IT Group for community pharmacies processing prescriptions. Its documented workflow covers patient and prescriber lookup, drug selection, prescription directions, repeat handling,…

Read the review →

DrugMate is a pharmacy information management system from Excellence ICT for pharmacies and healthcare facilities. Its mobile applications for iOS and Android cover stock, purchases, returns, billing and dues, with tools for supplier…

Read the review →
  1. FRED DispensePharmacy Software 7.4Pricing on request
  2. DrugMatePharmacy Software 6.6Pricing on request

Strengths and trade-offs

  • FRED Dispense — where it wins

    • Covers prescription entry, repeats, directions, quantities and pricing
    • Connects with eRx, My Health Record and MedView Flow
    • ScanCheck Rx barcode scanning flags possible medication selection errors

    Where it doesn't

    • Pricing requires contacting Fred IT rather than choosing a published plan
    • Support is not offered 24/7
    • Documented scope centers on dispensing rather than inventory or POS

  • DrugMate — where it wins

    • Barcode and QR scanning with batch and expiry alerts
    • Integrated stock, purchasing, billing and accounts
    • Reorder suggestions, reports, audit trail and automated backups

    Where it doesn't

    • Mobile deployment may not suit desktop-centered pharmacy workflows
    • Prescription management and e-prescribing sit outside the verified feature set
    • Pricing requires contacting the vendor for a quote or demonstration
  • FRED Dispense7.4/10 · Pricing on request

    A focused dispensing system with electronic prescriptions, records integration and barcode checks.

    Visit Fred ITFull verdict →
  • DrugMate6.6/10 · Pricing on request

    Mobile pharmacy operations with stock, purchasing, billing and expiry controls.

    Visit DrugMateFull verdict →

More comparisons

All pharmacy software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Guides on pharmacy software

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Sep 2026

Last updated · How we research and update