Head-to-head · Bill of Materials Software
OpenBOM vs Carbon
OpenBOM leads on 2 checks, Carbon on 0, and 5 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 7 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.
Our verdict
- Highest scoreOpenBOM · 7.8/10
- Lowest starting priceOpenBOM · $25/seat/mo
- Free planonly OpenBOM
- Free trialboth
OpenBOM scores higher on our rubric for bill of materials software: 7.8 against 7.5 out of 10; our editors rank them #14 and #17.
OpenBOM offers free plan; Carbon doesn't. OpenBOM is cheaper to start at $25/user/mo against $40/user/mo. On deployment, Carbon gives you Hybrid where OpenBOM offers Cloud.
OpenBOM is the better fit for teams needing complete cloud BOM control. Carbon is the better fit for manufacturers needing BOM-to-production control.
- OpenBOM fits best
Teams needing complete cloud BOM control
- Carbon fits best
Manufacturers needing BOM-to-production control
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Side by side
| Feature | OpenBOM 7.8/10 Visit ↗ | Carbon 7.5/10 Visit ↗ |
|---|---|---|
| At a glance | ||
| Editor score | 7.8 | 7.5 |
| Ranking | #14 in Bill of Materials Software | #17 in Bill of Materials Software |
| Best for | Teams needing complete cloud BOM control | Manufacturers needing BOM-to-production control |
| Pricing model | Free plan + paid | Paid |
| Starting price | $25/seat/mo (best) | $40/user/mo |
| Free plan | ✓ (best) | — |
| Free trial | 14 days | 30 days |
| Free trial length | 14 days · no card needed | 30 days |
| Deployment | Cloud, Browser extension | Cloud, Self-hosted |
| Platforms | Web | Web |
| Support | Email, Phone, Tickets, Community, Docs | Community, Docs |
| Compliance | SOC 2, SSO/SAML, 2FA | SSO/SAML |
| Integrations | 19 integrations | 15 integrations |
| Built for | Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise | Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise |
| Features OpenBOM 5/5 · Carbon 5/5 | ||
| Revision control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Multi-level BOMs | ✓ | ✓ |
| BOM comparison | ✓ | ✓ |
| Change workflows | ✓ | ✓ |
| Inventory integration | ✓ | ✓ |
| Specs | ||
| Deployment | Cloud | Hybrid |
| Max BOM levels | Not checked yet | Not checked yet |
| Our review | ||
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| Cons |
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| Our verdict | OpenBOM is a browser-based product data platform for engineering, manufacturing, procurement, and operations teams. It brings together item catalogs, multi-level bills of materials, flattened BOM views, revision history, CAD files,… Read the review → |
Carbon is an engineering-focused manufacturing platform that combines ERP, MRP, MES, and QMS around shared manufacturing data. It is designed for discrete manufacturers, from prototype shops to rate-production operations, including… Read the review → |
Strengths and trade-offs
OpenBOM — where it wins
- Multi-level BOMs, revisions, comparisons, and change approvals
- Inventory, RFQs, purchase orders, and supplier collaboration
- CAD, ERP, PDM, PLM integrations plus a REST API
Where it doesn't
- Enterprise pricing is custom
- CAD Add-ins are priced per seat and CAD system
- Advanced CAD and change controls require the Company plan
Carbon — where it wins
- Versioned, multi-level BOMs with revisions and effectivity dates
- Connects inventory, MRP, production, quality, and costing
- Supports cloud, self-hosted, API, webhooks, and MCP server
Where it doesn't
- Starter provides community support instead of technical support
- API, webhooks, and integrations start with the Business plan
- There is no free plan; the paid entry point is $40 per user monthly
- OpenBOM7.8/10 · Free plan · 14-day trial
A broad cloud BOM workspace for engineering, manufacturing, procurement, and operations teams.
Visit OpenBOMFull verdict → - Carbon7.5/10 · 30-day trial
Carbon connects BOM changes, production, inventory, quality, and costing in one platform.
Visit CarbonFull verdict →
All bill of materials software comparisons → · Full ranking →
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update