OpenBoxes vs NHS Supply Chain eDC and eDC Gold

OpenBoxes9.3Visit NHS Supply Chain eDC and eDC Gold8.8Visit

Higher score OpenBoxes #1 in Medical Inventory Software 9.3/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 1 of 5 features Visit OpenBoxes

vs

NHS Supply Chain eDC and eDC Gold #5 in Medical Inventory Software 8.8/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 4 of 5 features Visit site

• OpenBoxes fits best

  Hospitals needing broad, affordable inventory control

• NHS Supply Chain eDC and eDC Gold fits best

  NHS trusts managing inventory across departments

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Side by side

Feature	OpenBoxes 9.3/10 Visit ↗	NHS Supply Chain eDC and eDC Gold 8.8/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.3	8.8
Ranking	#1 in Medical Inventory Software	#5 in Medical Inventory Software
Best for	Hospitals needing broad, affordable inventory control	NHS trusts managing inventory across departments
Pricing model	Free plan + paid	Free
Starting price	$24/mo	Free
Free plan	✓	✓
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Cloud, Self-hosted, Mobile	Cloud, Mobile
Platforms	Web, iOS, Android	Web, Android
Support	Email, Phone, Community · 24/7	Email, Phone, Docs
Built for	Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise	Enterprise
Features OpenBoxes 1/5 · NHS Supply Chain eDC and eDC Gold 4/5
Lot tracking	Not checked yet	✓ (best)
Expiry tracking	Not checked yet	✓ (best)
Serial number tracking	Not checked yet	✓ (best)
Controlled substances	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Barcode scanning	✓	✓
Specs
Stock locations	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Our review
Pros	Tracks lots, serial numbers, expiry dates, bins, and facilities Barcode scanning, FEFO picking, cycle counts, and replenishment workflows Self-hosted or cloud deployment with REST API and webhooks	Free for NHS trusts, including eDC Gold Captures batch, serial and expiry data with barcode scanning Automates replenishment using demand and stock visibility
Cons	Self-hosted deployment requires managing the hosting environment Enterprise pricing is custom rather than publicly specified No AI features are included	Designed specifically for NHS trust inventory workflows eDC Gold focuses on consignment, high-value and critical-care products Access is through web and Android
Our verdict	OpenBoxes is an open-source inventory and supply chain system for healthcare organizations, warehouses, and distribution operations. It manages stock across facilities and bins while recording lots, serial numbers, and expiration dates.… Read the review →	NHS Supply Chain eDC is a demand-capture and stock-management system for NHS trusts handling high-volume, low-value goods across departments and locations. Its eDC Gold extension covers consignment, high-value and critical-care products.… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• OpenBoxes — where it wins

  • Tracks lots, serial numbers, expiry dates, bins, and facilities
  • Barcode scanning, FEFO picking, cycle counts, and replenishment workflows
  • Self-hosted or cloud deployment with REST API and webhooks

  Where it doesn't

  • Self-hosted deployment requires managing the hosting environment
  • Enterprise pricing is custom rather than publicly specified
  • No AI features are included

• NHS Supply Chain eDC and eDC Gold — where it wins

  • Free for NHS trusts, including eDC Gold
  • Captures batch, serial and expiry data with barcode scanning
  • Automates replenishment using demand and stock visibility

  Where it doesn't

  • Designed specifically for NHS trust inventory workflows
  • eDC Gold focuses on consignment, high-value and critical-care products
  • Access is through web and Android

• OpenBoxes9.3/10 · Free plan

  Broad medical inventory control with free community use and flexible deployment.

  Visit OpenBoxesFull verdict →
• NHS Supply Chain eDC and eDC Gold8.8/10 · Free plan

  A free NHS trust inventory system with replenishment, barcode capture and eDC Gold traceability.

  Visit siteFull verdict →