Zoho Inventory vs Katana (2024 Comparison)
Zoho Inventory offers a comprehensive solution for managing your inventory and sales across multiple channels. With its wide range of integrations and user-friendly interface, it's perfect for businesses looking to streamline their operations.
- Comprehensive inventory management features.
- Seamless multi-channel selling.
- Wide range of integrations.
- Limited manufacturing capabilities.
- May require additional training.
Free plan?
YesStarting price
$29 per month
Katana provides advanced manufacturing features and real-time production tracking, making it an ideal choice for businesses with complex manufacturing processes. Its strong raw material management helps optimize your supply chain and improve efficiency.
- Advanced manufacturing features.
- Real-time production tracking.
- Strong raw material management.
- Less focus on inventory management.
- Higher learning curve for new users.
Free plan?
NoStarting price
$179 per monthWhat is Zoho Inventory?
Zoho Inventory is a comprehensive inventory management software that helps businesses streamline their order and inventory management processes. It offers features like order management, inventory tracking, and multi-channel selling, making it ideal for small to medium-sized businesses. With Zoho Inventory, you can easily manage your stock levels, automate order processing, and integrate with various e-commerce platforms, ensuring a seamless workflow. This tool is perfect for businesses looking to optimize their inventory management and improve operational efficiency.
What is Katana?
Katana is a manufacturing ERP software designed to help businesses manage their production, inventory, and sales in one place. It offers real-time visibility into your manufacturing operations, allowing you to track production progress, manage raw materials, and optimize your supply chain. Katana is particularly beneficial for small to medium-sized manufacturers looking to streamline their operations and improve efficiency. With its intuitive interface and powerful features, Katana helps businesses stay on top of their production schedules and meet customer demands effectively.
Pros and Cons of Zoho Inventory vs Katana
Pros & Cons of Zoho Inventory
- Zoho Inventory offers a wide range of features for managing your inventory, including order management, stock tracking, and multi-channel selling. This makes it an ideal choice for businesses looking to streamline their inventory processes.
- With Zoho Inventory, you can easily manage sales across multiple channels, thanks to its seamless integrations with popular e-commerce platforms. This feature helps businesses expand their reach and increase sales.
- Zoho Inventory integrates with various business tools, including accounting software and e-commerce platforms, making it a versatile solution for businesses with diverse needs.
- While Zoho Inventory offers some manufacturing features, it is not as specialized as other tools in this area. Businesses with complex manufacturing needs may find it lacking in certain aspects.
- Some users may find Zoho Inventory's features overwhelming at first, requiring additional training to fully utilize its capabilities. However, once familiarized, it becomes a powerful tool for inventory management.
Pros & Cons of Katana
- Katana offers a range of advanced manufacturing features, including production planning and raw material management, making it an excellent choice for businesses with complex manufacturing processes.
- With Katana, you can track your production progress in real-time, allowing you to stay on top of your manufacturing operations and make informed decisions quickly.
- Katana provides comprehensive raw material management, helping businesses optimize their supply chain and reduce waste. This feature is particularly beneficial for manufacturers looking to improve efficiency.
- While Katana offers some inventory management features, its primary focus is on manufacturing. Businesses with a strong emphasis on inventory management may find it lacking in certain areas.
- Katana's advanced features may require a higher learning curve for new users, particularly those unfamiliar with manufacturing processes. However, once mastered, it becomes a powerful tool for managing production.
Zoho Inventory vs Katana: At A Glance
Zoho Inventory vs Katana: A Detailed Breakdown of Key Features
Order Management
Zoho Inventory offers a robust order management system that allows you to automate order processing, track shipments, and manage returns efficiently. I found it particularly useful for handling large volumes of orders across multiple channels. Katana, while offering order management features, focuses more on the manufacturing side, which might not be as comprehensive for pure inventory management needs. If your primary concern is efficient order management, Zoho Inventory is the better choice.
Inventory Tracking
With Zoho Inventory, you can easily track your stock levels, set reorder points, and manage multiple warehouses. I appreciated the real-time updates and alerts that helped me avoid stockouts. Katana also offers inventory tracking, but its strength lies in tracking raw materials and production progress. If you need detailed inventory tracking across various locations, Zoho Inventory is more suited to your needs.
Multi-Channel Selling
Zoho Inventory integrates seamlessly with various e-commerce platforms, allowing you to manage sales across multiple channels from a single dashboard. This feature was a game-changer for me, as it simplified my sales processes. Katana, while offering some multi-channel capabilities, is more focused on manufacturing sales. If you are looking to expand your sales channels, Zoho Inventory is the better option.
Production Planning
Katana excels in production planning, offering features like Gantt charts and real-time production tracking. I found these tools invaluable for managing complex manufacturing schedules. Zoho Inventory, while offering some production planning features, is not as specialized in this area. If your business requires detailed production planning, Katana is the superior choice.
Raw Material Management
Katana provides comprehensive raw material management, allowing you to track material usage and optimize your supply chain. This feature was particularly beneficial for managing my manufacturing resources. Zoho Inventory offers basic raw material tracking, but it is not as advanced as Katana's capabilities. If raw material management is a priority, Katana is the better tool.
Real-Time Tracking
Both Zoho Inventory and Katana offer real-time tracking features, but Katana's focus on manufacturing processes gives it an edge in tracking production progress. I found Katana's real-time updates crucial for staying on top of my manufacturing operations. If real-time tracking of production is essential for your business, Katana is the more suitable choice.
Pricing Comparison of Zoho Inventory and Katana
We’ve compiled the pricing tables and highlighted the key features of both Zoho Inventory and Katana to aid in your decision-making process. Let’s explore what each platform has to offer.
Zoho Inventory Pricing Plans
- Access for 1 user to manage inventory operations.
- Support for 1 warehouse to streamline logistics.
- Includes composite items for better inventory management.
- Facilitates dropshipment to enhance supply chain flexibility.
- Access for 2 users to collaborate on inventory tasks.
- Support for 1 warehouse to optimize storage and distribution.
- Includes item groups for organized inventory management.
- Customer portal access for improved client interactions.
- Access for 2 users to enhance team collaboration.
- Support for 2 warehouses to manage multiple locations.
- Serial number tracking for precise inventory control.
- Vendor portal for streamlined supplier interactions.
- Access for 2 users to maintain efficient workflows.
- Support for 3 warehouses to handle extensive inventory.
- Contextual chat for seamless team communication.
- Automation features to streamline repetitive tasks.
- Access for 7 users to support large teams.
- Support for 7 warehouses to manage vast inventories.
- Zoho Analytics for advanced data insights.
- Multi-currency transactions for global business operations.
Katana Pricing Plans
- Unlimited integrations for seamless connectivity with other tools.
- Unlimited SKUs to manage a wide range of products.
- 1 inventory location for centralized inventory management.
- Basic manufacturing features for simple production processes.
- Multicurrency support for global transactions.
- Custom user permissions for enhanced security.
- Barcode scanning for efficient inventory tracking.
- 3 inventory locations for expanded operations.
- Full traceability for complete product tracking.
- Planning and forecasting for inventory optimization.
- Warehouse management for streamlined operations.
- 10 inventory locations for large-scale management.
- Dedicated account manager for personalized support.
- Unlimited integrations for maximum flexibility.
- Advanced customization options for tailored solutions.
- Enhanced support services for optimal performance.
Our Rating Methodology
We thoroughly evaluate each manufacturing ERP software, focusing on key aspects like functionality, scalability, and integrations. By analyzing user reviews and conducting in-depth testing, we ensure our recommendations align with your needs. Each of the seven evaluation factors is weighted by importance to deliver a reliable final rating, helping you make informed decisions.
Zoho Inventory or Katana: Which One Matches Your Business Needs?
Choose Zoho Inventory If You Need ...
- Comprehensive inventory management
If you are a business looking for a comprehensive inventory management solution with features like order management, stock tracking, and multi-channel selling, Zoho Inventory is the ideal choice. Its wide range of integrations and user-friendly interface make it perfect for streamlining your operations.
- Seamless multi-channel selling
If you are looking to expand your sales channels and manage sales across multiple platforms, Zoho Inventory is the better option. Its seamless integrations with popular e-commerce platforms help businesses increase their reach and boost sales.
Choose Katana If You Need ...
- Advanced manufacturing features
If you are a manufacturing business with complex production processes, Katana is the superior choice. Its advanced manufacturing features, including production planning and raw material management, help optimize your operations and improve efficiency.
- Real-time production tracking
If real-time tracking of your production progress is essential for your business, Katana is the more suitable choice. Its real-time updates and tracking features help you stay on top of your manufacturing operations and make informed decisions quickly.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Martin Lunendonk
Martin Lunendonk is a senior tech writer specializing in website builders, web hosting, and ecommerce platforms. With a background in finance, accounting, and philosophy, he has founded multiple tech startups and worked in medium to large tech companies and investment banking, bringing deep expertise and reliable insights to his software reviews.
