A bill of materials (BOM) is the foundation for costing and producing anything built from multiple components — from a single-level parts list to a multi-level BOM with nested sub-assemblies.
This hub collects the definitions, step-by-step guides, and tools for working with BOMs, along with how BOM relates to adjacent concepts like material requirements planning (MRP), kitting, and assembly.
If you are evaluating software, start with the free bill of materials software comparison below, or see how StockFlow stacks up against Katana MRP, OpenBOM, and Craftybase.
Start here
- Read guide →
Bill of materials (BOM)
What a BOM is, and why multi-level BOMs matter once you reuse sub-assemblies.
- Read guide →
How to create a bill of materials
Step-by-step: defining the end item, listing components, nesting sub-assemblies, and versioning.
- Read guide →
Material requirements planning (MRP)
How MRP turns a BOM and demand into what to order or produce, and when.
- Read guide →
BOM vs. kitting vs. assembly
What each term actually means, how they relate, and which one your business needs.
- Read guide →
BOM cost calculator
Roll up component costs and a scrap allowance into a finished-good material cost.
- Read guide →
Free bill of materials software
Multi-level BOMs, cost rollup, and CSV import, compared across the top free and paid BOM tools.
- Read guide →
Excel BOM template vs. BOM software
A free downloadable multi-level BOM template, and the point where a spreadsheet BOM stops scaling.
All BOM & manufacturing guides
- Read guide →
Assembly Management Software
Inventory-led assembly management for small manufacturers
- Read guide →
Best Free Alternative to Katana MRP
- Read guide →
BOM Software for Electronics Manufacturers
Multi-level BOMs, part number cross-referencing, and ECOs for electronics
- Read guide →
BOM Software for Furniture & Woodworking
Mixed units of measure, hardware kits, and cutting-waste cost rollup
- Read guide →
Craftybase Alternative
- Read guide →
Engineering BOM vs. Manufacturing BOM
The difference between an EBOM and an MBOM, and when to split them
- Read guide →
Fishbowl Manufacturing Alternative
- Read guide →
How to Track Raw Materials
Tracking raw materials from receiving through BOM-driven production consumption
- Read guide →
Inventory Kitting
- Read guide →
Manufacturing Execution System (MES)
Lightweight MES for small manufacturers
- Read guide →
Manufacturing Routing
Definition and how routing works alongside a BOM
- Read guide →
Master Production Schedule (MPS)
Definition and how the MPS feeds MRP
- Read guide →
Odoo Manufacturing Alternative
- Read guide →
Openbom Alternative
- Read guide →
Phantom Bill of Materials
What a phantom BOM is and when to use one
- Read guide →
Production Tracking Software
Track work orders, builds, lots, and yield on top of your inventory and BOMs
- Read guide →
Recipe & Formula Management Software
Batch-based BOMs, yield percentage, and ingredient cost rollup
- Read guide →
StockFlow vs Katana MRP
Trusted by small businesses
What our customers say
“Super Kind! Quick replies from their support and very easy fixes, changed the dashboard a bit and customized it. Also gave me 450 items extra on the free plan just for me. Highly recommend and again great service!”
“Best customer service! Stockflow's customer support is fast and extremely helpful. They assisted me with customization of the software to improve my experience as a user.”