StockFlow vs DEAR Systems (Cin7 Core): Full Comparison 2026

StockFlow vs DEAR Systems: The SMB Alternative

DEAR Systems is now Cin7 Core, same product, new brand after Cin7's 2022 acquisition. Searches for a "DEAR Systems alternative" still point here; for the current Cin7 Core pricing and feature comparison, also see StockFlow vs Cin7. StockFlow covers the inventory essentials small businesses actually use, starting free.

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Feature	StockFlow	Cin7 Core (DEAR Systems)
Free plan (no credit card)
Built for small businesses & startups
Setup time for a small catalog	Minutes	Days to weeks
Manufacturing / MRP included	Basic BOM	Full MRP (Pro tier+)
Barcode scanning
Multi-warehouse / multi-location
Entry-level monthly price	Free	~$349/month

Cin7 Core figures based on publicly available pricing pages as of mid-2026. Tier limits (users, orders, integrations) change between plan revisions verify current numbers on Cin7's pricing page before buying.

What is Cin7 Core (formerly DEAR Systems)?

Cin7 acquired DEAR Systems in 2022 and rebranded it Cin7 Core the interface, backend, and core feature set carried over, so an evaluation of "DEAR Systems" today is really an evaluation of Cin7 Core. It is a cloud inventory and light-manufacturing ERP: stock tracking, purchasing, sales order management, barcode scanning, and bill-of-materials/MRP workflows all live in one platform, with native accounting sync to Xero and QuickBooks Online.

Cin7 Core is sold in three tiers. The Standard plan (around $349/month) covers a handful of users, a couple of ecommerce integrations, and roughly 6,000 orders a year. The Pro plan (around $599/month) adds more users and integrations plus full MRP for manufacturers. The Advanced plan (around $999/month) raises the order-volume ceiling and unlocks advanced warehouse management for multi-site operations. All tiers include unlimited inventory locations and barcode scanning exact user, order, and integration caps have shifted across plan revisions, so treat these as directional and confirm current numbers before signing a contract.

That feature depth is exactly why reviewers consistently flag Cin7 Core as powerful but complex. Getting a multi-warehouse catalog, BOM structures, and integration mappings configured correctly is not a same-day task most implementations take real onboarding time, and some businesses bring in a partner to do it. For a wholesaler running B2B trading across multiple currencies and channels, that investment pays off. For a small business that mainly needs to know what is in stock and reorder before it runs out, it is a lot of platform to configure and pay for.

Who should choose which?

Choose Cin7 Core if

You run a multichannel wholesale or light manufacturing business with real MRP needs
You need multi-currency B2B ordering and advanced warehouse routing
You have the budget and time for a proper ERP-style implementation

Choose StockFlow if

You are a small business that needs accurate stock counts, barcode scanning, and purchase orders
You want to start free and see value before paying anything
You want to be fully set up in an afternoon, not a multi-week onboarding

Save Thousands Annually on Entry-Level Inventory Software

Cin7 Core's entry tier starts around $349/month (~$4,188/year). StockFlow's Starter plan is free, with paid plans available only once you actually outgrow it.

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Related comparisons & guides

StockFlow vs Cin7 current Cin7 Core comparison
StockFlow vs SkuLabs
StockFlow vs Inventory Planner by Sage
Free bill of materials software if you need BOM/MRP-style features without Cin7 Core's price tag
StockFlow pricing

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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!”
Erasable Trading AU

“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.”
Justin M.
Co-Owner, Consumer Goods

Frequently asked questions

Is DEAR Systems the same as Cin7 Core?

Yes. Cin7 acquired DEAR Systems in 2022 and rebranded it Cin7 Core. Existing DEAR accounts were migrated automatically, and the product kept the same interface, backend, and core feature set under the new name. Searches for "DEAR Systems pricing" or "DEAR Systems alternative" today generally point to Cin7 Core.

How much does Cin7 Core (DEAR Systems) cost?

Cin7 Core is sold in three published tiers: Standard (around $349/month, a handful of users and roughly 6,000 annual orders), Pro (around $599/month, more users and integrations plus MRP/manufacturing), and Advanced (around $999/month, higher order volume and advanced warehouse management). Exact user and order caps have shifted between plan revisions, so always confirm current limits on Cin7's pricing page before buying.

What is Cin7 Core best for?

Cin7 Core is built for mid-market multichannel sellers and light manufacturers who need inventory, purchasing, manufacturing (BOM/MRP), and B2B order management in one system, especially across several ecommerce and accounting integrations. It is not designed as an entry-level tool for a single-location small business just tracking stock.

What do reviewers say about Cin7 Core?

The general consensus across review platforms is that Cin7 Core is feature-rich and capable for complex inventory and manufacturing workflows, but the setup and configuration process is involved many users note a real learning curve and recommend budgeting time (or an implementation partner) to get it running correctly. Cost is also a common concern for smaller teams once you factor in per-tier user and integration limits.

Is there a cheaper alternative to Cin7 Core for a small business?

If you do not need full MRP, multi-currency B2B trading, or advanced warehouse routing, a simpler tool is usually enough. StockFlow offers a free Starter plan (no credit card) for small catalogs, with barcode scanning, purchase orders, and multi-location support built in paid plans start well below Cin7 Core's $349/month entry point once you outgrow the free tier.

Can I migrate from DEAR Systems / Cin7 Core to StockFlow?

Yes. Export your product catalog, stock levels, and supplier list from Cin7 Core as CSV, then import them into StockFlow through its CSV import tool. Most small catalogs can be migrated in under an hour; larger catalogs with custom fields may need column mapping before import.

StockFlow vs DEAR Systems