Shopify vs StockFlow: Two Different Tools for Different Jobs
Shopify is an e-commerce platform. Its inventory features exist to support online selling, not to be your primary stock management system. StockFlow is a dedicated inventory management platform designed to handle the full complexity of physical stock: multi-location warehouses, purchase orders, barcode scanning, Bill of Materials, and stock counts.
Many businesses use both: Shopify for their online storefront and StockFlow for inventory operations. This guide explains the differences, when each makes sense, and how to get the best of both worlds.
Quick Answer
If you sell online through Shopify, you probably need both. Use Shopify for your storefront and StockFlow for serious inventory management, then sync them via API.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | StockFlow | Shopify Inventory |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan available | ✓ Free (25 products) | ✗ $39+/month required |
| Starting price for inventory | Free | $39/month (full Shopify plan) |
| Purpose | Dedicated inventory management | E-commerce with inventory built-in |
| Real-time stock tracking | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes (basic) |
| Mobile barcode scanning | ✓ Native mobile (needs connection) | ✗ Requires paid app |
| Bill of Materials (BOM) | ✓ Built-in | ✗ Not supported |
| Purchase orders | ✓ Professional plan+ | ✗ Requires paid app |
| Stock counts / cycle counts | ✓ Built-in | ✓ Basic only |
| Multi-location warehouses | ✓ Up to unlimited | ✓ Shopify plan+ only |
| Supplier management | ✓ Built-in | ✗ Not included |
| Pick lists | ✓ Professional plan+ | ✗ Requires paid app |
| Offline mode | ✗ Requires internet connection | ✗ No |
| Works without online store | ✓ Yes, standalone | ✗ Requires Shopify store |
| API access | ✓ Enterprise plan | ✓ Yes (all plans) |
Which Should You Use?
Use StockFlow if you…
- ✓Manage physical stock in one or more warehouses
- ✓Need purchase orders and supplier management
- ✓Want to track Bill of Materials for production
- ✓Don't sell primarily through an online store
- ✓Need mobile barcode scanning in the warehouse (with a live connection)
- ✓Want free or low-cost inventory software
Use Shopify Inventory if you…
- ✓Sell products primarily through an online store
- ✓Need e-commerce features alongside inventory
- ✓Have simple stock tracking needs (no BOM)
- ✓Already pay for Shopify and want to avoid extra tools
- ✓Use Shopify POS in retail locations
The Best Setup for Shopify Sellers
Most serious Shopify merchants eventually hit the limits of Shopify's built-in inventory. When you need purchase orders, BOM, advanced barcode scanning, or multi-location control beyond Shopify's basics, the answer isn't to abandon Shopify, it's to add StockFlow alongside it.
Recommended Setup for Shopify Sellers
Shopify for your store
Continue using Shopify for your online storefront, checkout, and payments.
StockFlow for inventory
Use StockFlow for purchase orders, BOM, barcode scanning, and multi-location stock management.
Sync via API
Connect them via StockFlow's API so Shopify sales automatically update your StockFlow inventory.
Start Managing Inventory Properly: For Free
Whether you use Shopify or not, StockFlow gives you the inventory control your business needs. Start free today.
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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!”
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