Managing orders manually can become problematic as your business grows, and that’s where order management software can help. Between keeping track of inventory, processing orders, and ensuring timely deliveries, it’s easy to feel like you’re always playing catch-up. We’ve talked to a number of business owners, and they all share the same challenges: spreadsheets aren’t cutting it anymore orders are slipping through the cracks inventory counts rarely match reality That’s what led us to create this practical guide to best order management software. We’ve personally analyzed the top order management solutions in the market to help you find the one that fits your business needs. Here are the top order management systems we’ll be covering: Zoho Inventory: Best for small to medium-sized businesses managing multi-channel inventory and orders. NetSuite: Best for large enterprises and rapidly growing businesses requiring order management within an ERP system. QuickBooks Online: Best for small businesses seeking a combination of accounting and order management tools. Brightpearl: Best for mid-sized to large retail and wholesale businesses needing automation. Salesforce Commerce Cloud: Best for enterprises with complex multi-channel sales and order workflows. OrderMS: Best for small to medium-sized businesses seeking a straightforward order management solution. Katana: Best for manufacturers needing real-time production and inventory management. Odoo: Best for businesses needing customizable, open-source order management solutions. Shopify: Best for e-commerce businesses looking for an integrated order and inventory management system. Let’s get your order fulfillment process working for you, not against you. Forget Spaghetti Routes, Optimize Routes for Your Entire Team with Upper Start a 7-Day Free Trial Table of Contents What is Order Management Software? Key Features to Look for in Order Management Software Top Order Management Software for Simplified Order Fulfillment Tips for Choosing the Best Order Management Software FAQs Managing Orders is step one; Delivering Them is Step Two What is Order Management Software? Order management software (OMS) is a tool that helps businesses handle every step of the order lifecycle, from when a customer places an order to its final delivery. In other words, an order management system is a digital platform that unifies and automates your entire order-processing workflow. It connects your sales channels, inventory, shipping, and customer service into one unified system, giving you real-time visibility and control over every order. Understanding the order management process Ever wondered what happens after a customer places an order? Here’s how the order management system handles each step: Once the order is placed, the OMS immediately records orders from all your sales channels: e-commerce channels, retail stores, or B2B portals. It automatically checks if the item is in stock and updates your inventory count. The system then assigns the order to the right warehouse and creates picking lists for your team. It generates shipping labels, tracks packages in real time, and keeps customers updated about their delivery. The order management software even helps manage returns, refunds, and customer feedback, keeping everything organized in one place. 💡 Want to ensure every order reaches its destination smoothly after it’s processed? Pair your OMS with Upper delivery route planning software. Start your free trial today and see how it can save you hours daily. Key Features to Look for in Order Management Software To get the most out of an order management system, it’s important to understand the key features. Here are some of the key features of OMS to look for and why they matter: Centralized order tracking and management Managing orders from multiple sales channels can get messy. A good OMS keeps everything in one place, so you can track, process, and manage orders without switching between systems. This means less confusion and faster decision-making. Inventory synchronization When someone buys a product on any platform, your inventory updates automatically across all your sales channels, avoiding overselling or running out of products unexpectedly. This means if you sell the last item on your website, your e-commerce store listing will show as out of stock instantly. Automated order processing Let the software handle the repetitive stuff. It can automatically send order confirmations, update inventory, alert your warehouse team, and notify customer of order status. This reduces human errors and frees up your time. Real-time stock monitoring Know exactly what’s in the inventory, what’s running low, and what needs reordering. The system alerts you when it’s time to restock, helping you avoid those “out of stock” situations that frustrate customers. Integration capabilities Your order management software should play nice with your other business tools. Good software connects seamlessly with your online store, accounting system, shipping carriers, customer relationship management (CRM) system, and enterprise resource planning (ERP). This means data flows automatically between systems, reducing manual processes for data entry. Returns and refunds Returns happen and it’s part of business. A good order management platform makes this process smooth for both you and your customers. It tracks return requests, generates return labels, and helps process refunds quickly. Reporting and analytics Make better business decisions with data that matters. Look for software that provides clear reports on sales performance, tracks shipping costs, and spots order trends. These insights help you stock the right products and optimize your operations. Remember, you don’t need every bell and whistle; focus on the features that align with your business needs. What’s your biggest order management challenge right now? That’s where you should start looking for solutions. Top Order Management Software for Simplified Order Fulfillment Here are some top order management solutions that simplify your order fulfillment process. Let’s explore each one in detail: Zoho Inventory Best for: Small to medium-sized businesses managing multi-channel inventory and orders User ratings: 4.5/5 (397+ reviews) Zoho Inventory is an all-in-one order management solution that helps businesses manage their inventory and orders. It manages inventory levels, tracks orders, and automates workflows across multiple sales channels and warehouses. Its user-friendly interface and robust integration capabilities make it a good choice for businesses of any size. This inventory management software provides real-time updates on stock levels, allowing for better decision-making and improved customer satisfaction. Key features Manages inventory across various sales channels and locations from one place. Keeps track of orders and ensures they are processed and delivered efficiently. Uses barcode scanning to quickly track and manage inventory items. Integrates with well-known platforms like e-commerce and accounting systems for seamless operations. Advantages of Zoho inventory Excellent value for money compared to enterprise-level solutions Quick setup for order management process with minimal technical expertise needed Superior multichannel inventory sync with minimal lag time Strong mobile app functionality for on-the-go management Limitations of Zoho inventory Limited customization options for larger enterprises Some advanced features are only available in higher-tier plans Learning challenges for new users Pricing of Zoho inventory Zoho inventory’s pricing starts at $39 per organization per month It offers a free trial of 14 days NetSuite Best for: Large enterprises and rapidly growing businesses requiring order management within an ERP system User rating: 4.2/5 (1666+ reviews) NetSuite is a powerful enterprise resource planning (ERP) tool with an order management module. It automates the end-to-end order lifecycle, ensuring smooth workflows across order capture, validation, fulfillment, and post-sales service. This system also supports advanced processes like split shipments, drop shipping, and omnichannel fulfillment, giving businesses the flexibility to meet customer expectations. NetSuite integrates sales, finance, and operations data into a single platform, providing users with a 360-degree view of their business. Key features Automated order processing across all selling channels Intelligent order routing and fulfillment optimization Advanced returns management system Real-time inventory control and visibility across locations Customizable workflows and business rules Role-based access control for enhanced security Advantages of NetSuite Deep customization options for complex business needs Multi-subsidiary and multiple currencies support Superior financial management integration Strong compliance and audit trail capabilities Limitations of NetSuite Complex setup requires technical expertise Performance slowdown with heavy data loads Difficult to learn for new users Building custom reports can be challenging Pricing or NetSuite Custom pricing based on business requirements No free trial available Demo available upon request Master Order Management with Upper Streamline your operations with Upper’s automation and real-time tracking—see how simple managing orders can be. Try Upper! Quickbooks Online Best for: Small businesses seeking a combination of accounting and order management tools User ratings: 4.3/5 (7812+ reviews) QuickBooks Onine is a well-known accounting software offering robust order management capabilities like invoicing, payment, bills, mileage tracking, and tax deductions. It helps businesses track inventory, manage order details, and streamline sales processes from a single platform. QuickBooks’s easy-to-use interface and seamless integration with other tools give companies a clear view of their finances and inventory. It is especially useful for small- to medium-sized businesses needing an all-in-one solution. Key features Keeps track of inventory and orders in one place for seamless management Automates invoicing and payment tracking to save time and minimize errors It connects directly to your bank accounts and credit cards for easy transaction management Provides up-to-date financial reports to help you make informed decisions Advantages of Quickbooks Online Seamless integration with accounting and tax preparation Built-in payment processing with competitive rates Real-time cash flow visibility Automated bank reconciliation saves significant time Limitations of Quickbooks Online Pricing can be high for smaller businesses needing advanced features Users have noted occasional glitches following software updates Feedback suggests that customer support can be inconsistent at times Pricing of Quickbooks Online Simple Start: $35/month Essentials: $65/month Plus: $99/month Advanced: $235/month Ratings and reviews G2: 4.0/5 (3311 reviews) Capterra: 4.3/5 (7271 reviews) Brightpearl Best for: Mid-sized to large retail and wholesale businesses needing automation User ratings: 4.4/5 (159+ reviews) Brightpearl by Sage is a complete platform for managing retail operations with powerful order management capabilities. It’s built for retailers and wholesalers who sell through multiple channels, offering a central place to handle purchase orders, inventory, customers, and finances. With its focus on automation and efficiency, Brightpearl helps businesses streamline their operations and scale effectively. Its robust features and integrations make it a good fit for mid-sized to large retail businesses with complex order needs. Key features Automates order processing, fulfillment, and invoicing for smoother operations Uses the inventory planner tool to forecast demand to help maintain optimal inventory levels Accepts payment gateways like Stripe, PayPal, Authorize.Net, and Square Provides reports that include metrics like top-selling products, order value by country, revenue, and cost per conversion Advantages of Birghtpearl Built-in retail-specific financial management Superior inventory forecasting accuracy Strong multi-channel support ensures consistent order processing Limitations of Birghtpearl Steep learning curve due to new users A higher price point may not be suitable for small businesses Some users report occasional performance issues during peak times Pricing of Brightpearl Custom pricing based on business size and needs No free trial is available Demo available upon request Salesforce Commerce Cloud Best for: Enterprises with complex multi-channel sales and order workflows User ratings: 4.6/5 (37+ reviews) Salesforce Commerce Cloud, part of the broader Salesforce ecosystem, is a powerful e-commerce platform with order management capabilities. It helps businesses handle online and offline sales, customer relationships, and order fulfillment all in one place. Using Salesforce’s advanced technology, businesses can offer personalized shopping, manage complex customer orders, and get useful insights into their operations. It’s ideal for large companies with diverse products and multi-channel sales. Key features Manages sales and orders seamlessly across all your sales channels Uses AI to personalize shopping experiences and recommend products Provides in-depth insights and detailed reports on sales performance It easily integrates with other Salesforce tools for a smooth business solution Advantages of Salesforce Commerce Cloud Unmatched customer data analytics capabilities Powerful AI-driven personalization Extensive marketplace of third-party apps integration Scalable infrastructure for high-volume operations Limitations of Salesforce Commerce Cloud A complicated setup process may require extra time and resources. High costs can be challenging for smaller businesses with limited budgets. It needs a lot of customization to work well for specific business needs. Pricing of Salesforce Commerce Cloud Custom pricing based on business needs and scale No free trial is available Demo available upon request OrderMS Best for: Small to medium-sized businesses seeking a straightforward order management solution User ratings: No reviews are currently available OrderMS is a dedicated order management system designed to help businesses handle orders and fulfillments efficiently. It provides a simple way to manage sales orders across different channels, track inventory, and ensure timely deliveries. Designed for ease of use, OrderMS is ideal for small to medium-sized businesses looking to improve their order management without the complexity of larger systems. It offers real-time updates on orders and inventory, helping businesses make better decisions and boost customer satisfaction. Key features Handles orders across all sales channels effortlessly Tracks inventory in real-time for accurate stock management and control Provides a mobile app for efficient and convenient order management on the go Advantages of OrderMS Simple and intuitive interface Fast implementation time Affordable pricing structure Good mobile optimization Limitations of OrderMS Might not fit very large businesses with complex needs Some users report occasional syncing issues with certain integrations Pricing of OrderMS OrderMS’s pricing starts at $89.90 per month The Startup plan is available for free Katana Best for: Manufacturers needing real-time production and inventory management User ratings: 4.6/5 (169+ reviews) Katana is a modern software for manufacturing and inventory management that includes strong order management features. It’s built to help small to medium-sized manufacturers simplify their production processes, manage stock, and handle orders efficiently. With its easy-to-use interface and focus on real-time information, Katana gives businesses a clear view of their entire manufacturing and order fulfillment processes. The software’s ability to combine production planning with order management makes it useful for businesses that manufacture their products. Key features Manages every step from order creation to inventory tracking, ensuring smooth operations. Provides live updates on production schedules, helping you adjust plans quickly. Alerts you when stock reaches a threshold, ensuring you never run out of items. Organizes and manages components, simplifying the production process. Advantages of Katana Provides live production schedule updates, improving workflow clarity Alerts prevent stock shortages, ensuring uninterrupted production Strong material requirement planning (MRP) Limitations of Katana The primary focus on manufacturing may not be ideal for businesses with diverse needs May lack some advanced functionalities needed by very large organizations Users may experience a need for more flexibility in customizing the software Pricing of Katana Katana’s pricing starts at $179 per month. Free trial available. No free trail available Demo is available upon request Odoo Best for: Businesses needing customizable, open-source order management solutions User ratings: 4.3/5 (1201+ reviews) Odoo is an open-source, all-in-one business management software that provides complete order management features. It offers a modular approach, so businesses can select and use only the features they need, such as inventory management, sales, accounting, and more. With its many customization options and a broad range of apps, Odoo can be adjusted to fit the unique needs of different businesses. The order management module works smoothly with other Odoo apps, giving a single platform for handling all aspects of a business. Key features Streamlines orders and inventory handling through a single platform. Manages sales efficiently across all your sales channels in one place. It easily integrates with other tools and provides numerous add-on options. Advantages of Odoo Extensive customization possibilities No vendor lock-in with open-source code Modular approach allows selective feature adoption Limitations of Odoo May require technical expertise for customization and implementation The community version lacks some of the features available in the enterprise version Pricing of Odoo Odoo’s pricing starts at $28/user/month. 15-day free trial available Shopify Best for: E-commerce businesses looking for an integrated order and inventory management system User ratings: 4.5/5 (6490+ reviews) Shopify is a leading e-commerce platform with robust order management features. While primarily known for its website building and online store features, Shopify also offers complete solutions for handling orders, inventory, and fulfillment processes. Shopify’s order management system is easy to use and can grow with your business, whether you’re a small startup or a large company. Its smooth connection with the Shopify e-commerce platform makes it a great choice for a single solution for online sales and order management. Key features Manages both orders and inventory seamlessly from a single, integrated platform. Provides live, real-time updates on inventory levels to ensure accurate stock management. Allows for detailed customization of shipping rates and delivery options based on your needs. Offers a vast selection of third-party logistics apps to enhance functionality and meet various business requirements. Advantages of Shopify Easy integration with online store functionality Built-in abandoned cart recovery Reliable payment processing options Limitations of Shopify Some advanced features require third-party logistics apps Transaction fees apply for payments made outside Shopify Payments Basic plans offer limited support for B2B and wholesale transactions Pricing of Shopify Shopify’s pricing starts at $39/month. 3-day free trial available Thus, choosing the right order management system can improve your business efficiency and customer experience, so assess your needs and explore the top solutions to find the best fit. Tips for Choosing the Best Order Management Software Selecting the right order management system for your business doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Here are some practical tips to help you make the best choice: Think about what your business really needs. Are you managing orders from multiple channels? Do you need real-time inventory tracking or advanced automation? Knowing your priorities will help narrow down your options. If you plan to expand your operations, the tool should scale to handle increased orders, more channels, or additional features without breaking a sweat. Your software should work well with the tools you already use, like e-commerce platforms, CRMs, ERPs, or shipping tools. Seamless integration saves time and prevents data errors. Opt for a system that’s easy to use, with a clean interface and intuitive navigation. This ensures a smoother onboarding process for your team. Look for providers with responsive customer service and helpful resources like tutorials or live chat. This is especially crucial during setup or if you run into issues later. Don’t just look at the cost; consider the value. Compare the features you’re getting with the price and see if it aligns with your budget and goals. Many providers offer free trials, so take advantage of them to test the software. FAQs About Order Management Software What types of businesses benefit from order management software? Any business that handles orders can benefit from an order management solution. E-commerce companies use it to manage online orders, retail stores use it to track in-store and online purchases, wholesalers use it to handle bulk orders, and manufacturers use it to manage production orders. Small businesses benefit from its efficiency, while larger companies rely on it to manage complex operations and multiple sales channels. What is the cost of order management software? The cost of order management software typically depends on the features and level of functionality. According to Capterra, most solutions are priced on a “per month” basis. Entry-level pricing starts at around $62 per month, while premium or advanced systems can cost about $267 per month. Businesses should choose a solution that aligns with their needs and budget. Is order management software a CRM tool? No, order management software is not the same as customer relationship management (CRM) software. While CRM focuses on managing customer interactions and relationships, order management software is designed to handle the entire lifecycle of an order, from placement to fulfilling orders. However, many order management solutions integrate with CRM tools to provide a complete view of your customer interactions and order history. Is order management software an ERP system? Order management software is not an enterprise resource planning (ERP) system, though they can overlap in functionality. ERP systems cover broader business processes, including finance, HR, and supply chain, while order management software focuses specifically on managing orders. Some ERP systems include order management as a module. What is the difference between an order management system and order management software? The terms “order management system” and “order management software” are often used interchangeably, but there is a subtle difference. An order management system refers to the entire process and framework for managing orders, while order management software is the tool or application that facilitates this process. What is the difference between order management software and inventory management software? Order management software handles the entire order process, from purchase to delivery, while inventory management software focuses specifically on tracking stock levels, reordering, and warehouse management. While order management software includes inventory tracking features, its primary focus is on processing orders. Many businesses use both together: inventory management for detailed stock control and order management for handling customer orders. What are the types of order management systems? Order management systems come in three types: cloud-based, on-premise, and hybrid. Cloud-based systems are accessible online, easy to scale, and cost-effective. On-premise systems, hosted on your servers, offer more control and customization but require technical expertise. Hybrid systems combine the flexibility of the cloud with the control of on-premise solutions. What are the benefits of using order management software? Order management software benefits businesses by automating order processing, updating inventory in real-time, and reducing human errors. It centralizes order management, integrates with other tools like e-commerce platforms and CRMs, and enhances the customer experience with accurate updates. Managing Orders is step one; Delivering Them is Step Two Managing orders is only part of the journey; what truly matters is delivering them efficiently to the customers. Upper bridges the gap by helping you simplify delivery routes, minimize delays, and reduce costs, ensuring every order reaches its destination smoothly. It doesn’t matter whether you’re handling a handful of deliveries or hundreds; Upper makes the process faster, simpler, and more reliable. Explore how it works with a free trial today! Author Bio Jeel Patel Jeel Patel is the Chief Executive Officer at Upper. With 5+ years of experience in dev, outbound, and inbound sales, He is committed to growing conversion through inbound and outbound activities. Outside the office, Jeel loves to spend time with his dog and take him on long walks. Read more. Share this post: Tired of Manual Routing?Automate routing, cut down on planning time, dispatch drivers, collect proof of delivery, send customer notifications and elevate your team’s productivity.Unlock Simpler Routing
