Zoho

What is Zoho Inventory

Zoho Inventory is a cloud-based inventory management application aimed at small and medium-sized businesses. The product centralizes stock records, purchase orders, sales orders, shipments and warehouse transfers in a single interface so teams can maintain accurate quantities and fulfill orders across multiple sales channels. It is part of the broader Zoho suite and is commonly used alongside Zoho Books, Zoho CRM and e-commerce integrations.

The platform supports core inventory functions such as tracking items by serial number and batch, barcode scanning, multiple unit-of-measure conversions, assembly items and reordering rules. It includes order management features designed for multichannel sellers: listing synchronization, order import from marketplaces, and consolidated fulfillment workflows. For UK businesses there are built-in VAT configuration options and integrations with local carriers such as Royal Mail.

Zoho Inventory targets companies that need an affordable, centralized inventory record without the overhead of a full ERP. It’s suitable for merchants who sell on marketplaces and storefronts, service businesses that track parts and assemblies, and distributors who require multi-warehouse tracking and transfer capabilities. The product mixes pre-built workflows with customization points such as automation rules and webhooks to fit different operational processes.

Zoho Inventory features

Zoho Inventory groups features into inventory control, purchasing, warehousing, order fulfillment, automation and analytics. The interface provides both list and card views of items, with drill-down reporting for valuation and turnover. Typical configuration options include tax settings for the UK, currency support for multi-currency invoicing, and role-based access controls for user permissions.

Integrations are a major focus: Zoho Inventory connects to major e-commerce platforms and marketplaces, accounting systems within the Zoho ecosystem and third-party shipping carriers for label generation and tracking. It also exposes an API and webhooks for custom integrations and third-party automation tools. Reporting covers stock movement, ageing, turnovers and channel performance so teams can identify slow movers and plan procurement.

Operational features include barcode / RFID scanning support (for faster receiving and picking), batch and serial number tracking (useful for expiration-dated goods or serialized units), reorder points with low-stock alerts, and assembly item support that lets you build finished goods from components. Warehouse-specific operations like transfers and location-level stock views help organizations that operate multiple storage sites.

What does Zoho Inventory do?

Zoho Inventory consolidates inventory records, order lifecycle events and shipping updates so a single source of truth exists for stock levels. Sales orders from online channels and marketplaces are imported or synchronized, available stock is allocated, and fulfilment tasks (picking, packing, shipping) are coordinated with shipment label generation and carrier tracking updates.

On the purchasing side, Zoho Inventory manages purchase orders, supplier records and receipts, which simplifies goods receiving and reconciliation against invoiced amounts. The software supports billable and non-billable shipping costs and can automatically update stock levels on goods receipt. For manufacturing-lite use cases, the assembly functionality lets you define recipes (BOMs) and consume component quantities when producing finished items.

Zoho Inventory also provides operational automation: custom workflow rules, email and field updates, and webhooks that trigger external processes. These automate routine tasks such as sending reorder reminders, applying discounts after payment conditions, or notifying a third-party warehouse when an order is ready for fulfillment. Built-in reports and dashboards give insight into inventory valuation, sales channel performance and order fulfilment metrics.

Zoho Inventory pricing

Zoho Inventory offers these pricing plans:

• Free Plan: £0 per organization / month (billed annually) — 50 orders / month, 1 user, 2 locations
• Standard: £25 per organization / month (billed annually) — 500 orders / month, 2 users, 2 locations — £300/year per organization when billed annually
• Professional: £65 per organization / month (billed annually) — 3,000 orders / month, 2 users, 4 locations — £780/year per organization when billed annually
• Premium: £105 per organization / month (billed annually) — 7,500 orders / month, 2 users, 6 locations — £1,260/year per organization when billed annually
• Enterprise: £199 per organization / month (billed annually) — 15,000 orders / month, 7 users, 10 locations — £2,388/year per organization when billed annually

Plans listed above reflect Zoho’s UK pricing model and are typically shown with monthly amounts billed annually. Feature limits (orders, users, locations) govern the appropriate plan for your business size. Check their Zoho Inventory UK pricing for the latest rates, add-ons and enterprise options. Visit their official pricing page for the most current information.

How much is Zoho Inventory per month

Zoho Inventory starts at £0/month per organization. That Free plan is designed for small sellers and includes limited orders and a single user. For active multichannel sellers, paid plans start at £25/month per organization when billed annually and scale up based on order volume, number of locations and user seats.

Monthly-equivalent rates are displayed on Zoho’s site either as month-to-month billing or as a monthly breakdown of the annual commitment; annual billing generally yields a lower effective monthly cost. For businesses that want to avoid yearly commitments, Zoho also provides month-to-month billing at prices shown on their pricing page.

How much is Zoho Inventory per year

Zoho Inventory costs £0/year for the Free plan; paid plans range from £300/year to £2,388/year per organization when billed annually. The example yearly totals are: £300/year (Standard), £780/year (Professional), £1,260/year (Premium), and £2,388/year (Enterprise). Annual billing typically reduces the effective monthly cost compared with month-to-month billing.

When budgeting, include potential add-ons such as additional users, extra locations, shipping label credits and premium support. For multi-country operations you should also account for currency conversion fees and any regional tax handling services required for compliance.

How much is Zoho Inventory in general

Zoho Inventory pricing ranges from £0 (Free) to £199/month per organization (£2,388/year) billed annually. That range covers very small sellers up to organizations processing tens of thousands of orders a year. The product is priced per organization rather than per user, although seat limits vary by plan and additional users typically incur incremental cost.

Value depends on where you operate and which features you need: multi-warehouse businesses and those requiring advanced shipping integrations will usually move to Professional or Premium tiers, while high-volume merchants or enterprise customers should compare the Enterprise plan which expands order and user allowances. For precise comparisons and any available promotional discounts, consult the Zoho Inventory UK pricing page.

What is Zoho Inventory used for

Zoho Inventory is used primarily to keep accurate stock records and to manage the end-to-end order lifecycle from sales and purchases to shipping and returns. Retailers and wholesalers use it to synchronize inventory across marketplaces and storefronts, preventing oversells by allocating stock at the time of order import. Distributors use the system to manage transfers between warehouses and to track batch/serial numbers for traceability.

E-commerce sellers rely on Zoho Inventory for channel consolidation: connecting storefronts such as Shopify, Amazon or eBay so orders appear in one dashboard and quantity changes propagate to all connected channels. Fulfilment workflows—picking lists, packing slips, shipping label generation and carrier tracking—are central to reducing shipping errors and improving customer communication.

Suppliers and procurement teams use the purchasing features to create, approve and receive purchase orders, and to reconcile supplier invoices against received goods. Businesses assembling finished goods can define assemblies (BOMs) and consume component inventory, which simplifies light-manufacturing or kitting operations.

Pros and cons of Zoho Inventory

Pros:

• Centralized inventory and order management suitable for multichannel sellers, with barcode support and batch/serial tracking that improves operational accuracy.
• Extensive integrations with e-commerce platforms, shipping carriers and accounting systems—especially within the Zoho ecosystem—reduce manual data entry and accelerate reconciliation.
• Simple pricing tiers and a free entry-level plan that allow small businesses to try the system without upfront expense; workflow automation and webhooks provide basic extensibility.

Cons:

• The product is organization-based (not strictly per-user), and some businesses may find user seat limits restrictive on mid-tier plans; higher tiers are required for larger teams or higher order volumes.
• Deep ERP-grade capabilities such as advanced manufacturing resource planning, complex lot traceability or highly customized accounting flows may require a dedicated ERP rather than Zoho Inventory.
• Reporting and advanced analytics are comprehensive for typical needs but can be limited compared with niche BI tools; some users opt to export data to external reporting systems for complex analysis.

Operational considerations include integration complexity for non-standard workflows, training for staff on warehouse scanning flows and planning for data migration from spreadsheets or legacy systems. Overall, Zoho Inventory balances breadth of features with a user-friendly interface, making it a practical choice for many SMBs.

Zoho Inventory free trial

Zoho Inventory offers a trial period so prospective customers can test the application with real workflows before committing. The trial lasts for 14 days with no credit card required, allowing you to connect at least one sales channel, import items, create purchase orders and run fulfillment scenarios. The trial environment mirrors paid functionality within plan limits and is useful for validating integrations and internal processes.

During the trial you can test barcode scanning, shipping label creation, batch and serial tracking, warehouse transfers and automation rules. This is also an opportunity to evaluate how Zoho Inventory integrates with your accounting system (like Zoho Books or third-party accounting software) and whether APIs or webhooks will be sufficient for your custom needs.

Plan selection should be based on expected monthly order volume, number of warehouse locations and user requirements. Use the trial to simulate your busiest day to ensure the plan limits are adequate. After the trial, you can retain the Free plan or upgrade to a paid tier via the Zoho Inventory UK pricing page.

Is Zoho Inventory free

Yes, Zoho Inventory offers a Free plan. The Free plan is limited to 50 orders per month, 1 user and 2 locations, and is designed for micro-businesses or sellers who want to manage a low volume of orders without subscription cost. The Free plan includes basic inventory tracking, order management and select integrations but lacks the higher limits and some advanced features of paid tiers.

For growing businesses that exceed the Free tier limits, the Standard and higher plans provide larger order allowances, more user seats and additional locations. Many users start on the Free plan to validate the service and then upgrade when order volumes or team size increase.

Zoho Inventory API

Zoho Inventory exposes a RESTful API and webhook endpoints to support programmatic access to inventory, orders, customers and fulfillment operations. The API can be used to automate order creation, update stock quantities, push shipping status updates and integrate with custom internal systems or third-party logistics providers. Zoho provides SDKs and language-specific examples to accelerate common tasks.

Developers can consult the platform’s API documentation for endpoints, authentication methods (OAuth2) and request/response formats. Webhooks allow event-driven integrations, for example pushing a notification to an external system when an order is packed or when stock levels fall below a threshold.

For integrations requiring higher throughput or complex mapping, businesses often pair the API with middleware such as integration platforms or iPaaS solutions to orchestrate data flows between marketplaces, ERPs and shipping carriers. The API and webhook model supports that approach and provides the flexibility needed for bespoke automation.

10 Zoho Inventory alternatives

Paid alternatives to Zoho Inventory

• QuickBooks Commerce — Inventory and order management built to integrate tightly with QuickBooks accounting, aimed at retailers and B2B sellers who need seamless financial reconciliation.
• Cin7 — A cloud inventory and POS platform with stronger built-in B2B and retail point-of-sale capabilities, suited for businesses that need built-in POS or 3PL connections.
• DEAR Systems — Inventory-centric ERP for small to mid-market companies that need manufacturing modules and deeper production control alongside inventory.
• Unleashed — Focused on product-based businesses and manufacturers; strong in inventory valuation, BOMs and production workflows.
• Brightpearl — Retail-focused operations platform that combines order management, inventory and accounting for multi-channel retailers.
• NetSuite (Oracle NetSuite) — Cloud ERP with comprehensive inventory and supply chain modules suitable for larger businesses and enterprises requiring full ERP features.
• Fishbowl Inventory — On-premises and cloud-capable inventory management and manufacturing add-on commonly used with QuickBooks for inventory-heavy operations.

Open source alternatives to Zoho Inventory

• Odoo (Community Edition) — Open source suite that includes inventory and manufacturing modules; highly modular and extendable with a large community of modules.
• ERPNext — Full-featured open source ERP with inventory, manufacturing, and accounting modules; suitable for businesses that can host and maintain open source software.
• OpenBoxes — Open-source inventory management focused on healthcare supply chains and logistics; useful where tracking lots and expiry is critical.
• Snipe-IT — Primarily an IT asset management system for tracking serial-numbered devices and warranties; useful for internal asset tracking rather than retail inventory.

Each alternative has trade-offs: paid platforms offer vendor support and hosted convenience, while open source solutions provide flexibility and lower licensing costs but require more implementation resources.

Frequently asked questions about Zoho Inventory

What is Zoho Inventory used for?

Zoho Inventory is used for inventory and order management. It centralizes stock records, handles purchase and sales orders, supports warehouse transfers, and integrates with e-commerce platforms for multichannel selling. Teams use it to prevent oversells, manage pick/pack workflows and generate stock reports.

How does Zoho Inventory integrate with accounting software?

Zoho Inventory provides native integration with Zoho Books and connectors for external accounting systems. Integrations sync invoices, payments and stock valuations to simplify financial reconciliation. For non-native systems, the API and third-party connectors are commonly used to map transactions.

Does Zoho Inventory have an API?

Yes, Zoho Inventory provides a RESTful API and webhook support. The API allows programmatic access to items, orders, shipments and contacts and supports OAuth2 authentication. Developers can use the API to automate workflows or build custom integrations; see the platform’s API documentation for details.

Can Zoho Inventory handle multiple warehouses?

Yes, Zoho Inventory supports multiple warehouse locations. The software tracks stock at the location level, supports inter-warehouse transfers and generates warehouse-specific reports. Location limits depend on the selected plan, so larger businesses should choose a plan with sufficient location allowances.

Is there a free version of Zoho Inventory?

Yes, Zoho Inventory includes a Free plan. The Free plan is limited to 50 orders per month, 1 user and 2 locations, making it suitable for very small sellers or those testing basic inventory workflows. Paid plans increase the limits and add advanced features.

Why choose Zoho Inventory over more complex ERPs?

Zoho Inventory is chosen when businesses need focused inventory and order workflows without full ERP complexity. It provides essential features for multichannel sellers, shipping integration and lightweight manufacturing (assemblies) with a lower implementation burden than an ERP. For organizations needing deep production, financial consolidation and advanced supply chain planning, an ERP may be more appropriate.

When should I upgrade my Zoho Inventory plan?

You should upgrade when your monthly order volume, number of users or number of locations exceed plan limits. Other triggers include needing advanced automation, higher API throughput, or additional shipping integrations. Review your busiest operational day during the trial to estimate the right tier and avoid mid-cycle overages.

Where can I find Zoho Inventory reviews?

You can find customer reviews on major software review sites and marketplace listings. Look for platform reviews on sites such as G2, Capterra and Trustpilot to read user feedback on implementation, support responsiveness and feature fit. Vendor case studies and third-party comparisons also help evaluate performance in real-world scenarios.

How secure is Zoho Inventory?

Zoho Inventory uses industry-standard security practices and data encryption. As part of the Zoho suite, it benefits from centralized account security features like OAuth2, two-factor authentication and role-based access controls; consult Zoho’s security pages for certifications and compliance details. For enterprise use, consider reviewing SOC/ISO documentation and available SSO options.

Does Zoho Inventory support UK VAT and local shipping carriers?

Yes, Zoho Inventory supports VAT configuration for UK businesses and integrates with UK carriers. You can configure VAT inclusions, tax rates and produce VAT-relevant invoices; shipping integrations include Royal Mail and other global carriers commonly used by UK merchants. For regulation-specific questions, review the VAT settings and carrier integrations on Zoho’s UK site.

Zoho Inventory careers

Zoho Corporation recruits for product, engineering, sales and support roles across multiple countries. Careers at Zoho often emphasize product development, cloud infrastructure and customer success functions that support their suite of applications. Open positions and hiring regions vary over time, and interested candidates should check the corporate careers portal for current listings and role descriptions.

Large product teams maintain documentation, community support and knowledge resources—roles there typically include technical writing, developer evangelism and QA. For regional hiring and recruitment specifics in the UK, Zoho’s local offices and partner network may list vacancies and recruitment events.

Zoho Inventory affiliate

Zoho runs partnership and referral programs that include reseller, implementation partners and affiliate opportunities. These programs allow agencies and consultants to refer customers, provide implementation services and resell subscriptions in some regions. For details about partnership tiers, commission structures and eligibility, consult Zoho’s partner pages and the regional partner program documentation.

Where to find Zoho Inventory reviews

Customer reviews are published on software marketplaces like G2, Capterra and Trustpilot and often include star ratings, verified buyer comments and feature-specific assessments. Industry blogs and e-commerce forums also post comparative reviews that examine integrations, support quality and total cost of ownership.

When reading reviews, look for entries from businesses similar in size and sales model to yours (e.g., multi-warehouse distributors or Shopify merchants) so you get contextually relevant feedback. You can also request reference customers from Zoho or trial the product and evaluate fit against your day-to-day processes.