Best Inventory Sync Software (2025) for Makers: Etsy, Shopify & Beyond
Compare 2025's top inventory sync tools for Etsy & Shopify. See real-time sync, BOM support, draft-to-push control, pricing, and best use-cases for makers.
If you sell on more than one platform - say Etsy and your own Shopify store - you know the drill. Someone buys your last candle on Etsy, and fifteen minutes later someone else buys it on Shopify. Now you’re apologizing, refunding, and hoping they don’t leave a bad review.
Inventory sync software keeps your stock levels consistent across every sales channel. When a sale happens anywhere, quantities update everywhere. No spreadsheets, no manual adjustments, no overselling.
But here’s the thing: most sync tools are built for resellers moving finished goods between warehouses. If you’re a maker - someone who manufactures products from raw materials - you need more than just “when I sell one, subtract one.” You need a system that understands materials, batches, and bills of materials (BOMs).
This guide compares the top inventory sync tools through a maker lens: Which ones track components? Which let you review changes before pushing? Which actually work as your manufacturing hub?
How We Evaluated (Maker-Relevant Criteria)
We looked at each tool through eight criteria that matter most to small-batch manufacturers:
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Real-time sync speed & reliability: How fast do updates reach each channel? Does it actually work?
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Source of truth model: Can the app be your manufacturing hub, or does it expect Shopify/Amazon to drive everything?
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BOM/component awareness: Does it deduct raw materials when finished goods sell? Can it handle assemblies and kits?
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Control - Draft to Push vs. Auto-Push: Can you review quantity changes before they go live, or is it all automatic?
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Multi-channel coverage: Etsy + Shopify are required; Amazon, Faire, eBay are nice-to-have.
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SKU/variant/bundle mapping ease: How painful is it to connect the same product across platforms with different naming conventions?
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Error handling & logs: When something fails, can you see what happened and retry?
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Pricing for small teams: What does it actually cost for a maker doing a few hundred orders a month?
Best by Use-Case
Handmade/DTC (Etsy + Shopify): Craftybase
If you manufacture your own products and sell direct-to-consumer, Craftybase is the practical choice. It’s the only tool on this list designed specifically for makers.
Why it wins for handmade sellers:
- BOM-aware sync: When you sell a candle, Craftybase knows it used 8oz of wax, a wick, and fragrance oil. Your material inventory updates too.
- Manufacturing triggers: Sync happens when you complete a manufacture, not just when orders come in. Finish a batch of 50 candles? Push those quantities to Etsy and Shopify.
- Draft to Push control: Review exactly what’s changing before it goes live. See the diff, approve it, done. Or enable Auto-Push if you prefer hands-off.
- Cost tracking included: COGS, material costs, labor - it’s all calculated as you go.
The trade-off: Channel coverage is currently Etsy + Shopify (with more coming). If you need Amazon or Walmart today, you’ll need to supplement or wait.
Best for: Candle makers, soap makers, jewelry designers, cosmetics brands, food producers - anyone manufacturing in-house.
Wholesale/Marketplace Mix: Sellbrite or Webgility
If you’re reselling or dropshipping across many marketplaces (Amazon, eBay, Walmart, plus Etsy/Shopify), Sellbrite offers the broadest coverage at a reasonable price. The free tier syncs every 2 hours; paid plans sync every 10-15 minutes.
Webgility is better if your priority is accounting integration. It’s built around QuickBooks and automates the bookkeeping side of multi-channel selling. The trade-off is price - plans start around $139/month.
Best for: Resellers, dropshippers, businesses with existing QuickBooks workflows.
Complex ERP/Enterprise: Cin7 Core
If you’ve outgrown simple tools and need warehouse management, advanced manufacturing, and 700+ integrations, Cin7 Core (formerly DEAR Systems) is the enterprise option.
But be warned: it starts at $349/month, requires significant setup time, and the learning curve is steep. It’s overkill for most maker businesses.
Best for: Larger operations with dedicated ops staff, multiple warehouses, complex B2B workflows.
Simple Multi-Channel Sync (No Manufacturing): Trunk
If you’re not manufacturing - just reselling finished goods - Trunk is the simplest option. Connect your channels, map your SKUs, and it syncs in real-time. Bundles are supported, but there’s no raw material tracking.
Pricing starts around $35-39/month for up to 100 orders. One subscription covers all your sales channels.
Best for: Resellers, curated shops, anyone who doesn’t manufacture their own products.
Mini Reviews
Craftybase
Best for: Makers who manufacture in-house and sell on Etsy + Shopify.
Craftybase is inventory software built specifically for handmade businesses. Unlike general-purpose sync tools, it understands that selling a finished product means consuming raw materials. When you manufacture a batch or fulfill an order, Craftybase updates your quantities and prepares a Stock Push to Etsy and Shopify.
Key strengths: BOM tracking, material deductions, manufacturing cost calculations, draft review before pushing, Auto-Push option for hands-off syncing. It’s the source of truth for your production - channels receive updates, not the other way around.
Trade-offs: Currently supports Etsy and Shopify only (more channels on the roadmap). Not designed for dropshipping or 3PL workflows.
Pricing: Indie plan and up includes Stock Push. See pricing for current rates.
Trunk
Best for: Simple multi-channel sync without manufacturing complexity.
Trunk connects Shopify with 15+ channels including Etsy, Amazon, eBay, Faire, and BigCommerce. Setup takes minutes, and inventory syncs in real-time. It handles bundles (selling a “gift set” deducts the component items), but doesn’t track raw materials.
Key strengths: Fast setup, broad channel support, real-time sync, bundles/kitting, low stock alerts. Flat-rate pricing means one subscription covers all your stores.
Trade-offs: Shopify-centric (Shopify is the hub). No manufacturing awareness - it just moves finished goods quantities around. No draft review.
Pricing: Starting around $35-39/month for up to 100 orders.
Sellbrite
Best for: Marketplace sellers who need broad channel coverage at low cost.
Owned by GoDaddy, Sellbrite connects Shopify with Amazon, eBay, Etsy, Walmart, and more. The free plan syncs every 2 hours (fine for slower-moving inventory); paid plans sync every 10-15 minutes.
Key strengths: Free tier available, good marketplace coverage, discounted shipping labels, listing templates. Shopify remains your hub while marketplaces sync around it.
Trade-offs: Not real-time on free plan. No BOM tracking. No draft review. Limited manufacturing support.
Pricing: Free for up to 30 orders/month. Paid plans scale with order volume.
Zoho Inventory
Best for: Businesses already using the Zoho ecosystem.
Zoho Inventory integrates with Etsy, Shopify, Amazon, and eBay. It supports composite items (basic BOMs), multi-warehouse tracking, and purchase orders. The real value is integration with Zoho Books, Zoho CRM, and other Zoho apps.
Key strengths: Part of a complete business suite, composite items for basic kitting, multi-warehouse support, affordable entry pricing.
Trade-offs: Auto-sync only runs every 4 hours for channel updates. No draft review. Composite items aren’t true manufacturing BOMs - there’s no production scheduling or cost roll-up.
Pricing: Free plan available (50 orders/month, 1 user). Paid plans start at $39/month.
Webgility
Best for: QuickBooks users who want automated accounting from multi-channel sales.
Webgility’s primary job is syncing your sales channels with QuickBooks. Inventory sync is part of that - when orders flow into QuickBooks, stock levels update. It supports Etsy, Shopify, Amazon, eBay, and Walmart.
Key strengths: Deep QuickBooks integration, automated bookkeeping, AI-powered reporting, near real-time order sync. Reduces manual data entry dramatically.
Trade-offs: Expensive ($139+/month). QuickBooks-centric - less useful if you don’t use QuickBooks. No manufacturing features or BOM tracking.
Pricing: Pro plan starts at $139/month for up to 1,000 orders.
Ordoro
Best for: High-volume shippers who need inventory management alongside fulfillment.
Ordoro is primarily shipping software with inventory features bolted on. It supports BOMs and manufacturing orders, syncs across major channels, and offers discounted shipping rates. The flex pricing model charges based on actual usage.
Key strengths: Shipping focus with inventory add-on, BOMs and manufacturing orders available, discounted shipping labels, multi-location inventory.
Trade-offs: Inventory/manufacturing features only available on higher-tier plans. Primary focus is shipping, not manufacturing. Can get expensive as you add features.
Pricing: Starting at $59/month, but manufacturing features require higher tiers.
Cin7 Core
Best for: Enterprise operations needing full ERP capabilities.
Cin7 Core (formerly DEAR Systems) is a full inventory management and ERP platform with 700+ integrations. It handles manufacturing, warehouse management, B2B sales, and complex multi-location operations.
Key strengths: Comprehensive ERP features, extensive integrations, manufacturing module, warehouse management, B2B portals.
Trade-offs: Starts at $349/month. Steep learning curve. Overkill for small maker businesses. Users report prices have increased since Cin7 acquired DEAR. “Core” and “Omni” products are functionally separate platforms.
Pricing: Starting at $349/month with additional fees for add-ons.
Comparison Table
Here’s how the major players stack up:
| Tool | Real-time Sync | Draft to Push | Source of Truth | BOM-Aware | SKU Mapping | Channels | Maker Notes | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Craftybase | Yes (Etsy/Shopify) | Yes + Auto | Manufacturing hub | Yes | Solid | Etsy, Shopify (more coming) | Built for makers; syncs on manufacture/order events | $-$$ |
| Trunk | Yes | No | Shopify-centric | Bundles only | Easy | 15+ channels | Great for finished goods; no material tracking | $-$$ |
| Sellbrite | 10-15 min (paid) | No | Shopify-centric | No | Good | Etsy, eBay, Amazon, Walmart | Owned by GoDaddy; solid marketplace coverage | Free-$$ |
| Zoho Inventory | 4-hour auto-sync | No | Zoho suite | Composite items | Moderate | Etsy, Shopify, Amazon, eBay | Part of larger Zoho ecosystem | $-$$ |
| Webgility | Near real-time | No | QuickBooks-centric | No | Good | Etsy, Shopify, Amazon, eBay | Accounting-first; heavy QuickBooks focus | \(-\)$ |
| Ordoro | Yes | No | Multi-channel | BOMs + MOs | Good | Etsy, Shopify, Amazon, eBay, Walmart | Shipping-focused with inventory add-on | \(-\)$ |
| Cin7 Core | Yes | No | ERP hub | Yes | Complex | 700+ integrations | Enterprise-grade; steep learning curve | $$$ |
| Price key: $ = Under $50/mo | $$ = $50-150/mo | $$$ = $150+/mo |
Why Makers Need Manufacturing-Aware Sync
Most inventory sync tools assume a simple model: you buy finished goods, list them on channels, and when they sell, subtract one.
But makers don’t work that way. You don’t buy finished candles - you buy wax, wicks, fragrance oil, and jars. You manufacture candles. And when someone buys that candle, several things need to happen:
- Finished goods inventory decreases (you sold a candle)
- Raw material inventory decreases (you used wax, wick, fragrance, jar)
- COGS gets calculated (what did that candle actually cost to make?)
- Channel quantities update (Etsy and Shopify need to know you have one fewer)
Generic sync tools only handle #1 and #4. They don’t see materials. They don’t track production costs. They just shuffle finished goods numbers around.
That’s why the source of truth matters. For makers, your inventory system should be the hub - tracking materials, managing production, calculating costs. Sales channels receive updates from that hub. Not the other way around.
This is the difference between:
- Channel-centric sync: Shopify is the hub. Everything else syncs to Shopify. (Fine for resellers.)
- Manufacturing-centric sync: Your inventory system is the hub. Channels receive updates when you manufacture or sell. (What makers need.)
Craftybase takes the second approach. When you complete a manufacture or fulfill an order, Stock Push prepares the update. You can review the changes (Draft mode) or let them flow automatically (Auto-Push). Either way, the truth flows from your production system outward.
FAQ
What's the difference between "inventory sync" and "order sync"?
Inventory sync keeps stock quantities consistent across channels. When you sell one on Etsy, Shopify's quantity decreases too. Order sync pulls orders from channels into a central system for fulfillment. Most tools do both, but they're separate functions. You can sync inventory without syncing orders (and vice versa).
Can I choose manual review or auto-push?
Depends on the tool. Craftybase offers both: Draft mode lets you review exactly what's changing before pushing, while Auto-Push sends updates automatically. Most other tools only offer auto-push with no review step. Use manual review when you're getting started or when accuracy is critical. Switch to auto-push once you trust your mappings.
Which platform should be my "source of truth"?
For makers: your inventory/manufacturing system (like Craftybase). For resellers: often Shopify or your primary sales channel. The source of truth is where you make inventory adjustments: receiving materials, completing manufactures, doing stock counts. Other systems receive updates from there.
How do bundles and kits work with sync?
A bundle is a product made up of components (like a gift set containing a candle + soap + lip balm). When the bundle sells, component quantities should decrease. Some tools (Trunk, Ordoro) handle finished-goods bundles. Only BOM-aware tools (Craftybase, Cin7) handle manufacturing scenarios where bundles consume raw materials.
Will this stop overselling?
Inventory sync significantly reduces overselling by keeping quantities consistent. But it doesn't eliminate the risk entirely. Sync delays, mapping errors, and edge cases can still cause issues. Best practices: audit your SKU mappings regularly, keep a small safety buffer, and review sync logs for errors.
Does it sync materials or only finished goods?
Most sync tools only handle finished goods (what's listed on your sales channels). Craftybase is unique in tracking both: when you sell a finished product, it deducts the materials that went into making it. Your material inventory stays accurate without manual adjustments.
What happens if a sync fails?
Good sync tools log errors and let you retry. Look for clear error messages (not just "sync failed"), the ability to see what changed, and manual retry options. Craftybase shows diffs before pushing and logs every sync attempt. Some tools fail silently - avoid those.
Which channels are supported today vs. coming soon?
Channel support varies widely. Trunk and Cin7 have the broadest coverage (15+ channels). Sellbrite covers major marketplaces well. Craftybase currently supports Etsy + Shopify with more channels on the roadmap. Check each tool's integration page for current status.
Bottom Line
If you’re making products in-house and selling on Etsy and Shopify, Craftybase is the practical pick. It’s the only tool that treats inventory sync as part of a larger manufacturing workflow: tracking materials, managing BOMs, calculating costs, and pushing accurate quantities to your sales channels.
Draft mode lets you review every change before it goes live. Auto-Push lets you go hands-off once you trust the system. Either way, your inventory system becomes the source of truth, and your channels stay in sync.
Ready to stop overselling?
Enable Stock Push - included on Indie+ plans. Connect your Etsy and Shopify accounts, map your products, and let Craftybase handle the rest.
Use our Stockout Cost Calculator to see what overselling and stockouts are costing you today.
Related reading:
- How to Sync Etsy and Shopify Inventory - Step-by-step setup guide
- Shopify Flow for Inventory: 5 Automations Every Maker Should Turn On - Automate low-stock alerts, supplier notifications, and more
- Bill of Materials Software - Why BOMs matter for accurate inventory
