Best Purchase Order Software for Ecommerce Businesses
Running an ecommerce business successfully means juggling a lot of moving parts – from marketing and sales to customer service and fulfillment. But often, the unsung hero behind a smooth operation is efficient inventory management, and at its heart lies purchase order (PO) software. Without a robust system to manage your procurement, you risk stockouts, overstocking, inaccurate financial records, and strained supplier relationships.
For online stores, particularly those experiencing growth or managing a diverse product catalog, relying on spreadsheets for purchase orders quickly becomes unsustainable. Manual processes are prone to errors, time-consuming, and lack the real-time visibility needed to make informed buying decisions. You need a system that integrates with your existing tech stack and provides a clear picture of what you need, when you need it, and how much it will cost.
That’s where dedicated ecommerce purchase order software comes in. These tools automate and streamline the entire procurement cycle, from creating POs to tracking shipments and managing supplier payments. They empower DTC brands to maintain optimal inventory levels, reduce carrying costs, and improve cash flow.
In this expert review, we’ll dive deep into the top purchase order software solutions designed specifically for the unique demands of ecommerce. We’ll break down their features, strengths, and weaknesses to help you choose the perfect fit for your online store, ensuring you never miss a sale due to an empty shelf again.
- Automate and streamline your entire procurement process.
- Maintain optimal inventory levels and prevent costly stockouts.
- Improve supplier relationships with clear communication and tracking.
- Gain real-time visibility into your spending and inventory pipeline.
Quick Comparison Table
| Tool | Best For | Key Strength | Ecommerce Fit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cin7 Core | Scaling DTC brands with complex inventory needs | Comprehensive inventory and order management | Excellent |
| Brightpearl | High-growth omnichannel retailers | Retail-specific ERP with advanced automation | Excellent |
| Unleashed Software | Wholesale and distribution focused ecommerce | Strong inventory control and multi-location support | Excellent |
| Katana MRP | Ecommerce brands that manufacture or assemble products | Production planning and raw material POs | Excellent |
| Zoho Inventory | SMBs seeking an affordable, integrated solution | Part of the broader Zoho ecosystem, good value | Very Good |
| Veeqo | Amazon sellers and small-medium ecommerce | Free for Amazon sellers, combines shipping/inventory | Very Good |
| Oracle NetSuite | Enterprise-level, large-scale ecommerce operations | Full ERP suite for complex global businesses | Excellent |
| Odoo | Businesses wanting a customizable, open-source ERP | Modular design with extensive app store | Very Good |
1. Cin7 Core — Best For Scaling DTC Brands with Complex Inventory Needs
Official Website:
https://www.cin7.com/products/core
Cin7 Core, formerly known as DEAR Inventory, is a powerful cloud-based inventory management and ERP solution built to help growing ecommerce and wholesale businesses thrive. It offers robust purchase order functionality that integrates seamlessly with its extensive inventory, order, and manufacturing management features, providing a holistic view of your product lifecycle.
For ecommerce, Cin7 Core excels at handling multi-channel sales, multiple warehouses, and complex product variations. Its PO system allows for detailed supplier management, automated reorder points, drop shipping, and landed cost calculations, ensuring you always have accurate stock valuations and profitable purchasing decisions.
What We Like
- Comprehensive inventory control, including lot/batch tracking and expiry dates.
- Excellent integration with major ecommerce platforms like Shopify, Magento, and BigCommerce.
- Advanced reporting and analytics for deep insights into purchasing and sales.
- Supports light manufacturing and kitting, useful for DTC brands with custom products.
Downsides
- Can have a steep learning curve due to its extensive feature set.
Best For
Mid-sized to large ecommerce businesses and DTC brands that are rapidly scaling, managing multiple sales channels, or have complex inventory requirements like manufacturing, kitting, or serialized products.
2. Brightpearl — Best For High-Growth Omnichannel Retailers
Brightpearl is a comprehensive retail operating system designed for high-growth, omnichannel brands. It combines inventory, order management, CRM, financial management, and reporting into a single platform, with a strong focus on streamlining purchase orders and supplier management. Now part of Sage, it offers a robust solution for serious ecommerce players.
Its purchase order capabilities are tightly integrated with demand forecasting and sales order management, allowing businesses to automatically generate POs based on sales trends and inventory levels. This automation significantly reduces manual work and helps prevent stockouts while optimizing working capital across various sales channels.
What We Like
- Purpose-built for retail, offering deep integration with popular ecommerce platforms.
- Powerful automation features for purchase orders and inventory replenishment.
- Real-time financial visibility integrated directly with inventory movements.
- Scales effectively for businesses managing high order volumes and multiple warehouses.
Downsides
- Primarily targeted at larger, high-growth businesses, making it less suitable for startups.
Best For
Established and rapidly scaling omnichannel retailers and wholesalers who require a unified system to manage complex inventory, orders, and finances across multiple sales channels, including ecommerce, brick-and-mortar, and marketplaces.
3. Unleashed Software — Best For Wholesale and Distribution Focused Ecommerce
Official Website:
https://www.unleashedsoftware.com
Unleashed Software is a cloud-based inventory management system that is particularly well-suited for businesses involved in manufacturing, distribution, and wholesale, making it a strong contender for ecommerce businesses that also engage in these activities. Its core strength lies in detailed inventory control and comprehensive purchase order management.
The platform provides robust tools for creating, managing, and tracking purchase orders, including landed cost calculations, supplier bill integration, and multi-currency support. It helps businesses accurately forecast demand, optimize stock levels, and gain complete visibility over their stock movements from procurement to sales.
What We Like
- Excellent stock visibility across multiple warehouses and locations.
- Robust landed cost calculation ensures accurate product costing.
- Strong B2B portal capabilities, beneficial for wholesale ecommerce.
- Integrates well with Xero and QuickBooks for accounting, and popular ecommerce platforms.
Downsides
- Lacks a native accounting module, requiring integration with external software.
Best For
Ecommerce businesses that also operate as wholesalers, distributors, or engage in light manufacturing, needing advanced inventory control, detailed purchase order management, and multi-location tracking.
4. Katana MRP — Best For Ecommerce Brands That Manufacture or Assemble Products
Katana MRP (Manufacturing Resource Planning) is specifically designed for direct-to-consumer (DTC) brands that manufacture, assemble, or custom-make their products. While its primary focus is on production planning, its purchase order features are critical for managing the procurement of raw materials and components needed for manufacturing.
Katana automatically creates purchase orders for raw materials based on your sales orders and production plans, ensuring you have what you need when you need it. It offers real-time inventory tracking for both raw materials and finished goods, providing complete visibility from procurement through to the final customer shipment.
What We Like
- Seamless integration between sales orders, production, and material procurement.
- Real-time inventory tracking for raw materials, work-in-progress, and finished goods.
- Automated purchase order generation based on production needs.
- Excellent shop floor control and detailed production reporting.
Downsides
- More tailored to manufacturing, so businesses purely reselling might find some features excessive.
Best For
Ecommerce businesses that manufacture their own products, perform assembly, or create custom-made goods, and need an integrated solution to manage their production workflows alongside their purchasing and sales.
5. Zoho Inventory — Best For SMBs Seeking an Affordable, Integrated Solution
Official Website:
https://www.zoho.com/inventory
Zoho Inventory is a powerful yet affordable inventory management solution that is part of the larger Zoho ecosystem, offering seamless integration with other Zoho applications like Zoho Books (accounting) and Zoho CRM. It provides a robust set of features for managing purchase orders, sales orders, inventory, and warehouse operations, making it suitable for small to medium-sized ecommerce businesses.
Its purchase order module allows for easy creation and tracking of POs, management of supplier details, and calculation of landed costs. The ability to integrate with multiple shipping carriers and major ecommerce platforms like Shopify, Etsy, and Amazon makes it a versatile choice for online sellers.
What We Like
- Excellent value for money with a feature-rich free plan for small businesses.
- Tight integration with Zoho Books for seamless accounting.
- Multi-warehouse support and strong batch tracking capabilities.
- User-friendly interface and good mobile app.
Downsides
- Some advanced features, like complex manufacturing, are not as robust as dedicated ERPs.
Best For
Small to medium-sized ecommerce businesses and startups looking for an affordable, integrated inventory and purchase order management system that can grow with their business, especially those already using or considering other Zoho products.
6. Veeqo — Best For Amazon Sellers and Small-Medium Ecommerce
Official Website:
https://www.veeqo.com
Veeqo, an Amazon company, is an all-in-one inventory and shipping management solution that also offers robust purchase order functionality. What sets Veeqo apart is that it’s completely free for Amazon sellers, making it an incredibly attractive option for businesses heavily reliant on the Amazon marketplace, though it supports many other channels too.
Veeqo’s PO system enables users to create and send purchase orders, track incoming stock, and manage supplier details. Its strength lies in its ability to synchronize inventory across all sales channels and warehouses in real-time, ensuring accurate stock levels and preventing overselling, which is critical for ecommerce businesses managing multiple platforms.
What We Like
- Completely free for Amazon sellers, including shipping label generation.
- Real-time inventory sync across multiple sales channels (Amazon, Shopify, eBay, etc.).
- Integrated shipping management with major carriers.
- User-friendly interface, making it easy to get started.
Downsides
- While free for Amazon sellers, it might be more basic in advanced ERP functions compared to higher-tier tools.
Best For
Amazon sellers and small to medium-sized ecommerce businesses looking for a free or highly cost-effective solution that combines inventory, purchase orders, and shipping management across multiple sales channels.
7. Oracle NetSuite — Best For Enterprise-Level, Large-Scale Ecommerce Operations
Official Website:
https://www.netsuite.com
Oracle NetSuite is a comprehensive cloud ERP solution that provides an integrated suite of business applications, including financial management, CRM, HR, and, critically for ecommerce, robust inventory and supply chain management with advanced purchase order capabilities. It’s built for large enterprises and rapidly growing global businesses with complex needs.
NetSuite’s procurement module automates the entire procure-to-pay process, from requisition to payment. It offers advanced features like automated reorder points, vendor relationship management, multi-currency support, global tax management, and detailed cost analysis, ensuring highly optimized purchasing for even the most complex ecommerce operations.
What We Like
- Extremely comprehensive and scalable for global, enterprise-level operations.
- Deep integration across all business functions (finance, sales, marketing, inventory).
- Advanced reporting and analytics for strategic decision-making.
- Highly customizable to fit unique business processes.
Downsides
- High cost and complex implementation make it unsuitable for SMBs.
Best For
Large, enterprise-level ecommerce businesses, global brands, and multi-national corporations that require a complete, integrated ERP system to manage complex supply chains, finance, and operations on a global scale.
8. Odoo — Best For Businesses Wanting a Customizable, Open-Source ERP
Official Website:
https://www.odoo.com
Odoo is a unique offering in the ERP space, providing a suite of open-source business management software tools. Its modular design allows businesses to choose and integrate applications for CRM, accounting, manufacturing, project management, and, importantly for ecommerce, inventory and purchase management. This flexibility makes it highly adaptable to various business models.
The Odoo Purchase module allows users to automate the entire purchasing process. From sending RFQs to tracking orders and managing supplier invoices, it provides comprehensive control. Its integration with inventory and manufacturing modules means purchase orders can be intelligently generated based on stock levels and production needs, making it a powerful choice for growing ecommerce businesses seeking customization.
What We Like
- Highly modular and customizable to fit specific business needs.
- Open-source nature provides flexibility and a large community.
- Comprehensive suite of integrated apps (CRM, accounting, manufacturing, etc.).
- Offers both cloud and on-premise deployment options.
Downsides
- Requires technical expertise for deep customization or self-hosted implementations.
Best For
Ecommerce businesses of all sizes looking for a highly flexible, modular, and potentially customizable ERP solution. It’s particularly attractive for those with specific operational quirks or a desire to avoid vendor lock-in, willing to invest in setup and customization.
How to Choose the Right Tool
Selecting the perfect purchase order software for your ecommerce business is a strategic decision that impacts efficiency, profitability, and scalability. Here’s what to consider:
1. Assess Your Current Needs and Future Growth: Are you a small startup with basic needs, or a rapidly scaling brand with multiple warehouses and complex product lines? Choose a tool that not only solves your immediate problems but can also grow with you, avoiding the pain of switching systems later.
2. Integration Capabilities: Your PO software shouldn’t live in a silo. Ensure it integrates seamlessly with your existing ecommerce platform (Shopify, Magento, BigCommerce), accounting software (Xero, QuickBooks), and any other critical business tools (CRM, shipping carriers). Smooth data flow is essential.
3. Feature Set Alignment: Beyond basic PO creation, what specific features do you need? This might include automated reorder points, landed cost calculations, multi-currency support, batch/lot tracking, manufacturing BOMs, dropshipping support, or vendor performance tracking. Prioritize features that directly address your pain points.
4. User Experience and Ease of Use: A powerful tool is only effective if your team can use it efficiently. Look for intuitive interfaces, clear dashboards, and good onboarding resources. Consider whether a demo or free trial is available to test usability.
5. Budget and Pricing Model: Understand the total cost of ownership, including subscription fees, implementation costs, and potential add-on features. Some tools offer tiered pricing based on users, orders, or features, so choose a plan that aligns with your operational volume.
6. Support and Training: Good customer support is invaluable, especially during setup and as you encounter new scenarios. Check what kind of support is offered (email, chat, phone), typical response times, and available training resources.
FAQ
What is purchase order software for ecommerce?
Purchase order (PO) software for ecommerce is a specialized tool designed to automate and manage the entire procurement process for online businesses. It helps create, send, track, and manage purchase orders to suppliers, ensuring accurate inventory replenishment, cost control, and efficient supply chain operations. It integrates with your ecommerce platform and often with inventory and accounting systems.
Why is purchase order software important for an ecommerce business?
PO software is crucial for ecommerce because it helps prevent stockouts (lost sales), reduces overstocking (tying up capital), improves inventory accuracy, streamlines communication with suppliers, and provides better financial visibility by tracking spending and landed costs. It frees up time spent on manual tasks, allowing businesses to focus on growth and customer experience.
Can I just use spreadsheets to manage my purchase orders?
While spreadsheets can work for very small ecommerce businesses with minimal inventory, they quickly become unmanageable as you grow. Spreadsheets are prone to manual errors, lack real-time updates, don’t integrate with other systems, and make it difficult to scale and gain comprehensive insights. Dedicated PO software offers automation, accuracy, integration, and scalability that spreadsheets simply cannot match.
Final Verdict
Investing in the right purchase order software is a game-changer for any growing ecommerce business. It’s about moving beyond reactive inventory management to a proactive, data-driven approach that optimizes your stock levels, strengthens supplier relationships, and ultimately boosts your bottom line. By streamlining your procurement, you unlock greater efficiency and free up valuable time to focus on what you do best: selling fantastic products to your customers.
Best overall: Cin7 Core
Best budget option: Zoho Inventory (or Veeqo for Amazon sellers)
Best for scaling brands: Brightpearl
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