Epicor vs Fishbowl Manufacturing: Complete Comparison 2026
An in-depth comparison of features, pricing, and user experience to help you make the right choice.
Epicor
Manufacturing-focused ERP for discrete and mixed-mode manufacturers with deep shop floor capabilities.
Fishbowl Manufacturing
Inventory and manufacturing management that integrates with QuickBooks for growing businesses needing production tracking.
Quick Comparison
| Aspect | Epicor | Fishbowl Manufacturing |
|---|---|---|
| Best For | Discrete manufacturers | QuickBooks users needing real inventory and light manufacturing |
| Pricing Model | Contact Sales | Subscription |
| Starting Price | Contact Sales | $329/mo |
| Deployment | cloud, on premise, hybrid | cloud, on premise |
| Platforms | WEB, IOS, ANDROID, WINDOWS | WEB, WINDOWS, MAC, IOS, ANDROID |
| Rating | 7.9/10 | 7.3/10 |
Pros & Cons
Epicor
Pros
- Deep manufacturing functionality
- Excellent for make-to-order environments
- Real shop floor control capabilities
- Strong engineer-to-order support
- Industry-specific knowledge
Cons
- Less suitable for non-manufacturing companies
- Complex implementation for full functionality
- Pricing not transparent
- UI modernization still in progress
- Partner network varies by region
Fishbowl Manufacturing
Pros
- Best-in-class two-way QuickBooks integration for inventory and manufacturing
- Over 45,000 companies use it — proven and well-documented
- Barcode scanning works with standard USB/Bluetooth hardware
- Perpetual license option avoids recurring subscription lock-in
- Handles multi-location inventory with transfer orders and tracking
Cons
- Manufacturing module is basic — no MRP or finite capacity scheduling
- Multi-company support requires separate databases and manual consolidation
- Dependent on QuickBooks — if you switch accounting systems you lose the core value
- Per-user licensing adds up quickly for larger teams ($1,795-$2,395 per seat)
- Cloud version (Fishbowl Online) has fewer features than the on-premise edition
Pricing Comparison
| Product | Pricing Model | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|
| Epicor | contact sales | Contact Sales |
| Fishbowl Manufacturing | subscription | $329/mo |
Our Verdict
Choose Epicor if...
Discrete manufacturers
Choose Fishbowl Manufacturing if...
QuickBooks users needing real inventory and light manufacturing
Still Not Sure?
Explore more alternatives or read in-depth reviews to make your decision.