Fishbowl Manufacturing vs Epicor: Complete Comparison 2026
An in-depth comparison of features, pricing, and user experience to help you make the right choice.
Fishbowl Manufacturing
Inventory and manufacturing management that integrates with QuickBooks for growing businesses needing production tracking.
Epicor
Manufacturing-focused ERP for discrete and mixed-mode manufacturers with deep shop floor capabilities.
Quick Comparison
| Aspect | Fishbowl Manufacturing | Epicor |
|---|---|---|
| Best For | QuickBooks users needing real inventory and light manufacturing | Discrete manufacturers |
| Pricing Model | Subscription | Contact Sales |
| Starting Price | $329/mo | Contact Sales |
| Deployment | cloud, on premise | cloud, on premise, hybrid |
| Platforms | WEB, WINDOWS, MAC, IOS, ANDROID | WEB, IOS, ANDROID, WINDOWS |
| Rating | 7.3/10 | 7.9/10 |
Pros & Cons
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
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
Pricing Comparison
| Product | Pricing Model | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|
| Fishbowl Manufacturing | subscription | $329/mo |
| Epicor | contact sales | Contact Sales |
Our Verdict
Choose Fishbowl Manufacturing if...
QuickBooks users needing real inventory and light manufacturing
Choose Epicor if...
Discrete manufacturers
Still Not Sure?
Explore more alternatives or read in-depth reviews to make your decision.