Fishbowl vs DEAR Systems (Cin7 Core): Complete Comparison 2026
An in-depth comparison of features, pricing, and user experience to help you make the right choice.
Fishbowl
Inventory and warehouse management software built for QuickBooks users with manufacturing, barcode scanning, and asset tracking.
DEAR Systems (Cin7 Core)
Mid-market inventory management with manufacturing, multi-channel selling, and accounting integration, now rebranded as Cin7 Core.
Quick Comparison
| Aspect | Fishbowl | DEAR Systems (Cin7 Core) |
|---|---|---|
| Best For | QuickBooks users who need serious inventory management without switching accounting systems | Xero users who need serious inventory and manufacturing management tied to their accounting |
| Pricing Model | Subscription | Subscription |
| Starting Price | $329/mo | $349/mo |
| Deployment | cloud, on premise | cloud |
| Platforms | WEB, WINDOWS, IOS, ANDROID | WEB, IOS, ANDROID |
| Rating | 7.4/10 | 7.7/10 |
Pros & Cons
Fishbowl
Pros
- Best QuickBooks integration in the inventory management space — 20+ years of refinement
- On-premise option (Drive) for businesses that need offline access or data sovereignty
- Manufacturing module with BOMs and work orders punches above its weight class
- Barcode scanning support across the full warehouse workflow from receiving to shipping
- Asset tracking built in — useful for companies managing equipment alongside inventory
Cons
- User interface looks and feels outdated — stuck somewhere around 2015
- Per-user pricing adds up quickly for larger warehouse teams
- Ecommerce integrations are clunky compared to Cin7 or Ordoro
- Mobile app is bare-bones — functional but missing modern UX touches
- On-premise version (Drive) requires IT resources to maintain and update
DEAR Systems (Cin7 Core)
Pros
- Best-in-class Xero integration — 10+ years of refinement for seamless accounting sync
- Manufacturing module with auto-assembly triggers production when stock drops below thresholds
- Unlimited users on all plans — no per-seat pricing inflation for growing teams
- B2B ecommerce portal included for wholesale customer self-service ordering
- Same engine as Cin7 Omni at lower price — good value for mid-market businesses
Cons
- $349/month starting price is a significant commitment for small businesses
- Mandatory onboarding package adds $349+ to upfront costs
- Interface looks dated — the DEAR UI was never modernized after the Cin7 acquisition
- Rebranding confusion — documentation, tutorials, and community forums still reference "DEAR"
- No EDI or advanced 3PL management — need to upgrade to Cin7 Omni for those features
Pricing Comparison
| Product | Pricing Model | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|
| Fishbowl | subscription | $329/mo |
| DEAR Systems (Cin7 Core) | subscription | $349/mo |
Our Verdict
Choose Fishbowl if...
QuickBooks users who need serious inventory management without switching accounting systems
Choose DEAR Systems (Cin7 Core) if...
Xero users who need serious inventory and manufacturing management tied to their accounting
Still Not Sure?
Explore more alternatives or read in-depth reviews to make your decision.