Softabase

inFlow Inventory 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.

inFlow Inventory logo

inFlow Inventory

7.9(1,340 reviews)

Inventory management for SMBs with purchasing, sales orders, barcode scanning, and a built-in B2B showroom portal.

DEAR Systems (Cin7 Core) logo

DEAR Systems (Cin7 Core)

7.7(1,280 reviews)

Mid-market inventory management with manufacturing, multi-channel selling, and accounting integration, now rebranded as Cin7 Core.

Quick Comparison

AspectinFlow InventoryDEAR Systems (Cin7 Core)
Best ForSmall wholesalers and distributors who need PO management and B2B orderingXero users who need serious inventory and manufacturing management tied to their accounting
Pricing ModelSubscriptionSubscription
Starting Price$110/mo$349/mo
Deploymentcloudcloud
PlatformsWEB, IOS, ANDROID, WINDOWSWEB, IOS, ANDROID
Rating7.9/107.7/10

Pros & Cons

inFlow Inventory

Pros

  • Clean purchase order workflow — create, send, receive, and auto-update stock in minutes
  • B2B showroom portal lets wholesale customers browse and order without phone/email back-and-forth
  • Reasonable pricing starting at $110/month — less than half of what Cin7 charges
  • Multi-location tracking with per-location reorder points keeps each warehouse optimized
  • QuickBooks and Xero integration handles invoicing and accounting sync reliably

Cons

  • No free plan — competitors like Zoho Inventory and Sortly offer free tiers
  • Manufacturing support limited to basic assemblies — no multi-level BOMs or work orders
  • Mobile app feels like an afterthought compared to the desktop experience
  • No direct Amazon or eBay integration — you need workarounds for marketplace selling
  • Interface is functional but visually bland — could use a design refresh

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

ProductPricing ModelStarting Price
inFlow Inventorysubscription$110/mo
DEAR Systems (Cin7 Core)subscription$349/mo

Our Verdict

Choose inFlow Inventory if...

Small wholesalers and distributors who need PO management and B2B ordering

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Choose DEAR Systems (Cin7 Core) if...

Xero users who need serious inventory and manufacturing management tied to their accounting

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Still Not Sure?

Explore more alternatives or read in-depth reviews to make your decision.