Sortly 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.
Sortly
8.2(980 reviews)
Visual inventory management app for small businesses and teams that lets you organize items with photos, QR codes, and folders.
DEAR Systems (Cin7 Core)
Mid-market inventory management with manufacturing, multi-channel selling, and accounting integration, now rebranded as Cin7 Core.
Quick Comparison
| Aspect | Sortly | DEAR Systems (Cin7 Core) |
|---|---|---|
| Best For | Small businesses and offices tracking physical assets like IT equipment and supplies | Xero users who need serious inventory and manufacturing management tied to their accounting |
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Subscription |
| Starting Price | Free | $349/mo |
| Deployment | cloud | cloud |
| Platforms | WEB, IOS, ANDROID | WEB, IOS, ANDROID |
| Rating | 8.2/10 | 7.7/10 |
Pros & Cons
Sortly
Pros
- Easiest inventory app to learn — most teams are productive within 30 minutes
- Visual photo-based approach makes finding items fast, even for non-tech users
- Free plan covers up to 100 items — generous enough for very small operations
- QR code label printing works from any printer, no special hardware required
- Checkout/check-in system tracks who has what, like a lending library for assets
Cons
- No ecommerce integrations at all — this is strictly for internal inventory tracking
- No purchase order management or supplier tracking
- Free plan limited to 100 items and 1 user — restrictive for even small businesses
- No demand forecasting, reorder automation, or sales analytics
- Reporting is basic — you get counts and activity logs, not business intelligence
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Sortly | freemium | Free0 |
| DEAR Systems (Cin7 Core) | subscription | $349/mo |
Our Verdict
Choose Sortly if...
Small businesses and offices tracking physical assets like IT equipment and supplies
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.