The Best Free Shopify Inventory Management Apps in 2025 – And Why You Shouldn’t Overpay

• Forthcast: Prevent stockouts & overstock: AI‐driven demand forecasting, safety stock, and reorder alerts. Free unlimited plan available now.

• OptiMonk: Focuses on customer alerts for low-stock items, helping you sell faster and avoid overstock. Free for up to 15,000 monthly pageviews.

• Prediko: AI-powered demand forecasting and real-time syncing for multi-store operations. Free trial available; starts at $119/month.

• SimpleSync: Syncs inventory for products sharing the same SKU. 7-day free trial; plans start at $10/month.

• Inventory Planner: Advanced forecasting to optimize stock levels and reduce waste. Free trial only; pricing starts at $99/month.

Quick Comparison

Key Takeaway

Start with free tools like Forthcast to address basic inventory needs. As your business grows, consider upgrading to apps like Prediko or Inventory Planner for advanced features like AI forecasting and multi-channel syncing.

Shopify Inventory Forecast Apps

1. Forthcast

Key features

• Smart Demand Forecasting: Predicts demand for each SKU up to 6 months in advance using a blend of statistical analysis and machine learning, tailored to your store’s specifics.

• Automated Alerts: Receive low-stock notifications and proactive reorder suggestions to prevent stockouts.

• Inventory Optimization: Balances safety stock with cash flow to minimize holding costs while maintaining desired service levels.

• Reporting and Analysis: Offers full sales vs. forecast reporting with bias and accuracy metrics to refine your inventory strategy.

• Customizable Settings: Set lead-time buffers and service levels for precise control over inventory planning.

• Stock Projections: Access 6-month SKU-level projections to plan purchases effectively.

• Bundle and Anomaly Management: Breaks down product bundles into single SKU forecasts and detects sales anomalies to improve accuracy.

• New Product Forecasting: Substitutes new products with mature ones for reliable demand predictions.

Why it stands out

Launched on March 4, 2025, Forthcast is the only Shopify inventory app offering a completely free plan with no usage caps. Its AI-driven features, typically reserved for premium apps like Prediko, make it a steal for budget-conscious merchants. For example, a Shopify store selling handmade candles can use Forthcast’s low-stock alerts to ensure popular scents are always available during peak seasons, while its 6-month projections help plan wax and scent orders, reducing waste and saving money. Although it lacks user reviews due to its recent launch, its robust feature set and zero-cost access make it a must-try. Merchants can provide feedback to shape its future via the support portal at Forthcast Support. Find Forthcast now also on ASR.

2. OptiMonk

OptiMonk is a conversion optimization tool that indirectly helps with inventory management by working alongside systems that monitor stock levels. Its strength lies in creating targeted customer alerts, which can help streamline inventory flow and reduce excess or stagnant stock.

Real-Time Sync

While OptiMonk doesn’t directly sync inventory in real time, it complements your existing systems by enabling alerts for low-stock items. For example, when paired with an inventory tracking system, OptiMonk can notify customers about products that are running low. This creates urgency, encouraging quicker purchases and helping businesses avoid overselling. Plus, by eliminating the need for manual data updates, businesses can save 10+ hours each month.

One of its standout features is the ability to craft targeted alerts for items that need to sell quickly. These alerts can prevent stockpile issues while boosting sales of specific products. It’s an indirect but effective method of managing inventory through customer engagement.

Free Tier Limitations

OptiMonk’s free plan is a good starting point for small Shopify stores, but it does come with some restrictions. It supports 15,000 monthly pageviews on a single domain and includes features like A/B testing and smart tags. However, advanced targeting options require a paid plan.

To maximize the free tier, focus on inventory-related messaging. Use high-impact alerts to highlight low-stock items or promote slow-moving products. While the free plan has limitations, it’s enough to test strategies and gather insights without committing to a higher-cost plan.

If you’re ready to expand, OptiMonk’s paid plans start at $39 per month for the Essential plan, with Premium features available at $249 per month. The key to success is crafting alerts that align with your business goals. Keep messages short, clear, and relevant to the page context. This ensures the alerts enhance the shopping experience rather than interrupt it.

3. Prediko

Prediko is one of the top free Shopify inventory tools, designed to make synchronization seamless while improving demand forecasting. It combines AI-driven insights with real-time updates to help Shopify merchants make smarter purchasing decisions and avoid the pitfalls of stockouts.

Real-Time Sync

Once installed from the Shopify App Store, Prediko instantly syncs data across multiple Shopify stores and warehouses. It consolidates all sales and inventory data into a single dashboard, supporting multi-store operations, multiple warehouses, product bundles, and even subscription tracking. This setup eliminates the headache of overselling across various channels.

Kimaï, an online jewelry brand, experienced this firsthand. By integrating their three Shopify stores through Prediko, they automated the synchronization of historical sales, revenue, and product data. The result? Over 10 hours saved per week that had previously been spent on manual inventory management. This freed up their team to focus on scaling the business instead of getting bogged down in admin work.

"The software and customer service are amazing! Prediko's advanced analytics and reporting tools empowered us at Kate Hewko to predict demand patterns accurately, optimizing stock replenishment and reducing stockouts." - Alix Beckstrand, Ops Manager at Kate Hewko

But synchronization is just one piece of the puzzle. Prediko's AI-driven demand forecasting takes inventory management to the next level.

Demand Forecasting

Prediko uses AI to analyze historical sales data, market trends, and customer behavior, creating highly accurate demand forecasts. It factors in seasonal patterns and recommends specific reorder points and quantities, helping businesses maintain the perfect balance between stockouts and overstocking.

This feature simplifies the complex task of monthly sales forecasting, making it easier for procurement teams to plan ahead. For example, Healf, a UK-based healthy living brand, reduced their stockouts from 4% to 1% in just two months using Prediko. According to Billy Kavanagh, Operations Associate at Healf, this improvement translated into hundreds of thousands of dollars in additional yearly revenue.

"At Sync Protein, we save a lot of time on product forecasting using Prediko's Shopify app. Stock planning with Prediko's AI allows us to place relevant orders on time and avoid out-of-stock & overstock situations for orders on our store." - Antonin Exertier, Head of Logistics at Sync Protein

Kimaï also saw remarkable results, cutting delivery times by 43% and reducing production costs by 11% thanks to Prediko's forecasting tools. These outcomes highlight how effective demand prediction can directly impact efficiency and profitability.

Free Tier Limitations

Unlike some tools that offer permanent free plans, Prediko provides a free trial but no ongoing free tier. Pricing starts at $119 per month for stores generating up to $500,000 in annual revenue. For larger businesses, the cost scales with revenue:

• $199 per month for stores earning up to $2 million annually

• $349 per month for stores up to $5 million

• Custom enterprise pricing for businesses exceeding $5 million in revenue

For new Shopify merchants, the lack of a permanent free plan might be a hurdle. While Prediko's features deliver clear value, the monthly cost could be challenging for businesses still finding their financial footing. Established merchants, however, may find the platform's capabilities well worth the investment, given the potential for operational efficiencies and revenue growth.

4. SimpleSync

SimpleSync zeroes in on inventory management by focusing on SKU-based synchronization. While it doesn't come with an extensive list of features, its primary strength lies in ensuring accurate inventory levels across multiple product listings that share the same SKU.

Real-Time Sync

The app updates inventory levels in real time by syncing SKUs across two or more products. Whenever an order is placed or canceled, stock levels are adjusted immediately. This feature is particularly useful for merchants who list the same product on different pages - whether it's to target specific audiences, like gender-based listings, or to support separate marketing campaigns. SimpleSync ensures that no matter how many listings a product has, the inventory count remains accurate.

For instance, Types & Symbols, a Shopify store in the U.S., shared that SimpleSync solved a significant inventory issue with minimal setup. Similarly, Lycette Designs, which used the app for around two years, praised its ability to sync shared and virtual products effectively. These examples highlight how SimpleSync delivers on its promise of precise SKU synchronization.

SKU Management

SimpleSync works well for businesses that need to manage simple bundles or maintain consistent stock levels across multiple product variations tied to a single inventory. Its straightforward design is ideal for merchants with uncomplicated inventory setups who need dependable synchronization without extra bells and whistles.

Free Tier and Pricing

While SimpleSync excels at its core function, it doesn’t offer a permanent free tier. Instead, users can access a 7-day free trial before committing to a paid plan. Pricing starts at $10 per month for standard Shopify users and $15 per month for Shopify Plus stores. This cost might be a sticking point for small or growing businesses looking for budget-friendly options. Some users have questioned whether the app's limited features justify its price.

With an overall rating of 3.6 out of 5 stars from 19 reviews - and 79% of those being 5-star ratings - SimpleSync gets a mixed reception. It appeals to merchants who value its specialized functionality but may not be the best fit for those with tighter budgets or more complex inventory needs. For businesses with straightforward inventory requirements, SimpleSync carves out a specific role among Shopify's inventory management tools.

5. Inventory Planner

Inventory Planner offers more than just inventory tracking - it's a powerful tool for forecasting and advanced inventory management. While it doesn’t include a free tier, its demand forecasting and automation features make it a standout option for businesses looking to streamline their operations.

Demand Forecasting

At its core, Inventory Planner excels in predictive analytics. It uses a mix of seasonal, non-seasonal, retail, and wholesale models to pinpoint in-demand products, calculate quantities, and recommend the best times to restock. This ensures businesses maintain optimal inventory levels without overstocking or running out of stock.

For new products, the platform uses sales data from similar items to predict demand. This gives merchants a solid foundation for planning, even with limited historical data.

The platform’s impact is reflected in real-world success stories. For example, Campmor shared in March 2025 how Inventory Planner's forecasting accuracy helped them stay ahead of demand while avoiding overstock and stockouts. The tool streamlined their inventory and purchasing processes, making everything more efficient.

"Inventory Planner stops me getting bogged down by managing day-to-day stuff and frees me up to focus on the bigger picture." - Reiss Edgerton, Founder and CEO, AYBL

Another key feature is its ability to adjust forecasts based on marketing campaigns. By integrating with Google Analytics, it helps optimize webstore merchandising. Katy Mimari, CEO at Caden Lane, highlighted how the platform, connected to their Shopify store, allowed them to anticipate demand shifts caused by celebrity or influencer mentions.

Accurate forecasting is just one piece of the puzzle - real-time integration with sales data ensures smooth operations.

Real-Time Sync

Inventory Planner syncs effortlessly with platforms like Shopify, Amazon, BigCommerce, and eBay to keep product and sales data up to date. Once installed, it imports sales history and instantly generates forecasts and replenishment recommendations. This ensures consistent stock availability across all sales channels.

For businesses with multiple locations, the platform’s multi-location optimization feature is particularly helpful. Astrid & Miyu, for instance, shared in March 2025 how Inventory Planner enabled them to balance stock across 20+ stores. It ensured the right products were sent to the right locations, reducing excess inventory in underperforming stores.

"It's helped us optimize our availability across 20+ stores. We send the right stock to the right locations and we're not sitting heavy with stock in locations that aren't selling well." - Joanne Langton, Merchandise Manager, Astrid & Miyu

This synchronization also plays a key role in SKU management.

SKU Management

Managing SKUs becomes much easier with Inventory Planner’s automated purchasing and warehouse transfer recommendations. The platform identifies overstocked items that aren’t meeting forecasted demand and provides detailed insights, including overstock costs, last sold dates, and excess inventory levels.

Automation is a major time-saver. Jean Baik, Chief Merchandising Officer at Baik Brands, shared how the platform reduced the time needed to process orders. What used to take an hour per order now takes just 15 minutes - saving up to 150 hours when processing 200 orders.

"Every single order used to take an hour, but now it's done in 15 minutes. We're often placing 200 orders at a time, which means a saving of 150 hours." - Jean Baik, Chief Merchandising Officer, Baik Brands

Free Tier Limitations

One limitation of Inventory Planner is the absence of a permanent free tier - it only offers a trial period. This positions it as a premium solution, which may not suit smaller merchants with tight budgets. For those seeking basic inventory management tools, free alternatives might be a better fit.

Despite this, the platform has earned strong feedback, boasting a 4.6 out of 5 rating on the Shopify App Store from 146 reviews, along with similar ratings on Capterra and Trustpilot. For businesses willing to invest, its advanced forecasting and planning tools have proven to be a worthwhile choice. However, merchants need to evaluate whether its features align with their financial and operational priorities.

Pros and Cons Comparison

Each Shopify inventory app comes with its own set of strengths and challenges, as outlined in the individual reviews above. Choosing the right tool depends on what your business needs and how much you're willing to spend.

Take Prediko, for example. It’s perfect for growing brands that need advanced forecasting and automated inventory management. But with a price tag of $119/month and only a 14-day trial, it’s not exactly a budget-friendly option for merchants looking for a free solution.

This highlights the trade-offs with free Shopify inventory apps. While some tools might offer basic features at no cost, they often lack advanced analytics, robust customization, or extensive customer support. The key is to weigh your current needs against your future growth plans. If your business is just starting out, a free app might cover the basics. But for long-term scalability, investing in a more comprehensive tool could be worth it.

Conclusion

Opting for a free Shopify inventory management app doesn’t mean settling for less or overspending. These tools can help improve inventory accuracy and minimize errors that come with manual tracking. Considering that stockouts contribute to 17% of lost sales, even basic inventory automation can make a big difference.

While free tools are a great starting point, it’s important to recognize when it’s time to upgrade. As your business grows and operations become more complex - think multi-channel sales, managing multiple locations, or recurring stockouts - investing in a paid solution could be a smart move. Features like AI-driven forecasting can cut overstocking costs by up to 30%, freeing up resources to fuel further growth.

Start with a free app that fits your current needs, and scale up when the time is right. This way, you avoid paying for features you don’t yet need while maintaining the inventory accuracy your customers expect.

Look for apps with strong user ratings, take advantage of free trials to test how they perform in practice, and commit only when your business strategy aligns with the added benefits of a paid solution.

FAQs

When should I consider upgrading from a free Shopify inventory management app to a paid one?

Deciding whether to move from a free Shopify inventory management app to a paid one boils down to your business's specific needs and growth trajectory. Start by assessing if the free app is still meeting your requirements. Are you running into obstacles like limited features, a lack of integrations, or insufficient customer support? If so, a paid app could provide the advanced tools you’re missing, such as real-time inventory tracking, automated reordering, and comprehensive reporting.

It’s also important to think about how your business is evolving. Are manual tasks eating up too much of your time? Do frequent stockouts or the growing complexity of your inventory feel unmanageable? If these challenges sound familiar, it might be worth investing in a more advanced system. A paid app can simplify these processes, save you time, and free you up to focus on scaling your store.

How can AI-powered demand forecasting tools improve inventory management for growing Shopify businesses?

AI-powered demand forecasting tools are reshaping how growing Shopify businesses handle inventory. By providing accurate predictions of customer demand, these tools analyze massive datasets in real-time, identifying trends and patterns that help businesses keep their stock levels just right. This means fewer instances of overstocking or running out of bestsellers.

With AI in the mix, companies can make better purchasing choices, manage safety stock efficiently, and free up cash flow. The outcome? A smoother operation and happier customers who can always find what they’re looking for.

What are the best ways to get the most out of free inventory management tools for small Shopify stores?

To get the most out of free inventory management tools for your Shopify store, start by centralizing your inventory data across all your sales channels. This approach ensures your stock levels are accurate, helps you avoid overselling, and builds trust with your customers.

Make use of automated features like stock alerts and real-time tracking. These tools not only save you time but also help you stay on top of inventory without the hassle of constant manual updates. They’re especially handy for reordering products at just the right time, preventing those dreaded stockouts.

Lastly, focus on organizing your inventory smartly. Group your products into clear categories and perform regular counts to keep everything running smoothly. This reduces excess stock, keeps your operations efficient, and allows you to adapt quickly to shifting market demands. With these steps, you can streamline your inventory management and enhance your store's performance - all without breaking the bank.

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• 5 Signs Your Shopify Store Needs Automated Reorder Alerts