IFS Cloud is a versatile and user-friendly ERP software that offers significant advantages in terms of flexibility, stability, and ease of use. It stands out for its low-code/no-code approach, making it easy to customize and adapt to various business needs.

Best For:

We recommend IFS for organizations in the Aerospace and Defense, Energy Utilities and Resources, Construction and Engineering, Manufacturing, and Service Industries. The software is tailored for sectors requiring robust asset management, service delivery, and industry-specific functionalities.

Fishbowl Inventory is an out-of-the-box software which caters to a lot of different industries in need of inventory management tools.

Best For:

Fishbowl is best for QuickBooks users that need advanced inventory management or a light MRP system. Typically best for small to medium sized businesses. Median business user has 30 employees.

10.0

USER RATING

based on 1 user reviews

Our Verdict:

IFS Cloud can be tailored to various industries, making it widely popular. Its ability to seamlessly integrate all business functions such as human capital management and asset management is commendable. The platform’s composable environment ensures adaptability, allowing businesses to select functionalities as per their needs and expand over time.

However, potential users should be aware of some usability concerns. While many appreciate its robust functionality, a few users have found the interface to be less intuitive than desired. This might pose a slight learning curve for newcomers.

Pros:

Responsive customer support
User-friendly interface
Customizable based on features/modules
Integration with 3rd party applications

Cons:

Requires consult call for pricing
Can be a steep learning curve due to wealth of features

8.9

Our Rating

based on our expert editorial analysis

6.7

USER RATING

based on 23 user reviews

Our Verdict:

If you’re a small or midsize business on the hunt for a powerful and scalable inventory management software that won’t break the bank, Fishbowl is the way to go. We found it perfect for manufacturers with FDA or USDA audit requirements for traceability.

However, if you’re looking for a simple inventory management system to handle just a few assets, Fishbowl might be a bit too robust for your needs. And its seamless integration with QuickBooks means if you already have a full ERP solution in place, some features might end up being redundant.

Pros:

Competitive pricing; does not require a subscription
Integrates with QuickBooks
Can function as a light MRP system

Cons:

Somewhat steep learning curve
Transactions do not post to QuickBooks in realtime; manual or scheduled sync only
Customizations can lead to difficult support scenarios
Does not store quotes

Price Range
$ $ $ $ $
$ $ $ $ $
Starting Price $250,000 (perpetual license)
Client OS Windows, Web

Price Range
$ $ $ $ $
$ $ $ $ $
Starting Price $4,395 (perpetual license)
Client OS Windows, macOS

Our editorial review staff has demoed and test Fishbowl Inventory and IFS Applications We reviewed both products firsthand to provide a comprehensive comparison.

Target Market Comparison

IFS Applications targets larger enterprises with complex needs across various industries, offering a full ERP solution. In contrast, Fishbowl Inventory primarily caters to SMBs seeking enhanced inventory management, often as an addition to platforms like QuickBooks.

Fishbowl Inventory

Fishbowl Inventory is an out-of-the-box software solution specializing in inventory management. It’s a perfect fit for small to medium-sized businesses with around 30 employees. Businesses using QuickBooks that need advanced inventory management or a light MRP system will benefit the most from Fishbowl’s features.

Fishbowl stands out with its competitive pricing and deep integration with QuickBooks. The software offers deep functionality, but this may introduce a somewhat steep learning curve for newcomers. Transactions do not post to QuickBooks in real-time, requiring manual or scheduled sync only.

IFS Applications

IFS Applications offers over 100 business components to choose from. This software’s versatility makes it suitable for organizations in the aerospace and defense, energy utilities and resources, construction and engineering, manufacturing, and service industries. It’s especially recommended for sectors requiring robust asset management, service delivery, and industry-specific functionalities.

IFS Applications boasts a lot of functionality and easy Excel exports. Its customer support is highly responsive, but some users have reported performance issues and an unintuitive user interface.

The Verdict

Fishbowl Inventory is likely the better choice for most businesses. It’s a cost-effective solution that integrates seamlessly with QuickBooks, making it a practical choice for SMBs in need of advanced inventory control. However, if your business requires a more industry-specific solution with a focus on asset management and service delivery, IFS Applications could serve you better.

For a broader view of available solutions, check out our roundup of the best ERP software overall.

IFS Cloud

★★★★★

(1)

Price Range

$ $ $ $ $

Starting Price

$250,000 (perpetual license)

Client OS

Windows, Web

Deployment

Cloud or On-Premises

Fishbowl Inventory

★★★★★

(23)