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.

TallyPrime is a business management software designed for companies prioritizing growth, efficient cash flow, and enhanced efficiency. It offers features like customizable reports, quick bill management, intuitive workflow, and a flexible inventory system with multi-currency support.

Best For:

Businesses seeking insights for growth via customizable reports, entities prioritizing cash flow via quick bill management and inventory optimization, and companies working with multiple currencies.

8.9

Our Rating

based on our expert editorial analysis

6.6

USER RATING

based on 22 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

Our Verdict:

TallyPrime is ideal for businesses prioritizing growth, cash flow, and efficiency. Companies can gain valuable insights and seamlessly manage tasks with its customizable reports, quick bill management, intuitive workflow, and flexible inventory system featuring multi-currency support.

However, while TallyPrime’s features cater predominantly to businesses focused on inventory optimization and financial insights, it might not fit enterprises needing niche functionalities or those seeking an overly simplistic interface.

Pros:

Comprehensive GST Support
Multi-Company Support
Check Printing Features

Cons:

Limited Invoice Formats
Runs Slower With Large Datasets
No Automatic Backup

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

Price Range
$ $ $ $ $
$ $ $ $ $
Starting Price $27/month
Client OS

Our editorial review staff has hands-on experience with both Fishbowl Inventory and TallyPrime. We’ve tested and scrutinized their features, pros, and cons to help businesses make an informed choice.

Target Market Comparison

While both software solutions offer strong inventory management features, their target markets differ. Fishbowl Inventory is best suited for Quickbooks users and small to medium-sized businesses in need of advanced inventory management or a basic MRP system. On the other hand, TallyPrime is more geared towards businesses seeking growth insights through customizable reports and entities prioritizing cash flow and inventory optimization.

Fishbowl Inventory Overview

Fishbowl Inventory is a versatile software solution primarily aimed at small to medium-sized businesses, particularly those in need of advanced inventory management or a basic MRP system. It has a significant advantage for QuickBooks users due to its seamless integration. While it boasts a competitive pricing strategy, the software has a somewhat steep learning curve and transactions do not post to QuickBooks in real time.

Pros:

Competitive Pricing
QuickBooks Integration
Can work as a basic MRP system

Cons:

Steep Learning Curve
No real-time Quickbooks transactions
Difficulty with customizations

TallyPrime Overview

TallyPrime is a business management software designed for companies focused on growth, efficient cash flow, and enhanced efficiency. It provides functionalities like customizable reports, quick bill management, intuitive workflow, and a flexible inventory system with multi-currency support. However, it might not be the best fit for businesses needing niche functionalities or a simplistic interface.

Pros:

Comprehensive GST Support
Multi-Company Support
Check Printing Features

Cons:

Limited Invoice Formats
Performance issues with large datasets
No Automatic Backup

Our Recommendation

For most businesses, we recommend Fishbowl Inventory. This is because Fishbowl provides a balance of advanced inventory management features, compatibility with Quickbooks, and the potential to function as a light MRP system. This makes it a versatile choice for a broader range of businesses. However, businesses that operate with multiple currencies or require comprehensive GST support may find TallyPrime more suitable.

To explore other options, consider checking our roundup of the best ERP software available.

Fishbowl Inventory

★★★★★

(22)

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

Price Range

$ $ $ $ $

Starting Price

$4,395 (perpetual license)

Client OS

Windows, macOS

Deployment

Cloud or On-Premises

TallyPrime

Price Range

$ $ $ $ $

Starting Price

$27/month

Deployment

Cloud or On-Premises