Sortly
If you need a user-friendly inventory management solution, Sortly is the way to go. We recommend this software for managing everything from tools and machinery to equipment and vehicles.
However, if your inventory needs are more complex, Sortly might not be the best match. We found it’s a great fit for small businesses and startups but not quite suited for growing operations. And while there is a paid Enterprise version with unlimited entries and custom fields, it comes at a higher price compared to the Advanced or Ultra plans.
What is Sortly?
Sortly is an intuitive, cloud-based inventory management software designed to streamline asset tracking, including equipment, tools, machinery, vehicles, and more. This software includes tools for adding new items, customizing tags and fields, and generating QR codes and barcodes for item labels.
| Pros | Cons |
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Our Ratings
| Usability - 10.0 | Platform has a modern and intuitive user interface; the color scheme can be changed with paid plans. |
| Support - 9.0 | Includes chat box support for all plans with several pre-set FAQs to help users; help center and email support on all plans; there are video tutorials showing how to do basic tasks. |
| Features - 9.0 | Easy to use features with a simple interface; easily create and edit new items or delete old ones; set alerts when minimum inventory levels are hit. |
| Security - 8.3 | SSO is limited to the Enterprise plan. |
| Value - 8.0 | A free plan is available, but better features are locked behind the paid versions. |
| Performance - 9.0 | Very fast responses to all user changes, such as adding new items or editing variants. |
| Key Features - 9.5 | Adding new items was easy, as was removing old ones or creating variants. Creates custom QR code and barcodes for assets. |
Features of Sortly
Through our evaluation of Sortly, we made it a point to focus on some of the key features of inventory management software.
Adding New Items
Sortly can import existing inventory from Excel or CSV files. Adding a new item is incredibly easy. Just go to Items and select the “Add New” button on the top right. 100 entries can be made with the free plan, while 200 and 10,000 entries are available with the Advanced and Ultra plans, respectively. There are unlimited entries for uses opting for the Enterprise plan.
There is a section for adding variants, such as:
- Size
- Color
- Material
- Style
You can also customize how the item is quantified, such as units, grams, or inches. There are 20 options total. This is only available in the paid plans, as the free version only allows users to select “Units” when entering quantities.
Sortly can generate custom QR codes and barcodes for the newly added items, if you don’t already have them.
Each item can be added with multiple fields, including ones like:
- Serial number
- Model/part number
- Purchase date
- Expiry date
- Product link
- Size
Custom fields can be made as well. One is included with the free plan, Advanced has 10, and Ultra has 25. There are unlimited fields if you purchase the Enterprise plan.
It’s equally easy to remove items from the system. You can add an optional reason or note explaining why the item is being deleted, such as end-of-life. And don’t worry - deleted items can be restored from the Trash. However, if you delete an item with variants, you have to restore the variants individually.
Set Inventory Minimums
The minimum count level is a great feature of preventing shortages and stockouts. Set the number when adding the item or change it at any time with ease. When the item count falls below the minimum, an alert will inform the user it’s time to re-order.
Alerts are sent via email or in the app directly. However, alerts are not included in the free plan. Users must be using Advanced, Ultra, or Enterprise to enjoy that feature. Alerts can be sent on both the desktop and mobile versions.
Generate Custom QR Codes and Barcodes
Sortly lets users generate new QR codes or barcodes for items added to their inventory. Users can also link existing barcodes by scanning them into the system either through the mobile app or optional hardware. Once an item has a label, it’s easy to adjust inventory numbers by manually scanning items during counts.
Labels can be made in several sizes when printed, ranging from extra large (5 ½ in x 8 ½ in) to micro proportions (1 in x 1 in). Once you select the label size, Sortly automatically generates a PDF which can be used by traditional or label printers.
Advanced Search Function
The Advanced Search features makes it possible to find items in a variety of ways. To narrow down the search, start by selecting which folders you want to check. This will limit similar items being stored in different categories from appearing in your search. Then type in the item name below and see the matching results. The Advanced, Ultra, and Enterprise plans offer additional filters, like quantity alerts and price.
What Features Are Missing?
Through our experience using Sortly, we would have liked:
- Main pictures on variants: If you add an image to a main item and then create variants, those variants won’t use the main image as their thumbnail. Only 8 images are allowed per item as well, limiting possible images for variants. It’s a small complaint, but could cause problems if you don’t want a photoshoot with every single variant of an item.
- More custom fields: How many custom fields Sortly offers depends on the price you’re willing to pay. However, the Ultra plan caps custom fields at 25. If you need more, you’ll have to go with the Enterprise plan, which requires a custom quote.
Pricing Plans
| Plan | Pricing | Features |
| Basic | Free | Designed for individuals or new startups.
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| Advanced | $49/month or $29/month when billed annually | For small businesses:
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| Ultra | $149/month or $59/month when billed annually | For growing businesses:
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FAQ
Frequently asked questions about Sortly include:
What does Sortly do?
Sortly is a cloud-based inventory management software designed for small businesses. The intuitive user interface makes it easy to add new items, delete old ones, and track inventory. Generate new QR codes and barcodes for items, link existing ones, set alerts on inventory minimums to avoid shortages and stockouts, and more.
Can you use Sortly for free?
Yes! Sortly has a free version, although the features are limited compared to the three paid options.
Is Sortly easy to use?
Yes, Sorlty is very easy to use and intuitive as an inventory management system.
Does Sortly have a mobile app?
Sortly has mobile apps available on the App Store for Apple devices and the Google Play Store for Android devices.
What are the benefits of Sortly?
Sortly is incredibly user friendly and intuitive. The free version covers all the basics a business would need for straightforward inventory management. Paid plans offer additional benefits like more custom fields, new item entries, and QR code and barcode creation.
Which industries use Sortly?
A few specific industries they support include:
- Automotive
- Aviation
- Construction
- Education
- Government
- HVAC
- Information Technology
- Medical
- Non-Profit
- Retail
- Warehouse Since the platform is very straightforward, almost any business can use it by customizing fields.
Alternatives
Summary
Based onour experience, I recommend using Sortly if you just need a straightforward inventory system without extra bells and whistles. This is particularly great if you are a new or small business needing only 100 to 10,000 entries.
We wouldn’t recommend Sortly for businesses with more complicated inventory management requirements unless they opt for the Advanced or Ultra plans. However, there are several discounts available when first starting with Sortly, making these paid plans more affordable.
Sortly offers 4 pricing plans, including a completely free option. The Advanced and Ultra plans are still highly affordable, especially compared to other inventory management systems. WHen signing up for the free version, Sortly offered multiple discounts to upgrade to a paid plan.
Overall, Sortly is a good choice for new and small businesses looking for an affordable way to streamline their inventory management system.
User Reviews of Sortly
With Sortly, Everything is in one place. It makes my life so much easier. All I do is type something in and it pulls up every different place we have it, where we got it from, where it is and so on and so forth.
We are a startup urgent care. I wanted a system that was intuitive, low maintenance and easy to use while still being robust, so I could focus on things like growing my business. Sortly was the perfect solution.
