506 EasyScan SKU & Barcode vs Materials Inventoryfor Shopify (2026)
506 EasyScan SKU & Barcode and Materials Inventory are both highly-rated Shopify apps focused on inventory management and optimization, but they cater to distinct merchant needs. 506 EasyScan SKU & Barcode centers on physical inventory handling within a retail or warehouse environment, providing barcode and SKU generation, scanning capabilities, and order fulfillment tools. Its strength lies in its ability to streamline pick, pack, and ship operations, making it ideal for businesses dealing with tangible products and needing efficient warehouse management. It seems geared towards businesses that physically handle a lot of stock and require streamlined barcode-driven workflows. Materials Inventory, conversely, targets makers and manufacturers managing raw materials and assembled products. Its core value proposition revolves around managing bills of materials, tracking product profitability, and ensuring real-time synchronization between raw material and finished product inventory levels. It's a better fit for businesses involved in product creation and assembly, emphasizing cost tracking and preventing stockouts of crucial components.
At a Glance
506 EasyScan SKU & Barcode
260 reviews
Materials Inventory
49 reviews
Detailed Overview
506 EasyScan SKU & Barcode
Manage inventory, retail barcode labels, SKU generator, barcode generator, print & order fulfillment
Key Features
- Create, pick, pack, fulfill & check orders with a barcode scanner to stop errors
- Generate custom SKUs and barcodes with our SKU generator and a barcode printer
- Picking & fulfilment is easier with multi‑label barcodes to track your inventory
- Scan retail barcode labels to check, transfer and update warehouse inventory
- Print custom packing slip, inventory reports, Stocky product barcodes, pick list
Materials Inventory
Inventory management for makers & manufacturers. Create bills of materials & track profitability
Key Features
- Stop overselling: The app updates your Shopify inventory in real-time
- Plan ahead: Know your real-time inventory of bundles, products & raw materials
- Easy to use: Intuitive & easy to use so you can focus on your business
- Informative: Costs & profits per product. Full history of inventory movements
- Low inventory alerts. Thresholds dynamically adjusted. Custom Purchase Orders
Feature Comparison
| Rating | 5/5 | 5/5 |
Rating 506 EasyScan SKU & Barcode5/5 Materials Inventory5/5 | ||
| Reviews | 260 | 49 |
Reviews 506 EasyScan SKU & Barcode260 Materials Inventory49 | ||
| Focus | Order Fulfillment & Warehouse Management | Raw Materials & Product Assembly |
Focus 506 EasyScan SKU & BarcodeOrder Fulfillment & Warehouse Management Materials InventoryRaw Materials & Product Assembly | ||
| Key Features | Barcode/SKU Generation, Scanning, Pick & Pack | Bill of Materials, Profitability Tracking, Real-time Sync |
Key Features 506 EasyScan SKU & BarcodeBarcode/SKU Generation, Scanning, Pick & Pack Materials InventoryBill of Materials, Profitability Tracking, Real-time Sync | ||
| Target Merchant | Retailers, Warehouses | Makers, Manufacturers |
Target Merchant 506 EasyScan SKU & BarcodeRetailers, Warehouses Materials InventoryMakers, Manufacturers | ||
| Inventory Sync | Scan-based updates | Real-time, Bill-of-Materials driven |
Inventory Sync 506 EasyScan SKU & BarcodeScan-based updates Materials InventoryReal-time, Bill-of-Materials driven | ||
| Barcode Support | Extensive Barcode Functionality | Not explicitly mentioned, lower priority |
Barcode Support 506 EasyScan SKU & BarcodeExtensive Barcode Functionality Materials InventoryNot explicitly mentioned, lower priority | ||
| Cost Tracking | Implied via reports | Explicitly Tracks Costs & Profits |
Cost Tracking 506 EasyScan SKU & BarcodeImplied via reports Materials InventoryExplicitly Tracks Costs & Profits | ||
Our Verdict
For retailers managing physical inventory and needing a barcode-driven system for efficient order fulfillment, 506 EasyScan SKU & Barcode is the stronger choice. Its barcode generation, scanning capabilities, and focus on pick-and-pack workflows directly address the needs of such businesses. However, for manufacturers and makers needing to manage raw materials, track product profitability, and ensure real-time inventory synchronization between raw materials and finished goods, Materials Inventory is the superior solution. Its bill-of-materials functionality and cost-tracking features are essential for managing the complexities of product creation and assembly. If barcode scanning is not critical, Materials Inventory will win out for the right merchant.
Common Questions
Which app is better for a dropshipping business?
Neither app is ideally suited for dropshipping, as both focus on physical inventory management. However, if the dropshipper needs to manage SKUs and generate barcodes for their own internal tracking, 506 EasyScan SKU & Barcode might provide some basic utility.
Can both apps handle multiple warehouses?
506 EasyScan SKU & Barcode mentions features specific to warehouses such as bin locations. Materials Inventory does not explicitly mention multi-warehouse support, so it is less likely to manage multiple warehouses well.
Which app offers more robust reporting features?
Based on the descriptions, Materials Inventory appears to offer more detailed reporting on costs and profits per product, while 506 EasyScan SKU & Barcode focuses on inventory reports related to stock levels and order fulfillment.
Does either app integrate with accounting software?
The app descriptions do not explicitly mention integrations with accounting software. This would require further research into each app's integrations.
Which app is easier to set up and use?
Materials Inventory claims to be 'Intuitive & easy to use', suggesting a focus on user-friendliness. While 506 EasyScan SKU & Barcode has a higher review count, the added complexity of barcode scanning and hardware integration could make it slightly more challenging to set up initially.
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