Comparison
Crate vs Cin7
Global connected inventory management platform for product sellers
Cin7 is a broad connected inventory management platform that combines inventory, POS, B2B ordering, and e-commerce into one system. Crate is a focused WMS that goes deeper on warehouse structure and inbound operations. Here's how they compare across key capabilities.
Feature Comparison
How they stack up
| Feature | Crate | Cin7 |
|---|---|---|
| Warehouse structure (zones/racks/bins) | Full modeling — zones, aisles, racks, bins with capacity tracking | Location tracking available; less granular zone/rack/bin modeling |
| Inventory tracking | Real-time bin-level tracking with full audit trail | Real-time tracking with serial, batch, and expiry support |
| Purchase order management | Full PO lifecycle with approval workflows | Full PO management with auto-ordering and supplier price lists |
| Goods receiving / GRN | GRN with QC workflows, lot/batch capture, and putaway assignment | Receiving against PO with quantity matching |
| Supplier management | Supplier profiles with catalogs, pricing, MOQs, and lead times | Supplier management with price lists and auto-PO generation |
| Invoice / three-way matching | Three-way matching across PO, GRN, and supplier invoice | Costing and billing features; no formal three-way matching workflow |
| Barcode support | EAN-13, UPC-A, Code 128, QR codes, custom barcodes | Barcode scanning for warehouse operations |
| API access | Open REST API with full coverage and webhook support | REST API available; also integrates via pre-built connectors |
| Multi-warehouse | Full support with independent structure per warehouse | Multi-warehouse with inter-location transfers and stock allocation |
| Pricing model | Free tier available; usage-based pricing | Monthly subscription starting at several hundred dollars; tiered by feature set |
| POS / B2B portal | Not available — focused on warehouse operations | Built-in POS and B2B ordering portal for wholesale customers |
| Outbound / picking / shipping | Not yet available — focused on inbound operations | Order fulfillment with pick/pack/ship and carrier integration |
Crate Advantages
Why teams choose Crate
- Deeper warehouse modeling with zones, aisles, racks, and bins — Cin7 tracks locations but lacks the same structural depth
- Three-way invoice matching across purchase orders, goods receipt notes, and supplier invoices for financial accuracy
- API-first microservices architecture — each domain runs independently and scales on its own, not a monolithic platform
- Focused on doing core WMS operations exceptionally well rather than spreading across POS, B2B, and e-commerce
- Free tier during early access — no high monthly minimums to get started
- Structured goods receiving with formal GRN workflows, QC checks, and bin-level putaway assignment
Fair Assessment
Where Cin7 shines
- Broader feature set covering inventory, POS, B2B ordering, and e-commerce in one platform
- Pre-built integrations with over 700 e-commerce, accounting, and logistics platforms
- Built-in B2B ordering portal for wholesale customers to place orders directly
- Longer track record with a global customer base across many industries
- EDI support for enterprise supply chain communication with larger trading partners
- Outbound fulfillment features with picking, packing, and shipping label generation
Best For
Which one is right for you?
Choose Crate if you need a focused WMS with deep warehouse structure, structured goods receiving, and three-way matching — especially if you already have separate systems for e-commerce and POS. Choose Cin7 if you need a single platform that covers inventory, B2B ordering, POS, and e-commerce integrations, and warehouse depth is less critical than breadth of features.
See Crate in action
Schedule a demo and we'll walk you through how Crate fits your warehouse operations.