Which Inventory Platform Fits Your Business?
Cin7 and Unleashed are two of the most popular inventory management platforms used by Australian wholesale, retail, and manufacturing businesses. They overlap in some areas, but they are built for different primary use cases.
The short version: Cin7 is built for multi-channel sellers who need to sync inventory across Amazon, Shopify, eBay, physical stores, and wholesale. Unleashed is built for wholesalers and manufacturers who need strong production planning, BOM management, and clean inventory costing.
Both integrate with Xero and MYOB, both handle Australian GST, and both start at roughly similar price points. The right choice depends on how you sell and what you make.
Feature-by-Feature Comparison
| Feature | Cin7 | Unleashed | Edge | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly Cost | ~$349+/mo (Cin7 Omni) | ~$349+/mo (base plan) | Tie | Similar starting prices; total cost depends on channels, users, and modules |
| Multi-channel Selling | Amazon, eBay, Shopify, WooCommerce, Etsy | Limited native channels; relies on integrations | Cin7 | Cin7 has far stronger built-in multi-channel connectivity |
| Warehouse Management | Built-in WMS with pick/pack/ship | Warehouse tracking with bin locations | Cin7 | Cin7 offers more comprehensive warehouse management features |
| B2B Portal | Built-in B2B e-commerce portal | B2B portal available | Tie | Both offer B2B ordering portals for wholesale customers |
| Manufacturing / BOM | Basic BOM and assembly management | Detailed BOM, production planning, WIP tracking | Unleashed | Unleashed has significantly stronger manufacturing capabilities |
| Reporting & Analytics | Built-in dashboards and sales reports | Strong reporting with margin analysis | Tie | Both offer solid reporting; Unleashed edges ahead on cost-of-goods detail |
| POS Integration | Built-in POS (Cin7 POS) | No native POS; integrates with Vend/Lightspeed | Cin7 | Cin7 has its own POS system, reducing the need for third-party tools |
| 3PL Integration | Direct 3PL integrations | 3PL support via integrations | Cin7 | Cin7 has broader built-in 3PL partner connectivity |
| Accounting Integration | Xero, MYOB, QuickBooks | Xero, MYOB, QuickBooks | Tie | Both integrate well with major Australian accounting platforms |
| E-commerce Integration | Strong: Shopify, Amazon, eBay, WooCommerce, Magento | Basic: Shopify and WooCommerce via connectors | Cin7 | Cin7 was built around multi-channel e-commerce from the start |
| EDI | Built-in EDI for major retailers | EDI via third-party partners | Cin7 | Cin7 has native EDI compliance for large retail partners |
| Scalability | Scales well for multi-channel retail + wholesale | Scales well for wholesale + manufacturing | Tie | Both scale, but for different business models |
Cin7 Pros & Cons
Cin7 Strengths
- Strongest multi-channel selling (Amazon, eBay, Shopify, Etsy)
- Built-in POS for retail locations
- Native EDI for large retail partners (Woolworths, Coles, etc.)
- Comprehensive 3PL integrations
- Good for businesses selling across retail + wholesale + online
- Built-in B2B ordering portal
- Stronger e-commerce automation and order routing
- Cin7 Core (formerly Dear Inventory) available as a lighter option
Cin7 Limitations
- Interface can feel cluttered with so many features
- Pricing escalates quickly with add-on channels and modules
- Manufacturing features are basic compared to Unleashed
- Implementation can be complex due to breadth of features
- Customer support response times can vary
- Steeper learning curve for new users
Unleashed Pros & Cons
Unleashed Strengths
- Cleaner, more focused interface for wholesale operations
- Stronger bill of materials and production planning
- Better work-in-progress tracking for manufacturers
- Tight Xero integration (shared NZ heritage)
- Well-regarded API for custom integrations
- Good batch and lot tracking with expiry date management
- Straightforward pricing without hidden channel fees
- Solid inventory costing methods (FIFO, weighted average)
Unleashed Limitations
- Limited native multi-channel selling (no direct Amazon/eBay)
- No built-in POS system
- Fewer built-in e-commerce integrations
- EDI requires third-party tools
- Less suited for businesses with heavy retail operations
- Smaller app ecosystem compared to Cin7
Which Platform Suits Your Business?
Retailers (Brick & Mortar + Online)
Key features: POS, Shopify/Amazon sync, warehouse management, order routing
Pure Wholesalers / Distributors
Key features: Inventory costing, batch tracking, B2B portal, Xero integration
Manufacturers
Key features: BOM management, production planning, WIP tracking, lot control
Multi-channel Businesses
Key features: Channel sync, order routing, inventory allocation, marketplace management
E-commerce Focused
Key features: Shopify, Amazon, eBay, WooCommerce, 3PL fulfilment
Wholesale + Light Manufacturing
Key features: BOM, production orders, batch tracking, wholesale pricing tiers
What About Dear Inventory (Cin7 Core)?
Dear Inventory was acquired by Cin7 in 2022 and rebranded as Cin7 Core. It sits as a lighter, more affordable alternative to the full Cin7 Omni platform.
- Cin7 Core (ex-Dear) starts at a lower price point than Cin7 Omni
- Good option for businesses that need solid inventory management without heavy multi-channel features
- Integrates with Xero, MYOB, Shopify, and WooCommerce
- Less complex to set up and manage than full Cin7 Omni
- Worth considering if Cin7 Omni feels like overkill but you want to stay in the Cin7 ecosystem
- May eventually be merged further into the Cin7 product line, so check the latest roadmap
If you are currently on Dear Inventory, your system is now Cin7 Core. It is worth reviewing whether the full Cin7 Omni platform or a switch to Unleashed makes more sense for your growth plans.
Related Comparisons & Resources
Need Help Choosing or Implementing?
We help Australian wholesale, retail, and manufacturing businesses select and implement the right inventory management platform. Whether you are choosing between Cin7 and Unleashed, migrating from an existing system, or integrating with Xero or MYOB, we can help you get it right the first time.