Best free ERP software in 2025
Managing your business optimally — especially a small company or startup with a limited budget — requires efficient coordination between different parts of your organization. Using enterprise resource planning (ERP) software is a great way to achieve this. ERP software integrates the most critical aspects of a business’s operations into one comprehensive platform.
Are you looking to save money by getting free ERP software? Together with the Cybernews team of expert researchers, I’ve conducted research to find the best free ERP software in 2025. In this guide, I’ll compare the top ERP software available today, highlighting their features, pros, and cons to help you find the right tool for your business.
Best free ERP software - shortlist
- MRPeasy – overall best ERP software in 2025
- Finale Inventory – best ERP software for inventory management
- Katana – best ERP solution for production and order management
- Zoho Finance – best ERP software for financial management
- Odoo – best open-source ERP solution
Our team of experts review and analyze ERP systems using a research-driven approach. The team gathers data from various sources and diligently fact-checks all the information. We then conduct in-house tests, which are completely transparent. You can learn more about our testing process.
The best free ERP software compared
Finding the best free ERP software can be tiresome, especially with the many options available today. To help you decide which ERP best suits your company's needs, I’ve created the comparison table below, showing key details of my top free ERP software.
| ERP software | Best for | Free version | Starting price | Key features |
| MRPeasy | Small and growing manufacturers | ✅ Yes (Limited features) | From $49.00/month | Production planning, material requirement planning (MRP), customer relationship management (CRM), procurement |
| Finale Inventory | Inventory management | ✅ Yes (Free trial) | From $99.00/month | Multi-channel inventory tracking, reporting |
| Katana | Production & order management | ✅ Yes (Limited features) | From $199.00/month | Real-time inventory & order tracking, automation |
| Zoho Finance | Financial management | ✅ Yes (Limited features) | From $249.00/month | Invoicing, expense tracking, automation |
| Odoo | Open-source ERP solution | ✅ Yes (Self-hosted free) | From $24.90/month | Modular ERP with CRM, HR, and finance tools |
5 best free ERP software – our detailed list
Each ERP system offers unique perks, from inventory management to financial planning. In the following detailed list, I will review my top 5 free ERP software, comparing their features, ease of use, and pricing to help you find the best option for your business.
1. MRPeasy – ideal for scaling small manufacturing businesses
| Best for: | Small to mid-sized manufacturers looking to streamline production |
| Top features: |
|
| Free trial: | Yes (30 days) |
| Starting price: | From $49.00/month |
MRPeasy is a complete ERP/MRP software for small manufacturers. It offers game-changing features for inventory control, stock control, and procurement.
Features. MRPeasy offers real-time insights into inventory, preventing overstocking or shortages. You can plan and schedule the entire production process. The CRM and purchasing system provides alerts for managing different sales processes and supplier activities. And with its cloud-based accessibility, you can keep track of your company’s operations from anywhere, even in remote business locations.
Pricing. You can use MRPeasy for free for 30 days to test the service before committing. After that, you must pay at least $49.00/month per user, depending on which package you choose.
2. Finale Inventory – top choice for streamlined inventory control
| Best for: | Advanced inventory tracking |
| Top features: |
|
| Free trial: | Yes (30 days) |
| Starting price: | From $49.00/month |
Finale Inventory helps businesses track stock across various sales channels. It is highly rated for its superior scalability and user-friendly interface.
Features. Finale Inventory works in real time and syncs multi-channel inventory. It prevents businesses from overselling and running out. The barcode scanning option helps warehouses run without errors and allows managers to keep track of incoming and outgoing products. Finale Inventory integrates well with eCommerce platforms like Amazon, Shopify, eBay, QuickBooks, and ShipStation.
Pricing. Finale Inventory has a 14-day free trial, after which you have to sign up for a subscription plan starting at $99.00/month. The price increases depending on the number of users and the features you choose.
3. Katana – best for optimizing production workflows and order tracking
| Best for: | Manufacturers, makers, and DTC brands |
| Top features: |
|
| Free trial: | Yes (14 days) |
| Starting price: | From $199.00/month |
Katana is designed to optimize production with standardized data sharing in real time. Its sleek, user-friendly interface makes it easy to use.
Features. Katana allows companies to easily manage stock levels and track raw materials and finished products without manual updates. It also works great with apps like Shopify, WooCommerce, QuickBooks, and Xero, making it perfect for multichannel sellers looking for a centralized accounting platform.
The dashboard provides complete insight into your business, from end-to-end order tracking to production completion, delivery status, and inventory availability.
Pricing. You can try out Katana for free with its 14-day free trial before you commit to its paid plans, which start at $199.00/month. The paid plan offers a lot of advanced functionalities and integration options.
4. Zoho Finance – great for efficient financial planning and automation
| Best for: | Financial management and automation |
| Top features: |
|
| Free trial: | Yes (14 days) |
| Starting price: | From $249.00/month |
Zoho Finance is a fully automated accounting and invoice-generating platform that also supports expense tracking. Thus, it is an all-in-one software for handling financial operations.
Features. Zoho Finance can calculate various currencies precisely and provide valuable AI-powered financial insights. It allows you to monitor cash and profitability and create live financial scenarios. It integrates seamlessly with the Zoho ecosystem and other third-party apps such as Stripe, PayPal, QuickBooks, and Shopify, offering businesses a central dashboard for comprehensive financial management.
Pricing. Zoho has a 14-day free trial. Its paid plans start from $249.00/month. The higher-tier plans increase the options for tax compliance and generate more sophisticated reports.
5. Odoo – the most versatile open-source ERP with modular flexibility
| Best for: | Open-source, highly customizable ERP |
| Top features: |
|
| Free trial: | Yes (15 days) |
| Starting price: | From $24.90/month (Self-hosted version is free) |
Odoo is an open-source ERP system that allows for extensive customization. Due to its high scalability, it is a favorite among start-ups, small and medium-sized enterprises, and large companies.
Features. Odoo allows companies to use basic applications (such as CRM, sales, and inventory) and scale up with additional tools (such as HR, project management, and eCommerce). The platform's open-source nature allows businesses to tailor it to their specific size and needs.
Pricing. Odoo has a free self-hosted software system, thus making this a good alternative for a business with an expert IT team. Its annual plans begin at $24.90/month per user with additional modules and customizations.
How did we select the best free ERP software?
Using a transparent and fact-based approach, I worked with the Cybernews research team to select the best free ERP software. While I didn’t conduct hands-on testing, I gathered data from vendors, software comparison sites, and industry reports. Here are some of the key criteria that guided my ranking of the best free ERP software:
- User reviews. I assessed feedback on platforms like G2, Capterra, and Trustpilot from actual people who use these services firsthand.
- Features and functionality. I assessed the features and functionality of each ERP software, checking whether they offer essential tools for inventory tracking, sales order processing, accounting, and CRM.
- Pricing and free plans. ERP solutions with real free versions or trials received a higher score in my ranking so businesses can test the service without a huge financial risk.
- Scalability and customization. I assessed each ERP software’s ability to support businesses as they grow and adapt to their evolving needs. I also looked at their modularity and options for integrating other apps.
- Customer support and community. I checked for the availability of customer support channels, such as a forum, live chat, or documentation, which can be useful when users run into issues with the software.
What is enterprise resource planning (ERP) software?
Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software integrates core business operations within one platform. Instead of using multiple disconnected applications for functions like accounting, human resources, inventory management, and customer relationship management, ERP software ensures streamlined operation and easy data sharing across various departments.
At its heart, ERP software centralizes functions like finances, human resources, supply chain management, sales, and production planning. This allows organizations to easily track inventory, process payrolls, manage customer relationships, and analyze financial performance without switching between different tools.
ERP solutions have been heavily adopted in different industries for production planning, resource allocation, and supply chain optimization.
For instance, retail and eCommerce businesses employ ERP tools to enhance inventory tracking and order fulfillment, while healthcare organizations adopt ERP software to manage patient care, billing, and compliance. Logistics and distribution companies leverage ERP solutions to optimize warehouse operations and strengthen supplier relationships. Financial institutions implement ERP software for budgeting, compliance, and reporting.
Features of ERP software
The features of ERP software facilitate the management of finance, inventory, HR, and the supply chain. You can use it to automate workflows, centralize and analyze data, and thus form a crucial base for decision-making.
- Accounting and financial management. ERP software allows businesses to track expenses, generate invoices, and obtain a general financial summary. It can also be useful for budgeting, complying with tax laws, and processing payroll.
- Inventory management. ERP systems allow companies to manage their stock in real time and streamline warehouse operations. Automated replenishment and barcode scanning further simplify the process of inventory management.
- Customer relationship management (CRM). ERP’s internal CRM modules help businesses manage all customer interactions and automate marketing. An integrated CRM also provides a complete customer data profile and allows businesses to improve customer service and loyalty.
- Supply chain management. An ERP software links all stakeholders and ensures that everything — from purchasing and logistics to production planning — is streamlined. This allows businesses to forecast efficiently, prepare for shipment, and establish smooth vendor relations, thereby creating value by speeding up processes and minimizing operational costs.
- Human resources management (HRM). This function eradicates the need for third-party software for record-keeping, payroll processing, and employee performance analysis. ERP modules for attendance monitoring and recruitment management assist human resource managers in organizing workforce affairs with greater effectiveness.
- Customization and scalability. ERP software can be adapted so businesses can customize their workflows, reports, and dashboards. ERP systems can also be fitted with modular add-ons.
Pricing of ERP software
ERP software prices depend largely on the features, scalability, and deployment model. Below, you will find a description of different ERP pricing methods as well as a pricing overview table of my top 5 ERP software:
- Free and open-source ERP. In some scenarios, ERP software can be accessed for free, while added costs may arise depending on customization or additional human support.
- Freemium model. Many ERP systems offer a limited number of features for free, while advanced functions such as automation, integrations, and analytics require the purchase of the full version.
- Subscription-based plan. Typically, these run on a monthly or annual subscription model, and billing is per user or based on features.
- One-time licensing costs. Some systems require a huge upfront fee for perpetual software ownership. However, updates and support may incur additional costs.
| ERP Software | Free version | Pricing model | Starting price |
| MRPeasy | ❌ Free trial (30 days) | Subscription-based | From $49.00/month |
| Finale Inventory | ❌ Free trial (14 days) | Subscription-based | From $99.00/month |
| Katana | ❌ Free trial (14 days) | Subscription-based | From $199.00/month |
| Zoho Finance | ✅ Free version available | Freemium + paid plans | From $249.00/month |
| Odoo | ✅ Free self-hosted version | Freemium + paid plans | From $24.90/month |
How to choose the right ERP system for my needs?
When choosing ERP software, it’s essential to consider your specific business type, team size, industry requirements, and budget. Here are some pointers to help you choose the right ERP software for your business:
- Identify your business needs. First, evaluate the business processes that you want to streamline. Manufacturers often focus on inventory and production planning. Retailers and eCommerce companies may benefit from order management and CRM functions, while service-based companies may require financial tracking or project management modules.
- Consider features and scalability. ERP solutions should include features such as accounting and financial management, inventory control and order entry, CRM, HR and payroll, and supply chain optimization. If you manage a growing company, choose an ERP system that can be upgraded using modules and cloud integrations.
- Evaluate ease of use and support. Select an ERP system with an intuitive interface design, streamlined navigation, and useful customer-service backup. Some ERP software have how-to guidelines and open forums for users, which can be useful if you encounter any issues.
- Pricing and budget. Top-of-the-line ERP systems can be quite expensive. Startups usually prefer open-source systems and applications that can be adapted to their needs. Subscription models are for larger enterprises that need steady engagement from support with automated upgrade options.
- Free Trials and free versions. Testing is paramount! I recommend opting for an ERP system with a free trial so you can thoroughly test all the features and functionality before committing to a paid plan. This will help you to find the right tool for your business without taking any risks.
A final word on the best free ERP software
The best free ERP software depends on your business needs, industry, and scalability requirements. You might require software for manufacturing, inventory management, financial tracking, or processing orders. Regardless of your specialization, there are high-end and free ERP solutions available.
My rigorous review and analysis show that MRPEasy is the best free ERP software with top-notch production management features. Finale Inventory is a true leader in stock management, and Katana is great at tracking orders and automating workflows. Zoho Finance is designed for financial management and invoicing. And if you are searching for an open-source ERP system, check out Odoo.
FAQ
What is the best free ERP software for small businesses?
MRPeasy is best for small manufacturers, as it is budget-friendly and a great all-in-one ERP package for beginners. Odoo, a customizable, open-source solution, also works great for small businesses.
Can free ERP software handle my business's financial management?
Yes, many free ERP software have financial management tools. Zoho Finance and Odoo support expense tracking, invoicing, budgeting, and limited expense automation features. These tools work with standard tax compliance support, provided you buy the extra functionalities.
What are the limitations of free ERP software?
Free ERP software often have limited functionality, fewer integration options, and restricts user access. They are often built from open source but are limited to self-hosting and exclude customer support. Automation, AI-driven analytics, and multi-location tracking for primary operations usually require a paid plan.
How customizable are free ERP systems?
Some open-source ERP software can be fully customized, allowing businesses to manipulate workflow, build modules, and incorporate third-party applications. However, there are limited opportunities to customize proprietary ERP systems unless you opt for a paid version.
Can I switch to a paid ERP system after using the free version?
It is possible to upgrade from a free ERP to a paid plan if you need advanced features, automation, and extended support. Cloud-based ERP systems might be the best option in this regard, as they allow users to upgrade easily.
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are markedmarked