Best Free Purchase Order Software Shortlist
Here's my pick of the 10 best software from the 20 tools reviewed.
Our one-on-one guidance will help you find the perfect fit.
Purchase order software is a valuable asset for any company—but not every team has the budget for the priciest ones on the market. Luckily, many tools offer free options to help you improve procurement efficiency and enhance order tracking.
Using my experience with finance and accounting software, I tested and compared several of the top free purchase order software programs available. Then, I compiled my results into detailed reviews to help you find the best software for your needs.
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Best Purchase Order Software Summary
While the purchase order software on my list has free offerings, it also has paid plans if you upgrade. Here are the base costs for each tool on my shortlist.
Tools | Price | |
---|---|---|
Precoro | From $499/month | Website |
ProcurementExpress.com | From $365/month | Website |
Zoho Inventory | From $39/month | Website |
Tradogram | From $198/month | Website |
Dolibarr | Free to use | Website |
SKULabs | From $299/month (billed annually) | Website |
SpendMap | From $25/user/month | Website |
Metasfresh | From $105/user/month (billed annually) | Website |
ERPAG | From $49/month | Website |
Pipefy Procure-to-Pay | From $22/month | Website |
Compare Software Specs Side by Side
Use our comparison chart to review and evaluate software specs side-by-side.
Compare SoftwareHow To Choose Free Purchase Order Software
Complex feature lists and pricing structures can make determining what you’re getting from a free purchase order software hard. Here are some factors to remember to help you stay focused as you work through your software selection process.
Factor | What to Consider |
Free Offer Scope | Understand what's included in the free plan. Check if essential features meet your team's needs without hidden costs. |
Scalability | Consider if the software can grow with your business. Look for options to upgrade if your needs expand. |
Integrations | Ensure compatibility with tools like your accounting software or CRM for seamless data flow. |
Ease of Use | Choose software with an intuitive interface that your team can quickly adopt without extensive training. |
Customization | Check if you can tailor workflows and templates to fit your business processes and preferences. |
Support | Evaluate the availability of free customer support. Access to help guides or community forums can be significant. |
User Limitations | Identify any restrictions on the number of users. Ensure it accommodates your entire team without extra charges. |
Reporting | Look for robust reporting capabilities to track and analyze purchasing data efficiently. |
Best Free Purchase Order Software Reviews
Below are my detailed summaries of the best free purchase order software on my shortlist. My reviews thoroughly examine each tool’s key features, pros & cons, integrations, and ideal use cases to help you find the best one. While some of these tools offer a free version, others offer a free trial period. I’ve added a note about what’s free in my reviews.
Precoro is a procurement software designed for businesses seeking improved purchase order management and budget control. It helps streamline purchasing processes and ensures compliance with company policies.
Why I picked Precoro: Precoro's free trial includes features that help manage budgets effectively. Your team can set up budget limits and receive alerts when approaching these limits. The free trial allows you to automate approval workflows to reduce manual errors. It's ideal for those looking to maintain strict budget control without investment.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include comprehensive reporting tools that provide insights into spending patterns. Three-way matching ensures purchase orders match invoices and receipts. Additionally, it offers customizable approval workflows to fit your business needs.
Integrations include QuickBooks, Xero, NetSuite, Microsoft Dynamics, Google Workspace, Zapier, Slack, Oracle, SAP, and Dropbox.
What's free? Precoro offers a limited-time free trial, allowing you to explore its features, such as budget alerts and approval workflows, without restrictions.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Comprehensive reporting tools
- Customizable approval workflows
- Budget alert feature
Cons:
- Limited offline capabilities
- Not ideal for small teams
ProcurementExpress.com is a straightforward purchase order management tool for small to medium-sized businesses. It simplifies the purchasing process, making tracking orders and managing budgets easy.
Why I picked ProcurementExpress.com: The free trial emphasizes simplicity, allowing your team to set up purchase orders without hassle quickly. You can manage budgets efficiently and track spending in real-time. The intuitive interface makes it accessible for users with limited technical skills, making it suitable for businesses that prioritize ease of use.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include budget tracking that helps keep expenses within limits. You can also customize approval workflows to fit your organization's needs. The software provides detailed spending reports, offering insights into purchasing trends.
Integrations include QuickBooks, Xero, Sage, Slack, Microsoft Teams, Google Workspace, Dropbox, OneDrive, Box, and Zapier.
What's free? ProcurementExpress.com offers a free trial to explore its ease-of-use and purchase order management features.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Detailed spending reports
- Customizable approval workflows
- Real-time budget tracking
Cons:
- Not ideal for large enterprises
- Requires some learning time
Zoho Inventory is a cloud-based inventory management solution designed for small to medium-sized businesses. It supports purchase order management, inventory tracking, and sales order processing.
Why I picked Zoho Inventory: The free version offers strong inventory integration capabilities, allowing your team to manage stock levels across multiple channels. You can create and track purchase orders efficiently. The system also supports order fulfillment and shipping management. This makes it a suitable choice for businesses looking to streamline their inventory and procurement processes without cost.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include advanced order management, which makes handling backorders and drop shipments easy. The software provides detailed inventory reports to help you make informed decisions. It also supports barcode scanning for efficient stock management.
Integrations include QuickBooks, Shopify, Amazon, Etsy, Stripe, PayPal, Zoho CRM, Zoho Books, and FedEx.
What's free? Zoho Inventory offers a free-forever plan with restrictions on the number of orders and integrations available.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Multi-channel stock management
- Efficient order fulfillment
- Strong inventory integration
Cons:
- Limited customer support
- Requires frequent updates
Tradogram is a cloud-based procurement management tool suitable for businesses of all sizes. It handles purchase orders, supplier management, and cost control to help companies optimize their procurement processes.
Why I picked Tradogram: It offers a free trial that lets you explore its global procurement capabilities. Your team can manage suppliers and purchase orders internationally with ease. The platform supports multiple currencies and languages, making it ideal for businesses with a global reach. It provides comprehensive spend management tools to control costs efficiently.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include real-time budget tracking, which helps you monitor spending against set limits. You can also create custom approval workflows to ensure compliance with company policies. Additionally, the software provides detailed reporting tools to analyze procurement activities.
Integrations include QuickBooks, Xero, Sage, FreshBooks, Microsoft Dynamics, Google Workspace, Dropbox, OneDrive, Box, and Slack.
What's free? Tradogram offers a free plan that allows you to explore its features without an immediate commitment.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Detailed reporting features
- Budget tracking tools
- Global supplier management
Cons:
- Regular updates needed
- Limited offline capabilities
Dolibarr is an open-source ERP and CRM solution for small to medium-sized enterprises. It helps manage essential business functions like purchase orders, inventory, and customer relationships efficiently.
Why I picked Dolibarr: It offers a comprehensive free version that caters to small businesses. You can create, approve, receive, and bill purchase orders without cost. The free plan allows easy stock management and is open-source, allowing customization. This makes it ideal for businesses looking for flexibility without financial commitment.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include purchase order management with approval workflows, automatic stock updates, and procurement management tools. Your team can also benefit from stock dispatching wizards to streamline inventory reception.
Integrations include PayPal, Stripe, Google Maps, LDAP, and Amazon Web Services.
What's free? Dolibarr offers a free-forever plan with its open-source software model, allowing unlimited users and customizations without added costs.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Customizable workflows
- Unlimited user access
- Open-source flexibility
Cons:
- User interface is basic
- Requires self-hosting
SKULabs is an inventory management and order fulfillment software designed for e-commerce businesses. It helps manage inventory across multiple sales channels and streamline the order fulfillment process.
Why I picked SKULabs: The free trial offers features that support multi-channel sales, allowing your team to sync inventory across different platforms. You can manage orders and track shipments easily. The software also supports barcode scanning for efficient stock management. This makes it ideal for businesses aiming to centralize their sales operations without a hefty investment.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include real-time inventory tracking to keep your stock levels updated. The software offers order batching to speed up the picking and packing process. Additionally, it provides detailed sales reports to help you analyze performance across channels.
Integrations include Amazon, Etsy, Shopify, WooCommerce, BigCommerce, Walmart, Square, QuickBooks, and ShipStation.
What's free? For a limited time, SKULabs offers a free trial that includes access to multi-channel inventory management and order fulfillment features.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Detailed sales reporting
- Barcode scanning capability
- Real-time inventory updates
Cons:
- Not ideal for small businesses
- Requires technical knowledge
SpendMap is a procurement software solution designed for businesses of all sizes. It helps manage purchase orders, suppliers, and procurement workflows efficiently.
Why I picked SpendMap: It offers a free version with no user limits, allowing your entire team to access and manage procurement tasks. The free plan includes features like purchase order management and supplier tracking. You can also automate approval workflows to enhance efficiency. Its unlimited user access makes it a good fit for growing teams.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include comprehensive reporting tools that analyze spending patterns and supplier performance. You can also set up automatic alerts for order status changes. Additionally, it supports electronic documentation to reduce paperwork.
Integrations include QuickBooks, Excel, and CSV.
What's free? SpendMap offers a free-forever plan with unlimited users, which is ideal for teams looking to manage procurement without extra charges.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Comprehensive reporting tools
- Electronic documentation support
- Automated approval workflows
Cons:
- Minimal customization options
- Limited advanced features
Metasfresh is open-source ERP software tailored for small to medium-sized businesses. It supports key functions like purchase order management, inventory control, and financial accounting.
Why I picked Metasfresh: It's an open-source solution with a free plan that allows customization. This flexibility lets your team modify the software to fit specific needs. You can manage purchase orders and stock levels effectively without any fees. It's ideal for businesses seeking a tailored setup without upfront costs.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include real-time inventory tracking, advanced ERP functionalities, and customizable reporting tools. The software can easily be adapted to your business's unique processes. Additionally, it offers multilingual support to cater to global teams.
Integrations include PayPal, WooCommerce, Magento, Odoo, Shopify, PrestaShop, Zapier, Google Calendar, Microsoft Excel, and CSV.
What's free? Metasfresh offers a free-forever plan with its open-source model, allowing you to customize features without limits on users or time.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Multilingual support
- No user cap
- Open-source customization
Cons:
- Regular updates needed
- Complex for beginners
ERPAG is a cloud-based ERP system designed for small—to medium-sized manufacturing businesses. It aids in managing production, inventory, and sales and offers a comprehensive approach to business operations.
Why I picked ERPAG: The free trial allows manufacturing-focused businesses to explore its capabilities without upfront costs. Your team can manage production workflows and inventory levels efficiently. The software supports various manufacturing processes, making it ideal for companies in this sector. This focus helps businesses streamline their operations and improve productivity.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include detailed production management that lets you oversee the entire manufacturing process. The software provides inventory tracking to ensure optimal stock levels. It also supports sales order management, helping you keep track of customer orders and deliveries.
Integrations include QuickBooks, Shopify, WooCommerce, Xero, Amazon, eBay, PayPal, Stripe, Square, and FedEx.
What's free? ERPAG offers a limited free trial, providing access to its manufacturing-focused features without initial costs.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Inventory tracking features
- Supports various production workflows
- Manufacturing process management
Cons:
- Not ideal for non-manufacturing businesses
- Frequent software updates needed
Pipefy Procure-to-Pay is a process management software designed for businesses looking to automate procurement workflows. It caters to teams needing efficient purchase order management and approval processes.
Why I picked Pipefy Procure-to-Pay: The free plan includes features that automate key procurement processes, reducing manual tasks. Your team can set up automation for purchase orders and approvals. It allows for custom process templates tailored to your business needs, making it ideal for businesses aiming to enhance efficiency without incurring costs.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include customizable workflow templates that let you design processes specific to your needs. The software provides task automation to minimize manual intervention. It also offers real-time tracking of procurement tasks to ensure timely completion.
Integrations include Slack, Trello, Salesforce, Zendesk, Microsoft Teams, Asana, Google Sheets, Dropbox, GitHub, and Airtable.
What's free? Pipefy offers a free plan with limited automation and user access, allowing you to explore its workflow capabilities.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Real-time tracking capabilities
- Customizable process templates
- Workflow automation features
Cons:
- Limited offline access
- Not ideal for large teams
Other Purchase Order Software
Here are some additional purchase order software options offering free plans or trials. While these tools didn’t make it onto my shortlist, they’re still worth checking out.
- ProcureDesk
For cloud-based access
- Odoo
For modular customization
- Sage Intacct
For financial management
- Rossum
For document data extraction
- BILL
For automated payments
- Bonsai
For freelancers and contractors
- Xero
For accounting integration
- Vencru
For all-in-one small business invoicing
- Billdu
For simple order creation
- Invoice-Generator.com
For quick order templates
Free Purchase Order Software Selection Criteria
When selecting the best free purchase order software to include in this list, I considered everyday buyer needs and pain points, such as budget constraints and ease of use. I also used the following framework to keep my evaluation structured and fair.
Core Functionality (25% of total score)
- Create and manage purchase orders
- Track order status and deliveries
- Supplier management
- Basic reporting and analytics
- Budget management
Additional Standout Features (25% of total score)
- Customizable approval workflows
- Multi-currency support
- Real-time inventory updates
- Integration with accounting tools
- Automated alerts and notifications
Usability (10% of total score)
- Intuitive user interface
- Easy navigation and accessibility
- Minimal learning curve
- Clear and concise instructions
- Mobile responsiveness
Onboarding (10% of total score)
- Availability of training videos
- Interactive product tours
- Access to templates and guides
- Webinars for user education
- Chatbots for instant assistance
Customer Support (10% of total score)
- 24/7 support availability
- Multiple support channels
- Access to a knowledge base
- Response time and efficiency
- Community forums or user groups
Value For Money (10% of total score)
- Comparison with similar tools
- Features included in the free plan
- Limitations of the free version
- Upgrade options and costs
- Overall cost-benefit analysis
Customer Reviews (10% of total score)
- Overall satisfaction ratings
- Commonly reported issues
- Praise for specific features
- Feedback on support services
- User recommendations and testimonials
What Is Free Purchase Order Software?
Purchase order software is a tool that helps businesses manage their procurement processes by creating and tracking purchase orders. Typically, these tools offer free plans or trials with essential features like order management and supplier tracking.
Procurement professionals and small business owners commonly use these tools to improve order accuracy and budget control. Features like order creation, supplier management, and budget tracking help with efficient procurement and cost management.
Features Of Free Purchase Order Software
Let’s review the features commonly found in purchase order software, usually included in free vs. paid plans.
Typically Free Purchase Order Software Features
- Order creation: Enables users to generate orders, helping save time and quickly maintain organized procurement processes.
- Supplier management: Allows users to track and manage supplier information, ensuring efficient communication and collaboration.
- Budget tracking: Helps monitor expenses against set budgets, aiding in cost control.
- Basic reporting: Provides simple reports to analyze purchase data, offering insights into spending patterns.
- Approval workflows: Facilitates customized approval processes, ensuring compliance with company policies.
- Inventory tracking: Keeps stock levels updated, preventing overordering or stockouts.
- Multi-currency support: Supports transactions in different currencies, useful for global businesses.
- Manual processes: Allows for manual input and adjustments when needed, catering to smaller operations.
- Purchase order templates: Offers basic templates to standardize purchase orders.
- Requisitions: Enables users to create and manage basic requisition forms.
- Online purchase orders: Allows users to create and manage orders through an online interface.
- Purchase order system: Covers core functionality for managing purchase order processes.
- On-premise option: Available for businesses requiring local hosting and control.
Typically Paid Purchase Order Software Features
- Advanced analytics: Offers detailed insights and data visualizations, helping users make informed decisions.
- Integration with accounting tools: Connects with financial systems for streamlined financial operations.
- Automated alerts: Notifies users of important events like budget limits or order status changes, enhancing responsiveness.
- Customizable dashboards: Allows users to tailor their interface for quick access to important metrics and tasks.
- Multi-warehouse management: Supports managing inventory across various locations, which is useful for larger businesses.
- Three-way matching: Ensures purchase orders match invoices and receipts, reducing errors and discrepancies.
- Advanced security features: Provides enhanced data protection, essential for maintaining confidentiality and integrity.
- Mobile app access: Allows users to manage procurement tasks on the go, adding convenience and flexibility.
- Invoice approval workflows: Streamlines the process of verifying and approving invoices.
- Purchasing software enhancements: Offers advanced tools for procurement strategies and supply chain optimization.
- Supply chain integrations: Links purchase orders to broader supply chain systems for seamless operations.
- Spend control features: Enables detailed budget monitoring and spending compliance.
- Purchase requests management: Supports detailed workflows for creating and managing purchase requests.
- Purchase order processes: Automates complex workflows to optimize the purchasing lifecycle.
- SaaS options: Provides cloud-based solutions for easy scalability and remote access.
- Order number tracking: Facilitates precise tracking of purchase orders through unique identifiers.
Benefits Of Free Purchase Order Software
Implementing free purchase order software benefits your team and your business. Here are a few you can look forward to.
- Cost savings: You can manage procurement processes without incurring extra expenses, making it budget-friendly.
- Improved organization: Order creation and supplier management help keep procurement tasks organized and efficient.
- Better budget control: Budget tracking lets you monitor spending, helping you stay within financial limits.
- Enhanced efficiency: Automated approval workflows reduce manual tasks, speeding up procurement processes.
- Accessibility: Cloud-based access allows your team to manage orders from anywhere, providing flexibility.
- Basic analytics: Simple reporting features offer insights into purchase data, aiding in decision-making.
Costs & Pricing Of Free Purchase Order Software
I realize you came to this article looking for the best purchase order software options available for free. However, since free plans offer limited features, there's a good chance you'll need to upgrade your plan in the future.
The table below summarizes standard plans, average prices, and typical purchase order software solutions features.
Plan Comparison Table for Purchase Order Software
Plan Type | Average Price | Common Features |
Free Plan | $0 | Basic order creation, supplier management, and budget tracking. |
Personal Plan | $5-$25/ user/month | Enhanced reporting, multi-currency support, and basic integrations. |
Business Plan | $25-$50/ user/month | Advanced analytics, customizable workflows, and inventory management. |
Enterprise Plan | $50-$100+/ user/month | Multi-warehouse support, advanced security features, and custom dashboards. |
Free Purchase Order Software FAQs
Here are some answers to common questions about free purchase order software.
What is the disadvantage of free purchase order software?
One disadvantage is that it can make the purchasing process longer, as a purchase order needs to be issued before making the purchase. Without automation, creating and sending purchase orders to vendors can be time-consuming.
What needs to be included in free purchase order software?
A purchase order should include a detailed description, quantity, price, payment terms, and delivery details. When the supplier accepts a purchase order, it becomes legally binding and obliges them to deliver the agreed-upon goods.
What is not included in a free purchase order software?
A purchase order outlines agreed-upon prices for goods or services but doesn’t include actual payment details, information on payment methods, or the transfer of funds.
Can you manage free purchase order software without automation?
Yes, but it can be labor-intensive. Without automation, creating, sending, and tracking purchase orders manually can take significant time and effort, potentially delaying the purchasing process.
How does free purchase order software help with budget management?
Free purchase order software helps track spending against budgets by offering budget tracking and reporting features. This allows your team to monitor expenses and ensure financial control without added costs.
What’s Next?
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