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Software · head to head

Blue Link ERP vs Katana MRP

Blue Link ERP logo

Blue Link ERP

Software

Enterprise software for wholesale distribution

From
$500/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Katana MRP logo

Katana MRP

Software

Smart manufacturing software for scaling brands

From
$179/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Blue Link ERP no QuickBooks integration; Katana MRP the free plan caps SKUs at 30 after a 15 day unlimited period
  • They diverge on capability: Blue Link ERP covers Distribution management, Katana MRP covers Visual production scheduling.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Blue Link ERP and Katana MRP actually diverge.

Attributes where Blue Link ERP and Katana MRP differ
AttributeBlue Link ERPKatana MRP
Starting price$500/month$179/month
PlatformsWeb, iOS, AndroidCloud, Web, Mobile
Founded19922017

Identical on both: pricing model (subscription), free tier (No), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Blue Link ERP

  • Distribution management
  • Inventory control
  • Order management
  • Warehouse management
  • Financial management
  • Amazon
  • EDI
  • Shipping carriers

Only in Katana MRP

  • Visual production scheduling
  • Real-time inventory
  • Bill of materials
  • Purchase orders
  • Shop floor app
  • WooCommerce
  • Xero
  • BigCommerce

Both cover

  • QuickBooks
  • Shopify
  • Role-based access
  • Data encryption
  • Cloud support

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Blue Link ERP

  • Wholesale distributionnot Katana MRP
  • Multi-warehouse operationsnot Katana MRP
  • B2B commercenot Katana MRP

Katana MRP

  • Manufacturing resource planning for small production businessesnot Blue Link ERP
  • Tracking live inventory across making, selling and purchasingnot Blue Link ERP

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Blue Link ERP

  • No QuickBooks integration
  • Outdated user interface that some users find difficult to navigate
  • Requires third-party integrations for sales tax calculation and credit card processing
  • Occasional technical issues during peak usage periods such as timeouts and freezing

Katana MRP

  • The free plan caps SKUs at 30 after a 15 day unlimited period
  • The Core plan starts at $299 a month and includes one location, with more sold as a usage based add on
  • Core is billed per sales order delivered on top of the base price, so cost tracks throughput
  • Manufacturing management, traceability and warehouse management are separate add ons at $199, $249 and $149 a month
  • A full manufacturing setup therefore stacks to well above the headline $299

Pricing, plan by plan

Blue Link ERP

$500/month
  • Professional$500/month
    • Core distribution
    • Inventory management
    • Order processing
  • Enterprise$1000/month
    • Multi-warehouse
    • EDI integration
    • Advanced analytics

Katana MRP

$179/month
  • Essential$179/month
    • Production planning
    • Inventory management
    • Sales orders
  • Advanced$349/month
    • Shop floor control
    • Multi-location
    • Advanced reporting

Which should you pick?

Choose Blue Link ERP if

  • You need distribution management.
  • You work on Web, iOS, Android.
  • You also want inventory control.
Blue Link ERP review

Choose Katana MRP if

  • You need visual production scheduling.
  • You work on Cloud, Web, Mobile.
  • You also want real-time inventory.
Katana MRP review

Questions people ask

Is Blue Link ERP or Katana MRP better?
Neither clearly leads. Blue Link ERP starts at $500/month and Katana MRP at $179/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Blue Link ERP or Katana MRP?
Blue Link ERP starts at $500/month and Katana MRP at $179/month.
Does Blue Link ERP or Katana MRP run on more platforms?
Blue Link ERP runs on Web, iOS, Android. Katana MRP runs on Cloud, Web, Mobile.
What is Blue Link ERP best used for?
Blue Link ERP is most often used for wholesale distribution, multi-warehouse operations, b2b commerce. Of those, wholesale distribution and multi-warehouse operations are not what Katana MRP is typically brought in for.
What can Blue Link ERP do that Katana MRP cannot?
Blue Link ERP covers Distribution management, Inventory control, Order management, Warehouse management. Katana MRP covers Visual production scheduling, Real-time inventory, Bill of materials, Purchase orders. Both handle QuickBooks, Shopify, Role-based access, Data encryption.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Blue Link ERP: Does Blue Link ERP offer a free trial?

Blue Link ERP does not offer a free trial, but prospective customers can request a free demo and access product videos to explore features.

Source
Blue Link ERP: Can Blue Link ERP integrate with QuickBooks?

No. Blue Link ERP does not integrate with QuickBooks, which is a limitation for businesses that use QuickBooks for accounting.

Source
Blue Link ERP: What platforms does Blue Link ERP support?

Blue Link ERP is cloud-based and accessible via web browsers and mobile applications. Native apps are available for both iOS and Android.

Source
Blue Link ERP: What industries does Blue Link ERP serve?

Blue Link ERP is designed for wholesale, distribution, retail, and eCommerce businesses, with specific solutions for apparel, food and beverage, pharmaceutical, construction, and furniture industries.

Source
Blue Link ERP: Does Blue Link ERP require third-party tools for taxes and payments?

Yes. US sales tax calculation requires integration with third-party tools like Zip2Tax or Avalara, and credit card processing requires separate third-party software.

Source
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