Softwr

Inventory · head to head

DEAR Inventory vs QAD

DEAR Inventory logo

DEAR Inventory

Inventory

Complete inventory and order management system

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
QAD logo

QAD

ERP

Cloud and on-premise ERP for manufacturers

From
$2000/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: DEAR Inventory starting price of $349/month is high for small businesses; QAD no price, per user rate, minimum or contract term is published on the site; the only routes are a demo request and a Contact Sales link
  • They diverge on capability: DEAR Inventory covers Purchase orders, QAD covers Financial management.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which DEAR Inventory and QAD actually diverge.

Attributes where DEAR Inventory and QAD differ
AttributeDEAR InventoryQAD
Starting priceOn request$2000/month
PlatformsWeb, Mobile app, Cloud-basedCloud, On-premise, Web
CategoryInventoryERP
Founded20131979

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

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 DEAR Inventory

  • Purchase orders
  • Sales orders
  • Accounting
  • Xero
  • QuickBooks
  • Shopify
  • Amazon
  • eBay

Only in QAD

  • Financial management
  • Supply chain
  • Quality management
  • REST APIs
  • EDI
  • IoT integration
  • Third-party systems
  • Enterprise encryption

Both cover

  • Inventory management
  • Manufacturing
  • Web support

What people use each for

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

DEAR Inventory

  • Inventory management and trackingnot QAD
  • E-commerce integration and synchronizationnot QAD
  • Multi-channel order managementnot QAD
  • Stock and supply chain managementnot QAD

QAD

  • ERP for manufacturers covering production execution and schedulingnot DEAR Inventory
  • Supply chain planning, purchasing and inventory controlnot DEAR Inventory
  • Quality management, traceability and supplier management for regulated manufacturingnot DEAR Inventory
  • Field service and enterprise asset managementnot DEAR Inventory

Where each one falls short

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

DEAR Inventory

  • Starting price of $349/month is high for small businesses
  • Base plan limited to 6 integrations; additional integrations require separate purchase
  • No published details on integration add-on costs
  • Redirects to Cin7.com, indicating product has been acquired or rebranded

QAD

  • No price, per user rate, minimum or contract term is published on the site; the only routes are a demo request and a Contact Sales link
  • Field service management, enterprise asset management and quality management are presented as separate functional areas rather than a single priced bundle

Pricing, plan by plan

DEAR Inventory

On request
  • Standard$249/month
    • Core features
    • 5 users
    • Standard support
  • Professional$449/month
    • Advanced manufacturing
    • 10 users
    • Priority support
  • Enterprise$849/month
    • Full features
    • Unlimited users
    • Dedicated support

QAD

$2000/month
  • Standard$2000/month
    • Financial management
    • Manufacturing
    • Supply chain
  • Premium$4000/month
    • Advanced modules
    • Analytics
    • Priority support

Which should you pick?

Choose DEAR Inventory if

  • You need purchase orders.
  • You work on Web, Mobile app, Cloud-based.
  • You also want sales orders.
DEAR Inventory review

Choose QAD if

  • You need financial management.
  • You work on Cloud, On-premise, Web.
  • You also want supply chain.
QAD review

Questions people ask

Is DEAR Inventory or QAD better?
Neither clearly leads. DEAR Inventory starts at On request and QAD at $2000/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, DEAR Inventory or QAD?
DEAR Inventory starts at On request and QAD at $2000/month.
Does DEAR Inventory or QAD run on more platforms?
DEAR Inventory runs on Web, Mobile app, Cloud-based. QAD runs on Cloud, On-premise, Web.
What is DEAR Inventory best used for?
DEAR Inventory is most often used for inventory management and tracking, e-commerce integration and synchronization, multi-channel order management, stock and supply chain management. Of those, inventory management and tracking and e-commerce integration and synchronization are not what QAD is typically brought in for.
What can DEAR Inventory do that QAD cannot?
DEAR Inventory covers Purchase orders, Sales orders, Accounting, Xero. QAD covers Financial management, Supply chain, Quality management, REST APIs. Both handle Inventory management, Manufacturing, Web support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

DEAR Inventory: How much does DEAR Inventory cost?

DEAR Inventory (now Cin7) pricing starts at $349 per month for plans that accommodate up to 6 e-commerce and app integrations. Additional integrations are available for purchase.

Source
QAD: How can I get pricing information for QAD manufacturing software?

QAD does not publish standard pricing on their homepage. Pricing discussions occur during personalized consultations. Interested parties can request a demo, contact the sales team, or download brochures to discuss pricing based on specific organizational needs.

Source
DEAR Inventory: Is there a free trial for DEAR Inventory?

Yes, Cin7 (formerly DEAR Inventory) offers a free trial option. Contact the vendor directly or visit their website to start a free trial.

Source
QAD: What deployment options does QAD offer?

QAD provides adaptive ERP solutions for various industries including Automotive, Food & Beverage, and Life Sciences. Their offerings include connected workforce solutions and supply chain management, with implementation and advisory services available.

Source
DEAR Inventory: What integrations does DEAR Inventory support?

DEAR Inventory base plans include up to 6 e-commerce and app integrations. Additional integrations beyond the base 6 are available but require separate purchase.

Source
QAD: Is there a trial available for QAD software without contacting sales?

The QAD homepage does not mention a free trial or self-serve trial option. The primary engagement path is through "Request a Demo" or "Contact Sales" buttons, suggesting trial access requires sales team interaction.

Source
DEAR Inventory: Is DEAR Inventory still available?

DEAR Inventory has been rebranded as Cin7. The Cin7 platform continues to provide inventory management with e-commerce integrations at $349/month starting price.

Source
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