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ERP · head to head

Katana MRP vs QAD ERP

Katana MRP logo

Katana MRP

ERP

Smart manufacturing software for scaling brands

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
QAD ERP logo

QAD ERP

ERP

Cloud ERP for global manufacturers

From
$600/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Katana MRP has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Katana MRP the free plan caps SKUs at 30 after a 15 day unlimited period; QAD ERP no published pricing; requires custom quote
  • They diverge on capability: Katana MRP covers Visual production scheduling, QAD ERP covers Manufacturing execution.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where Katana MRP and QAD ERP differ
AttributeKatana MRPQAD ERP
Starting priceFree$600/month
Pricing modelusage-basedsubscription
Free tierYesNo
Founded20171979

Identical on both: platforms (Cloud, Web, Mobile), user rating (Not yet rated), category (ERP).

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 Katana MRP

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

Only in QAD ERP

  • Manufacturing execution
  • Supply chain management
  • Quality management
  • Financial management
  • Business analytics
  • Quality systems
  • Supplier management
  • Analytics

Both cover

  • Data encryption
  • Cloud support
  • Web support
  • Mobile support

What people use each for

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

Katana MRP

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

QAD ERP

  • Enterprise resource planningnot Katana MRP
  • Manufacturing operationsnot Katana MRP
  • Supply chain managementnot Katana MRP

Where each one falls short

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

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

QAD ERP

  • No published pricing; requires custom quote
  • Sales-oriented contact model

Pricing, plan by plan

Katana MRP

Free
  • FreeFree
    • 30 SKUs (unlimited during 15-day trial)
    • Unlimited users
    • Unlimited integrations
  • Core$299/month
    • Unlimited SKUs
    • Unlimited users
    • Unlimited integrations
  • Advantage$null/mo
    • Custom annual contract
    • Everything in Core plus custom integrations
    • Custom dashboards and automations

QAD ERP

$600/month
  • Standard$600/month
    • Core manufacturing
    • Financial management
    • Supply chain
  • Advanced$1500/month
    • Advanced modules
    • Quality management
    • Advanced analytics

Which should you pick?

Choose Katana MRP if

  • You need visual production scheduling.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Cloud, Web, Mobile.
  • You also want real-time inventory.
Katana MRP review

Choose QAD ERP if

  • You need manufacturing execution.
  • You work on Cloud, Web, Mobile.
  • You also want supply chain management.
QAD ERP review

Questions people ask

Is Katana MRP or QAD ERP better?
Neither clearly leads. Katana MRP starts at Free and QAD ERP at $600/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Katana MRP or QAD ERP?
Katana MRP has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Katana MRP and $600/month for QAD ERP.
Does Katana MRP or QAD ERP run on more platforms?
Both run on Cloud, Web, Mobile, so platform support will not decide this one for you.
Can I use Katana MRP for free?
Yes. Katana MRP has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. QAD ERP starts at $600/month.
What is Katana MRP best used for?
Katana MRP is most often used for manufacturing resource planning for small production businesses, tracking live inventory across making, selling and purchasing. Of those, manufacturing resource planning for small production businesses and tracking live inventory across making, selling and purchasing are not what QAD ERP is typically brought in for.
What can Katana MRP do that QAD ERP cannot?
Katana MRP covers Visual production scheduling, Real-time inventory, Bill of materials, Purchase orders. QAD ERP covers Manufacturing execution, Supply chain management, Quality management, Financial management. Both handle Data encryption, Cloud support, Web support, Mobile support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Katana MRP: How much does Katana MRP cost?

Katana offers a free plan with 30 SKUs and all core features. Core plan starts at $299/month for unlimited SKUs and users. Usage-based pricing applies to sales orders delivered and additional locations beyond the 1 included. Add-ons like Manufacturing Management cost $199/month.

Source
QAD ERP: How is QAD ERP priced?

QAD does not publish pricing on their website. Potential customers are directed to request a demo or contact QAD sales directly to discuss pricing and specific requirements.

Source
Katana MRP: How does Katana charge for multiple locations?

Core plan includes 1 location. Additional locations beyond the included location are charged separately with per-unit costs decreasing at higher volumes. Exact pricing for additional locations is calculated based on scale.

Source
Katana MRP: What are the manufacturing add-on costs for Katana?

Katana charges $199/month for Manufacturing Management, $249/month for Traceability, and $149/month for Warehouse Management add-ons. Onboarding package costs $2,000 but is included with Core plan.

Source
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