Software · head to head
Wasp Barcode vs Katana
The short version
- Each has a real cost: Wasp Barcode basic tier limited to 1 user (additional users cost 17 USD/month in cloud, 25 USD/month on-premise); Katana limited BOM explosion and lead-time offset planning requiring manual work that should be automated
- They diverge on capability: Wasp Barcode covers Barcode scanning, Katana covers Production planning.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Wasp Barcode and Katana actually diverge.
| Attribute | Wasp Barcode | Katana |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $108/month | $99/month |
| Platforms | Web (Cloud), On-Premise | Web |
| Founded | 1999 | 2015 |
Identical on both: pricing model (Unknown), 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 Wasp Barcode
- Barcode scanning
- Asset tracking
- Inventory counts
- Location management
- Barcode printers
- Accounting software
- CSV import/export
- Mobile devices
Only in Katana
- Production planning
- Real-time inventory
- BOM management
- Shop floor control
- Shopify
- WooCommerce
- QuickBooks
- Xero
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Wasp Barcode
- Asset tracking and managementnot Katana
- Inventory management for consumables and suppliesnot Katana
- RFID-based high-value asset trackingnot Katana
- GPS tracking for equipment and vehicles in motionnot Katana
- Multi-location asset auditing and monitoringnot Katana
- Lost item reduction and recoverynot Katana
Katana
- Production schedulingnot Wasp Barcode
- Material planningnot Wasp Barcode
- Work order managementnot Wasp Barcode
- Inventory optimizationnot Wasp Barcode
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
Wasp Barcode
- Basic tier limited to 1 user (additional users cost 17 USD/month in cloud, 25 USD/month on-premise)
- Complete tier limited to 5 users (same additional user costs apply)
- Enterprise tier pricing not published and requires contacting sales
- Annual billing required for all plans (no monthly billing option)
Katana
- Limited BOM explosion and lead-time offset planning requiring manual work that should be automated
- No native invoicing capability, making it standalone without accounting system integration
- Limited native integrations, with heavy reliance on Zapier for non-core tools
- Slow performance with large datasets and high SKU counts
Pricing, plan by plan
Wasp Barcode
$108/monthNo published plan breakdown. See the Wasp Barcode review.
Katana
$99/month- Essential$99/month
- Core inventory management
- Production scheduling
- Stock tracking
- Pro$299/month
- Shop floor control
- API access
- Advanced reporting
Which should you pick?
Choose Wasp Barcode if
- You need barcode scanning.
- You work on Web (Cloud), On-Premise.
- You also want asset tracking.
Questions people ask
- Is Wasp Barcode or Katana better?
- Neither clearly leads. Wasp Barcode starts at $108/month and Katana at $99/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Wasp Barcode or Katana?
- Wasp Barcode starts at $108/month and Katana at $99/month.
- Does Wasp Barcode or Katana run on more platforms?
- Wasp Barcode runs on Web (Cloud), On-Premise. Katana runs on Web.
- What is Wasp Barcode best used for?
- Wasp Barcode is most often used for asset tracking and management, inventory management for consumables and supplies, rfid-based high-value asset tracking, gps tracking for equipment and vehicles in motion. Of those, asset tracking and management and inventory management for consumables and supplies are not what Katana is typically brought in for.
- What can Wasp Barcode do that Katana cannot?
- Wasp Barcode covers Barcode scanning, Asset tracking, Inventory counts, Location management. Katana covers Production planning, Real-time inventory, BOM management, Shop floor control.
Answered from the vendors’ own pages
Katana: What is Katana's pricing structure?
Katana starts at $99/month for the Essential plan with core MRP features. The Pro plan costs $299/month and adds shop floor control and API access. Add-ons for traceability, manufacturing, and warehouse management cost extra and can reach $747-$1,095 total.
SourceKatana: Does Katana support multi-level bills of materials?
Katana has limited BOM explosion and lead-time offset planning capabilities. Complex multi-level BOMs with sub-assemblies require manual workarounds, which becomes increasingly problematic as SKU count grows.
SourceKatana: Can Katana integrate with my accounting software?
Katana has no native invoicing capability and limited integrations with accounting systems. It is essentially standalone and requires manual data export or Zapier integration for most accounting workflows.
SourceKatana: Does Katana have an offline mode?
No, Katana is a cloud-only solution requiring internet connectivity. There is no built-in offline mode for production floor access without internet.
SourceRelated pages
More on Wasp Barcode
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