InventoryQuick vs Shelf.nu
Shelf.nu tracks individual assets. InventoryQuick tracks assets AND stock quantities — with purchase orders, low stock alerts, and demand forecasting included.
Choose InventoryQuick if...
Teams that need to track stock quantities (how many do we have?) alongside asset tracking (where is it and who has it) — with purchase orders, reorder alerts, and no self-hosting
Pricing: $19/mo Starter / $49/mo Pro — flat rate, no per-user fees
Choose Shelf.nu if...
Technical teams that want to self-host for free, need equipment booking/reservations, or want full control over their data and code
Pricing: Free (self-hosted) / $34/mo Plus / $67/mo Team
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Recommended InventoryQuick | Shelf.nu |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price (hosted) | $19/mo | $34/mo Plus |
| Free self-hosted option | ||
| Stock quantities | ||
| Check-in / check-out | ||
| Barcode / QR scanning | ||
| Purchase orders | ||
| Sales orders | ||
| Low stock alerts | Email + SMS | |
| Demand forecasting | ||
| Booking / reservations | ||
| Kit bundling | ||
| Multi-location tracking | ||
| Photo documentation | ||
| Custom fields | ||
| CSV import | Auto-detect columns | CSV import |
| Mobile app | Android + Web | iOS + Android |
| Per-user fees | None | None (hosted plans) |
| Open source | AGPL-3.0 |
Why Choose InventoryQuick
Stock quantity tracking — know how many you have, not just where one item is
Purchase orders — create and track POs to restock supplies
Low stock alerts via email and SMS — get notified before you run out
Demand forecasting — know what to reorder before it becomes urgent
No self-hosting required — sign up and start in 5 minutes
IQ Assistant — ask questions like 'who has the laser level?'
Where Shelf.nu Excels
We believe in honest comparisons. Here's where Shelf.nu has an edge.
Open source — self-host for free if you have the technical ability
Booking and reservation system for scheduling equipment
iOS app (InventoryQuick is Android + Web only)
Free tier with unlimited assets for 1 user
Kit bundling — group related items together
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the main difference between InventoryQuick and Shelf.nu?
Shelf.nu tracks individual assets (each item is unique — like a specific laptop or drill). InventoryQuick tracks both individual assets AND stock quantities (how many bolts, how many filters, how many gloves). If you need to know 'how many do we have left and when should we reorder,' InventoryQuick handles that. Shelf.nu does not.
Is Shelf.nu really free?
The self-hosted version is free if you can set up and maintain a Docker deployment. The hosted version (app.shelf.nu) starts at $34/mo for the Plus plan. InventoryQuick starts at $19/mo hosted with no self-hosting required.
Does InventoryQuick have equipment booking like Shelf.nu?
No. Shelf.nu has a built-in booking and reservation system for scheduling equipment. InventoryQuick has check-in/check-out (who has it right now) but not future scheduling. If equipment reservations are critical, Shelf.nu is better for that use case.
Which is better for construction tool tracking?
Both handle tool check-in/check-out well. InventoryQuick adds consumable tracking (fasteners, blades, filters) with low stock alerts and purchase orders — which construction crews also need. Shelf.nu is better if you only track individual tools and never need to count quantities or reorder supplies.
Ready to try InventoryQuick?
7-day free trial of the Business plan. Cancel anytime. Plans start at $19/mo.
Other Comparisons
Looking for a full overview? See our inventory management software guide.