By Tan Somkiat (LinkedIn), Co-founder, Security & Automation · Co-authored with Claude, Anthropic's AI assistant
Updated 11 October 2026
For a small business selling physical products through more than one channel, dedicated inventory management software usually beats the stock features built into accounting software. Cin7 and Unleashed are two common Australian choices that connect to Xero and Shopify. What makes either work is the automation between them.
Do you need separate inventory software?
Accounting software handles basic stock. MYOB includes order management, with unlimited inventory as an add-on, and QuickBooks Plus includes inventory tracking. Separate inventory management software makes sense when you:
- sell through a website, marketplaces and in person, and stock must match across all of them
- hold stock in more than one location
- need purchase orders, reorder points or assembly
- spend hours each week fixing stock counts
Two common choices
| Cin7 | Unleashed | |
|---|---|---|
| Positioning | Cin7 Core manages products, customers, suppliers, purchases and sales in one system; Cin7 Omni targets multi-channel sellers | Inventory management with real-time stock movements pushed to your accounts |
| Accounting | Connects to Xero | Connects to Xero and QuickBooks Online |
| Sales channels | Omni lists 700+ integrations | Shopify, Amazon, WooCommerce and 30+ integrations |
| Reordering | Check reorder features in a trial | Demand forecasting and reorder alerts |
| Trial | 14-day free trial (Cin7 Core) | Check the vendor |
Using MYOB? Check each vendor's MYOB connection before you choose; we couldn't confirm it from their listings.
Cin7 vs Unleashed
Both connect to Xero and sync stock with online stores, so the choice comes down to how you sell and what you make.
- Choose Cin7 if you're a retailer or wholesaler selling across many channels: Cin7 Omni lists more than 700 integrations, and Cin7 Core brings products, customers, suppliers, purchases and sales into one system.
- Choose Unleashed if you make or assemble products and want demand forecasting and reorder alerts, with stock movements pushed to your accounts in real time.
- Either way, run both trials with your own products, and check how each handles your sales channels and your MYOB or Xero file.
Retail, manufacturing and hospitality businesses each stretch inventory software differently: retailers on channels and stock counts, manufacturers on parts and assembly, and restaurants and cafés on ingredients and waste.
Inventory workflows to automate
- Shopify order placed
- Stock reduced in the inventory system
- Invoice and cost of goods posted to Xero or MYOB
- Fulfilment task created
- Stock falls below the reorder point
- Purchase order drafted for the preferred supplier
- Approved by a person
- Emailed to the supplier
- Delivery arrives
- Received against the purchase order
- Stock levels updated
- Supplier bill matched for payment
- Count entered
- Compared with system stock
- Adjustments approved
- Posted to your accounting software
We connect your inventory, sales channels and accounting software so every sale, delivery and count flows through on its own.
Speak to our automation experts →Related automation services
We connect inventory software to your online store and MYOB or Xero, so sales, stock and accounts stay in step.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best inventory management software in Australia?
It depends on your channels and volumes. Cin7 suits multi-channel sellers and Unleashed suits product businesses that want forecasting; trial both with your own products.
Does Xero or MYOB have inventory management built in?
Both handle basic stock. MYOB offers unlimited inventory as an add-on, while Xero businesses with complex stock usually connect dedicated inventory software.
Comparing accounting platforms too? Read MYOB vs Xero vs QuickBooks.
Sources
- Xero App Store: inventory apps and Unleashed
- MYOB pricing and QuickBooks plans (built-in inventory features)
- Dynamic Business: inventory management software picks
How this guide was made: Tan Somkiat wrote this guide with Claude, Anthropic's AI assistant, which helped research and draft it. Facts and figures come from the sources linked above and were checked on the dates shown.
This guide is general information. R&T Automation doesn't sell inventory software and isn't paid by these vendors.