Inventory Planner vs Katana: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between Inventory Planner and Katana comes down to understanding what each tool does best. This comparison breaks down the key differences so you can make an informed decision based on your specific needs, not marketing claims.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
Inventory Planner
Inventory forecasting
Best for you if:
- • You want the higher-rated option (8.1/10 vs 7.0/10)
- • Inventory forecasting and planning
- • Demand forecasting for e-commerce
Katana
Cloud-based inventory software for total visibility, ensuring on-time deliveries and accurate stock levels.
Best for you if:
- • You want to try before committing
- • Cloud-based inventory and manufacturing software for product businesses.
- • Provides real-time visibility, automation, and control over inventory, production, purchasing, and orders.
| At a Glance |  Katana | |
|---|---|---|
Price | Paid | Free + Paid |
Best For | Inventory Management | Inventory Management |
Rating | 81/100 | 70/100 |
| Feature | Inventory Planner | Katana |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Paid | Freemium |
| Editorial Score | 81 | 70 |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | Inventory ManagementE-commerce Platforms | Inventory ManagementSupply Chain |
Understanding the Differences
Both Inventory Planner and Katana solve similar problems, but they approach them differently.Inventory Planner positions itself as "inventory forecasting" while Katanafocuses on "cloud-based inventory software for total visibility, ensuring on-time deliveries and accurate stock levels.". These differences matter depending on what you're trying to accomplish.
When to Choose Inventory Planner
Inventory Planner makes sense if you're looking for a comprehensive paid solution. With a score of 81/100, it's our top pick in this comparison.
When to Choose Katana
Katana is worth considering if you need a flexible option with both free and paid tiers tool.
Who Should Use What?
Bootstrapped or small team?
Katana won't cost you anything to start, which is exactly what early-stage teams need.
We'd pick: Katana
Growing fast?
Your team doubled last quarter and you need tools that won't break when you add 50 more people. Inventory Planner handles scale better in our testing.
We'd pick: Inventory Planner
Enterprise with complex needs?
You need SSO, compliance certifications, and a support team that picks up the phone. Inventory Planner is built for organizations like yours.
We'd pick: Inventory Planner
Still not sure? Answer these 3 questions
How much can you spend?
Want to test first? Katana has a free tier to get you started.
Do you care what other users think?
Both have similar review counts. Read a few before you commit.
Expert opinion or crowd wisdom?
Our team rated Inventory Planner higher (81/100). But the community has upvoted Katana more (0 votes). Pick your source of truth.
Key Takeaways
What Inventory Planner Does Better
- Higher overall score (81/100)
- Our recommendation for most use cases
Consider Katana If
- You want to start free and scale later
- Its specific features better match your workflow
- You prefer its interface or design approach
The Bottom Line
If we had to pick one, we'd go with Inventory Planner (81/100). But the honest answer is that "better" depends on your situation. Inventory Planner scores higher in our analysis, but Katana might be the right choice if its specific strengths align with what you need most. Take advantage of free trials to test both before committing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Inventory Planner or Katana better?
Based on our analysis, Inventory Planner scores higher with 81/100. Inventory Planner ispaid while Katana is freemium. The best choice depends on your specific needs and budget. We recommend testing both with free trials if available.
Can I switch from Inventory Planner to Katana easily?
Migration difficulty varies. Check if both tools support data export/import in compatible formats. Some tools offer migration assistance or have integration partners who can help with the transition.
Do Inventory Planner and Katana offer free trials?
Most software in this category offers free trials or free tiers. Inventory Planner is paid with potential trial.Katana is freemium with a free tier. Visit their websites for current trial offers.