To keep track of inventory for free, you can use a combination of spreadsheet tools, open-source software, and custom scripts. Spreadsheet platforms like Google Sheets or Excel Online provide a straightforward way to manually log items, quantities, and locations. For developers, these tools can be enhanced with formulas (e.g., SUMIF for aggregating stock) or scripts (Google Apps Script) to automate updates. Open-source inventory systems like Odoo or ERPNext offer more structured solutions, while custom scripts in Python or JavaScript can pull data from APIs or sync with e-commerce platforms. The key is to leverage free tiers of cloud services and existing tools to minimize costs while maintaining flexibility.
For basic inventory needs, Google Sheets or Excel Online are practical starting points. These tools allow you to create tables with columns for SKUs, item names, quantities, and restock thresholds. Developers can use built-in functions like =QUERY or =IMPORTRANGE to consolidate data from multiple sheets or external sources. For example, a script in Google Apps Script could automatically subtract items from inventory when an order is logged in a connected form. Conditional formatting can highlight low-stock items, and version history helps track changes. While manual entry works for small inventories, automation through simple scripts reduces errors and saves time as the dataset grows.
If you need more advanced features, self-hosted open-source tools like Odoo Inventory or ERPNext provide modular systems without licensing fees. These platforms require technical setup—for instance, installing them on a local server or a free-tier cloud instance (e.g., AWS Free Tier). Developers can customize workflows, integrate barcode scanning via mobile apps, or connect to e-commerce APIs. For example, Odoo’s REST API lets you programmatically update stock levels when a sale occurs on Shopify. Alternatively, writing a Python script with pandas to process CSV exports from sales platforms can sync inventory data daily. Pairing these approaches with free database tools like SQLite or PostgreSQL ensures scalability. Always back up data using free cloud storage (Google Drive, GitHub) and use Git for version control to track configuration changes in your setup.