Home / Software / Free warehouse management software
Logistics and supply chain
Free warehouse management software: put every item in a known place
Warehouse software does not make a messy warehouse tidy. It records tidiness you have already created. Bins, labels and a receiving routine come first, and then free tools work well.
The short answer. Free warehouse management software exists as open source: OpenBoxes, ERPNext stock and Odoo Community inventory. They handle locations, receiving, put away and picking at small scale. Wave picking, labour planning, slotting optimization and automation integration are usually paid. Create a clear location scheme and receiving discipline before choosing a tool.
Written by Procurement VMS Editorial Team · Reviewed by Michael, Procurement Advisor Expert · Updated
Layout first, software second
The most valuable thing you can do for a warehouse costs very little: give every item a home. A location code on every shelf, bin and pallet position, and a rule that nothing is stored without a code. Software then records it. Without the rule, software records the mess.
Walk your warehouse with a clipboard. Where do receipts land? Where do returns wait? Where do fast sellers sit relative to the packing bench? Move the fast movers close, mark everything and then think about tools.
What free WMS tools cover
- Usually covered: multiple locations, bins, receiving against purchase orders, stock transfers, pick lists, cycle counts.
- Often missing: wave and batch picking, slotting suggestions, labour tracking, carrier label printing, automation and conveyor integration.
- Rarely free: scanner apps tuned for rugged devices, vendor support and certified integrations.
Pair stock locations with the documents that cross the dock door: the advance shipping notice, packing list, delivery note and goods receipt workflow.
Free routes worth testing
| Option | Type | Who runs it | Best for | Watch for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| OpenBoxes | Open source | You or a partner | Warehouses handling lots, expiry dates and multiple locations, often in health supply chains | Specialised interface and setup effort |
| ERPNext stock | Open source suite | You or a partner | Firms wanting WMS style locations inside a full ERP | Advanced picking features are limited |
| Odoo Community inventory | Free edition | You or a partner | Small warehouses wanting locations and routes | Some barcode and advanced features are in the paid edition |
| Dolibarr warehouses | Open source suite | You or a partner | Very small operations with a few warehouses | No directed picking |
| Spreadsheet with location codes | Process | You | One site and a few hundred SKUs | No scanning, easy to overwrite |
OpenBoxes
An open source supply chain management system with inventory, lots, expiry and requisitions.
ERPNext stock
Warehouses, stock entries, batches, serial numbers and pick lists within a wider suite.
Odoo Community inventory
Locations, routes and transfers in the community edition. Check barcode features before you plan scanning.
Dolibarr warehouses
Basic multi warehouse stock and movements.
Spreadsheet with location codes
Use location codes, a receiving log and a cycle count schedule.
Free download
Get the free warehouse management software scorecard and checklist
An Excel scorecard that scores up to four options against the criteria on this page, plus a one-page PDF checklist of upgrade triggers. Free, and ready the moment you submit the form.
- Excel scorecard with weights you can change and totals that update
- PDF checklist: the questions to ask before you commit and the signs it is time to pay
- No account, and no sales call unless you ask for one
Three habits that beat software
Receive against an order
Check every delivery against the purchase order the moment it arrives. Mismatches found at the dock cost minutes; found at invoice time they cost weeks. See the purchase order guide and invoice approval and GRN guide.
Count a little every day
Cycle counting, a few locations each day, keeps accuracy high without shutting down for an annual stock take. Start with fast movers and high value items.
Know what stock costs to hold
Space, handling, insurance and capital all add up. The inventory carrying cost calculator, inventory turnover calculator and pallet calculator put numbers on it.
A two week pilot
- Code the locations. Label aisles, racks, shelves and bins with a simple scheme.
- Receive five deliveries. Check against POs and record put away location.
- Pick ten orders. Use pick lists in location order and time the picks.
- Run a cycle count. Count one aisle and reconcile variances.
- Test a transfer. Move stock between locations and see both update.
Two-minute check
Is free WMS enough?
Tick every statement that is true.
When to buy a WMS
Buy when pick errors cost real money, when you run several shifts or sites, or when you need directed put away and wave picking. A paid WMS also connects to scanners, carriers and your ERP.
Read how stock and transport fit together in free inventory management software and free transportation management software. The free order management software guide covers the sales side.
Free download
Get the free warehouse management software scorecard and checklist
An Excel scorecard that scores up to four options against the criteria on this page, plus a one-page PDF checklist of upgrade triggers. Free, and ready the moment you submit the form.
- Excel scorecard with weights you can change and totals that update
- PDF checklist: the questions to ask before you commit and the signs it is time to pay
- No account, and no sales call unless you ask for one
Know what stock costs you to hold?
Use the inventory carrying cost calculator before you buy more shelving or software.
Questions people ask about free warehouse management software
Is there free warehouse management software?
Yes. OpenBoxes, ERPNext, Odoo Community and Dolibarr offer stock and location features at no licence cost.
What is the difference between WMS and inventory management?
Inventory management tracks quantities. A WMS adds locations, directed put away and picking, and labour and space optimization.
How do I improve pick accuracy?
Use location codes, pick lists in location order, scanning where possible and daily cycle counts.
What is cycle counting?
Counting a small portion of inventory regularly instead of one large annual count.
When do I need a paid WMS?
When volume, error cost, multiple sites or scanning needs outgrow free tools.
Sources and how this page is kept current
- US Census Bureau, Manufacturing and Trade Inventories and Sales: August 2026, released 15 October 2026.
- CSCMP, State of Logistics Report 2026 (37th edition, 16 June 2026), 16 June 2026.
Every figure above was opened at its source on 25 October 2026 and quoted as written. Where a source reports a survey, we name the year it was fielded. Tools named on this page are examples, not endorsements. Features, licences and free limits change, so read the vendor page before you commit, and tell us on the contact page if something is out of date. Our editorial team reviews each guide at least twice a year.