Fishbowl Warehouse vs. Ecomdash

Looking for inventory management software? Here's how Fishbowl Warehouse and Ecomdash stack up.

Mark Hammersley

Mark Hammersley

Last updated 12o July 2020


Fishbowl Warehouse

4.2  Stackupp rating


Pricing from

Price on application

Free Plan?

Trial


Best for

small and medium-sized retailers that are looking for a cost-effective desktop solution with a large feature-set.

Ecomdash

3.9  Stackupp rating


Pricing from

$ 60.00 / month

Free Plan?

Trial


Best for

small and medium-sized retailers that sell on multiple channels.

Fishbowl Warehouse or Ecomdash: Which is best?

Can't decide between Fishbowl Warehouse and Ecomdash?

Find the best platform for you with our side by side comparison of Fishbowl Warehouse and Ecomdash. See how each platform stacks up across ease of use, features, integrations, support and value for money.

Let the comparison begin. Don't worry, we'll guide you.

Is Fishbowl Warehouse right for you?

Fishbowl Warehouse is a popular inventory management solution. A few things set it apart from the majority of its competitors and, depending on what you need, it could be exactly the solution you’re looking for.

It should be stated at the outset that Fishbowl Warehouse is a desktop application. If you prefer cloud-based platforms, then it’s not for you. Equally, Fishbowl offers a separate product for manufacturers called “Fishbowl Manufacturing”, with tools that aren’t included in its inventory-management-focused counterpart.

Fishbowl is also one of the few software developers to offer lifetime licences, instead of working on a subscription model. If you’re looking to minimize costs, you will likely find this appealing. But remember that you will have to pay for support and updates after the first year.

Advantages

  • Excellent set of features and integrations.
  • Cost-effective lifetime software licence.
  • Good customer support.

Drawbacks

  • The app runs on your servers, so you’ll have to take care of backend maintenance.
  • Clunky interface.
  • Limited reporting options.

you’re a small or medium-sized retailer looking for a relatively inexpensive solution with a brilliant set of features. You also need to be happy to run Fishbowl on your own servers.

Is Ecomdash right for you?

Ecomdash is an inventory management solution aimed at small and medium-sized retailers that need to manage listings across multiple channels. It is an alternative to Skubana for sellers that don’t deal with high volumes, i.e. below 10,000 sales per month.

Overall, we were very impressed with Ecomdash. Despite a somewhat clunky interface and slight issues with certain integrations, we thought the feature-set was excellent. Users have everything they need to run multiple stores, including inventory and shipping management tools, automation bots, analytics, and a large library of integrations.

We particularly liked the order-based pricing structure, which makes the app suitable for smaller companies and individuals. The customer support is also very good.

Advantages

  • Well-thought-out pricing structure.
  • Excellent integrations for multichannel sellers.
  • Good customer support.

Drawbacks

  • Clunky, difficult-to-use interface.
  • Technical issues have been reported with some integrations.
  • Lack of advanced reporting features.

you’re a small or individual retailer and require software to handle numerous listings across third-party marketplaces like Etsy, Amazon, eBay, and so on. Ecomdash is also a cost-effective solution for running multiple self-hosted storefronts.

Ease of Use

Our first comparison criteria, ease of use. Why? Because it’s the most important.

Think about it. You don’t want to invest a lot of your precious time setting up an online store and tweaking the design only to find out that it’s a pain in the butt to manage day to day.

We take a look at how simple the Fishbowl Warehouse and Ecomdash platforms are to run.

How easy is Fishbowl Warehouse to use?

Rated 3.5/5 for Ease of Use

Fishbowl Warehouse is built with a “traditional” desktop design. The interface has a menu at the top which links to separate dashboards for “Materials”, “Purchases”, “Reports”, and so on.

The interface isn’t as minimal and intuitive as some of its cloud-based alternatives, and there’s definitely a learning curve. That said, it’s not overly complex, and Fishbowl provides ample support, through both onboarding assistants and documentation.

What Fishbowl Warehouse customers are saying...

“The implementer that worked with me did a great job and we got a very personalized experience and a lot of up front training and support.”
“It works. As advertised and better. Some companies embellish the quality and quantity of their features. Not Fishbowl. They do everything they say and more.”
“It’s a little clunky to use, could definitely be a bit more user friendly. There is a bit of a learning curve and does take time to train new employees.”

How easy is Ecomdash to use?

Rated 3/5 for Ease of Use

Ease-of-use is the one area where Ecomdash doesn’t perform well. The interface is outdated and the features aren’t particularly well-organized. While the dashboard follows a typical layout, with a sidebar with links to dedicated areas for managing orders, shipping, analytics and so on, the workflows and organization of input fields do take a little getting used to.

The one upside, however, is that Ecomdash offers extensive support and training materials. So while there is a slight learning curve, users are supported throughout the process.

What Ecomdash customers are saying...

"The software is so capable that it also has a huge learning curve (we’ve been at it several years and still learn new things), and the interface isn’t very modern, nor is it mobile-friendly."
"Wonderful experience. Would never switch."
"The software takes time to learn and understand. The best part is the support you get from the support team."
Fishbowl Warehouse is our winner for ease of use

Fishbowl Warehouse Features

Rated 4.5/5 for Features

Fishbowl Warehouse is one of the most feature-rich solutions we’ve reviewed on Stackupp. It has all the functionality you would expect, including order and delivery management, analytics, automation, an extensive library of integrations, barcode scanning, POS, payment processing, on-site warehouse tracking, and more.

Fishbowl Warehouse was problematic in just a handful of areas. The analytics tools could be improved with more advanced reports. Currently, only limited sales and inventory tracking are possible. And very few integrations with third-party marketplaces, like Etsy, Wish, Walmart, and so on, are included. If any of these things is a make-or-break issue for you, then you’ll probably have to look elsewhere. Finally, keep in mind that Fishbowl offers a separate platform aimed exclusively at manufacturers. The “Warehouse” version alone isn’t suitable for tasks like tracking raw materials, managing parts, organizing stages of production, and so on.

The excellent multi-device compatibility is also worth noting. Fishbowl has built dedicated integrations to enable mobile use on Android, iPhone, and Microsoft Surface. And while it is a desktop app, users can access the platform from any device with the “Fishbowl Anywhere” tool. There’s also the option of “Fishbowl Hosting”, which allows users to store all their files on fully-secure servers. If you opt for this, you’ll still have to install software on your own hard drive but all your data will be looked after.

Ecomdash Features

Rated 3.5/5 for Features

Ecomdash has a broad set of features, with more or less everything you would expect from an inventory management app. Functionality includes SKU mapping, custom order alerts, extensive multichannel tracking, bundled product options, fulfillment tools, and more. Ecomdash also offers a mobile app on Android and Apple, but its functionality is limited to barcode scanning.

New users can take advantage of a myriad of training tools, including a resources library, webinars, and regular demos. Ecomdash also offers a variety of well-priced training packages, covering onboarding support, dropshipping guidance, and dedicated coaches. Support is completely free and the team can be reached via phone, email, and live chat.

So what about analytics? The reporting options are fairly comprehensive. They’re not quite as advanced as what you might find in an enterprise app, but they’re perfectly adequate for small and medium retailers. Along with basic sales and inventory reports, users can also access data about taxes, trends, and the performance of individual listings. Apps are available in the integrations library to supplement the core analytics.

Overall, we were very impressed with the features, level of support, and reporting tools. Ecomdash lacks a little bit of the nuance of enterprise-focused solutions like Skubana, but it’s not far-off. Store-owners and managers will be hard-pressed to find a similar package of features at the price point on offer.

Fishbowl Warehouse is our winner for features

Fishbowl Warehouse Integrations

Rated 4.5/5 for Integrations

Fishbowl doesn’t disappoint on the integrations front. Its library is one of the most comprehensive that we’ve seen, and includes connectors for a range of third-party apps from sales automation to accounting. If we had to find one fault, it would be that there’s only limited support for third-party marketplaces like Etsy and Wish.

Let’s kick off with accounting. Fishbowl is incredibly popular among QuickBooks users, and provides dedicated integrations for both the desktop and online versions. Fishbowl Warehouse is designed to work seamlessly with Quickbooks, filling in many of the functionality gaps that retailers require. Integrations are also available for Xero, Avalara, and Reckon users.

Fishbowl syncs with numerous ecommerce platforms, including Shopify, BigCommerce, WooCommerce, 3dcart, Zen Cart, and others. Retailers can also take advantage of marketplace integrations for Amazon and eBay.

So what about shipping? Fishbowl has clearly dedicated a lot of time to building out its shipping tools and provides an extensive array of integrations, with the likes of FedEx, DHL, ShipStation, and UPS covered.

A number of in-house integrations which extend the functionality of the app’s core feature-set are also provided. Even though Fishbowl is a desktop app, “Fishbowl Anywhere” enables users to access the interface using an internet connection from most devices, including Apple and Android phones.

Finally, Fishbowl offers its own POS system, employee time tracking tools, EDI (electronic data interchange), and link-ups for Zoho and Salesforce.

Ecomdash Integrations

Rated 4/5 for Integrations

Ecomdash offers an extensive integrations library, with connectors for accounting apps, fulfillment services, shopping carts, and, of course, a variety of third-party marketplaces.

On the accounting front, both Quickbooks and Xero are supported with in-house integrations. Retailers torn between Skubana and Ecomdash should remember that Skubana doesn’t offer in-house accounting connectors.

As many would expect, Ecomdash excels when it comes to support for third-party marketplaces. A huge number of integrations are provided, including for Amazon, eBay, Walmart, Etsy, Google Shopping, Jet, Rakuten, Sears, and others. The integration with SPS Commerce also provides further EDI functionality.

Numerous shipping and fulfillment integrations are also available, with DHL, UPS, and FedEx all covered (among others).

Interestingly, Ecomdash has also built connectors for several drop-shipping providers (such as Hicks and The Wholesale House). These will be useful to retailers that want to offer additional products to their customers.

Finally, a large number of shopping carts are supported, including Shopify, WooCommerce, and Magento. We were pleased to see connectors for some smaller ecommerce platforms and site builders like Sitey and SiteBuilder.com.

All in all, we were very impressed with the integrations library. Small and independent retailers that don’t have much development expertise will find the process of connecting to different marketplaces trouble-free.

Fishbowl Warehouse is our winner for integrations

How much do they cost?

Everyone’s favourite topic - pricing. Let's dive in to see if Fishbowl Warehouse or Ecomdash offers better value for money.

How much does Fishbowl Warehouse cost?

Rated 4/5 for Pricing

Evaluating the pricing of Fishbowl Warehouse is a little tricky. It’s one of the few apps that doesn’t operate a subscription or software-as-a-service model, making comparisons with competitors pretty much redundant.

Although Fishbowl does have a high up-front cost - plans start at $4,395 with additional fees for extra users/licenses - once you’ve purchased the software, you own it outright. In the longer-term, this can be significantly more cost-effective than paying a monthly fee.

Just remember that you only get support, training, and updates for one year. You’ll have to pay for a one, two, or three-year package after that.

How much does Ecomdash cost?

Rated 4.5/5 for Pricing

We liked Ecomdash’s pricing structure and thought that smaller retailers in particular would find it appealing.

Ecomdash uses a custom pricing model that’s based on a store’s volume of sales rather than the number of users or tiered access to different features. Over time, this can result in significant savings. An unlimited number of employees can use the software.

Plans start at $60/month for fewer than one hundred sales. The highest-level plan for stores with between 6,000 and 10,000 sales costs $350/month. Above this amount, users will need a custom plan.

A free trial and annual discounts are available. Onboarding assistance costs $99.

Fewer than 100 orders per month: $60/month. 101 to 500 orders: $90/month. 501 to 1000 orders: $135/month. 1001 to 3000 orders: $190/month. 3001 to 600 orders: $250/month. 6001 - 10,000 orders: $350/month.

Ecomdash is our winner for cost

Help and Support

If things go wrong (and they often do) you need to know someone’s there to help get you back on track. So, how does Fishbowl Warehouse's and Ecomdash's support measure up?

How good is Fishbowl Warehouse support?

Rated 4.5/5 for Help and Support

The help and support package provided by Fishbowl is fairly comprehensive. When you purchase a license, you’ll have access to customer support for one year, after which you’ll need to pay extra, including for software updates.

Support is available via email (6am - 6pm MST), phone (6am - 6pm MST), and online chat (8am - 5pm). It’s possible to make an unlimited amount of phone calls under ten minutes but there is an allowance for calls over ten minutes. Additional support options are also available, such as access to a training assistant for help getting set up.

The documentation and training videos are extensive and straightforward.

How good is Ecomdash support?

Rated 4.5/5 for Help and Support

The customer service package offered by Ecomdash is one of the best we’ve come across. Support is via phone, live chat, and email, with availability from 8 AM to 7:30 PM EST.

On top of this, Ecomdash also offers several additional paid services to users. These include onboarding support, assistance with setting up dropshipping on your store, and direct one-to-one training.

User reviews of customer support are very positive on the whole. It would have been nice to see 24/7 availability, and the additional cost of an onboarding manager isn’t fantastic, but you would be hard-pressed to find a better package at this price-point - it even beats some enterprise support offerings.

It's a draw!

The Bottom Line

The final say. Let's wrap up our thoughts on each platform.

Fishbowl Warehouse: Our Verdict

Fishbowl Warehouse fills a unique gap in the market. It’s a desktop solution for small and medium-sized retailers that need access to a powerful array of features. Functionality covers everything you would expect and more. Standout features include the extensive library of integrations, multi-device access, and superb customer support.

If you prefer to own your software outright, then Fishbowl Warehouse is a great option. Over time, you will likely save hundreds (if not thousands) of dollars. Just be prepared to handle the backend side of things yourself. Or you can, of course, always opt to store your data on Fishbowl servers instead for an extra cost.

Ecomdash: Our Verdict

Ecomdash occupies a very clear position in the market. It’s a multichannel solution aimed at small and medium businesses.

While there are better options for companies with a single store, and although enterprise multichannel sellers will likely benefit from a more advanced app like Skubana, smaller retailers will struggle to find a better solution, either in terms of functionality or cost.

Standout features include the extensive integrations library, access to multiple support channels, and a custom pricing structure that allows for unlimited users. If you’re thinking about opting for Ecomdash, don’t forget to take advantage of the free trial and video product demos.

Overall, we found Fishbowl Warehouse to be the better inventory management platform.

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