Barcode Scan App vs. Exact Inventory Management App

Both the Barcode Scan App and the Exact Inventory Management App connect to Exact Online for barcode scanning in the warehouse. However, the two apps are built with different goals and offer different levels of functionality. On this page, we compare both apps fairly, so you can make the right choice for your situation.

Comparison at a glance

Feature Barcode Scan App Exact Inventory Management App
Goods receipt
Goods receipt
Serial numbers & batch numbers Full Limited
GS1/HIBC barcodes
Add purchase order
Add multiple purchase orders
Goods receipts overview
Inbound without purchase order
Goods issue
Pick sales orders
Multi-order picking
Walking routes
Assign orders to picker
Print packing slip
Packing slip for multiple deliveries
Pick list
Add sales order
Goods deliveries overview
Verify
Assign order verification
Outbound without sales order
Warehouse management
Items
Location transfers
Planned location transfers
Warehouse transfers
Putaway
View stock
Stock counting
Transactions
Replenishment
Production
Work order receipt
Material issue
Operations
Assembly orders
Smart Shop Floor
Material issue multiple work orders
Active work orders
Completed work orders
Progress
Returns
Planned returns
Returns processing
Advanced
FIFO/FEFO
Print item label
NiceLabel integration
API Insights
Multiple packaging units
Analyse
MCP AI integration
Other
Dedicated support Via Exact
Works on any device Web app (any device) Android & iOS app
Price From €42.50/mo Free

When to choose the Exact Inventory Management App

The Exact Inventory Management App offers a broad set of warehouse features: goods receipt, location and warehouse transfers, putaway, stock counting, work order receipt, material issue, operations and assembly orders. For businesses that use these standard features without the need for optimised picking or advanced capabilities, the free Exact app is a good choice.

When to choose the Barcode Scan App

While both apps share many base features, the Barcode Scan App stands out where it matters most for efficiency and speed:

  • Multi-order picking with walking routes — pick multiple sales orders simultaneously via an optimised route through the warehouse, reducing picking time by 40-60%
  • Assign orders to pickers — distribute orders across staff to prevent duplicate work
  • Smart Shop Floor — time tracking per operation with badge scanning for real-time production progress
  • FIFO/FEFO — automatic sequencing based on expiry date or arrival order
  • GS1 & HIBC barcodes — support for industrial barcode standards
  • Labels & packing slips — generate labels and packing slips directly from the app
  • Returns processing — link return receipts to the original sales order
  • Dedicated support — direct contact with our team, no queue at Exact

The Barcode Scan App is continuously developed based on user feedback. New features and improvements are released regularly, so you always have access to the latest capabilities.

The smart choice for growing businesses

The Barcode Scan App grows with your business. Start with the basic features for goods receipt and sales orders, and enable advanced features when you need them. No large IT project is required — you can get started right away from your browser on any device.

Many businesses start with the free Exact app and switch to the Barcode Scan App as soon as they find they need more. That switch is straightforward: the Barcode Scan App works with the same Exact Online data, so nothing is lost.

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