# Category Compare: Manufacturing vs. Distribution Software | Capterra > We define and compare manufacturing vs. distribution software so you can determine which tool is right for your business. Source: https://www.capterra.com/resources/manufacturing-vs-distribution --- ManufacturingLogistics & Supply Chain # Category Compare: Manufacturing vs. Distribution Software By Ashish Upadhyay Ashish Upadhyay Ashish Upadhyay is a writer at Capterra. He provides insights to help small businesses identify the right software for their needs by analyzing over 550,000 ... [See bio & all articles](https://www.capterra.com/resources/author/aupadhyay/) Published November 1, 2021 2 min read Table of Contents - [What is manufacturing software?](#what-is-manufacturing-software) - [What is distribution software?](#what-is-distribution-software) - [What do they have in common?](#what-do-they-have-in-common) - [Which tool is right for you?](#which-tool-is-right-for-you) - [6 top-rated manufacturing and distribution software](#6-top-rated-manufacturing-and-distribution-software) ## In this report, we define and compare manufacturing software and distribution software so you can decide which tool is right for your business. [Manufacturing software](https://www.capterra.com/manufacturing-software/) and [distribution software](https://www.capterra.com/distribution-software/) are two closely related but distinct categories. This report will identify the similarities and differences between the two products to help you understand which one is better suited for your requirements. ## What is manufacturing software? [Manufacturing software](https://www.capterra.com/manufacturing-software/) helps automate manufacturing operations on the shop floor, such as inventory tracking, workforce scheduling, and production and assembly planning. It also helps create work orders for employees and allocate raw materials and other resources for jobs.  Manufacturing software is used to capture real-time updates on shop floor operations and optimize processes for enhanced labor and equipment productivity. ## What is distribution software? [Distribution software](https://www.capterra.com/distribution-software/) helps manufacturers handle the distribution of their finished goods or products. It also assists in tracking inventory levels at warehouses, creating purchase orders for replenishments, and maintaining customer and supplier information, including their contact details, purchase history, and reorder points.  Distribution software is mostly used by manufacturers, distributors, and wholesalers for logistics planning and warehouse management. ## What do they have in common? There are a few similarities between manufacturing and distribution software since manufacturing involves the production of goods and materials in production units, whereas distribution starts right after manufacturing and involves the movement of the produced goods from manufacturing units to end consumers. ### Manufacturing software features ### Distribution software features ## Which tool is right for you? If your business is into manufacturing goods and you want to keep an account of the materials/equipment required for the process, then manufacturing software would be ideal for you. However, if your business is looking for fleet, inventory, and distribution management, distribution software would make more sense. Once you decide which software to use, head to our [manufacturing software](https://www.capterra.com/manufacturing-software/) and [distribution software](https://www.capterra.com/distribution-software/) category pages where you can find a sortable list of products, software reviews from verified users, and comprehensive buyers guides. If you wish to narrow down your search to only the most popular and highest-rated solutions, visit Capterra’s Shortlist reports for the top [manufacturing software](https://www.capterra.com/manufacturing-software/#shortlist) and [distribution software](https://www.capterra.com/distribution-software/#shortlist) tools—our reports are based on an analysis of thousands of user reviews. ## 6 top-rated manufacturing and distribution software These 6 products, listed in alphabetical order, are among the top rated in both software categories: #### Trial/Free Version - Free Trial - Free Version #### Device Compatibilty \* Analysis Accurate as of date of publication #### Trial/Free Version - Free Trial - Free Version #### Device Compatibilty \* Analysis Accurate as of date of publication #### Trial/Free Version - Free Trial - Free Version #### Device Compatibilty \* Analysis Accurate as of date of publication #### Trial/Free Version - Free Trial - Free Version #### Device Compatibilty \* Analysis Accurate as of date of publication #### Trial/Free Version - Free Trial - Free Version #### Device Compatibilty \* Analysis Accurate as of date of publication #### Trial/Free Version - Free Trial - Free Version #### Device Compatibilty \* Analysis Accurate as of date of publication * * * ## Capterra's 2026 Software Buying Trends Report ### Download our 2026 Software Buying Trends Report to see how successful software adopters avoid disappointment and how your business can, too. * * * **Note:** Reviews and ratings data in the product cards is as of Oct. 26, 2021. New reviews may have been added since the publication of this article, so the reviews data in this piece may not reflect current conditions. The products in the category comparison images are examples to show a feature in context and are not intended as endorsements or recommendations by Capterra. They have been obtained from sources believed to be reliable at the time of publication. Methodology To be included in the list, the products must: 1. Be listed under Capterra’s 2021 Shortlist report for [manufacturing](https://www.capterra.com/manufacturing-software/#shortlist) and [distribution](https://www.capterra.com/distribution-software/#shortlist) software. Learn more about the Capterra Shortlist methodology [here](https://www.capterra.com/resources/proprietary-data-research/#capterra-shortlist-methodology). 2. Meet our software market definition for manufacturing and distribution software: - **Manufacturing:** “Manufacturing software helps companies manage orders and schedule production jobs using accurate bills of materials and inventory management to ensure all components are available.” - **Distribution:** “Distribution software is designed to help manufacturers manage and handle everything from inventory control and order processing, to accounting, supply chain management, sales, customer support and customer relationship management, and finance management. Distribution software is an all-in-one solution designed to provide easier integration and up-to-date information” * * * Looking for Logistics software?Check out Capterra's list of the [best Logistics software](https://www.capterra.com/logistics-software/) solutions. ### Was this article helpful? * * * ## About the Author [### Ashish Upadhyay](https://www.capterra.com/resources/author/aupadhyay/) Ashish Upadhyay is a writer at Capterra. He provides insights to help small businesses identify the right software for their needs by analyzing over 550,000 Capterra user reviews and nearly 48,000 interactions between Capterra software advisors and buyers. 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