Best FabricTracker Alternatives for Upholstery Shops in 2026
FabricTracker focuses on fabric inventory management, helping shops track bolt quantities, yardage on hand, and reorder points. It does this one thing reasonably well, but it leaves everything else out: no project management, no client communication, no invoicing, and no yardage calculation tied to actual furniture types. You still need a separate system for running your shop.
Quick Comparison Table
| Feature | FabricTracker | StitchDesk | Jobber | Spreadsheets |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fabric inventory tracking | Yes | Yes | No | Manual |
| Fabric yardage calculator | No | Yes | No | Manual |
| COM tracking | Limited | Yes | No | Manual |
| Project management | No | Yes | Yes | Manual |
| Invoicing | No | Yes | Yes | Manual |
| Client portal | No | Yes | Yes | No |
| Pattern repeat logic | No | Yes | No | No |
Top 5 Alternatives to FabricTracker for Upholstery Shops
1. StitchDesk
Combines fabric inventory tracking with full shop management.
Pros:
- Fabric inventory with bolt tracking and yardage counts
- Yardage calculator integrated with inventory (auto-deduct when cutting)
- Full project management, invoicing, and client portal
- Pattern repeat and waste factor calculations built in
Cons:
- Broader scope means more features to learn initially
- Subscription covers full platform, not just inventory
2. Jobber
Field service management that handles scheduling and invoicing.
Pros:
- Strong scheduling and dispatch features
- Good invoicing and payment collection
- Mobile app for field work
Cons:
- No fabric inventory tracking at all
- No yardage calculation
- No material management of any kind
3. Housecall Pro
Home service management with marketing automation.
Pros:
- Automated review and follow-up campaigns
- Online booking
- Payment processing built in
Cons:
- No fabric or material tracking
- No inventory management for fabric
- Designed for service calls, not material-heavy project work
4. inFlow Inventory
General inventory management for small businesses.
Pros:
- Robust inventory tracking with barcode support
- Purchase order management
- Multi-location support
Cons:
- Not designed for fabric (no yardage, bolt, or pattern tracking)
- No upholstery project management
- No client-facing features
- Requires adaptation for fabric-specific units (yards vs. pieces)
5. Google Sheets
Manual tracking with maximum flexibility.
Pros:
- Free
- Fully customizable
- Can create custom formulas for yardage tracking
Cons:
- No automation or integration with other shop tools
- Prone to data entry errors
- Cannot alert you to low stock or reorder needs
- No connection between inventory and active projects
The Problem with Inventory-Only Tools
FabricTracker solves one piece of the puzzle. You know how much fabric you have on the shelf. But it does not connect to the rest of your workflow:
- When you quote a job, you cannot check inventory from within the quote
- When you cut fabric, you manually update the inventory count
- When inventory runs low, there is no connection to upcoming project needs
- COM materials live outside the system entirely
An integrated platform like StitchDesk connects inventory to projects. When you calculate yardage for a job, it checks your inventory. When you cut fabric, it updates automatically. When you need to reorder, it knows because it sees your upcoming projects.
FAQ
Is FabricTracker still being updated?
FabricTracker has limited development activity. For shops that only need basic inventory counts, it still functions. But for shops wanting connected workflows, a more complete platform is a better investment.
Can I import my FabricTracker data into StitchDesk?
Yes. Fabric inventory data can be exported as a spreadsheet and imported into StitchDesk. The migration typically takes less than an hour for shops with under 200 fabric entries.
Do I need a separate inventory tool if I use StitchDesk?
No. StitchDesk includes fabric inventory tracking as part of its platform. You manage inventory, calculate yardage, track projects, and invoice clients from one place.
Consolidate Your Tools
Stop running separate systems for inventory, projects, and invoicing. StitchDesk brings everything together for upholstery shops.