Circle-Hand
Circle-Hand is a specialized inventory management and point-of-sale software designed specifically for second-hand shops, charity stores, and consignment retailers to streamline unique item tracking and sales.
Fishbowl
Fishbowl provides automated inventory management and manufacturing solutions that integrate with QuickBooks to help you track stock, manage production, and streamline your entire warehouse operation.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Circle-Hand | Fishbowl |
|---|---|---|
| Website | circle-hand.com | fishbowlinventory.com |
| Pricing Model | Custom | Subscription |
| Starting Price | Custom Pricing | $329/month |
| FREE Trial | ✘ No free trial | ✓ 14 days free trial |
| Free Plan | ✘ No free plan | ✘ No free plan |
| Product Demo | ✓ Request demo here | ✓ Request demo here |
| Deployment | ||
| Integrations | ||
| Target Users | ||
| Target Industries | ||
| Customer Count | 0 | 0 |
| Founded Year | 2003 | 2001 |
| Headquarters | London, UK | Orem, USA |
Overview
Circle-Hand
Circle-Hand provides a tailored solution for the unique challenges of the second-hand retail market. You can manage one-of-a-kind items, track donor contributions, and handle gift aid processing all within a single interface. It replaces generic retail tools with features built specifically for circular economy businesses, allowing you to focus on sourcing and selling rather than fighting with incompatible software systems.
The platform helps you bridge the gap between physical storefronts and online sales by syncing your unique inventory across multiple channels. You can generate detailed reports on stock turnover and donor activity to optimize your shop's performance. Whether you run a single community charity shop or a growing network of consignment stores, you get the specialized tools needed to manage high-volume, low-consistency inventory efficiently.
Fishbowl
Fishbowl is a comprehensive inventory management platform designed to bridge the gap between your warehouse operations and your accounting software. You can track parts and finished goods across multiple locations, manage work orders for manufacturing, and handle complex shipping requirements without leaving a single interface. It specifically solves the problem of manual data entry by syncing your inventory levels directly with QuickBooks or Xero in real-time.
You can use the platform to generate barcodes, manage pick-pack-ship workflows, and oversee bill of materials for assembly processes. Whether you are a small manufacturer or a growing wholesale distributor, it provides the tools to prevent stockouts and overstocking. The software scales with your business by offering both cloud-based and on-premise deployment options to fit your specific IT infrastructure and security needs.
Overview
Circle-Hand Features
- Unique Item Tracking Register and track individual, one-off items quickly with custom labels and unique identifiers for every piece of stock.
- Gift Aid Processing Automate your Gift Aid declarations and claims to maximize revenue for your charity shop without manual paperwork.
- Consignment Management Track payouts and commissions for individual consignors automatically when their items sell in your store or online.
- Multi-Channel Sync List your unique items on your website and physical shop simultaneously with real-time inventory updates to prevent double-selling.
- Donor Database Maintain detailed records of your donors and their history to build stronger relationships and encourage repeat contributions.
- Integrated POS Process sales quickly at the counter with a touch-screen interface designed for the fast-paced environment of a busy thrift store.
Fishbowl Features
- QuickBooks Integration. Sync your inventory data automatically with QuickBooks to eliminate double data entry and keep your financial records accurate.
- Manufacturing Management. Create complex work orders and manage multi-level bills of materials to streamline your production and assembly lines.
- Barcode Scanning. Use mobile devices to scan items during receiving and picking to reduce human error and speed up warehouse tasks.
- Multi-Location Tracking. Monitor stock levels across several warehouses or retail storefronts from one dashboard to ensure you always have inventory where it is needed.
- Automated Reordering. Set custom reorder points for every item so you get notified the moment stock runs low, preventing costly stockouts.
- Shipping Integration. Connect directly with major carriers like UPS and FedEx to generate labels and track shipments without switching applications.
Pricing Comparison
Circle-Hand Pricing
Fishbowl Pricing
- Cloud-based inventory tracking
- QuickBooks Online integration
- Sales and purchase orders
- Basic reporting tools
- Mobile app access
- Everything in Drive, plus:
- On-premise or hosted deployment
- Advanced manufacturing work orders
- QuickBooks Desktop integration
- Customizable reporting
- Multi-level Bill of Materials
Pros & Cons
Circle-Hand
Pros
- Highly specialized for the unique needs of charity shops
- Simplifies the complex process of Gift Aid claims
- Excellent for managing non-barcoded, one-off inventory items
- Responsive support team familiar with the retail sector
Cons
- Public pricing is not available without a quote
- Interface may feel dated compared to modern general POS
- Limited third-party integrations outside of core retail tools
Fishbowl
Pros
- Deepest QuickBooks integration available on the market
- Comprehensive manufacturing features for complex assemblies
- Mobile scanning significantly improves picking accuracy
- Excellent tracking for serialized and lot-controlled items
Cons
- Initial setup and implementation requires significant time
- Customer support response times can be inconsistent
- Learning curve is steep for non-technical users