Datacolor ColorReader vs MicroBiz Comparison: Reviews, Features, Pricing & Alternatives in 2026

Detailed side-by-side comparison to help you choose the right solution for your team

Updated May 2026 8 min read

Datacolor ColorReader

0.0 (0 reviews)

Datacolor ColorReader is a portable color identification solution that helps painters, designers, and homeowners instantly match any flat surface to the most accurate paint colors from major brands.

Starting at $69/mo
Free Trial NO FREE TRIAL
VS

MicroBiz

0.0 (0 reviews)

MicroBiz is a cloud-based retail management software providing independent retailers with integrated point of sale, inventory management, and multi-store automation to streamline operations and sync physical stores with ecommerce.

Starting at $55/mo
Free Trial 21 days

Quick Comparison

Feature Datacolor ColorReader MicroBiz
Website datacolor.com microbiz.com
Pricing Model One_time Subscription
Starting Price $69/month $55/month
FREE Trial ✘ No free trial ✓ 21 days free trial
Free Plan ✓ Has free plan ✘ No free plan
Product Demo ✓ Request demo here ✓ Request demo here
Deployment mobile cloud mobile desktop
Integrations Bluetooth Adobe Photoshop Email Text Messaging WooCommerce Magento QuickBooks Online Constant Contact Mailchimp Star Micronics Epson Zebra
Target Users freelancer small-business mid-market small-business mid-market
Target Industries construction real-estate design retail automotive sporting-goods
Customer Count 0 0
Founded Year 1970 1985
Headquarters Lawrenceville, USA Menlo Park, USA

Overview

D

Datacolor ColorReader

Datacolor ColorReader is a precision color-matching system that connects a handheld sensor to your smartphone via Bluetooth. You can scan any flat surface—whether it is a wall, fabric, or decorative accessory—to instantly find the closest paint match from top brands like Sherwin-Williams, Benjamin Moore, and Behr. It eliminates the guesswork of manual color matching and helps you visualize your projects with professional accuracy.

You can create custom color palettes, share them with clients or colleagues, and coordinate entire room schemes directly from your mobile device. The tool is designed for professional painters, interior designers, and DIY enthusiasts who need to maintain color consistency across different materials and lighting conditions. By using the dedicated mobile app, you can save your favorite colors and ensure your final paint selection matches your original vision every time.

strtoupper($product2['name'][0])

MicroBiz

MicroBiz Cloud is a retail management platform designed to help you run your entire business from a single interface. You can manage sales, track inventory in real-time, and handle customer relationships whether you operate a single shop or a multi-store enterprise. The software specifically targets independent retailers in industries like bike shops, outdoor gear, and apparel who need to bridge the gap between their physical storefronts and online sales channels.

You can automate complex tasks like generating purchase orders based on stock levels and managing work orders for service-based departments. The platform eliminates manual data entry by syncing your in-store inventory with popular ecommerce platforms like WooCommerce and Magento. By centralizing your operations, you gain better visibility into your profit margins and stock movements across all locations.

Overview

D

Datacolor ColorReader Features

  • Instant Color Matching Scan any flat surface to find the most accurate paint match from over 50 leading global brands.
  • Digital Palette Creation Build and save custom color collections for different projects so you can keep your design ideas organized.
  • Color Coordination Find complementary colors, triads, and analogous schemes instantly to create perfectly balanced rooms and designs.
  • Project Sharing Send your saved color palettes to clients, contractors, or paint stores via text, email, or social media.
  • Brand Filtering Toggle between specific paint manufacturers to ensure you only see results from the brands you prefer to use.
  • Quality Control Mode Compare two different colors to check for consistency and see the precise Delta E difference between them.
strtoupper($product2['name'][0])

MicroBiz Features

  • Multi-Store Inventory. Track stock levels across all your locations in real-time and easily transfer items between stores to meet demand.
  • Ecommerce Integration. Sync your physical store inventory with WooCommerce or Magento automatically to prevent overselling and manual updates.
  • Service Work Orders. Manage repair jobs and service departments by tracking labor, parts, and status updates directly within your POS system.
  • Automated Purchasing. Generate purchase orders based on custom reorder points so you never run out of your best-selling products.
  • Customer Management. Build detailed customer profiles and track purchase histories to create personalized marketing and loyalty programs.
  • Mobile POS. Ring up sales anywhere in your store using iPads or tablets to reduce wait times and improve service.

Pricing Comparison

D

Datacolor ColorReader Pricing

ColorReader EZ
$69
  • Portable Bluetooth sensor
  • 85% + matching accuracy
  • Access to top paint brands
  • Create and share palettes
  • Free iOS and Android app
M

MicroBiz Pricing

Single Store
$55
  • One register included
  • Unlimited inventory items
  • Customer management tools
  • Basic reporting and analytics
  • Email and phone support

Pros & Cons

M

Datacolor ColorReader

Pros

  • Extremely accurate matching compared to visual guessing
  • Saves significant time during client consultations
  • Compact design fits easily in your pocket
  • No monthly subscription fees for app usage

Cons

  • Requires flat surfaces for the most accurate scans
  • Bluetooth connection occasionally requires a quick reset
  • Glossy surfaces can sometimes distort the reading
A

MicroBiz

Pros

  • Excellent specialized features for repair and service shops
  • Reliable offline mode allows you to process sales without internet
  • Seamless integration with popular open-source ecommerce platforms
  • Generous 21-day trial period to test all features

Cons

  • Interface feels dated compared to newer tablet-first POS systems
  • Limited native integrations with third-party accounting software
  • Setup process for multi-store inventory requires significant time
x

Please claim profile in order to edit product details and view analytics. Provide your work email address to receive a verification link.

x

Please login in order to edit product details and view analytics.