Fishbowl vs Lightyear Comparison: Reviews, Features, Pricing & Alternatives in 2026

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

Updated Apr 2026 8 min read

Fishbowl

0.0 (0 reviews)

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.

Starting at $329/mo
Free Trial 14 days
VS

Lightyear

0.0 (0 reviews)

Lightyear is a specialized procurement and accounts payable automation software designed to help you eliminate manual data entry and streamline your entire invoice approval workflow through a centralized cloud-based platform.

Starting at $99/mo
Free Trial 30 days

Quick Comparison

Feature Fishbowl Lightyear
Website fishbowlinventory.com lightyear.ai
Pricing Model Subscription Subscription
Starting Price $329/month $99/month
FREE Trial ✓ 14 days free trial ✓ 30 days free trial
Free Plan ✘ No free plan ✘ No free plan
Product Demo ✓ Request demo here ✓ Request demo here
Deployment cloud on-premise mobile desktop cloud mobile
Integrations QuickBooks Xero Shopify Amazon eBay Salesforce ShipStation UPS FedEx Adobe Commerce Xero QuickBooks Online Sage NetSuite Microsoft Dynamics 365 MYOB Abacus Oracle FreshBooks
Target Users small-business mid-market small-business mid-market enterprise
Target Industries manufacturing wholesale retail hospitality retail construction
Customer Count 0 0
Founded Year 2001 2017
Headquarters Orem, USA Belfast, United Kingdom

Overview

F

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.

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Lightyear

Lightyear provides you with a comprehensive automated accounts payable and procurement solution that removes the headache of manual data entry. You can capture data from invoices and receipts with 100% accuracy using its advanced extraction engine, ensuring your financial records are always precise. The platform allows you to create custom, multi-tiered approval workflows so that the right people see the right documents at the right time, preventing payment delays and unauthorized spending.

You can also manage your entire procurement cycle by creating purchase orders that automatically sync with incoming invoices for instant three-way matching. This helps you maintain tight control over your budgets and inventory levels across multiple locations. Whether you are a small business or a large enterprise with complex entity structures, you can integrate Lightyear directly with your existing accounting software to keep your general ledger updated in real-time.

Overview

F

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.
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Lightyear Features

  • Automated Data Extraction. Extract line-item data from invoices and receipts automatically with high precision to eliminate manual typing errors.
  • Multi-Tiered Approvals. Set up custom approval rules based on department, project, or price to ensure every expense is authorized.
  • Purchase Order Matching. Match incoming invoices against your purchase orders and goods received notes to verify you only pay for what you received.
  • Real-Time Inventory Sync. Update your inventory levels automatically as soon as invoices are processed to maintain accurate stock records across locations.
  • Statement Reconciliation. Reconcile supplier statements in seconds to identify missing invoices and ensure your accounts are always up to date.
  • Mobile Document Capture. Snap photos of receipts and invoices on the go using the mobile app for instant upload to your dashboard.

Pricing Comparison

F

Fishbowl Pricing

Fishbowl Drive
$329
  • Cloud-based inventory tracking
  • QuickBooks Online integration
  • Sales and purchase orders
  • Basic reporting tools
  • Mobile app access
L

Lightyear Pricing

Starter
$99
  • Up to 100 documents per month
  • Unlimited users
  • Automated data extraction
  • Standard approval workflows
  • Accounting software integration
  • Email and chat support

Pros & Cons

M

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
A

Lightyear

Pros

  • Extremely accurate line-item data extraction saves hours
  • Unlimited user seats allow for company-wide collaboration
  • Seamless integration with Xero, QuickBooks, and NetSuite
  • Intuitive interface makes it easy for non-finance staff
  • Excellent customer support with fast response times

Cons

  • Initial setup of complex approval rules takes time
  • Mobile app features are more limited than desktop
  • Pricing can scale quickly with high document volume
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