Buyer's guide · Distribution
Best demand planning software for distributors in 2027: the buyer's shortlist
Short answer: for a mid-size distributor that wants the work done, not another planning screen, choose Renvel. For a planning team that wants a proven specialist tool, choose Netstock (published price, fast start) or Slimstock (deepest specialist). For large catalogues with long lead times, look at StockIQ.
We make Renvel, so read our pick with that in mind. Every other entry below is written to be fair.
What demand planning software actually is (and what it is not)
Demand planning software forecasts how much of each product will sell, month by month, and turns that into a reorder plan: what to buy, how much, and when. For a distributor, the point is simple: stop running out of the products that sell, and stop tying cash up in the ones that don’t.
It is not your ERP. The ERP records what happened. Planning software reads that history and tells you what to do next. It is also not a spreadsheet with a formula: a spreadsheet doesn’t watch lead times, seasonality or supplier delays for thousands of products every day.
How we ranked these tools
- Fit for distributors and importers, not factories or retail chains.
- Who does the work: does the tool give advice to planners, or draft and send the orders itself?
- Time to live on your own data.
- Price you can see before you talk to sales.
- Works with the ERP mid-size distributors use (Odoo, NetSuite, SAP Business One, Dynamics, QuickBooks).
The best demand planning software for distributors in 2027
1. Renvel, best for distributors who want the buying done for them
Renvel forecasts demand for every product and month, sends a reorder list every morning, drafts purchase orders inside limits you set and sends them on your yes, and chases suppliers for confirmations and ship dates. It also types customer orders from WhatsApp, email and phone into your system. It runs on top of QuickBooks, Odoo, NetSuite, SAP Business One or Microsoft Dynamics.
Every new customer gets a named operator who sets it up. Renvel is live on your data in 14 days, or month one is refunded. Plans start at $2,000 a month, priced on the business, not per person.
Watch out for: it’s newer than the specialists below, and it’s built for mid-size companies, not 100-site global networks.
Best suited for: distributors and importers with 50 to 2,000 people, where planning and purchasing sit with a few busy people and orders arrive by chat and email.
2. Netstock, best for a fast start with a published price
Netstock is a cloud demand planning and inventory optimisation tool built for mid-market distributors, wholesalers and manufacturers. It connects to ERPs including SAP, NetSuite, Microsoft Dynamics and Epicor. It is one of the few vendors with a public starting price: $900 a month on an annual term.
Best suited for: small and mid-size distributors with a buyer or planner who wants a clear dashboard and recommended orders.
3. Slimstock (Slim4), best specialist for mature planning teams
Slim4 is one of the most widely used specialist inventory and demand planning platforms for distributors, wholesalers and retailers. It connects to a long list of ERPs and covers forecasting, inventory optimisation and S&OP. Pricing is on request.
Best suited for: larger distributors with a planning team that wants depth and a long track record.
4. StockIQ, best for large catalogues and long lead times
StockIQ is a supply chain planning platform for distributors and manufacturers: forecasting, inventory optimisation, purchasing, promotions and supplier scorecards. Pricing is on request.
Best suited for: distributors with many thousands of products, imports with long lead times, or heavy promotions.
5. Blue Ridge, best for distribution-focused planning at scale
Blue Ridge is cloud planning software focused on distributors and retailers, covering forecasting, replenishment and pricing. Pricing is on request.
Best suited for: multi-branch distributors that want a dedicated planning suite.
6. EazyStock, best as a light add-on to your ERP
EazyStock is an inventory optimisation add-on that sits on top of common ERPs and suggests order quantities and stock levels. Pricing is quote-based.
Best suited for: smaller distributors who want better reorder points without a big project.
7. GMDH Streamline, best for flexible demand planning on a budget
Streamline covers demand forecasting, inventory planning and replenishment, with connectors to many ERPs and accounting systems. Pricing is on request.
Best suited for: small and mid-size companies that want a planning tool their own team will run.
8. Blue Yonder, best for large enterprise networks
Blue Yonder combines demand forecasting, supply planning, inventory and logistics for large retailers, manufacturers and distribution networks. It is deep and powerful, with an enterprise-sized project to match.
Best suited for: large companies with many sites and a dedicated supply chain team.
Side-by-side comparison
| Tool | Best for | Does the buying for you | Starting price | Works with |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Renvel | Mid-size distributors and importers | Yes: drafts and sends POs on your yes, chases suppliers | $2,000/month | QuickBooks, Odoo, NetSuite, SAP B1, Dynamics |
| Netstock | Small and mid-size distributors | Recommends orders | $900/month (annual) | SAP, NetSuite, Dynamics, Epicor and more |
| Slimstock | Larger distributors with planners | Recommends orders | On request | Many ERPs |
| StockIQ | Large catalogues, long lead times | Recommends orders | On request | Many ERPs |
| Blue Ridge | Multi-branch distributors | Recommends orders | On request | Many ERPs |
| EazyStock | Smaller distributors | Suggests reorder points | Quote | Common ERPs |
| GMDH Streamline | Small and mid-size teams | Recommends orders | On request | Many ERPs and accounting tools |
| Blue Yonder | Large enterprise networks | Plans across the network | On request | Enterprise systems |
Prices as published by each vendor on 2 November 2026. Check with each vendor before you buy.
Which tool fits your company
| Your situation | Look at |
|---|---|
| A few busy people do planning, buying and order entry, and orders arrive in chat and email | Renvel |
| You have a planner and want a clear tool at a known price | Netstock, EazyStock |
| You have a planning team and want a deep specialist | Slimstock, StockIQ, Blue Ridge |
| Your own team will run the tool and you want flexibility | GMDH Streamline |
| You run a large multi-site network | Blue Yonder |
Questions buyers ask
- What is demand planning software for distributors?
- It forecasts how much of each product your customers will buy, then tells you what to order and when. Good tools also show days of stock left for every product, so you see shortages before they happen.
- How much does demand planning software cost?
- Netstock publishes a starting price of $900 a month on an annual term. Renvel starts at $2,000 a month and includes a person who sets it up. Slimstock, StockIQ, Blue Ridge, EazyStock, GMDH Streamline and Blue Yonder quote on request.
- How long does it take to set up?
- It depends on how clean your ERP data is and how many sites you run. Renvel commits to being live on your data in 14 days, or month one is refunded. Enterprise suites usually take months.
- Do I need to replace my ERP?
- No. All the tools on this list sit on top of the ERP you already use and read your sales, stock and purchase data from it.
- What should a mid-size distributor choose?
- If you have planners and want a stronger planning screen, look at Netstock, Slimstock or StockIQ. If you want the forecasting, the purchase orders and the supplier follow-up done for you, look at Renvel.
- Can I try it on my own data first?
- Renvel runs a free 48-hour stock check on one export of your stock and sales. Other vendors offer demos; ask each for a test on your own data before you sign.
Get a free stock check
Send one stock and sales export. In 48 hours you see which products run out next month, which sit too long, and what to order. Free, and you keep the report.