Katana is a polished MRP platform built for makers selling on Shopify and similar channels. PF9 covers different ground — shop-floor operations beyond inventory and production. Here's how they compare.
Katana's tiers break at small team thresholds. PF9 doesn't have tiers.
| Team size | Katana | PF9 Manufacturing Suite | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 user | ~$179/mo (Starter) | $225/mo | +$46 |
| 3 users | ~$359/mo (Standard) | $225/mo | −$134 |
| 5 users | ~$509/mo (Standard + add-ons) | $225/mo | −$284 |
| 10 users | ~$799/mo (Pro) | $225/mo | −$574 |
| 25+ users | Custom quote | $225/mo | PF9 stays flat |
Katana publishes Starter ($179/mo), Standard ($359/mo), and Pro ($799/mo). Per-user fees above each tier's included count typically run $50/user/mo. Real Katana quotes depend on modules selected and contract length. The PF9 Manufacturing Suite is five apps subscribed individually — $225/mo for all five, or from $29/mo if you only need one. Run the math at your exact team size →
Honest sections aren't a sales tactic.
Katana syncs inventory, orders, and accounting in real time across e-commerce and books. For a maker selling on Shopify with QuickBooks for accounting, Katana eliminates double-entry across three systems. PF9 exports to CSV and to QuickBooks Online format; native real-time sync isn't in product today.
Katana has a strong BOM hierarchy, manufacturing orders, and a production scheduler that sequences work across resources. PF9 doesn't have BOM workflows or production scheduling; FLOWTRACK tracks raw material → WIP → finished goods but doesn't plan it.
Katana's interface is one of the better-designed manufacturing tools — clean, fast, mobile-friendly. The product was built for craft and contract manufacturers who graduated from spreadsheets. PF9's UI is similarly clean but optimized for shop-floor data entry rather than maker-style production runs.
Katana's tier breaks (Starter→Standard at 2 users, Standard→Pro at 5–10 users) plus per-user fees compound quickly. At 10 users you're at ~$799/mo. PF9 stays at $225/mo from 1 user to 250.
SHIFTLOG (shift handoffs), QUALIFI (NCR/CAPA), and INSPECTR (field inspections) are operational tooling Katana doesn't ship. If your day-to-day pain is "what happened on second shift" or "how do I track NCRs," PF9 is built for that.
Katana onboarding requires BOM cleanup, inventory taking, and integration setup. PF9's apps run in days. SHIFTLOG works the first day a supervisor logs a handoff; FLOWTRACK works as soon as you import an item list.
Katana gives you 14 days. PF9 gives you 30, which is long enough to run real shifts and a full month-end through it. Card up front at checkout, first charge on day 30; cancel before then and you're not charged at all.
Honest note: if Shopify-Xero-QuickBooks real-time sync is core to your operation, PF9 is not a drop-in replacement. Many shops keep Katana for production and add PF9 for shop-floor operations — they don't have to be either/or.
Starter $179, Standard $359, Pro $799 — each with included users and $50/user above. PF9 is $225/mo flat regardless.
Yes — Katana's Shopify-Xero-QuickBooks sync is mature. PF9 doesn't have native real-time sync.
Shift handoffs, NCR/CAPA quality workflows, field inspections.
Yes — Katana for production planning, PF9 for shop-floor operations. CSV between them.
30-day free trial. Unlimited users included.
Comparing other vendors? Browse all comparisons or use the per-user calculator.