Why Contractors Are Looking for Sortly Alternatives
Sortly is a popular inventory management app. But it wasn't built for construction. Contractors using Sortly regularly run into three dealbreakers:
1. Per-User Pricing Explodes Your Bill
Sortly charges per user seat. If you have an 8-person crew and want everyone to scan tools, you need the Ultra plan at $149/month (up to 10 users). For a small contractor, that's $1,788/year just for a tool tracker.
With ScanCrib, crew members who only scan tools are always free — on every plan. Your Pro plan at $19/month covers 2 admin accounts and unlimited scan-only crew members.
2. QR Code Labels Require a Paid Plan
On Sortly's free plan, QR codes aren't available. You need to upgrade before you can even start scanning. ScanCrib includes free QR code generation and printing on every plan, including the free tier.
3. No Offline Mode That Actually Works
Sortly calls their offline feature "offline access," but reviews consistently mention sync issues, lost data, and full re-syncs that take minutes. Construction sites with spotty cell service need real offline-first architecture — not an afterthought.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | ScanCrib | Sortly | |---------|----------|--------| | Free Plan | ✅ 100 assets | ✅ 100 assets | | QR Codes on Free Plan | ✅ Unlimited | ❌ Paid only | | Scan-Only Crew Members | ✅ Unlimited (all plans) | ❌ Counts as full user | | Offline Scanning | ✅ Works offline | ⚠️ Limited, sync issues | | Mobile-First Design | ✅ Built for job sites | ⚠️ Generic inventory app | | CSV/Excel Import | ✅ One-click | ✅ Available | | Insurance Claim Report | ✅ Planned | ❌ Not available | | CPA Depreciation Export | ✅ Planned | ❌ Not available | | Construction Categories | ✅ Pre-built | ❌ Generic | | Built for Construction | ✅ Yes | ❌ General-purpose |
Pricing Comparison (8-Person Crew)
This is where the difference really hits home. Let's say you're a subcontractor with 8 people (1 owner, 1 foreman, 6 workers) and 300 tools:
| | ScanCrib Pro | Sortly Ultra | |---|---|---| | Monthly Price | $19/mo | $149/mo | | Annual Cost | $228/yr | $1,788/yr | | Admin Accounts | 2 included | 10 included | | Crew (Scan-Only) | Unlimited FREE | ❌ Each counts as seat | | Assets Included | 500 | Unlimited | | QR Codes | ✅ Free | ✅ Included | | Savings | — | You save $1,560/year |
For a small contractor, switching from Sortly to ScanCrib saves enough to buy a new DeWalt impact driver set. Every year.
What About Sortly's Other Features?
Sortly does some things well — it has a polished UI, barcode scanning, and it works across multiple industries (retail, home, warehouse). If you're managing home inventory or a retail stockroom, Sortly might be a better fit.
But if you're a construction contractor managing tools across multiple job sites with a crew that changes monthly, ScanCrib is purpose-built for your world:
- Industry-specific categories (Power Tools, Hand Tools, Safety Equipment, Generators)
- Job site assignments (not just "locations")
- Crew management without per-seat taxes (because your laborers shouldn't need a software license to return a drill)
- Insurance documentation designed for Inland Marine claims
- Tax depreciation exports formatted for your CPA
Can I Import My Data from Sortly?
Yes. Export your Sortly data as CSV, then use ScanCrib's one-click import to bring everything over — including categories, serial numbers, photos, and locations. The whole process takes about 5 minutes.
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