Best Shop Management Software in 2026
Shop management software centralizes every operation in a fabrication business - quoting, scheduling, production tracking, inventory, customer communication, and invoicing - so nothing falls through the cracks. The average 10-person fab shop loses 15-20 hours per week to duplicate data entry, missed handoffs, and searching for information spread across spreadsheets, whiteboards, and text messages.
TL;DR
- SlabWise provides AI-driven shop management built specifically for countertop fabrication
- Moraware is the most established option with 2,600+ fabrication users
- 15-20 hours/week are wasted in the average shop due to disconnected systems
- Key differentiator: Customer portals and AI automation now separate top-tier tools from basic trackers
- Stone-specific tools outperform general shop management for fabrication because they understand slab inventory, templates, and CNC workflows
- Implementation time ranges from 1 day (basic) to 8 weeks (full ERP)
- Budget $150-$400/mo for stone-specific platforms
Evaluation Criteria
| Factor | Weight | What We Measured |
|---|---|---|
| Fabrication workflow coverage | 30% | Quote-to-install lifecycle management |
| Production tracking | 25% | Shop floor visibility, CNC integration |
| Customer communication | 15% | Portals, notifications, call reduction |
| Reporting & analytics | 15% | Revenue, production, efficiency metrics |
| Pricing & ease of use | 15% | Cost, setup time, learning curve |
1. SlabWise - Best for AI-Powered Shop Management
SlabWise brings AI automation to every stage of shop management. From 3-minute quotes to template verification to optimized slab nesting, the platform reduces manual work while catching errors that cost shops thousands per month.
Pricing: $199/mo (Standard) | $349/mo (Enterprise) Free Trial: 14 days
Key Features
- Quick Quote: AI generates accurate estimates in 3 minutes, pulling from current material prices and slab inventory.
- Template Verification: 3-layer AI check catches measurement errors before CNC cutting, preventing $1,500-$4,000 remakes.
- Slab Nesting: AI-optimized nesting delivers 10-15% better material yield.
- Customer Portal: Homeowners and builders check status online, reducing calls by 70%.
- Production Dashboard: Real-time view of every job's position in the production pipeline.
Pros
- AI reduces manual work across all departments
- Customer portal dramatically cuts interruptions
- Purpose-built for countertop fabrication
- $199/mo starting price is competitive
Cons
- Newer platform with smaller user base
- No built-in accounting (integrates with QuickBooks)
- Enterprise tier for multi-location
Best for: Shops processing 15-50+ jobs/week that want AI automation and customer self-service.
2. Moraware - Best for Proven Reliability
With 2,600+ fabrication shops and 15+ years in the market, Moraware is the most trusted name in stone shop management. Its SystemOne and CounterGo modules handle the complete business cycle.
Pricing: $200-$400/mo Free Trial: Demo available
Key Features
- SystemOne: Full job lifecycle from lead to installed, with scheduling, production, and invoicing.
- CounterGo: Draw-to-price estimating that salespeople can learn in one day.
- Scheduling Board: Visual calendar managing template, fab, and install crews.
- Reporting Suite: Revenue, close rates, production efficiency, and crew productivity reports.
Pros
- Largest user community in stone fabrication
- Proven and reliable over 15+ years
- Strong scheduling and production management
- Extensive training materials
Cons
- Interface looks dated
- Module pricing adds up
- Mobile experience trails newer competitors
- Limited AI or automation features
Best for: Mid-to-large shops wanting the industry's most established platform.
3. ActionFlow - Best for Process Automation
ActionFlow focuses on automating the handoffs and repetitive tasks that slow shops down. Its workflow builder creates custom automation rules that trigger actions based on status changes.
Pricing: $200-$350/mo Free Trial: 14 days
Key Features
- Workflow Automation: Define trigger-and-action sequences (e.g., template approved → schedule fab → notify customer).
- Digital Job Boards: Kanban views for each department with drag-and-drop management.
- Notification Engine: Automated emails and texts based on any event in the system.
- Document Center: Attach contracts, approvals, photos, and drawings to each job.
Pros
- Strong automation reduces repetitive tasks
- Clean, modern interface
- Flexible workflow customization
- Good mobile experience
Cons
- Less stone-specific than Moraware or SlabWise
- Automation setup takes initial investment
- Limited slab inventory features
- Smaller fabrication user base
Best for: Shops with defined processes that want to automate handoffs between departments.
4. EasyStoneShop - Best for Small Shops
EasyStoneShop targets 1-5 person fabrication businesses with straightforward job management at the lowest price point for stone-specific software.
Pricing: $150/mo Free Trial: Demo available
Key Features
- Simple Job Tracking: Customizable job stages (measured, templated, cut, polished, installed).
- Basic Estimating: Square footage calculator with material and labor pricing.
- Customer Records: Contact info, job history, and notes per customer.
- Calendar View: Basic scheduling for template and install appointments.
Pros
- Most affordable stone-specific platform
- Setup in 1-2 days
- No long-term contract required
- Easy to learn and use
Cons
- Limited automation
- No customer portal
- Basic reporting
- No CNC integration
Best for: Small shops (1-5 employees) moving from whiteboards/spreadsheets to digital management.
5. Jobber - Best for Multi-Service Shops
Jobber works well for businesses that do countertops alongside other services like tile, flooring, or general contracting. It handles the general business operations that every service company needs.
Pricing: $49-$249/mo Free Trial: 14 days
Key Features
- Client Hub: Customer portal for quotes, scheduling, and payments.
- Quoting & Invoicing: Professional estimates and invoices with online payment.
- Route Optimization: Plan daily routes for field crews.
- CRM: Track leads and follow-ups through the sales cycle.
Pros
- Affordable entry point
- Strong invoicing and payment features
- Good mobile app for field crews
- Client Hub reduces calls
Cons
- No stone-specific features
- No slab inventory or template management
- Quoting doesn't understand edge profiles or cutouts
- Limited for dedicated fabrication shops
Best for: Multi-service contractors doing countertops as part of broader home improvement.
6. Shopmonkey - Best for Production Floor Focus
Shopmonkey is a shop management tool originally designed for auto repair that has expanded into other production environments. Its shop floor tracking features translate well to fabrication work.
Pricing: $199-$399/mo Free Trial: 14 days
Key Features
- Work Orders: Detailed production work orders with task lists and time tracking.
- Parts Tracking: Track materials used per job (maps to slab and supply tracking).
- Tech Assignment: Assign specific tasks to specific workers on the shop floor.
- Time Tracking: Measure actual production time vs. estimated for each job.
Pros
- Strong production floor management
- Time tracking improves estimating accuracy
- Work order system is detailed
- Modern interface
Cons
- Not stone-specific (requires customization)
- No template or CNC features
- No slab management
- Community doesn't include stone fabricators
Best for: Shops wanting better production floor tracking and labor time management.
7. Monday.com - Best for Custom Workflows
Monday.com is a flexible project management platform that some fabrication shops customize into their shop management system. It requires more setup but offers near-unlimited configuration.
Pricing: $36-$78/mo for a team of 5 Free Trial: 14 days
Key Features
- Custom Boards: Build boards for sales, production, scheduling, and installation.
- Automations: Rules-based triggers for status changes, notifications, and assignments.
- Dashboards: Visual summaries of pipeline, production, and revenue.
- Integration Library: 200+ apps including QuickBooks, Google, and Slack.
Pros
- Highly customizable to any workflow
- Affordable for small teams
- Modern interface
- Large integration library
Cons
- Requires 20-40 hours of setup for fabrication
- No industry-specific features
- No slab or material tracking
- You're building from scratch
Best for: Tech-savvy owners who want complete control over their management system design.
8. Acculynx - Best for Project Documentation
Acculynx was built for exterior contractors but its project documentation features - photo management, material ordering, and customer communication - work well for fabrication shops that prioritize documentation.
Pricing: $150-$300/mo Free Trial: Demo available
Key Features
- Photo Documentation: Organized photo galleries per project phase.
- Material Ordering: Submit material orders through the platform.
- eSignatures: Digital approvals for quotes and change orders.
- Aerial Measurement: Satellite-based measurements (less useful for interior countertops).
Pros
- Strong documentation and photo management
- Digital signatures speed up approvals
- Material ordering simplified
- Good customer communication
Cons
- Exterior contractor focus (not stone-specific)
- Aerial measurement not relevant for countertops
- No production tracking
- No slab or CNC management
Best for: Shops that need strong project documentation and digital signature workflows.
Comparison Table
| Software | Price | Stone-Specific | Customer Portal | AI Features | Mobile App |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SlabWise | $199/mo | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Moraware | $200/mo | Yes | Limited | No | Basic |
| ActionFlow | $200/mo | Partial | Yes | No | Yes |
| EasyStoneShop | $150/mo | Yes | No | No | Basic |
| Jobber | $49/mo | No | Yes | No | Yes |
| Shopmonkey | $199/mo | No | Basic | No | Yes |
| Monday.com | $36/mo | No | No | Basic | Yes |
| Acculynx | $150/mo | No | Yes | No | Yes |
Signs Your Shop Needs Management Software
You're Losing Track of Jobs
If you've ever had a customer call about a job you thought was done - or worse, a job you forgot about - you need a system.
Your Whiteboard Is Overflowing
When the scheduling whiteboard has more erasure marks than readable text, it's time for a digital calendar.
Office Staff Spends Hours on Status Updates
If answering "where's my countertop?" calls consumes more than 30 minutes per day, a customer portal will pay for itself.
You're Underbidding Projects
If actual job costs regularly exceed estimates, you need software that tracks estimated vs. actual costs and helps you calibrate pricing.
Remakes Are Happening Monthly
Two or more remakes per month ($3,000-$16,000/year in losses) justify software with template verification and quality checkpoints.
FAQ
What is shop management software?
It's a centralized platform that manages every aspect of your fabrication business: quoting, scheduling, production tracking, inventory, customer communication, and invoicing. It replaces spreadsheets, whiteboards, and disconnected tools.
How much does shop management software cost for fab shops?
Stone-specific platforms range from $150-$400/mo. General platforms range from $36-$399/mo but require customization. Enterprise ERP systems start at $500+/mo.
How long does implementation take?
Simple platforms: 1-3 days. Mid-range stone-specific tools: 1-3 weeks. Full ERP systems: 2-6 months. The biggest variable is data migration from your current systems.
Can I try software before committing?
Most platforms offer 14-30 day free trials. Use the trial with real job data - don't just click around the demo. Enter 5-10 actual jobs and run them through the full workflow.
What's the ROI of shop management software?
Most shops save $3,000-$8,000/month through fewer remakes, better material utilization, reduced phone time, and faster quoting. Even a conservative estimate of 2 hours saved per day at $30/hour is $1,200/month.
Should I choose stone-specific or general software?
Stone-specific if countertop fabrication is your primary business. General if countertops are one of several services. The setup time you save with stone-specific features (slab tracking, template management, CNC integration) usually justifies the slightly higher cost.
How do I get my team to actually use new software?
Start with the features that solve their biggest pain points. For salespeople, that's faster quoting. For the shop floor, that's clearer job details. For the office, that's fewer phone calls. Don't try to implement everything at once.
Can shop management software reduce remakes?
Yes. Software with template verification, quality checkpoints, and clear production notes catches errors before they become expensive remakes. Preventing one $2,500 remake per month more than covers the software cost.
Do I need separate software for each department?
No. The whole point of shop management software is putting everything in one platform. Separate tools for quoting, scheduling, and production create the data silos and handoff failures that cause problems.
How do I migrate from spreadsheets?
Clean your data first: standardize customer records, remove duplicates, and organize job history. Most vendors offer import tools or migration assistance. Plan for 4-8 hours of data prep.
What integrations matter most?
Priority order: accounting (QuickBooks/Xero), customer communication (email/SMS), digital templating systems, CNC machines, and payment processing.
Can multiple users access the system simultaneously?
Yes. All cloud-based shop management platforms support multiple simultaneous users. Each user typically sees the information relevant to their role (sales sees quotes, production sees job details, etc.).
Manage Your Entire Shop from One Platform
SlabWise combines AI-powered quoting, template verification, slab nesting, and a customer portal into one shop management platform at $199/mo. Stop losing hours to disconnected systems. Start your 14-day free trial.
Start Your Free SlabWise Trial →
Sources
- Stone World Magazine - Shop Technology Survey 2025
- National Kitchen & Bath Association - Fabrication Operations Benchmark
- Moraware - Published User Statistics
- Capterra - Shop Management Software Reviews
- G2 - Fabrication Software Category Rankings
- Fabricators Alliance - Operations Efficiency Study
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics - Stone Fabrication Industry Data