Compare / Choose your workflow
StockLark or Shopify’s built-in inventory tools?
Start with Shopify’s native tools if you need integrated purchasing and inventory updates. Consider StockLark when you want an explicit, manually configured reorder workflow with separate planning records.
By the StockLark team · Updated
Compare the work your team needs to do
| Need | Shopify native tools | StockLark |
|---|---|---|
| Purchase orders | Create supplier POs in Shopify admin. | Create separate supplier PO drafts in StockLark. |
| Receiving | Receive through Shopify’s inventory workflow. | Record progress locally; update Shopify stock separately. |
| Reorder planning | Sidekick offers sales-based guidance; Shopify documents workflows using minimum and maximum values. | Set manual thresholds by variant and location and inspect each calculation. |
| Outstanding purchases | Manage native Shopify purchasing records. | Count only outstanding Ordered or Partially received StockLark POs. |
| Sharing a PO | Download documents for your supplier workflow. | Export a StockLark CSV and send it separately. |
| Sales-order analysis | Available through Shopify tools, subject to feature access. | Not provided; StockLark does not read sales-order history. |
Native capabilities above are summarized from Shopify’s inventory transition guide. Check current availability in your shop. StockLark is an independent app by CloudLu, not a Shopify product.
When native tools may be enough
If your main job is creating a PO and receiving stock into Shopify, try the built-in flow first. A separate planning ledger adds a reconciliation step. StockLark does not remove that step or replace Shopify’s receiving system.
When to evaluate StockLark
Consider a trial if your team already works with explicit reorder points and target quantities and wants to review those rules together with supplier drafts. Test whether the visible calculation makes your recurring purchasing work easier.
Use a representative SKU before choosing
Run one item through your current process and StockLark. Compare time spent setting rules, checking outstanding quantities, sharing the order, and reconciling receipt records. Keep the workflow that reduces total work for your team.