If you run a Shopify store and rely on Stocky for inventory forecasting and reordering, you already know the clock is ticking. Stocky is being phased out: it will be removed from the App Store in February 2026, and the full shutdown happens in August 2026. That gives you about a year to find a replacement — but waiting until the last minute is a recipe for stockouts, overstocks, and chaos.
Here is the practical, no-hype guide to navigating this transition. No fear-mongering, just what I'd tell a fellow merchant.
Why This Is Happening (and Why It's Not Your Fault)
Shopify decided to discontinue Stocky, its free first-party inventory app, as part of a broader shift. The official reason is that Stocky doesn't meet current standards for data accuracy and reliability — and honestly, many users have complained about those exact issues for years. Inaccurate data, manual updates, and unreliable reporting were common frustrations. So while the shutdown is inconvenient, it's also an opportunity to upgrade to something that actually works.
The Two Refugee Waves: Stocky and Inventory Planner
You are not alone. Two major groups of merchants are searching for new inventory solutions right now:
- Stocky refugees – Merchants who used Stocky for free and now need a paid alternative.
- Inventory Planner refugees – Merchants who were using Inventory Planner before it was acquired by Sage, which then hiked prices to around $245/month, pushed 12-month contracts, and introduced sync and support issues. Many are leaving.
Both groups have the same core need: a tool that forecasts demand, helps set reorder points, notifies you when stock runs low, and lets you create purchase orders — without breaking the bank.
What to Look for in a Replacement
Not all inventory apps are created equal. Here are the key features you should prioritize:
- Demand forecasting: The app should analyze your sales history and seasonality to predict future demand.
- Reorder point suggestions: It should tell you when to reorder and how much, not just send a low-stock alert.
- Purchase order generation: A one-click export or direct PO creation saves hours of manual work.
- Read-only, safe integration: The app should never change your store inventory or place orders automatically. You stay in control.
- Affordable, no contract: Many alternatives charge $50–100+/month with annual commitments. Look for something transparent and flexible.
- Clear AI explanations: A plain-language summary of why a restock is recommended helps you make decisions faster.
What to Avoid
- Panic-migrating to any cheap alert-only app: Notifications that just say "Low stock" without telling you how much to order are nearly useless for a growing store.
- Overpaying for enterprise features you don't need: You don't need a $200/month system that requires a dedicated inventory manager unless your store does millions in revenue.
- Ignoring data quality: Test the app's integration thoroughly. Inaccurate inventory counts will wreck your planning.
One Option That Fits the Mid-Tier Gap
For merchants who need more than a simple alert but less than a full ERP, one newer app is worth evaluating: Restock Radar. It forecasts demand, suggests reorder points, sends low-stock alerts and a weekly digest, exports purchase orders in one click, and writes plain-language AI restock summaries. It's read-only — it never changes your store or places orders — and costs $19/month with a 14-day free trial, no contract. It's built specifically for the Stocky refugee and the Inventory Planner refugee who want something that just works without the sticker shock.
Full disclosure: I work with them, but I'm recommending it here because it actually fills the gap that the market has left open — a truly mid-tier solution that does what Stocky did, only better.
Your Next Steps (Right Now)
- Audit your current inventory process: What do you do manually that you wish an app could handle? Write it down.
- Try a couple of alternatives before Stocky is removed: You have until February 2026 to test apps while Stocky still runs. Don't wait.
- Check data accuracy first: Set up a test integration and compare the app's reports against your actual sales and stock counts.
- Plan for the August 2026 shutdown: Mark your calendar. Have your new app fully live by July 2026 at the latest.
The shutdown is a hassle, but it's also a chance to upgrade your inventory management. Choose a tool that saves you time, reduces errors, and helps you grow — without costing a month's rent.