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Katana alternative for smaller made-to-order businesses

Quick answer

Katana is a powerful manufacturing system for growing brands, priced from $299 a month plus add-ons. Sentralbee gives custom-order businesses costing, a production board, measurements and specs on every order line, one inbox for Instagram, Messenger, WhatsApp and Gmail, and Stripe payment links, from $45 a month.

Facts about Katana checked on 4 October 2026 from its public pages. Tell us if something has changed: [email protected]

Side by side

What mattersSentralbeeKatana
Built forCustom-order businesses: cake studios, furniture makers, dressmakersManufacturers and brands making repeat products
Costing from your materialsYes, per product and variant (Growth and Scale)Yes, bills of materials
Materials stockYes, with suppliers and low-stock levelsYes
Production stagesYes. A board with your own stages per productYes, routings and a Shop Floor app
Measurements on each orderYes, measurements and specs on every custom order lineNot found
Instagram, Messenger and WhatsApp inboxYes, one inbox, with Gmail tooNot found
Invoices and payment linksYes, with Stripe payment links. Deposits and milestones on ScaleThrough QuickBooks or Xero
Mobile appYes, iOS and AndroidShop Floor and Warehouse apps
Starting priceFrom $45 a month, after a 14-day free trialFree up to 30 products. Core from $299 a month, plus add-ons

Where Katana is the better choice: You are a funded brand of 10 to 100 people making repeat products, with QuickBooks or Xero and Shopify, and need traceability.

The short version

Katana is a powerful manufacturing system for growing brands, priced from $299 a month plus add-ons. Sentralbee gives custom-order businesses costing, a production board, measurements and specs on every order line, one inbox for Instagram, Messenger, WhatsApp and Gmail, and Stripe payment links, from $45 a month.

Where Katana is the better choice

You are a funded brand of 10 to 100 people making repeat products, with QuickBooks or Xero and Shopify, and need traceability.

Where Sentralbee fits

  • You make products to order, and every order is a little different.
  • You want to know what each piece really costs before you quote.
  • Your customers order by Instagram DM, text, WhatsApp or email.
  • You have a team, and need to see every order at every stage.
  • You take deposits and want to know who still owes you.

Questions

Is Sentralbee cheaper than Katana?

Sentralbee starts at $45 a month, with costing on Growth at $90 a month, after a 14-day free trial. Katana: Free up to 30 products. Core from $299 a month, plus add-ons. Compare what you need, not just the price.

When is Katana the better choice?

You are a funded brand of 10 to 100 people making repeat products, with QuickBooks or Xero and Shopify, and need traceability.

Can I move my data across?

Yes. You can import products and materials from a spreadsheet, and we help with setup on a free Clarity Review.

Sources: Katana pricing · Katana make-to-order workflow

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