Can I compare product names instead of SKUs?

Yes. The tool works with any text — SKU codes, product names, barcode numbers, or any unique identifier. If product names might have minor spelling differences, enable fuzzy matching in the full tool.

What does 'only in A' mean in an inventory audit?

Items only in your system inventory (List A) but not in your physical count (List B) — these are missing from the shelf. Items only in the physical count (List B) but not the system (List A) are items the system doesn't know about.

Compare Inventory Lists — Spot Stock Discrepancies in Seconds

Q: How do I compare two inventory lists?

Export your system inventory as a CSV or copy the SKU/product name column. Paste it into List A. Then take your physical count list (from a spreadsheet or clipboard) and paste it into List B. The tool instantly shows which SKUs are in the system but not physical count, which are in the physical count but not the system, and which match perfectly.

Paste your system inventory and your physical count and instantly see what's missing from the shelf, what the system doesn't know about, and what matches perfectly. No spreadsheet formulas required.

Compare Inventory Free → See a Live Example

List A — System Inventory6 items

List B — Physical Count6 items

Paste your lists and click Compare

Live preview · Open the full tool to export your discrepancy report as CSV.

How to Compare Two Inventory Lists

Whether you're doing a year-end stock audit, a receiving check, or comparing two warehouse counts, this tool gives you the discrepancy report in seconds. Here's how:

Export your system inventoryPull your inventory list from your ERP, POS, or spreadsheet. Copy the SKU or product name column — that's all you need.
Paste into List A (System)One SKU or product name per line. Paste from Excel, CSV, or your inventory management software.
Add your physical count to List BType or paste the items your team physically counted. This could be from a barcode scanner export, a clipboard count sheet, or a second spreadsheet.
Compare and read resultsOnly in A = in the system but missing from the physical count (shrinkage or mis-location). Only in B = physically present but not in the system (receiving error or ghost stock).
Export the discrepancy listDownload results as CSV to share with your warehouse team or import into your ERP for correction.

Inventory Comparison Scenarios

System vs. physical countThe classic annual audit — compare what your system says you have against what the team actually counted on the shelf.
Receiving verificationCompare the purchase order line items against the packing list to confirm everything arrived before signing off.
Two warehouse countsCompare count sheets from two different stocktakers for the same area to find discrepancies before committing.
Before and after transferCompare inventory at two locations after a stock transfer to confirm the right items moved.
Supplier catalog comparisonCompare your current supplier's catalog against a new supplier's to see what products overlap or are missing.
E-commerce syncCompare your system SKUs against what's listed on your store to find products that need to be published or unpublished.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I compare two inventory lists?

Export your system inventory SKUs and paste them into List A. Paste your physical count items into List B. Click Compare to instantly see which items are missing from each list and which match perfectly.

Can I use product names instead of SKU codes?

Yes. Any text identifier works — SKUs, product names, barcodes, or catalog numbers. For names with minor spelling differences, use the fuzzy matching option in the full tool.

What do the three result columns mean for inventory?

"Only in A" (system only) = items missing from the shelf — shrinkage, miscounting, or transfer errors. "Only in B" (physical only) = items on the shelf the system doesn't know about. "Common" = perfectly matched items.

Can I export the discrepancy report?

Yes. The full tool lets you export each result section as CSV to share with your team or import back into your inventory management system.

Is my inventory data safe?

All comparison happens in your browser — SKUs and product data are never sent to any server. Safe for proprietary catalog data.