# ETQ Reliance vs 1factory vs SimplerQMS: 11 Best Quality Management Software for Small Manufacturers 2026 > The best quality management software for most small and mid-size manufacturers is ETQ Reliance, followed by 1factory and SimplerQMS. SimplerQMS publishes a starting price (USD 17,500 per year for up to 15 users) on the page we opened. Every other full QMS here is quote only. - URL: https://topelevens.com/quality-management-software-manufacturing - Last verified: 2026-10-19 - Methodology: https://topelevens.com/methodology - JSON: https://topelevens.com/api/lists/quality-management-software-manufacturing · CSV: https://topelevens.com/api/lists/quality-management-software-manufacturing/csv ## Ranking ### #1 ETQ Reliance (Octave) · 7.8/9.4 - Best for: Manufacturers with several sites or a regulated mix who want CAPA, nonconformance, supplier quality, audit and document control as configurable apps on one platform. - null · founded null · Quote only, price not published on the page we could open (subscription by users, modules or sites) - ETQ Reliance ranks first because its page covers the widest set of core quality jobs for a manufacturer: document control, CAPA, audit, training, supplier quality and nonconformance, with a codeless designer to adjust forms and workflows. - Pro: The page lists more than 40 ready-to-use applications and says it supports ISO, 21 CFR Part 11, EU Annex 11 and IATF 16949. It names ERP, PLM, CRM and MES integrations plus REST APIs, and says sites, languages and roles can be added through configuration. - Con: No figure appears anywhere. The FAQ says pricing is subscription based on users, modules or sites with transparent annual fees, but gives no amounts. The page quotes implementation at a few weeks for a basic setup and a few months for multi-site, which a small shop should plan for. It describes no inspection planning or SPC charting. The old etq.com address now redirects to Octave, so check the current brand before you buy. - Risk signals (none, checked 2026-10-19): No risk-signal search was run for this entry; none observed on the vendor pages read on 2026-10-19. ### #2 1factory · 7.5/9.4 - Best for: Machine shops and precision manufacturers that live on first article inspection, incoming inspection and SPC, and want a QMS and supplier quality tools in the same product. - null · founded null · Quote only, price not published on the pages we could open (the pricing page showed no plans or figures) - 1factory ranks second because it joins the shop-floor side of quality with the paperwork side: AS9102 first article inspection, auto-ballooning, SPC, PPAP and APQP, incoming inspection, supplier corrective action, and a QMS with CAPA, NCR and document control. - Pro: The home page lists AS9102 first article inspection, auto-ballooning of PDF drawings, CMM data import, gage calibration, Gage R&R and Cp, Cpk, Pp and Ppk. Supplier quality includes an approved vendor list, supplier FAI and PPAP, collaboration portals and SCARs. - Con: The pricing page we opened showed no plans, prices or features, so we publish no number. The home page names CMM and vision system data capture but has no dedicated integrations section, and we could not read the linked Traveler and MES or API pages. Document control is listed in a single line. - Risk signals (none, checked 2026-10-19): No risk-signal search was run for this entry; none observed on the vendor pages read on 2026-10-19. ### #3 SimplerQMS · 7.5/9.4 - Best for: Small regulated manufacturers (medical device, life sciences supply chain) who want a validated, cloud QMS with a price on the page and free read-only access for auditors. - null · founded null · $$$$ (Starter from USD 17,500 per year for up to 15 users; 15+ users is quote only) - SimplerQMS ranks third because it is the only candidate on this list to publish a starting price for a full QMS, and it includes validation, data migration, implementation and live training in that price. - Pro: Starter is stated as USD 17,500 annually for up to 15 users. Every plan includes ISO 13485 and 21 CFR Part 820 templates, IQ/OQ/PQ validation, data migration, unlimited live training and cloud hosting. Viewer licenses for auditors and collaborators are free and unlimited, and Full licenses cover CAPA, audit, supplier, risk and design control. - Con: The USD 17,500 minimum is a lot for a small shop that needs fewer than 15 seats. Light, Standard and Full license prices are not shown, and Team and Enterprise need a quote. The page gives two storage figures (150,000 documents and 200 GB) and does not reconcile them. It describes no inspection, SPC or first article tools, and the templates are aimed at medical device rules rather than general manufacturing. - Risk signals (none, checked 2026-10-19): No risk-signal search was run for this entry; none observed on the vendor pages read on 2026-10-19. ### #4 MasterControl · 6.7/9.4 - Best for: Regulated manufacturers that need controlled documents, change control, training and audit trails first, and can budget for a quote-led implementation. - null · founded null · Quote only, price not published on the page we could open (Basic, Standard and Complete tiers named, no contents or costs) - MasterControl ranks fourth because its Quality Excellence Suite page is strong on document control, change control, audit and training, with a no-code quality event builder, but it does not describe CAPA or nonconformance on the page we read. - Pro: The page describes document and version control with eSignatures and archiving, change control with traceability, audit management, role-based training with exams, and a no-code form and workflow designer for quality events. It says the document system is 21 CFR Part 11 compliant. - Con: The only pricing call to action is Contact Us, and the three tier names carry no costs or inclusions. Supplier management is listed as an add-on with no description. CAPA and nonconformance appear only as menu links, so we could not score them from the page. ERP, MRP and LIMS appear as links with no detail. - Risk signals (none, checked 2026-10-19): No risk-signal search was run for this entry; none observed on the vendor pages read on 2026-10-19. ### #5 QT9 · 6.6/9.4 - Best for: Small and mid-size manufacturers that want a QMS and an ERP from one vendor, with cloud or on-premise choices and a customer and supplier portal. - null · founded null · Quote only, price not published on the page we could open (annual concurrent licenses; quote depends on facilities and deployment) - QT9 ranks fifth because it explains how it prices, by annual concurrent license, facility count and deployment type, and bundles a QMS with an ERP, even though no figure is shown. - Pro: The page says every QMS module is included, with unlimited training and support and free software upgrades on the QMS plan. Both products are described as pre-validated (IQ/OQ/PQ), 21 CFR Part 11 compliant and multi-site, with cloud, on-premise or hybrid deployment and customer and supplier portals. - Con: No price is shown for the QMS or the ERP. The page says implementation modules carry no extra license cost but gives no price for implementation or training services. The module names (Core, Main, Management, Maintenance, Product, Customer, Supplier) do not say where CAPA, inspection or SPC sit. - Risk signals (none, checked 2026-10-19): No risk-signal search was run for this entry; none observed on the vendor pages read on 2026-10-19. ### #6 Veeva Vault QMS · 6.2/9.4 - Best for: Life sciences manufacturers already on Veeva Vault who want complaints, deviations, audits, CAPA and supplier quality connected to the rest of the Vault suite. - null · founded null · Quote only, price not published on the page we could open (Contact Us only) - Veeva Vault QMS ranks sixth because the page covers complaints, deviations, audits, CAPA, change control and supplier quality with external partner access, but it is built for life sciences and describes nothing for general discrete manufacturing. - Pro: The page says partners can collaborate in real time on investigations, audit findings, corrective actions and supplier change control. It lists links to Veeva RIM, Safety and CTMS, and shows QMS as a mature product launched in 2016. - Con: No price, plan or free tier is shown. The page counts customers two ways, 100 or more in one place and more than 300 in another. The integrations it names are other Veeva products. It describes no inspection, SPC or shop-floor tools, so most small manufacturers outside pharma would be buying more than they use. - Risk signals (none, checked 2026-10-19): No risk-signal search was run for this entry; none observed on the vendor pages read on 2026-10-19. ### #7 Qualio · 5.9/9.4 - Best for: Small life sciences and device makers that want a document, training and supplier QMS with plan names and seat limits on the page. - null · founded null · Quote only, price not published on the page we could open (Foundation, Growth and Scale; implementation fee on all plans) - Qualio ranks seventh because the pricing page names three plans with edit-user limits and says what each includes, but it shows no dollar amount and does not name CAPA. - Pro: Foundation includes 5 edit users and Growth includes 10, with unlimited basic users on both. Both include version control, approval workflows, training, supplier quality and audit collaboration, and Growth adds automated evidence collection and unlimited quality event templates. - Con: Foundation and Growth need a quote through Request Pricing, Scale is custom, and an implementation fee applies to every plan with no amount stated. CAPA is not named, and the closest feature is Quality Events, capped at 5 templates on Foundation. Nothing on the page covers inspection, SPC or integrations. - Risk signals (none, checked 2026-10-19): No risk-signal search was run for this entry; none observed on the vendor pages read on 2026-10-19. ### #8 InfinityQS (ProFicient) · 5.7/9.4 - Best for: Process manufacturers and plants that need real-time SPC with automated data capture from equipment, as a layer next to a separate document and CAPA system. - null · founded null · Quote only, price not published on the page we could open (Book a Demo only) - InfinityQS ranks eighth because it is an SPC specialist: real-time charts, automated collection from equipment, alerts and supplier and process capability analysis, with little on the document and CAPA side. - Pro: The page lists real-time SPC, automated data collection from equipment and shop-floor systems, dashboards, alerts that flag nonconformance, and a repository that spans plants and suppliers. It names ISO 9001, IATF 16949, AS9100 and 21 CFR Part 11 support and cloud, on-premise or hybrid deployment. - Con: The infinityqs.com address redirects to Advantive and the /pricing path returned 404 on our one attempt, so we read only the product page, which shows no price. The page says it connects with equipment and databases but names no integrations. The yield claim of more than 15 percent is a vendor statement we have not verified. - Risk signals (none, checked 2026-10-19): No risk-signal search was run for this entry; none observed on the vendor pages read on 2026-10-19. ### #9 Greenlight Guru · 5.2/9.4 - Best for: Medical device makers that want a QMS and design controls built around device rules, not general small manufacturers. - null · founded null · Quote only, price not published on the page we could open (Quality Pricing and Clinical Pricing link to other pages) - Greenlight Guru ranks ninth because the pricing page lists modules such as quality events, document management, suppliers, risk and design work, but shows no plan, price or inclusion, and it is aimed at medical devices. - Pro: The page names modules for quality management, document management, quality events, suppliers and operations, product development, requirements and risk management. It describes its quality product as purpose-built for medical device companies. - Con: The page says nothing about plans, prices, billing or user limits and sends you to separate pricing pages we did not open. It does not say which modules sit in which package. It describes no inspection, SPC or integrations, so a non-device manufacturer has little to evaluate. - Risk signals (none, checked 2026-10-19): No risk-signal search was run for this entry; none observed on the vendor pages read on 2026-10-19. ### #10 Dozuki · 3.4/9.4 - Best for: Plants that need digital work instructions, training pathways and operator feedback on the floor, alongside a separate QMS. - null · founded null · Quote only, price not published on the page we could open (Get Dozuki Pricing button only) - Dozuki ranks tenth because it is a frontline knowledge tool, with knowledge management, learning pathways and operational workflows, not a quality management system, and its page names no document control, CAPA or audit features. - Pro: The page lists knowledge management, learning pathways, operational workflows, worker collaboration, Forge AI and performance analytics, which fit the operator training side of a quality program. - Con: The page shows no plan names, prices, billing basis or user limits, only a request button, and does not say which product areas come in which plan. It describes no CAPA, nonconformance, audit, supplier or compliance features. - Risk signals (none, checked 2026-10-19): No risk-signal search was run for this entry; none observed on the vendor pages read on 2026-10-19. ### #11 [WILDCARD, UNRATED] Fiix - Unrated by design. Selected by the wildcard signal model (wildcard-v2.0): https://topelevens.com/methodology/wildcard - Signal read: This is the clearest example I found of a cheap, adjacent tool that cuts equipment-driven quality problems before they reach a QMS. - under_the_radar (notable): It sits in the maintenance category, so it rarely appears in quality software shortlists. - impact_density (strong): A free plan and $45 per user per month Basic give preventive maintenance and downtime tracking at very low cost. - category_fit_anomaly (strong): It is a maintenance system, not quality software, so it complements a QMS rather than replacing one. - ceiling_distance (notable): E-signatures and audit trail only appear on Enterprise, which is quote only. - price_integrity_under_growth (mixed): Per-user pricing is clear, but the page states no user caps and several integration items cost extra. - Right for: A plant with 5 to 30 people where machine downtime and drift cause scrap and rework. - Wrong for: A manufacturer that needs controlled documents, CAPA and audit records for ISO 9001 or FDA. - Best for: Maintenance teams that want asset, work order and preventive maintenance records, with a free plan, to keep equipment from causing quality escapes. - null · founded null · $ (Free; Basic $45 and Professional $75 per user per month; Enterprise quote only) - Fiix is a maintenance management system, not a QMS, but equipment that drifts or breaks is a common source of nonconformances. Its pricing page shows a free plan, Basic at $45 and Professional at $75 per user per month. - Pro: The page lists a Free plan with work orders, asset management, downtime tracking and 25 active preventive maintenance tasks, and paid plans with no setup or hardware fees, month-to-month or annual. - Con: The page describes no document control, CAPA, audit or supplier features. E-signatures and audit trail sit on Enterprise, which shows no price, and Integration Hub, custom API and SSO carry extra cost. Paid user caps are not stated. - Risk signals (none, checked 2026-10-19): No risk-signal search was run for this entry; none observed on the vendor pages read on 2026-10-19. ## FAQ **How much does quality management software cost for a small manufacturer?** On the pages we opened, SimplerQMS is the only full QMS with a stated starting price: USD 17,500 per year for up to 15 users. Fiix shows $45 and $75 per user per month for maintenance software, not a QMS. MasterControl, ETQ, QT9, Qualio, Veeva, Greenlight Guru, 1factory, InfinityQS and Dozuki showed no price on the pages we could open, so treat them as quote only and ask for the implementation and validation lines too. **Is there free quality management software for manufacturers?** Not a full QMS on the pages we read. Fiix offers a free maintenance plan with limited users, which helps with equipment records but not document control or CAPA. SimplerQMS lists free read-only Viewer licenses for auditors and collaborators, but its paid plan starts at USD 17,500 per year. We did not find a free QMS plan on any other page. **What is the difference between a QMS and an SPC tool?** A QMS holds documents, training, nonconformances, corrective actions and audits. An SPC tool collects measurements from the process and charts variation so you can act before parts go out of spec. InfinityQS is described on its page as an SPC platform, and 1factory lists both SPC and QMS modules. Plants often use both, so ask how they connect. **Which of these tools suit non-regulated manufacturers?** ETQ Reliance, 1factory, QT9, MasterControl and InfinityQS all name industrial standards or general manufacturing use on the pages we read. SimplerQMS, Qualio, Greenlight Guru and Veeva Vault QMS are written for life sciences or medical devices, so a general fabricator may be paying for features it does not need. **Why are Arena, Intellect and Plex missing?** Arena's QMS page failed to load because the response was too large. Intellect returned HTTP 403 on its pricing page. We did not attempt Plex. We publish nothing about those vendors rather than guess, and we will retry them at the next review. **How often is this list updated?** We re-score every 90 days, and the next review is 2027-01-17. If a vendor changes a price or retires a plan before then, the list may be out of date, so confirm every figure on the vendor's own page before you buy.