What to look for
- Fast entry. Adding a piece should take a minute, with images and dimensions.
- Status and location. Available, sold, on consignment, and which gallery has it.
- Connected sales. Invoices and payments that link to the artwork and the buyer.
- Collector records. Who bought what, and when.
- Documents. Certificates of authenticity, price lists, consignment sheets, catalogs.
- A public portfolio. So your inventory doubles as your website.
- Price you can justify. A free tier to start, and plans that grow with you.
How the main options compare
| ArtistOS | Artwork Archive | ArtCloud (artist plans) | Artwork Codex | Artlogic | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Built for | Independent artists | Artists, collectors, organizations | Galleries and artists | Artists | Galleries first |
| Free plan | Yes (25 artworks) | No (14-day trial) | Yes (50 artworks, no invoices) | Yes (5 artworks) | No |
| Entry paid price | $29/mo | $10/mo ($9/mo annual) | $29/mo | $96/yr | From £95/mo (artist) |
| AI descriptions & price suggestions | Yes | Not found | Not found | Not found | Not found |
| Contract generator | Yes | Not found (document storage) | Not found | Not found | Not found |
| Invoices paid online | Yes, Stripe | Yes, PayPal only | Yes, Stripe | Not verified | Yes, Artlogic Pay |
| Grant & residency finder | Yes (Studio), with drafts | Call-for-entry tracking | No | No | No |
| Mobile app | Web app, works on phones | iOS app | Web | Web | Web |
Competitor details from each company's public pricing and help pages, checked September 24, 2026. "Not found" means we couldn't find the feature on their public site; tell us if that's changed and we'll update this page.
Where ArtistOS fits
ArtistOS is built for the independent artist who wants inventory and the business around it: AI-written descriptions and price suggestions, a contract generator, invoices collectors pay by card through Stripe, a collector CRM, viewing rooms, an artist website and CV, and on Studio, a grant and residency finder. It's free to start. If you mainly need a mature inventory with an iOS app and lots of report templates, Artwork Archive is a strong choice; galleries with staff should look at gallery systems.
See the detailed ArtistOS vs Artwork Archive comparison or all ArtistOS features.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best art inventory software for artists?
It depends on what else you need. Artwork Archive is a long-established inventory tool with an iOS app. ArtistOS combines inventory with AI pricing and descriptions, contracts, Stripe invoicing and a grant finder, and has a free plan. ArtCloud suits artists who work closely with galleries on its network.
Is there free art inventory software?
Yes. ArtistOS Starter is free for up to 25 artworks, ArtCloud has a free plan for 50 artworks without invoicing, and Artwork Codex is free for 5 artworks.
Can I use a spreadsheet for art inventory?
You can, and many artists start there. Dedicated software becomes worth it when you need images, sales and client history, consignment tracking, certificates and invoices connected to each piece.
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