Kobo PLM vs Techpacker: Complete Comparison 2025 | Which is Better?
Comparing Kobo PLM vs Techpacker for fashion brands. Full feature comparison, pricing, and migration guide. See why brands are switching to Kobo PLM's complete product lifecycle platform.
Choosing between kōbō PLM and Techpacker for your fashion brand? You're not alone. Both platforms help fashion designers create tech packs, but they serve very different needs.
The short answer: Techpacker excels at tech pack creation, while kōbō PLM offers a complete product lifecycle management solution that covers everything from initial design through production, sourcing, inventory, and sales.
In this comprehensive comparison, we'll help you decide which platform is right for your brand's stage and needs.
At a Glance: kōbō PLM vs Techpacker
Feature | kōbō PLM | Techpacker |
|---|---|---|
Primary Focus | Complete PLM platform | Tech pack creation |
Tech Pack Creation | ✓ Full featured | ✓ Core strength |
BOM Management | ✓ Automated & linked | ✓ Basic |
Supplier Collaboration | ✓ Built-in messaging & approval workflows | ✕ Email-based |
Sample Tracking | ✓ Full lifecycle tracking | ✕ Limited |
Production Management | ✓ PO generation & tracking | ✕ Not included |
Inventory Management | ✓ Components & finished goods | ✕ Not included |
Sales Order Management | ✓ Full workflow | ✕ Not included |
Materials Library | ✓ Centralized with supplier data | ✓ Basic library |
Costing & Pricing | ✓ Automated calculations | ✓ Manual entry |
Project Management | ✓ Tasks, timelines, milestones | ✕ Basic |
Integrations | Shopify, Xero, Google Drive | Limited |
Mobile App | ✓ iOS & Android | ✕ Web only |
Starting Price | $50/user/month | $19/user/month |
Best For | Growing brands (2–50 people) | Solo designers & very small teams |
What is Techpacker?
Techpacker is a dedicated tech pack creation tool that helps fashion designers create professional technical packages for manufacturers. It's essentially a digital tech pack builder with templates, measurement spec sheets, and basic BOM functionality.
Techpacker Strengths:
✓ Simple tech pack creation with drag-and-drop interface
✓ Affordable entry point starting at $19/month
✓ Pre-built templates for common garment types
✓ PDF export for sharing with suppliers
✓ Learning curve is minimal for beginners
Techpacker Limitations:
✕ Tech packs only — doesn't manage the rest of your workflow
✕ No supplier communication built-in (you're back to email)
✕ No production tracking or purchase order management
✕ Manual updates when specs change across multiple styles
✕ Disconnected from business operations (inventory, sales, etc.)
Bottom line: Techpacker is a great starting point for solo designers who just need to create professional tech packs, but you'll quickly outgrow it as your brand scales.
What is kōbō PLM?
kōbō PLM (by kōbōLabs) is a complete product lifecycle management platform built specifically for independent fashion brands. It's your single source of truth from initial concept through customer delivery.
kōbō PLM Strengths:
✓ Complete workflow coverage — design, development, sourcing, production, inventory, sales
✓ Built-in collaboration with suppliers and team members
✓ Automated workflows (BOM calculations, PO generation, inventory updates)
✓ Single source of truth — no more juggling tools
✓ Scales with your business from startup to established brand
✓ Fashion-specific workflows and terminology
✓ Real-time updates when changes happen
When You Need kōbō PLM:
✓ You're managing 10+ styles simultaneously
✓ You work with multiple suppliers
✓ You have a team (or are building one)
✓ You need to track samples through development stages
✓ You're managing inventory or fulfillment
✓ You're tired of spreadsheets and email chaos
Bottom line: kōbō PLM replaces your entire stack of disconnected tools with one integrated platform.
Feature-by-Feature Comparison
1. Tech Pack Creation
Feature | Techpacker | kōbō PLM |
|---|---|---|
Core Purpose | Purpose-built for tech pack creation | Professional tech pack generation |
Templates | Apparel, accessories, footwear | Industry-standard templates |
Data Handling | Drag-and-drop interface for measurements | Auto-populates from style database |
Specifications | Points of measure (POM) diagrams | Version control built-in |
BOM Integration | Spec sheets with tolerance ranges | Links directly to BOMs and costing |
Export Options | PDF and PNG export | One-click PDF generation |
Updates | Manual updates required | Automatically updates when style data changes |
2. Bill of Materials (BOM) Management
Feature | Techpacker | kōbō PLM |
|---|---|---|
BOM Creation | Basic BOM listing | Automated BOM generation from style data |
Material Entry | Manual entry of materials | Centralized materials library with costs, suppliers, and lead times |
Calculations | Manual calculations for quantities | Auto-calculates material requirements across multiple styles |
Inventory | No centralized materials library | Track material usage and inventory |
Style Linking | — | Link materials to multiple styles (change once, update everywhere) |
Costing | — | Costing automatically updates when material prices change |
Use Case | Good for simple garments | Essential for brands with multiple styles and complex BOMs |
3. Supplier Collaboration
Feature | Techpacker | kōbō PLM |
|---|---|---|
Supplier Communication | Export tech pack PDFs | In-context messaging with suppliers (attached to specific styles/POs) |
Notifications | Email to suppliers | Real-time notifications |
Change Tracking | Track changes via email threads | Approval workflows for samples |
Access Control | No built-in communication | Share specific access (suppliers only see what they need) |
File Management | Managed via Gmail/WhatsApp | File sharing and version control |
Reminders | — | Automated reminders for deadlines |
Use Case | Managing suppliers through email/WhatsApp | Communicate with 5+ suppliers without losing track |
4. Sample Development & Tracking
Feature | Techpacker | kōbō PLM |
|---|---|---|
Sample Tracking | No dedicated sample tracking | Full sample lifecycle tracking (submitted → reviewed → approved) |
Status Management | Tracked manually (spreadsheet or memory) | Photo documentation at each stage |
Feedback | — | Feedback loops with timestamps |
Sample Rounds | — | Track multiple sample rounds per style |
Integration | — | Connect samples to specific tech pack versions |
Reality | “Wait, which version did we approve?” | Clear, documented approval history |
Use Case | Basic manual tracking | Manage 20+ samples in development simultaneously |
5. Production Management
Feature | Techpacker | kōbō PLM |
|---|---|---|
Production Management | ✕ Not included | Generate purchase orders directly from approved specs |
PO Tracking | Managed in spreadsheets or separate tools | Track PO status (issued → in production → shipped → received) |
Timelines | — | Monitor production timelines |
Quality Control | — | Quality control checklists |
Inventory Link | — | Link to inventory upon receipt |
Use Case | Spreadsheets/other tools required | Place and track 10+ production orders per season |
6. Inventory Management
Feature | Techpacker | kōbō PLM |
|---|---|---|
Inventory Management | ✕ Not included | Track component inventory (fabrics, trims) |
Finished Goods | — | Track finished goods inventory |
Real-Time Data | — | Real-time inventory levels |
Alerts | — | Low-stock alerts |
Integration | — | Connect to sales orders for fulfillment |
Use Case | Manage inventory separately | Know what you have and what you need to order |
7. Sales & Order Management
Feature | Techpacker | kōbō PLM |
|---|---|---|
Sales & Order Management | ✕ Not included | Sales order management |
Order Fulfillment | Manage sales in Shopify, spreadsheets, etc. | Pick, pack, ship workflows |
Data Integration | — | Connect product data to customer orders |
Shopify Sync | — | Shopify integration (sync products and inventory) |
Invoicing | — | Invoicing |
Use Case | Rely on separate tools | Manage wholesale orders and D2C fulfillment |
Pricing Comparison
Techpacker Pricing (2025)
Plan | Price | Features |
|---|---|---|
Free | $0 | 1 tech pack, limited features |
Starter | $19/month | 10 tech packs, basic features |
Professional | $49/month | Unlimited tech packs, full features |
Business | $99/month | Team features, priority support |
Additional costs:
None (standalone tool)
But you'll need other tools for: project management, inventory, production tracking, supplier communication, etc.
Total monthly cost for a small brand:
Techpacker: $49/month
Asana/Trello: $10–20/month
Inventory tool: $30–100/month
Accounting: $30–50/month
Total: $119–219/month (plus the mental overhead of managing 4+ tools)
kōbō PLM Pricing (2025)
Plan | Price | Best For | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|
Lite | $50/user/month | Solo designers | Core PLM, tech packs, materials library |
Grow | $169/user/month (2 user min) | Growing brands | + Collaboration, inventory, integrations |
Scale | $249/user/month (3 user min) | Established brands | + Production, sales orders, advanced features |
Enterprise | Custom | Larger operations | + Dedicated support, custom workflows |
What's included:
Everything in one platform (no additional tools needed)
All integrations included
Mobile apps (iOS & Android)
Onboarding support
Regular product updates
True cost comparison (2-person team):
Techpacker Professional: $49 × 2 = $98/month
Other tools: ~$100–150/month
Total: $198–248/month (managing 4–5 separate tools)
vs.
kōbō PLM Grow: $169 × 2 = $338/month
Total: $338/month (one integrated platform)
The difference: $90–140/month for a unified system that saves 5–10 hours/week in admin time — effectively $2–3/hour to eliminate tool-switching and manual data entry.
The Bottom Line: Which Should You Choose?
Choose Techpacker if:
You're a solo designer just starting out
You only need to create professional tech packs
You have less than 10 styles and simple BOMs
You're comfortable managing the rest in spreadsheets/email
Budget is your primary constraint
You don't plan to hire in the next 12 months
When you'll outgrow it: First team hire, >2–3 suppliers, or >15–20 styles.
Choose kōbō PLM if:
You have (or are building) a team
You manage 10+ styles simultaneously
You work with multiple suppliers
You're tired of juggling spreadsheets, email, and multiple tools
You need to track production, inventory, or fulfillment
You value your time and want to focus on creativity, not admin
You want to look professional to suppliers and partners
You're planning to scale over the next 2–3 years
Why it's worth it: kōbō PLM typically saves 5–10 hours/week in admin time. At $50/hour, that's $1,000–2,000/month in recovered time — it pays for itself.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use both tools?
Technically yes, but it defeats the purpose. If you're using kōbō PLM, you won't need Techpacker. Some brands keep Techpacker during a transition period, but it's usually one or the other.
What if I already paid for Techpacker annually?
Use it to finish your current collection, then switch to kōbō PLM for your next one. Most brands find a 1–3 month overlap worthwhile.
Can I import my Techpacker tech packs into kōbō PLM?
Not directly (different formats), but you can:
Export Techpacker PDFs (for reference)
Recreate key styles in kōbō PLM (10–15 minutes per style)
Copy/paste BOMs from Techpacker CSVs into kōbō PLM
Most brands only recreate current/upcoming styles.
Is kōbō PLM harder to learn than Techpacker?
It has more features, but offers guided onboarding, role-specific videos, and live support. Most users are productive within 1–2 days.
Analogy: Techpacker is like a calculator; kōbō PLM is like Excel — more power, still intuitive.
Can I try kōbō PLM without committing?
Yes: 14-day free trial (no credit card) + 30-day money-back guarantee after signup + optional demo call.
Do I need to switch all at once?
No. Typical migration:
Week 1: Set up and test one style
Week 2: Start new projects in kōbō PLM
Week 3: Finish old projects in Techpacker
Week 4: Fully on kōbō PLM
What if I just need tech packs and nothing else?
Then Techpacker is perfect. But if you're also tracking samples, emailing suppliers, maintaining a materials library, tracking timelines, or managing inventory, you need kōbō PLM.
Ready to Make the Switch?
Try kōbō PLM Free for 14 Days
See why brands are moving from Techpacker to kōbō PLM for complete product lifecycle management.
What you'll get:
Full access to all kōbō PLM features
Personalized onboarding session
Migration support from our team
No credit card required
Questions? Book a discovery call to see kōbō PLM in action and ask our team anything.
Additional Resources
kōbō PLM Product Tour
Fashion PLM Buyer's Guide
Customer Success Stories
About This Comparison: Last updated: October 2025. Pricing and features are subject to change. This comparison is based on publicly available information and real customer feedback. We strive for accuracy, but please verify details on each company's website.
About kōbōLabs: kōbō PLM is developed by kōbōLabs, a product lifecycle management platform built by fashion people, for fashion people. Founded by a former fashion brand owner who experienced these pain points firsthand, kōbō PLM is designed to empower independent brands with enterprise-level tools at accessible prices.