E2 has served job shops for decades. But in 2026, fabrication shops need more than a desktop ERP — they need AI, cloud, and shop floor connectivity.
FabFlow wins on modern features, pricing, and ease of use. E2 Shop System is a solid, mature ERP with deep accounting — but it runs on a desktop client, has no AI capabilities, and costs 4x more. If you're a modern fab shop that wants quoting to take seconds instead of hours, FabFlow is the clear choice. If you need deep accounting integration and have an established E2 workflow, stick with what works.
Start Free Trial →| Feature | FabFlow | E2 Shop System |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | $99/month | $400+/month |
| Free Trial | ✓ 30 days, no CC | ✗ Demo only |
| Deployment | Cloud (any browser) | Desktop client + server |
| AI-Powered Quoting | ✓ Built-in | ✗ Not available |
| Shop Floor Kiosk | ✓ PIN-based, tablet | Limited (Shop Floor Manager add-on) |
| Mobile Access | ✓ Full-featured | ✗ Desktop only |
| Setup Time | 5 minutes | Days to weeks |
| Inventory + MTRs | ✓ Built-in | ✓ Built-in |
| Accounting | Basic (QuickBooks export) | Deep, built-in |
| User Interface | Modern web UI | Windows desktop client |
| Updates | Continuous, automatic | Periodic, manual |
E2 requires you to manually build quotes — select operations, set times, calculate costs. FabFlow's AI does this from a plain English description. You describe the part, it routes it through laser/press brake/welding/QC, estimates time, and prices it. Shops report 10x faster quoting.
E2 runs on a Windows desktop client. You need a server, client installs, and VPN for remote access. FabFlow runs in any browser — quote from your phone, check shop status from home, approve POs from the airport. No IT infrastructure required.
E2's Shop Floor Manager is a separate add-on with limited functionality. FabFlow has a built-in kiosk mode that works on any tablet — employees clock in with a PIN, see their assigned jobs, and punch operation timers. It's simple enough that a welder who's never touched ERP software uses it on day one.
E2 starts around $400/month per user and requires upfront setup fees. For a 15-person shop, FabFlow's $249/month Professional plan (unlimited users) is a fraction of the cost — and includes AI quoting that E2 can't match at any price.
E2 is still a strong choice for shops that need full ERP functionality — integrated accounting, payroll, HR — all in one system. If you've been on E2 for years, have it deeply customized, and your team is productive with it, the switching cost may not justify changing. E2's accounting depth is genuinely better than FabFlow's (we integrate with QuickBooks instead).
If quoting speed matters — and it does for every fab shop — FabFlow's AI alone is worth the switch. Add cloud access, a modern interface your team will actually use, and pricing that's 4x more affordable, and the case is clear. Best of all: the 30-day free trial means you can run FabFlow alongside E2 and compare them directly with zero risk.
30-day free trial. No credit card. Run it alongside E2 and compare.
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