Running a farmers’ market or craft fair a lot, whether it’s a weekly market or one-off event. Applications, scheduling, stall maps, invoices, email reminders, waitlists, last‑minute changes, vendor questions, marketing and somehow also running the actual market. Many organizers start with spreadsheets, Google Forms, JotForms, and a good dose of “organized chaos and duct tape.” But at some point, the admin gets heavy, labour costs rise, mistakes happen and that’s when market Enterprise Resource Planning Solutions ERPs enter the chat.

Below is a quick comparison of two of the most commonly used market ERP systems, ManageMyMarket and Marketwurks, plus how they stack up against spreadsheets. This is based on my own personal user experience, along with what I see across the vendor‑organizer community, not a paid advertisement.

ManageMyMarket (MMM)
More advanced, more features, higher price. A US-based software product offering a pricing structure that charges per approved vendor.

• Strong reporting tools
• More built‑in structure and pre‑set components
• Good for markets that need high‑level tracking, auditing, or multiple event types
• Scheduling, invoicing and reporting are robust
• Higher price tag, so best suited for bigger or more complex markets
• Solid for reducing manual admin at scale and improving planning clarity

Best for:
Markets that want an all‑in‑one powerhouse.

Marketwurks
Flexible, friendly, affordable. A Canadian software solution offering a set price per market.

• Fantastic, fast, personable customer support
• Mapping is quick and very visual, great for nimble changes
• Reports are simpler and less refined than MMM, some excel magic will be needed after the download
• Lots of new features and updates rolling out as it’s still developing
• Easier price point for small to mid‑sized markets
• Good match for teams that want simplicity without losing key functionality

Best for:
Markets that want ease, good support, and budget‑friendly ERP tools without going “full enterprise.”

Both ERP solutions cover anything from application forms to stall assignments, invoicing (with credit card payment options), reporting and direct e-mailing. One aspect that I also appreciate is having all my market related information in one central space that I can access from home on my computer or at the market on my phone knowing that the data is always up-to-date.

Manual Systems (Spreadsheets, Google Forms, JotForms)
Works… until it really doesn’t.

• Free or low‑cost
• Easy to start with
• Great for very small markets with low vendor numbers
• But quickly becomes overwhelming once applications, stall assignments, emails, and invoicing scale
• Reviewing applications, scheduling, mapping, updating vendors, managing payments, all take significantly more time
• Using multiple tools (Mailchimp for emails, Square for invoicing, Google My Maps for layouts) creates extra work and more room for errors and outdated information
• Do not offer vendors with an interface to view their data or change inputs, something vendors repeatedly ask for

Best for:
Small, early‑stage markets with fewer than ~20 vendors and minimal admin complexity.

Other ERP Options

There are platforms like ConventionForce and MarketSpread too. I haven’t used these personally, so I can’t speak to the available tools, user friendliness and support quality, which are major factors when choosing a system.

What Organizers Should Look For When Choosing a System

Once you commit to a software solution, get familiar with it and bring all your vendors on board, changing to a different product is a bit of a headache. Taking your time to carefully evaluate your needs and options is key!

• Schedule demos, don’t just pick based on features
• Walk through each task you currently do manually
• Ask: “How long does this take me today vs. in this system?”
• Also think about other advantages besides reduced admin time, such as easier handover to other employees, convenience for vendors, etc.
• Consider your team’s (and vendor’s) comfort with tech
• Evaluate how much support is included
• Look at vendor‑side usability so you don’t get flooded with questions
• Decide which parts of your process must be automated to reduce overwhelm

Your time is limited. A good ERP should give you some of it back.

How Vendors Benefit From ERP Systems
Here’s the part organizers sometimes forget, vendors love good systems too.

• It’s easier to update attendance or availability
• Invoices appear in one place rather than scattered emails or paper receipts
• Maps are clearer and updated automatically
• No more guessing deadlines or digging through social posts
• Better transparency reduces stress and helps them plan a whole season
• Some ERPs allow markets to embed the vendor map and lineup directly on their website, great for shoppers, and great exposure for vendors

When organizers invest in good systems, vendors feel it immediately.

Final Thoughts
There’s no one‑size‑fits‑all. Some markets thrive on simple tools, some absolutely need automation, and most are somewhere in the middle. The goal is to reduce chaos, not create more of it, and to support both sides of the market community with clarity, structure, and shared information.

If you’re unsure where to start, list out the tasks that drain the most time. That alone will point you toward the right tool. Personally I value direct e-mailing functions, invoicing, mapping and the fact that vendors can change their dates without flooding my inbox. I also prefer using an ERP systems from an operational sustainability standpoint, it’s a lot easier to train somebody on one software than explaining ten separate files.

Signing off, applications await,

Isabel