Best FFL Software

For FFLs, record-keeping and maintaining ATF compliance are incredibly important.

While you can keep your records in a physical book, using compliance software or an electronic book, commonly referred to as FFL software, can be key.

Thanks to some amazing features in the right compliance software, you can more effectively operate as an FFL holder and stay more compliant as well.

However, as you will see, not all electronic-bound books are the same.

Some are costly, while others are overkill based on the different levels of operations. Furthermore, some should just be avoided.

So, to help you with choosing the best FFL software, I’ve created a list of the top software to help FFL dealers stay compliant.

FFL Safe: Best for Small to Medium Sized FFLs

FFL Safe is particularly well-suited for home-based FFL, and small to medium-sized gun shops.

This is due to it not only being free, but also having all the necessary features that those kinds of FFLs would need.

Furthermore, compared to the other FFL software, it is easy to note that this is by far the best-looking and easiest-to-use.

Its interface is clean, and feature placements are intuitive.

One of FFL Safe’s standout features is its stand-alone automated backup system, which ensures data security and prevents the loss of important records.

This is crucial for maintaining compliance and avoiding any potential issues during an ATF audit.

Other FFL software states they have something like this, but it will only work if you integrate it with services like Dropbox.

Another thing that makes it stand out in the list is its e4473 capability.

Testing this compared to others quickly shows how this is an improved design and how clean the process is.

It also has logic systems to help guide the user as they go through the 4473 form.

This makes the process of completing firearm transactions smooth and efficient, saving time and reducing the risk of errors.

The only drawback of FFL Safe is that it lacks all the features offered by tools like FastBound.

However, that being said, most of those features are things that only large scale firearms stores would require.

FFL Safe is one of the best options out there due to its clean and organized design and being absolutely free.

So, if you’re a small to medium sized gun shop or a home-based FFL, then this would be the best option for you. Otherwise, since it is free, you might as well give FFL Safe a try.

FastBound: Ideal for Large Gun Shops

For larger gun shops, FastBound is the better solution. Like FFL Safe, it provides an ATF-compliant electronic A&D system and e4473 form filling.

One thing that FastBound does that others don’t is that it integrates seamlessly with various POS, ERP, and e-commerce systems, enhancing its utility for larger businesses.

This means you can easily manage your inventory, sales, and compliance all in one place, making the entire process more efficient.

Other features that it has that FFL Safe doesn’t include multiple sales forms, bulk changes, automated file copies, and electronic transfers.

Although FFL Safe will be coming out with many of these in the near future, for the time being, they do not have this.

Therefore, if those are things that you need you’ll want to go with Fastbound.

Another thing worth noting is that FastBound comes with a price tag, there is no free lunch.

Unlike FFL Safe, which is free, FastBound starts at $108 a year.

While this may be a bit pricey for some, the advanced features and seamless integration make it a worthwhile investment for large gun stores.

So, if you are a large gun store, and need the features discussed that FFL Safe doesn’t have, and are willing to pay the money for them, then FastBound is your best bet.

FFL Boss

FFL Boss is another great software option for FFL dealers, especially those handling a high volume of transactions.

Both FFL Boss and FastBound are very close in terms of all the features and suitability for large gun stores.

However, in the end, FastBound gets the nod as being the better option due to its seamless integration with many of the top POS systems, as well as some of the design elements.

FFL Boss does offers competitive pricing, starting at $228 a year.

For businesses with high transaction volumes, it can actually be more cost-effective than FastBound depending on usage and certain situations.

So, while FFL Boss is a strong contender, FastBound still gets the nod as the better choice for large business and firearms store.

Gun Store Master

Despite its functionalities, Gun Store Master is regarded as having an outdated design compared to newer software on the market.

This outdated design, coupled with high costs, often leads users to seek more modern and cost-effective alternatives.

While it does offer some useful features, the overall user experience and value for money are not up to par with other options.

When it comes to pricing, this might be a good option – depending on your uses.

Starting at $10 per month, you are limited to 50 guns in your inventory. However, you can jump up to the $50 a month and then get unlimited.

While Gun Store Master doesn’t have some POS integrations, it is very limited, and not as robust as FastBound when it comes to this. So, if you are looking to use a POS, make sure that it is one that this compliant software is using.

Ultimately, I’d look into them if you are a large firearms store and you didn’t like any of the ones listed above.

EZ Arms Keeper

EZ Arms Keeper is another electronic bound book software option available, but it comes with its own software set of limitations.

One of the primary issues is its restricted compatibility with certain computer systems, which can limit its usability for some users.

Despite its reasonable cost, EZ Arms Keeper has been noted for its lackluster features compared to other FFL software options.

The lack of advanced features means that EZ Arms Keeper may not be the best choice for businesses looking for a comprehensive solution.

As for price, it says it starts at $13 per month which is still more expensive than most of the other paid FFL dealer software.

However, that rate doesn’t include 4473. In order to do those through the compliance software, you’d need to up the package to $23 per month.

Again, like with Gun Store Master, there is no reason to choose this one when FFL Safe, or FastBound are better compliance software options.

Summary

In summary, the right FFL software can make a significant difference in how efficiently and compliantly you run your firearm business.

From FFL Safe’s user-friendly interface and robust compliance features and free price, to FastBound’s advanced integration capabilities but with costs, each software solution has something unique to offer as the best FFL software.