MasterControl describes its quality software as purpose-built for life sciences and reports more than 1,100 customers, from startups to global enterprises. Its products are Quality Excellence, Manufacturing Excellence and Asset Excellence.
FactoryQA is a cloud eQMS for manufacturers: thirteen connected modules, a supplier portal, published prices and a free plan. Here is how the two compare, using only public information from each vendor's website (checked October 25, 2026).
At a glance
| FactoryQA | MasterControl | |
|---|---|---|
| Built for | Manufacturers, including small and mid-size shops and supplier quality teams | Life sciences companies (MasterControl's words: "purpose-built for life sciences") |
| Published pricing | Yes: Free $0, Basic $40 and Pro $60 per standard user per month; read-only seats $5 | No: named-user licensing, contact sales |
| Free plan or trial | Free plan (one administrator), and every new account gets 14 days of Pro | Not listed on their website |
| Supplier portal | Yes: suppliers answer without an account | Not listed on their website |
| SCARs | Yes: sent from the issue, answered in the portal, 30-day reminders | Yes |
| Supplier scorecards | Yes: weighted scorecards with a recommended status | Yes: Supplier Scorecard |
| Supplier certificate tracking | Yes: expiry tracked, supplier emailed before it lapses, new certificate uploaded in the portal | Not listed on their website |
| PPAP | Yes: 18 AIAG elements preset per level, supplier PPAP portal | Not listed on their website |
| APQP, PFMEA, control plans | Yes: linked from the ballooned drawing | Not listed on their website |
| Inspection, SPC, AS9102 first article | Yes: real-time SPC and AS9102 first articles | Inbound inspection in Manufacturing Excellence; SPC and AS9102 not listed |
| Calibration | Yes, with Gage R&R | Yes, in Asset Excellence |
| Preventive maintenance | Yes | Yes, in Asset Excellence |
| Named ERP connections | Epicor Kinetic, Infor CloudSuite Industrial, JobBOSS², Realtrac, Carbon | API toolkit and MuleSoft; SAP page for Manufacturing Excellence |
| AI | In every module; a person approves every change; can be turned off completely | AI assistants for documentation, event summaries and exam generation (ISO 42001 certified) |
Where FactoryQA stands out
- Built for discrete manufacturing: PPAP, APQP, PFMEA, control plans, SPC and AS9102, none of which MasterControl lists.
- A supplier portal and supplier certificate tracking.
- Readiness scoring for AS9100D and IATF 16949 as well as ISO 9001 and ISO 13485.
- Published prices and a free plan.
When MasterControl may fit better
- You are an FDA-regulated life sciences company that needs 21 CFR Part 11 and Part 820 support with validation tools included.
- You need batch and manufacturing execution for life sciences.
Try it on your own process
The fastest way to compare is with your own records. Start free, use 14 days of Pro, or book a demo with our quality team.
Sources
Every statement about other products comes from the vendor's own website or press releases, checked on October 25, 2026. Where we could not find something publicly, we say so rather than guess. Products change: if anything here is out of date, tell us and we will correct it.
- www.mastercontrol.com/pricing/
- www.mastercontrol.com/quality/
- www.mastercontrol.com/supplier/supplier-management/
- www.mastercontrol.com/supplier/performance-software/
- www.mastercontrol.com/compliance/
- www.mastercontrol.com/ai/
Written by FactoryQA. Product names are trademarks of their owners.