UNIT4 Business World is a fully integrated role-focused ERP system, ideal for service or people based organizations that need financial accounting and other back office software integrated with a broader range of core business functions in a single unified system. It lets you replace traditional ERPs or multiple different systems with a complete, integrated ERP solution that will support you in the future - however your organization or business changes. Built on an innovative and unique Vita

Best For:

We recommend Unit4 for service-focused organizations, especially in Professional Services, Public Sector, Nonprofit, and Higher Education sectors. The solutions are tailored for organizations aiming to transform people-centered services and enhance efficiency.

Oracle’s NetSuite is well-known in the ERP world for its customization and scalability. It’s a multi-tenant ERP software supporting finance, operations, sales, service, and HR needs.

Best For:

NetSuite is best for small businesses with 10 to 50 employees, mid-market companies with 50-200 employees, and enterprises with over 10,000 employees.

Not a Good Fit For:

NetSuite isn’t great for process manufacturers since their core manufacturing module focuses more on discrete bill of materials rather than recipes and formulas. It’s also generally overkill and prohibitively expensive for smaller businesses or sole proprietors.

10.0

USER RATING

based on 1 user reviews

Our Verdict:

Unit4 ERP stands out for its high customizability, catering to unique business processes with a broad spectrum of functional modules. Its intuitive interface is a boon for users, even those new to ERP systems. The software’s adaptability is evident in its ability to grow alongside businesses, offering solutions tailored to various sectors like Professional Services and Higher Education.

However, potential adopters should be prepared for some upgrade challenges due to the software’s extensive customization capabilities. Additionally, businesses that prioritize immediate, built-in tutorials for complex features might find a slight learning curve.

Pros:

Highly customizable to business needs
Wide array of functional modules
Intuitive, user-friendly interface

Cons:

Upgrade challenges due to customizations
Can be slow, especially during updates
Lacks built-in tutorials for features

8.3

Our Rating

based on our expert editorial analysis

7.3

USER RATING

based on 25 user reviews

Our Verdict:

We like NetSuite for its robust accounting and supply chain management capabilities. It also offers out-of-the-box functionality and a mature, cloud-native design. Additionally, NetSuite integrates with eCommerce platforms, point-of-sale apps, and more.

We don’t recommend it for startups due to its complexity. It lacks field service management and heavy manufacturing support. Implementation may require technical expertise.

Pros:

Hundreds of third-party add-ons available
Feature sets for multiple industries
Highly customizable
Advanced audit trail
Scalable, web-based ERP software system

Cons:

Must schedule a consult for pricing details
Tedious setup
Difficult to build reports
No equipment management
No field service management

Price Range
$ $ $ $ $
$ $ $ $ $
Client OS Windows

Price Range
$ $ $ $ $
$ $ $ $ $
Starting Price $99/user/month
Client OS Web

Our editorial review staff demoed NetSuite ERP and UNIT4 Business World. Both products have their strengths and are suited to different types of businesses.

Target Market Comparison

Unit4 ERP is best suited for service-focused organizations in professional services, public sector, nonprofit, and higher education sectors. These organizations typically require a fully integrated ERP system that can adapt to their unique needs and grow with them.

In contrast, NetSuite is versatile and caters to a broader range of businesses, from small firms with 10-50 employees to mid-market companies and large enterprises.

Key Features and Usability

One of the standout features of Unit4 ERP is its high customizability. The software has an intuitive, user-friendly interface, making it accessible even for those new to ERP systems.

NetSuite, on the other hand, is known for its accounting and supply chain management capabilities. It also offers out-of-the-box functionality and a cloud-native design, making it a scalable choice for businesses of all sizes.

Implementation and Learning Curve

While Unit4 ERP offers impressive customization options, these can lead to upgrade challenges. The system can also be slow, especially during updates, and some users have noted a lack of built-in tutorials for complex features.

NetSuite also has a bit of a learning curve due to its complexity. The setup can be tedious, and building reports can be challenging without technical expertise. On the plus side, NetSuite offers hundreds of third-party add-ons, making it a highly flexible solution.

Deployment and Pricing

Both Unit4 ERP and NetSuite offer cloud-hosted deployment, with Unit4 also offering an on-premises option.

As for pricing, NetSuite is more straightforward with a starting price of $99/month/user. Unit4, however, does not provide specific pricing details upfront. Reach out to the vendors for detailed pricing.

NetSuite ERP vs. Unit4 ERP - Which is Better for Most Businesses?

NetSuite is likely to be a better fit for most businesses, due to its robust feature set, scalability, and extensive third-party integrations. However, Unit4 is a strong contender for service-focused organizations requiring highly customizable solutions.

Check out our best ERP software roundup for more alternatives.

UNIT4 Business World

★★★★★

(1)

Price Range

$ $ $ $ $

Client OS

Windows

Deployment

Cloud or On-Premises

NetSuite ERP

★★★★★

(25)

Oracle’s NetSuite is well-known in the ERP world for its customization and scalability. It’s a multi-tenant ERP software supporting finance, operations, sales, service, and HR needs.

Price Range

$ $ $ $ $

Starting Price

$99/user/month

Client OS

Web

Deployment

Cloud Hosted