xTuple Review: Ratings and Features
We like xTuple for its competitive pricing, wide breadth of functionality, and flexible hybrid manufacturing support. This ERP solution facilitates job-shop, discrete, process, made-to-stock, and many more operations. We also appreciate its deep feature set allows managing MRP, MPS, and returns and recalls.
However, xTuple is designed primarily for the SMB space and is not a great fit for larger manufacturers. Due to its lack of product matrixes, xTuple is also not recommended for apparel manufacturers.
- Free trial available
- New eCommerce additions
- Platform agnostic
- Complex reporting
- Learning curve
- Workflows can feel constrained
- Client OS Windows, macOS, Linux
- Deployment Cloud or On-Premises
What Is xTuple?
xTuple is an affordable manufacturing ERP solution with modules supporting critical business processes in distribution, accounting, inventory control, and supply chain management. It offers standardized purchasing and financial reports to improve cash flow and real-time insights into manufacturing operations. xTuple offers both cloud-based and on-premises deployment options.
| Pros | Cons |
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Our Ratings
| Usability - 7 | Interface could be more modern and streamlined; presents a learning curve for new users; menu structures can be overwhelming. |
| Support - 8 | High-quality support from experienced staff allows users to tailor the platform to their exact specifications; requires active support contracts to call, email, and submit tickets; offers xTuple Basic Training (during onboarding) and xTuple EssentialsPLUS (post-onboarding training). |
| Scalability - 7.3 | Supports multi-currency; popular integrations include ShipStation and QuickBooks; may not keep up with enterprise-level manufacturers and distributors. |
| Security - 10 | Add user permissions based on access to specific modules, simple sales orders, and Shop Floor workbench functionality; import and export data in XML and CSV file formats. |
| Value - 10 | xTuple's cost is, on average, 75% less than other leading ERP systems; total cost of ownership is lower than most competitors. |
| Performance - 7.5 | System updates in real-time with sales order entries; responsive and well-integrated systems "talk" to one another across modules; slight delay when switching between workflows. |
| Key Features - 10 | Accounting module automates journal entries for labor/material costs and sales; easily converts sales orders to work orders; powerful location control facilitates site-to-site order transfers; robust incident management and reporting for compliance audits. |
Who Uses xTuple?
We recommend xTuple for small to mid-sized manufacturers, distributors, and inventory-centric businesses. xTuple offers affordable functionality in production planning and scheduling, multi-warehouse inventory, and reporting. Popular industries include biomed and pharma, CBD and cannabis, electronics, food processing, machinery and equipment, and metal fabrication.
What Features Are Missing?
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Modern user interface: xTuple’s UI could be more streamlined and intuitive. We found the native Windows interface a little cumbersome. Dated shortcuts and unlabeled toolbar icons slowed navigation and will undoubtedly present a learning curve to new users. Fortunately, xTuple’s pricing involves training to help familiarize employees with the system.
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Product matrices: xTuple lacks the product matrices necessary for apparel manufacturers to track inventory accurately. However, this ERP platform provides meticulous inventory management for other manufacturing companies using make-to-order, make-to-stock, and mixed-mode processes.
xTuple Pricing
xTuple does not publish pricing on its website. Those interested in the software will need to schedule a consultation for pricing. The total cost of ownership includes software license(s), cloud or on-premises hosting, training, maintenance and support, and accelerated onboarding (usually 90 days).
User count and implementation complexity will affect quote pricing, and xTuple does not have a minimum user requirement. Instead, pricing tiers are based on concurrent users, with price breaks for 10, 20, and 30 users.
What Is xTuple Used For?
Companies use xTuple for discrete and batch process production, engineer-to-order, and contract manufacturing. This ERP software supports make-to-stock, make-to-order, and mixed-mode production processes. It offers real-time inventory visibility, accounting capabilities, workflow optimization, and customer relationship management.
Users can integrate xTuple with QuickBooks, ShipStation, Avalara, TimeTrex Workforce Management, and more add-ons. Its developer, CAI Software, is currently building a browser-based version of the ERP solution.
Alternatives
Summary
We recommend xTuple for small to mid-level, inventory-centric businesses in manufacturing and distribution. Its low total cost of ownership and rich feature set gives even smaller production companies a competitive edge. xTuple allows users to view real-time inventory levels, run MRP, and control production schedules, priorities, and operations on the shop floor.
However, xTuple’s user interface could be more modern and streamlined. New users will likely need guidance as they navigate the system. Due to a lack of product matrices, we do not recommend xTuple for enterprise-level companies or apparel manufacturers.
We think xTuple is an excellent choice for companies ready to eliminate manual processes and spreadsheets from their operations. It’s a smart option for companies utilizing various production methods, seeking total operational control and visibility at every stage.
User Reviews of xTuple
We liked our demo from xTuple and felt that it is a very strong manufacturing software. It was a very thorough program and handled our manufacturing needs well.
However, for our team it would have taken a bit too much learning and we ended up looking into other systems that were not as complex and more plug and play.
Strong manufacturing capabilities
Would have taken a bit too much learning for our team
We had a very rigorous criteria matrix and reviewed several ERP options. When reviewing xTuple, feature and support wise it was competitive with the other options but we did not find the interface user-friendly at all. The overall aesthetic of the system was not pleasing and the workflow was not conducive with our expectations.
After looking at many different ERP programs we ended up going with xTuple. They were able to meet all of our manufacturing needs includig MRP and labor efficiencies all within our budget.
The xTuple program offered customizeable dashboards for all of our employees so when our purchasing team needs to order more material their dashboard is tailored to them.
We can add on more features in the future if we want, but their base package was able to meet all of our needs which was great!
Affordable and robust manufacturing management.
Has add-ons for growing companies
Did not include payroll but that was not a big issue.
I liked the xTuple program when we demoed it. However, as they were a newer software my Manager did not feel as comfortable switching over to them.
I did think they had a really strong manufacturing program for small and medium businesses but it just was not well known for us to consider
Solid manufacturing modules and reporting
Just not well known enough for my boss.
We were looking for a Material Resource Planning (MRP) to better manage our material inventory and discrete manufacturing process. We ended up going with xTuple as it was a simple and cost effective solution.
We found that xTuple was very easy to understand and intutive to our team. It also came in at a good price for the features that we needed.
Their support has been solid so far especially for them being a small to mid-sized software.
Very Intuitive
A good price for its features
None
A search was began to replace our current ERP Netsuite. The main pain point was lack of automation across the shop floor, as well as real time visibility across production. Several software options were reviewed and in the end xtuple was not only able to meet the enhanced features but were a stand out choice because of cost. It was the most affordable.
We looked at about 4 different software packages and xTuple was the most flexible. They had both flexible pricing and functionaility. Fit our discrete automotive manufacturing needs. Liked the way we are able to price it out by shop user vs a full user whcih let us keep costs down.
Very flexible product. Different pricing for shop floor users and full users.
None at this time. Still implementing the program.
We demod xTuple along with a handful of other systems. xTuple had all of the features we needed. It also had more manufacturing capabilities that we didn’t need. We ended up going with a custom program that was more tailored towards distribution.
Met our needs and budget
Geared towards manufacturing and we are a distribution company. More features than we needed
xTuple ERP is a good ERP/accounting solution with a number of advantages over traditional legacy systems. The system is platform independent (windows/mac/linux) and commercial/open source. There is a free community version which is very good for evaluation, testing and learning and will be sufficient for many small and medium sized companies. There are also premium enterprise solutions which handle advanced manufacturing and distribution for larger companies. I have been involved in a number of implementations, and the system performs very well.
The program has a lot of powerful features, and a strong community. The software is open and follows industry standards. Since the program is open source, it can be installed and tested against your particular needs. There is good documentation available, and community forums for exchanging information about best practices etc. It is well localized for north american use, but also supports many other countries, languages, currencies etc.
The company has spent a lot of time and resources on developing a new infrastructure and architecture for the future. However, the benefits have not really been apparent to the community. I think that the project would have been better off if they had spent those resources on developing more features on the current, mature platform which works well. To their credit, I believe they have recognized this and are taking steps to make the current application client a first class citizen, during the transition which will take many years.
