Top 9 Acumatica Alternatives and Competitors
The best Acumatica alternatives include Odoo, NetSuite, Epicor Kinetic, and SAP S/4HANA. We’ve reviewed the best ERP software in the market for scalability, efficiency, and industry-specific features.
Best Acumatica Alternatives Shortlist
Below are detailed summaries of the best Acumatica alternatives that we’ll be covering in this article:
- Odoo - Best Open-Source Solution
- NetSuite - Great for Growing Companies
- Epicor Kinetic - Top Manufacturing Pick
- SAP S/4HANA - Best AI-Enhanced ERP
- Microsoft Dynamics 365 - Best for Seamless Integration
- Sage Intacct - Best Financial Module
- ERPNext - Most Scalable ERP
- Infor CloudSuite Industrial - Best for Discrete Manufacturing
- Sage X3 - Best Supply Chain Management
Understanding Acumatica and Its Limitations
Acumatica is a prominent cloud-based ERP system favored in construction, manufacturing, retail, and e-commerce. However, it may have some limitations. Some common complaints include complex customization, implementation and maintenance costs, and minimal CRM functionalities.
1 Odoo: Best Open-Source Solution
Why we chose it: Due to its open-source nature, Odoo allows businesses to delve into its source code, modifying it to fit specialized workflows and unique requirements. Additionally, the platform is designed to integrate smoothly with third-party apps, ensuring companies can create a cohesive ecosystem of tools around their primary ERP system.
Read our full Odoo review.
Key features:
- CRM
- Inventory management
- Accounting and financial reporting
- Manufacturing
- Purchasing
- Marketing
Industries:
- Manufacturing
- Retail
- e-Commerce
- Professional services
Its extensive documentation and support cater to both developers and end users, ensuring smooth operation and adaptability to changing business needs.
2 Oracle NetSuite: Great for Growing Companies
Why we chose it: Oracle’s NetSuite offers effective management of inventory and the broader supply chain as companies expand. With seamless integration capabilities for eCommerce platforms and point-of-sale applications, NetSuite facilitates automated inventory control and supply chain management. This helps growing businesses maintain product availability, streamline operations, and reduce overhead costs associated with manual inventory checks.
Additionally, NetSuite offers industry-specific editions. This tailored approach means businesses don’t need to retrofit a generic ERP to fit their niche; they get functionalities crafted for their industry from the start. This specificity reduces setup time and ensures more intuitive use.
Read our full NetSuite review.
Key features:
- Cloud-based and developer-hosted
- Includes inventory control, HR, procurement, project management
- Tax engine for multiple local tax schedules
- Automatic updates
- Integration partners like RF-SMART
- Comprehensive reporting
Industries:
- Distribution
- Information Technology
- Professional Services
3 Epicor Kinetic: Top Manufacturing Pick
Why we chose it: Epicor Kinetic can manage a variety of manufacturing styles, including discrete, make-to-order, and engineer-to-order environments. It provides specialized tools and workflows tailored to each mode, ensuring manufacturers can optimize operations and reduce inefficiencies. For example, Kinetic’s dynamic scheduling allows make-to-order manufacturers to react to changes in customer orders, allocating resources or adjusting production schedules as needed.
Read our full Epicor Kinetic review.
Key Features:
- Sophisticated product configurator
- Compliance management in IAS, IFRS, GAAP, RoHS, WEEE, NAFTA, ITAR
- Advanced planning and scheduling
- Quality assurance
- Maintenance management
4 SAP S/4HANA: Best AI-Enhanced ERP
Why we chose it: SAP S/4HANA stands at the forefront of AI-enhanced ERP solutions, setting a benchmark with its real-time processing and AI capabilities powered by the advanced SAP HANA in-memory database. These features enable businesses to derive instantaneous insights, anticipate trends, and make proactive decisions, ensuring they stay ahead in competitive landscapes.
For example, SAP S/4HANA uses machine learning algorithms to forecast cash flow. It analyzes previous transactions and patterns to give an accurate projection of a company’s future financial position. Intelligent cash management helps firms maintain adequate liquidity, optimize cash reserves, and mitigate potential risks.
Read our full SAP S/4HANA Review.
Key Features:
- Supply chain management
- Services and procurement
- Real-time data analytics
- Machine learning and robotics automation
Industries:
- Manufacturing
- Logistics
- Financial services
- Retail
- Healthcare
- Oil and gas
5 Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central: Best for Seamless Integration
Why we chose it: Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central offers seamless integration and native interoperability with other Microsoft enterprise applications, such as Office 365, Power BI, and Dynamics CRM.
Business Central’s expansive array of modules, spanning finance to sales, ensures that all vital business processes can be interconnected. This results in a unified view of operations and real-time data access across the organization, facilitating informed decision-making and streamlined workflows.
Read our full Dynamics 365 Business Central review.
Key Features:
- Enhanced financial reporting
- Sales and marketing
- Strong AI capabilities
- Smooth integration with Microsoft Products
Industries:
- Manufacturing
- Retail
- Healthcare
- Financial services
- Nonprofit
- Professional Services
6 Sage Intacct: Best Financial Module
Why we chose it: Sage Intacct stands out as a powerful financial management software tailored for mid-market and enterprise-level organizations. A browser-based solution, Sage Intacct is GAAP-compliant and endorses the demands of modern businesses with its dynamic financial reporting capabilities.
For instance, it offers a multi-dimensional chart of account for stakeholders to view financial data across departments, locations, projects, or products. Users can slice and dice data to reveal underlying patterns of aggregated data, quickly identifying growth areas or pain points.
Plus, its Avalara integration ensures precise tax calculations, reporting, and auditing, showcasing its commitment to detail and accuracy.
Read our full Sage Intacct review.
Key features:
- Customizable reports include AR/AP, cash flow statements, general ledger
- Integrates with Salesforce, Versapay, and more
- Multi-entity reporting centralizes accounting for international companies
- Adaptable tax module integrated with Avalara
Industries:
- Professional services
- Nonprofit
- Retail
- Healthcare
7 ERPNext: Most Scalable ERP
Why we chose it: ERPNext offers scalability through its open-source framework, empowering businesses to modify and tailor the system as they grow. This ensures that the software can evolve in tandem with a company’s changing needs, eliminating the need for frequent system changes or migrations.
Additionally, ERPNext’s premium packages are designed to scale seamlessly with your business. As operations expand and become more complex, businesses can tap into diverse modules like accounting, CRM, manufacturing, and warehousing.
Key Features:
- Free version available
- Cloud ERP option for $10/month
- Scalable pricing tiers for growing companies
Industries:
- Small to medium businesses (1-500+ employees)
- Education
- Healthcare
8 Infor CloudSuite Industrial: Best for Discrete Manufacturing
Why we chose it: Infor CloudSuite Industrial provides tools precisely tailored to the challenges of discrete manufacturing, like complex product configuration and advanced scheduling. In industries like aerospace or automotive, products often have intricate specifications. Infor offers tools that allow for advanced product configuration, ensuring manufacturers can customize products per customer requirements without errors or inefficiencies.
Discrete manufacturing often involves multiple production runs with varied priorities. Infor’s sophisticated scheduling engine allows manufacturers to optimize resource allocation, ensuring timely delivery while minimizing production bottlenecks.
Read our full Infor CloudSuite Industrial review.
Key Features:
- Advanced planning and scheduling
- CRM
- Product lifecycle management
- Accounting and analytics
- Supply chain management
- Service and quality management
9 Sage X3 ERP: Best Supply Chain Management
Sage X3 ERP provides robust supply chain management through its unique capability to manage multiple manufacturing sites. By providing intricate production scheduling based on resource availability, capacity, and controls, the software ensures businesses can efficiently coordinate and optimize supply chain operations across various locations. This translates to reduced lead times, better resource utilization, and higher fulfillment rates, ensuring businesses can meet customer demands accurately and on time.
Key features:
- Multi-currency accounting with automated workflows
- Inventory optimization to reduce holding costs
- Supplier, product, and transportation management
- Modular architecture for better scalability
- Low-code customizations
With integrated CRM, data visualization, and business intelligence tools, Sage X3 provides an in-depth and holistic approach to production and logistics.
Key Factors to Consider When Choosing an Acumatica Alternative
Take these key factors into consideration when choosing alternatives to Acumatica:
- Total cost of ownership (TCO): Beyond just your initial investment, evaluate ongoing costs like maintenance, training, third-party integrations, code customizations, and any additional modules.
- Security and compliance: Assess whether the ERP vendor offers robust security features. Check that the ERP solution complies with industry-specific regulations or standards.
- Migration complexity: Transitioning from one ERP to another can be challenging. Consider how easily your organization can migrate data and processes from your current system to the new one.
- Business requirements: Ensure your chosen ERP system fits the particular needs and objectives unique to your company. For example, a company that operates primarily through online sales will require real-time inventory tracking and demand forecasting.
- Industry fit: Your new system should cater to industry requirements and specificities. A food manufacturer will need batch processing and expiry date tracking functionality in their ERP software.
Summary
Choosing a new ERP solution has profound implications for your business’s operational efficiency and growth trajectory. By emphasizing core considerations such as industry specificity, unique business needs, and budgetary limitations, you’ll land on a choice that supports your objectives.
As you transition away from Acumatica, this selection process will serve as your guide, paving the way for operational streamlining, enhanced customer experiences, and an improved bottom line. If you’re on the fence about which system to choose, our team is here to offer personalized recommendations!
Who are Acumatica’s competitors?
Acumatica sees competition from Dynamics 365 Business Central, ERPNext, and Infor CloudSuite Industrial. All these competitors target various industries and offer a spectrum of features, often at prices competitive with Acumatica.
Recent reviews have particularly highlighted Sage X3, SYSPRO, and Sage Intacct as the best competitors to Acumatica.
What are some cons of Acumatica?
While Acumatica is feature-rich, new users may find it challenging to navigate some of its deeper functionalities. Additionally, while Acumatica is customizable, significant changes can be complex and generally require a developer or consult, adding to expenses.
Are there any open-source or free Acumatica alternatives?
Odoo stands out as a prominent open-source counterpart to Acumatica. Odoo presents users with two distinct editions: Community and Enterprise. While Enterprise is a paid version of the software, Community grants free access for downloading, utilizing, and customizing the source code. There’s no need to worry about licensing costs. Additionally, for those exploring other alternatives, ERPNext is another open-source solution worth considering.
What is Acumatica similar to?
NetSuite, Epicor Kinetic, and SAP S/4HANA are similar ERP solutions geared toward mid-level or even enterprise-scale companies. Open-source options, such as ERPNext or Odoo, allow companies with technical expertise to easily tailor the source code to their unique workflows and needs.
Which industries do Acumatica alternatives serve?
Alternatives to Acumatica primarily serve industries such as:
- Manufacturing: Offering features to support bill of materials, work orders, and production management.
- Retail: Enhancing point-of-sale (POS) experiences, customer relationship management, and e-commerce integrations.
- Distribution: Assisting with warehouse management, logistics, and supply chain optimization.
- Services: Providing tools for project management, time tracking, and resource allocation.
- Construction: Facilitating project costing, compliance management, and job scheduling.
When considering an alternative to Acumatica, it’s crucial to ensure that the ERP solution is tailored to the unique needs and challenges of these sectors. Whether it’s streamlining inventory in manufacturing or optimizing the customer journey in retail, the right ERP will be equipped to handle industry-specific demands.
