Top 8 Workday ERP Alternatives and Competitors
The best Workday ERP alternatives include SAP Business One, NetSuite, and Sage Intacct. In our analysis of the best ERP software, we have ranked these alternatives based on factors like usability and functionality.
Best Workday ERP Alternatives Shortlist
Below are detailed summaries of the best Workday ERP alternatives that we’ll be covering in this article:
- SAP Business One - Best for Midsized Companies
- NetSuite - Cloud Flexibility for Every Business Size
- Sage Intacct - Best for Financial Management
- Acumatica - Best for Growing Businesses
- Microsoft Dynamics 365 - Familiar Ecosystem
- Epicor ERP - Industry-Specific Solution
- Oracle ERP Cloud - Advanced AI Capabilities
- Odoo - Best Open Source ERP
Understanding Workday and Its Limitations
Workday is a popular ERP solution offering human capital and financial management capabilities. Its mobile-first design and cloud-native architecture provide real-time access, regular updates, and lower upfront infrastructure costs.
While Workday offers a deep feature set, some users may find its interface complex or unintuitive. The platform also caters to a broad range of sectors. However, some businesses might want a solution tailored to their specific industry’s nuances.
1 SAP Business One: Best for Midsized Companies
Why we chose it: SAP Business One is best for mid-level companies due to its scalability, advanced data capabilities, and global support. Midsize companies may not have vast resources, but they can still accumulate significant data. Business One utilizes the SAP HANA database to offer instant insights from large datasets. It provides multi-currency and multi-language support for mid-sized companies that envision expansion into international markets.
2 NetSuite: Cloud Flexibility for Every Business Size
Why we chose it: NetSuite is flexible for most companies because of its cloud infrastructure. It allows companies of all sizes to easily add new users, expand to new locations, or integrate new functions without making significant infrastructural changes or investments. It also features the SuiteAnalytics Tool. This allows users to perform sophisticated data analysis without IT support. Even as data volumes grow, the system can handle increased analytics needs without additional technical overhead.
Read our full NetSuite review.
3 Sage Intacct: Best for Financial Management
Why we chose it: Sage Intacct is best for financial management because it includes best-in-class general ledger, accounts payable and receivable, and cash management modules. Its multi-dimensional chart of accounts allows users to capture the business context of transactions, operational measures, and budgets. With built-in dashboards, reports, and charts, Intacct empowers businesses with real-time visibility into financial operations.
Read our full Sage Intacct review.
4 Acumatica: Best for Growing Businesses
Why we chose it: Acumatica is a great fit for growing businesses because it offers a flexible licensing model. The software’s cost depends on the resources used rather than the number of users, making it an ideal pick for growing enterprises. Its adaptability ensures businesses can easily add new functionalities without purchasing a new system. The platform integrates seamlessly with third-party applications, allowing companies to expand and diversify operations.
Read our full Acumatica.
5 Microsoft Dynamics 365: Familiar Ecosystem
Why we chose it: Being a Microsoft product, Business Central offers an intuitive interface that integrates seamlessly with other Microsoft apps, ensuring a smooth user experience. Its integration with Power BI delivers real-time dashboard visualizations and custom reports. Other Microsoft tools like Teams, MS Office, and Excel extend this ERP software’s functionality even further.
Read our full Dynamics 365 Business Central review.
6 Epicor ERP: Industry-Specific Solution
Why we chose it: Epicor offers industry-specific functionalities and modules for manufacturing, distribution, retail, and more. These allow businesses to align the software with their unique requirements. For example, Epicor offers multi-level BOMs and work order management to handle discrete manufacturing. It also provides order management and purchase for wholesale distributors.
Read our full Epicor review.
7 Oracle ERP Cloud: Advanced AI Capabilities
Why we chose it: Oracle ERP Cloud’s AI analyzes vast amounts of data to provide actionable insights. Whether it’s predicting market trends, forecasting demands, or identifying inefficiencies, the AI-powered analytics help make informed business decisions. It also incorporates AI-driven chatbots and assistants, streamlining tasks like data retrieval or basic troubleshooting.
Odoo: Best Open Source ERP
Why we chose it: Odoo is our top pick for open-source ERP due to its vast global community of developers, business experts, and users. This community contributes to the continuous improvement of the software, creating new modules, fixing bugs, and sharing best practices. Odoo has a built-in web framework, allowing businesses to easily develop integrated, enterprise-grade apps without extensive development experience.
Read our full Odoo review.
Key Factors to Consider When Choosing a Workday ERP Alternative
When assessing alternatives to Workday, it’s essential to have clear criteria that align with your business’s unique needs. Here are some critical factors to consider in your evaluation:
- Holistic Functionalities: While Workday excels in HR and financial management, businesses might need a more comprehensive ERP solution. Consider alternatives that offer end-to-end business functionalities.
- Scalability: For growing businesses, a flexible and scalable solution is essential. Ensure the alternative can grow with the company without necessitating a system overhaul.
- User Experience: A system is only as good as its usability. Prioritize solutions that offer an intuitive user interface and promote productivity.
- Integration Capabilities: Seamless integration with other business applications can save time and reduce manual errors. Ensure your alternative supports a broad spectrum of integrations.
- Cost Efficiency: If Workday’s pricing seems steep, consider alternatives that offer a flexible and transparent pricing model.
Summary
Switching from Workday requires careful consideration of what an organization truly needs from its ERP system. While Workday provides human capital and financial management, businesses might need more encompassing functionalities. For example, businesses requiring advanced AI tools or broad third-party integration capabilities should look to alternatives like Oracle ERP Cloud or NetSuite.
Why consider an alternative to Workday ERP?
While Workday ERP offers robust human capital and financial management features, some users find its interface complex. Businesses with unique industry-specific requirements might seek a more tailored solution. Additionally, concerns about cost, customization limits, and integration challenges can drive companies to explore alternatives. Ultimately, businesses might need a platform that better aligns with their tech ecosystem.
Is Workday ERP suitable for smaller businesses?
Workday caters to medium to large enterprises. While smaller businesses can use it, they might find the system too complex and expensive for their requirements. Moreover, its extensive feature set could overwhelm teams that need a more straightforward and lean solution.
Which industries might benefit from alternatives to Workday ERP?
Workday’s primary focus is accounting and human resources. Industries that require a more comprehensive ERP solution, such as manufacturing, distribution, or eCommerce, might find alternatives more fitting for their holistic needs. For example, an eCommerce company will likely need sophisticated warehouse management and integration with multiple online sales channels.
