There are many alternatives to Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central. Although it’s a very popular ERP software, it’s not for everyone. Despite the user-friendly interface and robust modules, it can be costly for smaller organizations and has a potentially steep learning curve for new users. If you need an alternative for Dynamics 365, here are the top options:

Short Summary

  • Top Dynamics 365 alternatives include SAP Business One, Acumatica, Oracle NetSuite, and Odoo.
  • Consider your industry requirements, budget constraints, and additional features when selecting an alternative.
  • Some businesses are better served by standalone accounting, customer relationship management (CRM), or human resource (HR) software.
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SAP Business One
SAP Business One Screenshot
Price Range
   $     $     $     $     $   
   $     $     $     $     $   
Starting Price
$410/user/year
Client OS
Windows
Deployment
Cloud or On-Premises
What We Like
Highly customizable
Improved decision-making capabilities via extensive BI
Multi-currency/multi-language support
What We Don’t Like
Requires phone consult for pricing
Setup usually requires help from a Value Added Reseller (VAR)
No payroll module
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QuickBooks Desktop Enterprise
QuickBooks Desktop Enterprise Screenshot
Price Range
   $     $     $     $     $   
   $     $     $     $     $   
Starting Price
$199/month
Client OS
Windows
Deployment
Cloud or On-Premises
What We Like
More advanced inventory features than other QuickBooks versions
Higher record capacity than other QuickBooks versions
Includes payroll and employee management
What We Don’t Like
Most expensive version of QuickBooks
Requires annual contracts
Windows only
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Acumatica Cloud ERP
Acumatica Cloud ERP Screenshot
Price Range
   $     $     $     $     $   
   $     $     $     $     $   
Starting Price
$1,800/month
Client OS
iOS, Android, Web
Deployment
Cloud or On-Premises
What We Like
Open architecture for rapid integrations
Multi-entity support
Mobile accessibility
What We Don’t Like
Must schedule a consult for pricing calls
High learning curve
Tedious setup
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Sales Cloud from Salesforce
Sales Cloud from Salesforce Screenshot
Price Range
   $     $     $     $     $   
   $     $     $     $     $   
Starting Price
$25/user/month
Client OS
iOS, Android, Web
Deployment
Cloud Hosted
What We Like
Aggregates historical data for trend analysis
Customizable forecasting models
Integrates with a large number of tools
What We Don’t Like
Meeting matrix may need further refinement
Occasional issues with call reminder functionality
Complex setup
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Zoho CRM
Zoho CRM Screenshot
Price Range
   $     $     $     $     $   
   $     $     $     $     $   
Starting Price
Free
Client OS
iOS, Android, Web
Deployment
Cloud Hosted
What We Like
Near-total customizability
Integrated gamification features
Video guides help understand complex features
What We Don’t Like
Most advanced features only accessible at the higher-priced tiers
Long customer service wait times
Limited custom fields
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Odoo
Odoo Screenshot
Price Range
   $     $     $     $     $   
   $     $     $     $     $   
Starting Price
Free
Client OS
Web
Deployment
Cloud or On-Premises
What We Like
Community version is free
Heavy customization options
Double entry inventory system
What We Don’t Like
May have to build specific modules yourself
No centralized support
Upgrades not free
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(28)
NetSuite ERP
NetSuite ERP Screenshot
Price Range
   $     $     $     $     $   
   $     $     $     $     $   
Starting Price
$99/user/month
Client OS
Web
Deployment
Cloud Hosted
What We Like
Hundreds of third-party add-ons available
Feature sets for multiple industries
Highly customizable
What We Don’t Like
Must schedule a consult for pricing details
Tedious setup
Difficult to build reports

    Top 7 Alternatives for Dynamics 365

    -SAP Business One -QuickBooks Enterprise -Acumatica -Salesforce -Zoho Corporation -Oracle NetSuite -Odoo

    Some of these options are ERPs while others are standalone CRM platforms. Let’s explore each option to find the right solution for your needs:

    1 SAP Business One: Best for ERP

    SAP Business One ERP software provides integrated departmental support for finance, sales, supply chain management, production, project management, and production processes. The ERP for small and medium sized companies offers comprehensive business management capabilities.

    The CRM module provides comprehensive, integrated sales features over customer acquisition and retention rates. The starting price of software with this module is $410 per user per year, making it a slightly more affordable option than Dynamics 365.

    SAP Business One
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    SAP Business One: Sales Analysis
    SAP Business One: Enterprise Search
    SAP Business One: Cash Flow
    What We Like
    Highly customizable
    Improved decision-making capabilities via extensive BI
    Multi-currency/multi-language support
    What We Don’t Like
    Requires phone consult for pricing
    Setup usually requires help from a Value Added Reseller (VAR)
    No payroll module
    Overview
    Price Range: $$$$
    Starting Price: $410/user/year
    Client OS: Windows
    Deployment: Cloud or On-Premises

    2 QuickBooks Enterprise: Best for Accounting

    If looking for more accounting functionality, QuickBooks Enterprise is a good alternative to Dynamics 365. This software used advanced technologies and a powerful, industry-standard SQL database to go beyond traditional financial management services. And 13 predefined user roles allow for greater flexibility when setting access to different financial tools.

    Since QuickBooks Enterprise is technically an accounting software, businesses may need to integrate with a third-party ERP for additional functionality. This can increase the overall business costs, negating any potential savings from switching from Dynamics 365.

    QuickBooks Desktop Enterprise
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    QuickBooks Desktop Enterprise: Advanced Sales Report
    QuickBooks Desktop Enterprise: Profit And Loss Viewing
    QuickBooks Desktop Enterprise: Price Rule Editing
    QuickBooks Desktop Enterprise: Sales Orders Viewing
    QuickBooks Desktop Enterprise: Inventory Information Page
    QuickBooks Desktop Enterprise: Advanced Role Editing
    QuickBooks Desktop Enterprise: Add New Role
    QuickBooks Desktop Enterprise: Inventory Viewing
    QuickBooks Desktop Enterprise: Business Dashboard
    QuickBooks Desktop Enterprise: Inventory Dashboard
    QuickBooks Desktop Enterprise: Company Snapshot
    QuickBooks Desktop Enterprise: Payroll
    QuickBooks Desktop Enterprise: Income Tracker
    QuickBooks Desktop Enterprise: Credit Card Entry
    QuickBooks Desktop Enterprise: Company Preference Pane
    QuickBooks Desktop Enterprise: Batch Invoices
    What We Like
    More advanced inventory features than other QuickBooks versions
    Higher record capacity than other QuickBooks versions
    Includes payroll and employee management
    What We Don’t Like
    Most expensive version of QuickBooks
    Requires annual contracts
    Windows only
    Overview
    Price Range: $$$
    Starting Price: $199/month
    Client OS: Windows
    Deployment: Cloud or On-Premises

    3 Acumatica: Best Cloud-Hosted ERP

    Acumatica operates on a modular basis, which can increase the total cost of ownership with the addition of each subsequent module. However, this also makes the software highly scalable for growing mid to large businesses. This makes Acumatica a good alternative to Dynamics 365, which primarily focuses on expanding small to medium companies.

    Acumatica Cloud ERP
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    Acumatica Cloud ERP: Data Analysis Receivables
    Acumatica Cloud ERP: Support Manager Dashboard
    Acumatica Cloud ERP: Project Dashboard
    Acumatica Cloud ERP: Staff Appointments on Map
    Acumatica Cloud ERP: Field Services Tech Dashboard
    Acumatica Cloud ERP: Production Manager Dashboard
    Acumatica Cloud ERP: Warehouse Manager Mobile Dashboard
    Acumatica Cloud ERP: Controller Dashboard
    What We Like
    Open architecture for rapid integrations
    Multi-entity support
    Mobile accessibility
    What We Don’t Like
    Must schedule a consult for pricing calls
    High learning curve
    Tedious setup
    Overview
    Price Range: $$$$
    Starting Price: $1,800/month
    Client OS: iOS, Android, Web
    Deployment: Cloud or On-Premises

    4 Salesforce: Best Online CRM

    Sales Cloud from Salesforce is an entirely cloud-based CRM platform. Users can respond to leads, log calls, and check dashboards from mobile devices to get real-time updates on-the-go, anywhere. Salesforce also collects insights from social media sites like:

    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • LinkedIn
    • And more

    Pricing starts at $25 per user per month. Additional plans range from $80-$330 per user per month and offer extra features like pipeline management and generative AI.

    Sales Cloud from Salesforce
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    Sales Cloud from Salesforce: Opportunities
    Sales Cloud from Salesforce: Account Management
    Sales Cloud from Salesforce: Contact Record
    Sales Cloud from Salesforce: Leads
    What We Like
    Aggregates historical data for trend analysis
    Customizable forecasting models
    Integrates with a large number of tools
    What We Don’t Like
    Meeting matrix may need further refinement
    Occasional issues with call reminder functionality
    Complex setup
    Overview
    Price Range: $$
    Starting Price: $25/user/month
    Client OS: iOS, Android, Web
    Deployment: Cloud Hosted

    5 Zoho CRM: Best Low-Cost CRM

    Zoho CRM is a low-cost alternative to Dynamics 365. Pricing starts at $14 per user per month and a free version is available. A standalone CRM, Zoho is focused entirely on managing the sales funnel from first contact with new leads to monitoring long-term business trends.

    While accounting features are available, a third-party integration may be necessary. Fortunately, Zoho CRM has 40+ native apps and 500+ third-party extensions.

    Zoho CRM
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    Zoho CRM: Zoho CRM Deals Dashboard
    Zoho CRM: Zoho CRM Analytics Dashboard
    Zoho CRM: Inventory Purchase Order
    Zoho CRM: Zoho Books Dashboard
    Zoho CRM: Zoho Books Invoices
    Zoho CRM: Analytics Dashboard
    Zoho CRM: Analytics Customer and Revenue Dashboard
    What We Like
    Near-total customizability
    Integrated gamification features
    Video guides help understand complex features
    What We Don’t Like
    Most advanced features only accessible at the higher-priced tiers
    Long customer service wait times
    Limited custom fields
    Overview
    Price Range: $$
    Starting Price: Free
    Client OS: iOS, Android, Web
    Deployment: Cloud Hosted

    6 Odoo: Best for Free

    Odoo is an open-source ERP software that integrates CRM, manufacturing, eCommerce, and more business apps. It is IFRS-compliant and offers both multi-currency and multi-company systems. Odoo’s many interconnected modules include accounts payables and receivables, bank synchronization, and reporting. Taxes and related reports are pre-configured based on your fiscal localization package.

    The free version of Odoo includes Odoo Online and allows unlimited users. Paid versions are available at relatively low cost, ranging from $32-$59 per user per month. It’s also a bit easier to learn than Dynamics 365.

    Odoo
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    Odoo: CRM Sales Pipeline
    Odoo: BOM Overview
    Odoo: Lot and Serial Numbers
    Odoo: General Ledger
    Odoo: Draft Customer Invoice
    What We Like
    Community version is free
    Heavy customization options
    Double entry inventory system
    What We Don’t Like
    May have to build specific modules yourself
    No centralized support
    Upgrades not free
    Overview
    Price Range: $$$
    Starting Price: Free
    Client OS: Web
    Deployment: Cloud or On-Premises

    7 Oracle NetSuite: Best for Medium Businesses

    Finally, Oracle NetSuite is a cloud-based, developer-hosted ERP software supporting finance, operations, sales, service, and HR needs. A variety of built-in modules, such as inventory control, eCommerce, HR, and project management, and accounting, provide a wide range of functionality. The tax engine accommodates multiple schedules for local taxes across subsidiaries.

    This ERP is ideal for midsize businesses in the areas of distribution, IT, or professional services.

    NetSuite ERP
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    NetSuite ERP: Home Screen
    NetSuite ERP: Income Statement
    NetSuite ERP: Journal
    NetSuite ERP: Unrealized Exchange Rate Gains and Losses
    NetSuite ERP: Ecommerce Customer Statistics
    NetSuite ERP: Sales Orders
    NetSuite ERP: Revenue Recognition
    What We Like
    Hundreds of third-party add-ons available
    Feature sets for multiple industries
    Highly customizable
    What We Don’t Like
    Must schedule a consult for pricing details
    Tedious setup
    Difficult to build reports
    Overview
    Price Range: $$$$
    Starting Price: $99/user/month
    Client OS: Web
    Deployment: Cloud Hosted

    Dynamics 365 Limitations

    Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Center is popular for a reason: it combines powerful functionality with a user-friendly interface. Not only that, it easily integrates with other Microsoft products, such as OneNote and OneDrive. Yet it’s not for everyone for a few reasons:

    -High cost: Dynamics 365 has two monthly pricing plans. The more affordable option is $70 per user. There is a free trial, but no free version. -Learning curve: SOme users have reported difficulty adapting to all Dynamics 365 has to offer. Training is recommended as part of the implementation process. -Limited manufacturing capabilities: Companies which are solely in manufacturing might find the manufacturing modules offered by Dynamics 365 to be inadequate for their needs.

    Factors to Consider When Choosing an Alternative

    Which alternative you pick will largely depend on why Dynamics 365 isn’t working for you.

    • Functionality: To start, Dynamics 365 has many ERP and CRM modules. Yet it lacks some more specific features which may be included in an alternative product.
    • Scalability: Dynamics 365 is best suited for small to mid-level businesses, so any company looking to grow may want a different solution.
    • Costs: Budget concerns may be one reason for finding new software.
    • Compliance: Some industries must meet certain safety standards to operate. If Dynamics 365 doesn’t meet these requirements, an alternative will be necessary.

    ERP Software Alternatives

    In some cases, the issue might not be with Dynamics 365 but ERP software in general. A full suite of business applications might simply be too much. In those cases, standalone software from there popular categories offer good alternatives:

    Is Dynamics 365 an ERP or CRM?

    Microsoft officially labels Dynamics 365 as both an ERP and a CRM. While it can function equally as both, it does have more to offer as an ERP than a standalone CRM.

    What is the downside to Dynamics 365?

    One major downside of Dynamics 365 is the cost, which can be intimidating for small startups. It also doesn’t have many industry-specific features, so any company which needs to adhere to industry-standards may want to look elsewhere.

    Still not sure which alternative option is best? Get recommendations from our team today!
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