The enterprise resource planning (ERP) system space is a crowded one. Anecdotally, there are over 300 systems and counting. But this is one decision you can’t get wrong.
The right software can help a company operate more efficiently while increasing revenue and saving time. However, choosing the wrong ERP system for your business may mean upgrading and re-integrating all your data again. This is expensive and time-consuming.
So, which ERP software solution is right for your business?
It’s no secret that NetSuite Microsoft and Dynamics are two of the most popular ERP software companies.
Both NetSuite and Dynamics 365 have a lot more in common as both systems started as cloud-first software. However, while NetSuite is purely a cloud platform that offers you a user-friendly access point to your information, Dynamics 365 is a hosted solution.
The answer to that question starts with understanding the factors that play an integral part in selecting the best software. And the good news is, we’ll give you the information you need to sift through all the noise!
Let’s get right to it.
NetSuite vs. Dynamics: Quick Summary
Let’s dive in and see what each platform has to offer.
NetSuite is a cloud-based comprehensive business solution provider. It’s a suite of business management applications—ERP/Financials, CRM, and eCommerce—all under one virtual roof.
The platform delivers its solutions through a multi-tenant cloud subscription model. This model ensures that each customer has their little data tank, allowing customers’ data to be separate and secure. The subscription model also allows customers running on the same software version to receive updates automatically.
Small and medium-sized businesses from various industries use NetSuite for its numerous offerings. Some of its notable ERP features include:
- Warehouse and fulfillment
- Supply chain management
- Financial management
- Email marketing
- Inventory management
- Global business management
- And order management.
Microsoft Dynamics 365 has different products that offer ERP solutions to growing small and medium-sized businesses. With its Power Platform integration and cloud solution, you seamlessly connect sales, finance, and operations to deliver faster results.
Some of its notable ERP features include:
- Stock management
- Supply chain management
- Sales process management
- Customer service
- Financial management
- Effective forecasting
- Billing and accounting management.
Dynamics vs. NetSuite: Who Wins the Heavy-Weight Battle?
Pricing
Discussing pricing for the two brands may not be as straightforward as you imagine. NetSuite’s pricing details are not publicly available, while Dynamics pricing varies per business area.
NetSuite requires customers to contact them for a quote based on their business needs. But you can get a sense of Netsuite’s pricing on third-party websites. These sites allow you to estimate your reasonable pricing.
Note, this method isn’t accurate as it’s an estimation. And these vendors might include their service charges.
Typically, NetSuite’s prices begin at $45 per month and can go higher depending on the services you need. The licensing fee is usually about $990+ per month and can vary based on the products chosen, support level, number of users, and storage options.
On the other hand, Dynamics has all its pricing details on its website. But, as mentioned earlier, it offers prices based on the business area. So, to get a quote for their ERP services, users will need to pick what area – from sales to supply chain to project management – they need an ERP system to get an accurate quote. You can also contact a Microsoft Dynamics ERP partner to get a quote alongside implementation costs.
Microsoft also has an option for SMEs called Dynamics 365 Business Central. And its pricing is as follows:
- Dynamics 365 Business Central Essentials – $70 per user per month
- Dynamics 365 Business Central Premium – $100 per user per month
- Dynamics 365 Business Central Team Members – $8 per user per month
The winner: Microsoft Dynamics vs. NetSuite’s pricing battle is quite tricky. They both have pricing systems that are not very straightforward. However, Dynamics wins the pricing round because of its transparency and affordability.
Features
Let’s see how NetSuite’s ERP features compare to Dynamics 365
With NetSuite’s ERP functions, users can automate processes and optimize their operational and financial efforts. Users can efficiently manage multiple subsidiaries through its financial and global business management offerings and ensure compliance.
On the other hand, Dynamics Business Central offers an easily adaptable system beyond accounting. The software connects a financial, sales, and project management connection that gives a holistic experience. It also integrates the Microsoft Office 365 features (duh!) to improve productivity.
Dynamics won this round because of its added feature – Office 365.
User Experience
To determine what platform is easier to use, we scoured through user experience’ reviews on both platforms – NetSuite and Dynamics.
Here’s what users had to say about the ease of use:
“NetSuite is not a very newbie-friendly ERP system. It is easy to find yourself lost quickly without background knowledge on ERPs or someone to help train you. Thankfully there is a massive library of FAQs and support pages.”
“With NetSuite, multiple currencies, locations, and internationalization help you when you have to access different subsidiaries.”
“NetSuite is not particularly intuitive for first-time users. Because it is so customizable, it can be a drawback for businesses that become overwhelmed by too many options and decisions.”
“With Dynamics, if you are looking for something flexible, open, and relatively easy to use, it can be, but reseller partner network is arguably its biggest weakness.”
“Dynamics is broad and scalable enough for some of the world’s largest organizations, but it is at the same time flexible enough to meet the needs of higher growth mid-size organizations.”
“The user experience with Dynamics is more intuitive among employees that have used to using Microsoft Office 365, SharePoint, Teams, and other Microsoft productivity tools.”
While the NetSuite platform may not be very intuitive to use, it is functional and can connect with 3rd party tools. These tools offer the opportunity for users to optimize the platform to a level that they find most seamless. On the other hand, Microsoft Dynamics is relatively easy to use, flexible, and scalable such that small, medium, or large enterprises can use their platform.
The winner: There’s neither a winner nor a runner-up in this round. Both platforms have their pros and cons. Where they are not up to standard, they compensate with other areas. We recommend considering other factors first, then gradually building usability skills for the chosen platform.
Reviews
Let’s see how users generally feel about NetSuite vs. Dynamics 365 in the market.
In the 800+ NetSuite reviews on GetApp and SoftwareAdvice, there were about 600+ with a 4/5 and 5/5 ratings. Users particularly enjoyed its complete view of financial performance and cash flow analysis. In addition, users also loved that they didn’t need installations or downloads to harness the software’s full features.
However, some users find it overpriced and believe that an overhaul is necessary for its onboarding and reporting as they feel outdated.
For Dynamics 365, in about 4000+ reviews, on GetApp and SoftwareAdvice, there were about 3,000 with a 4/5 and 5/5 ratings. Users love their robust offerings ranging from lead management to marketing to customer service to project automation.
All these allow for a frictionless engagement with their customers. While it was relatively easy to use, some users found it needed in-depth knowledge to navigate, and data collection was a hassle when trying to switch.
The winner: In this segment, general reviews are too broad to pick a winner as users were talking based on particular features. In addition, both software had more positive sentiments than negative ones. And that’s always a good sign.
Integrations
NetSuite’s combination of ERP programs, CRM tools, and e-commerce capabilities allow users from different departments to access customer information through a single record. This multi-faceted setup allows seamless integration between ERP systems cutting across teams.
While there’s an option of hand-coded integration, NetSuite also offers SuiteCloud Connect. It is a packaged solution for integrating on-premises enterprise applications and cloud applications. It allows businesses to tailor NetSuite according to their growing business needs.
There may be no need for third-party app integrations with NetSuite unless your business has specific use-cases that require a third-party integration. If that’s the case, you can use NetSuite with platforms like Salesforce.com, SAP, Google Apps, and more.
As a Microsoft software, Dynamics easily integrates with Microsoft’s productivity tools. They include Microsoft Office, Microsoft SharePoint, and SQL server database.
With this, users can have quicker data access, enhance data accuracy and improve productivity. Users can also integrate ERP in Dynamics 365 through the standard data services and common data model.
Some of the integration options available with Dynamics CRM and ERP include; Power BI, Yammer, One Note, Office 365 & LinkedIn Sales Navigator, Document Creation tools, Project Management tools, VOIP, SQL Server.
The winner: While NetSuite and Dynamics both offer unique, robust integration options, NetSuite offers unique options but fewer third-party integrations. On the other hand, Dynamics offers more Microsoft-focused integration options. NetSuite wins this round.
Customer Support
NetSuite offers a full range of customer support split into Basic, Premium, and Advanced customer support. Each option provides different services. However, eligibility for these support services is based on the user’s subscription.
NetSuite also has an advanced support option that allows users to experience premium hands-on support. It’s only available at an extra cost. And involves proactive monitoring to nip any potential troubles in the bud.
Dynamics 365 offers a call and chat option for anyone from Monday to Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM Central Time. Bear in mind that time zones may vary depending on location, but you can request a Dynamics 365 expert to contact you.
Another way for users to access customer support is through communities. And both Dynamics and NetSuite offer that.
The winner: While NetSuite has more extensive options, they are not readily available to the general public. On the other hand, Microsoft Dynamics has options that most users can easily access.
Dynamics vs. Netsuite: Who wins the battle of ERPs?
For companies with disparate requirements and who might need a more all-encompassing solution, NetSuite is the better choice. While the NetSuite platform is pricier, the overall value and cost savings from efficiency, user experience, and seamless integration with the other pieces of your ERP puzzle more than makeup for the price.
This doesn’t mean we completely discount the value Microsoft Dynamics can bring to your organization. But this is some investment, no matter the platform you end up going with. And you must make every dollar count.