Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central vs. NetSuite ERP

Overview
ProductRatingMost Used ByProduct SummaryStarting Price
Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central
Score 7.9 out of 10
N/A
Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central (formerly Dynamics NAV) is one of the ERP products in the Dynamics family. The technology is based on the Navision product acquired by Microsoft in 2002. This product is the best-selling Microsoft ERP platform, and is often used by companies in the manufacturing and distribution verticals.N/A
NetSuite ERP
Score 8.0 out of 10
N/A
NetSuite is a suite of ERP and accounting modules which is sold in various editions aimed at different size customers. The multi-country, multi-currency version is an additional module called OneWorld. Netsuite is a SaaS system and is not offered in an on-premise edition.N/A
Pricing
Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business CentralNetSuite ERP
Editions & Modules
No answers on this topic
No answers on this topic
Offerings
Pricing Offerings
Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business CentralNetSuite ERP
Free Trial
NoNo
Free/Freemium Version
NoNo
Premium Consulting/Integration Services
NoNo
Entry-level Setup FeeNo setup feeNo setup fee
Additional DetailsUsers subscribe to NetSuite for an annual license fee. The license is made up of three main components: core platform, optional modules and the number of users. There is also a one-time implementation fee for initial setup. New modules and users and can be added as a business grows.
More Pricing Information
Community Pulse
Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business CentralNetSuite ERP
Considered Both Products
Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central

No answer on this topic

NetSuite ERP
Chose NetSuite ERP
NetSuite ERP is the most mature of the 100% cloud based solution. Although I believe NetSuite ERP Professional Services and Support are relatively horrible, the NetSuite customer community is very strong. I'm always able to find instances of other customers experiencing the …
Chose NetSuite ERP
I used Microsoft Dynamics 365 for several years at my prior company, and I would probably give NetSuite ERP the slight edge over Microsoft Dynamics. Netsuite is a little cleaner, easier to use and more customizable. We really appreciate the ongoing customer support from …
Chose NetSuite ERP
We compared to Microsoft Dynamics NAV and SAP Business One and chose Netsuite for its ease of use and business dashboarding.
Top Pros
Top Cons
Features
Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business CentralNetSuite ERP
Payroll Management
Comparison of Payroll Management features of Product A and Product B
Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central
7.6
6 Ratings
5% above category average
NetSuite ERP
1.1
15 Ratings
147% below category average
Pay calculation7.86 Ratings1.013 Ratings
Benefit plan administration7.04 Ratings1.010 Ratings
Direct deposit files9.35 Ratings1.39 Ratings
Customization
Comparison of Customization features of Product A and Product B
Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central
8.0
16 Ratings
10% above category average
NetSuite ERP
9.1
74 Ratings
23% above category average
API for custom integration8.015 Ratings9.264 Ratings
Plug-ins8.013 Ratings9.547 Ratings
Security
Comparison of Security features of Product A and Product B
Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central
9.0
20 Ratings
10% above category average
NetSuite ERP
9.2
81 Ratings
12% above category average
Single sign-on capability9.016 Ratings9.262 Ratings
Role-based user permissions9.020 Ratings9.280 Ratings
Reporting & Analytics
Comparison of Reporting & Analytics features of Product A and Product B
Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central
5.1
21 Ratings
31% below category average
NetSuite ERP
9.2
72 Ratings
28% above category average
Dashboards5.117 Ratings9.271 Ratings
Standard reports5.121 Ratings9.270 Ratings
Custom reports5.120 Ratings9.270 Ratings
General Ledger and Configurable Accounting
Comparison of General Ledger and Configurable Accounting features of Product A and Product B
Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central
8.8
21 Ratings
14% above category average
NetSuite ERP
7.7
257 Ratings
1% above category average
Accounts payable9.020 Ratings8.3251 Ratings
Accounts receivable8.419 Ratings8.3232 Ratings
Global Financial Support9.08 Ratings9.426 Ratings
Primary and Secondary Ledgers10.07 Ratings9.528 Ratings
Journals and Reconciliations10.010 Ratings9.141 Ratings
Configurable Accounting10.010 Ratings9.435 Ratings
Standardized Processes9.011 Ratings9.437 Ratings
Inventory Management
Comparison of Inventory Management features of Product A and Product B
Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central
8.7
16 Ratings
10% above category average
NetSuite ERP
8.8
48 Ratings
11% above category average
Inventory tracking9.016 Ratings9.847 Ratings
Automatic reordering6.79 Ratings8.628 Ratings
Location management9.013 Ratings9.335 Ratings
Order Management
Comparison of Order Management features of Product A and Product B
Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central
7.9
19 Ratings
2% above category average
NetSuite ERP
8.8
206 Ratings
12% above category average
Pricing7.117 Ratings9.253 Ratings
Order entry8.016 Ratings8.1202 Ratings
Credit card processing10.011 Ratings8.537 Ratings
Cost of goods sold8.015 Ratings8.848 Ratings
Order Orchestration8.05 Ratings9.521 Ratings
Subledger and Financial Process
Comparison of Subledger and Financial Process features of Product A and Product B
Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central
8.4
11 Ratings
13% above category average
NetSuite ERP
7.4
198 Ratings
0% below category average
Billing Management8.39 Ratings8.3187 Ratings
Cash and Asset Management9.010 Ratings9.427 Ratings
Travel & Expense Management7.86 Ratings8.531 Ratings
Budgetary Control & Encumbrance Accounting8.37 Ratings8.527 Ratings
Period Close10.010 Ratings9.435 Ratings
Project Financial Management
Comparison of Project Financial Management features of Product A and Product B
Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central
8.7
8 Ratings
13% above category average
NetSuite ERP
6.4
32 Ratings
17% below category average
Budgeting and Forecasting10.08 Ratings5.926 Ratings
Project Costing10.07 Ratings5.923 Ratings
Cost Capture10.08 Ratings5.822 Ratings
Capital Project Management8.05 Ratings4.014 Ratings
Customer Contract Compliance10.06 Ratings9.513 Ratings
Project Revenue Recognition8.04 Ratings6.722 Ratings
Project Execution Management
Comparison of Project Execution Management features of Product A and Product B
Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central
7.7
4 Ratings
12% above category average
NetSuite ERP
4.1
17 Ratings
50% below category average
Project Planning and Scheduling8.03 Ratings8.614 Ratings
Task Insight for Project Managers8.03 Ratings3.311 Ratings
Project Mobile Functionality8.03 Ratings3.010 Ratings
Definable Resource Pools7.03 Ratings3.68 Ratings
Grants Management
Comparison of Grants Management features of Product A and Product B
Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central
9.7
3 Ratings
25% above category average
NetSuite ERP
3.1
12 Ratings
84% below category average
Award Lifecycle Management10.03 Ratings3.57 Ratings
Procurement
Comparison of Procurement features of Product A and Product B
Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central
8.0
6 Ratings
14% above category average
NetSuite ERP
3.3
19 Ratings
71% below category average
Bids Analyzed and Compared8.03 Ratings3.58 Ratings
Contract Authoring8.03 Ratings2.010 Ratings
Contract Repository7.03 Ratings3.58 Ratings
Requisitions-to-Purchase Orders Integrated7.55 Ratings3.613 Ratings
Supplier Management8.03 Ratings9.513 Ratings
Risk Management
Comparison of Risk Management features of Product A and Product B
Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central
9.6
3 Ratings
38% above category average
NetSuite ERP
3.1
11 Ratings
71% below category average
Risk Repository9.32 Ratings3.58 Ratings
Control Management9.43 Ratings2.011 Ratings
Control Efficiency Assessments9.32 Ratings3.57 Ratings
Issue Detection10.03 Ratings3.58 Ratings
Remediation and Certification9.72 Ratings3.58 Ratings
Logistics
Comparison of Logistics features of Product A and Product B
Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central
7.7
3 Ratings
12% above category average
NetSuite ERP
3.0
17 Ratings
78% below category average
Transportation Planning and Optimization8.02 Ratings2.89 Ratings
Transportation Execution Management8.02 Ratings2.88 Ratings
Trade and Customs Management8.02 Ratings2.88 Ratings
Fulfillment Management7.93 Ratings9.514 Ratings
Warehouse Workforce Management8.02 Ratings2.511 Ratings
Manufacturing
Comparison of Manufacturing features of Product A and Product B
Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central
7.1
3 Ratings
6% below category average
NetSuite ERP
9.0
16 Ratings
18% above category average
Production Process Design9.02 Ratings8.612 Ratings
Production Management5.83 Ratings8.614 Ratings
Configuration Management1.32 Ratings9.510 Ratings
Work Execution9.02 Ratings9.512 Ratings
Manufacturing Costs8.63 Ratings8.614 Ratings
Supply Chain
Comparison of Supply Chain features of Product A and Product B
Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central
9.5
5 Ratings
27% above category average
NetSuite ERP
7.9
132 Ratings
9% above category average
Forecasting9.05 Ratings7.817 Ratings
Inventory Planning10.05 Ratings7.3129 Ratings
Performance Monitoring10.05 Ratings8.614 Ratings
Product Lifecycle Management
Comparison of Product Lifecycle Management features of Product A and Product B
Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central
9.3
2 Ratings
25% above category average
NetSuite ERP
3.8
13 Ratings
63% below category average
Proposal Management9.01 Ratings2.610 Ratings
Product Master Data Management9.01 Ratings3.29 Ratings
Best Alternatives
Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business CentralNetSuite ERP
Small Businesses
Acumatica
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Score 8.7 out of 10
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Acumatica
Score 8.7 out of 10
Medium-sized Companies
Infor VISUAL
Infor VISUAL
Score 7.2 out of 10
Infor VISUAL
Infor VISUAL
Score 7.2 out of 10
Enterprises
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SAP Business ByDesign
Score 7.5 out of 10
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User Ratings
Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business CentralNetSuite ERP
Likelihood to Recommend
8.0
(21 ratings)
8.5
(355 ratings)
Likelihood to Renew
10.0
(1 ratings)
9.2
(49 ratings)
Usability
9.0
(3 ratings)
8.6
(231 ratings)
Availability
8.0
(1 ratings)
9.0
(16 ratings)
Performance
-
(0 ratings)
8.0
(15 ratings)
Support Rating
10.0
(2 ratings)
7.1
(215 ratings)
In-Person Training
-
(0 ratings)
7.3
(2 ratings)
Online Training
-
(0 ratings)
6.4
(10 ratings)
Implementation Rating
-
(0 ratings)
6.4
(17 ratings)
Configurability
-
(0 ratings)
8.7
(5 ratings)
Ease of integration
-
(0 ratings)
7.3
(3 ratings)
Product Scalability
-
(0 ratings)
9.0
(8 ratings)
Vendor post-sale
-
(0 ratings)
4.8
(2 ratings)
Vendor pre-sale
-
(0 ratings)
5.0
(1 ratings)
User Testimonials
Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business CentralNetSuite ERP
Likelihood to Recommend
Microsoft
It addresses well some integration and connectivity issues with other software and adapted technologies: formulation and manufacturing batching software, scanners and bar codes, inventory, financials, emailing of invoices and statement, sales and purchasing... etc. I believe it to be better suited to a medium to large company. Not as simple and seamless as we expected for migrating from another Microsoft Dynamics software product (we moved from GP to NAV). Our staff is going through a tougher time than we thought to learn some procedures. Normal growing pains?!
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NetSuite
Really in this hybrid environment, being up in the cloud and being able to securely access the data and work from anywhere, I think it's a real game changer for my team. So I really like the fact that NetSuite keeps up with security features and allows users to access it from anywhere.
Read full review
Pros
Microsoft
  • Automate the creation of bills of materials for production. We can now generate a BoM from a sales order.
  • Organization of all data pertaining to thousands of parts, assemblies, and finished goods. Engineering and purchasing have a common portal.
  • We can create sales orders from quotations instead of re-entering them (this did require some bolt-on software). Less redundant work with fewer entry errors.
  • Accounting can provide reports based on specific criteria stored in NAV. We can pull better and more detailed intelligence.
Read full review
NetSuite
  • NetSuite does analytics very well.
  • They do reporting very well. I love the ability to have control over how the information flows through my NetSuite, my user roles, and my responsibilities. I can assign certain tasks to certain people, and they do that and then also have the control to approve that and make sure it's done correctly.
  • Just being able to drill down into a particular GL account or into a particular line item and see what really makes that up and what's driving our certain costs.
Read full review
Cons
Microsoft
  • The version of software that we currently use isn't compatible with Windows 7, therefore we had to install it using the virtual computer under Windows XP. This created a few additional steps that the users had to go through in order to access the software which generated more calls to our IT Helpdesk.
  • We did research how much it would cost to upgrade the software so that we could get a version compatible with Windows 7, but the cost was way too expensive for our organization. Also, when we need to make updates or changes to the software, there are very few consultants who are familiar with the software so we are limited in who we can use for consulting services. Since we are limited in choosing consultants who can make updates and changes to the software the fees are usually really expensive for their services.
  • There is a .zup file that we constantly have to delete in order for the database to work properly and update. Users get a pop-up about once a week asking if they want to replace the .zup file and if the file is not deleted then the opening page for the software will not show up correctly and the database will not have the most up to date information.
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NetSuite
  • Honestly, right now, my biggest pain point is kind of our own doing, but I would appreciate a little bit more support and help in the area of performance management and kind of understanding how our application is built, what are the best choices for customizing or solving a problem in terms of performance, because our company is rather large, we have a lot of data coming in and out, and that has been an issue for us recently.
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Likelihood to Renew
Microsoft
We've already decided to continue using this software. It is too expensive for us to upgrade so we made a workaround by using the virtual computer with Windows XP installed on it. We did research replacing this software, but it was a better financial decision to keep what we had instead
Read full review
NetSuite
NetSuite is able to cover all of our needs, spanning multiple departments and managerial levels. We use it daily for a multitude of functions, including creating promotions, estimating inventory, pulling historical reports, forecasting sales, and more. Overall, we're very satisfied with NetSuite as an ERP solution and recommend it to medium to large businesses.
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Usability
Microsoft
It has simplified all processes and reduces turnaround time for month end processes. You can easily navigate through the dashboard which is very user friendly and easily guides you to different functionalities. Duplications of Invoices is avoided because NAV rejects posting of an invoice number already in the system so you increase accuracy.
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NetSuite
I have given this rating due to below use cases: - Order Management - Advanced Revenue Management - Invoicing - Automated Billing - Inbound and Outbound Integrations with applications such as Salesforce, Zip, Stripe, Mavenlink, Avalara, Floquast - Project management and billing - Training -Customer Support - Knowledge Article Support
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Reliability and Availability
Microsoft
No answers on this topic
NetSuite
It has been very reliable. I can only think of 1-2 times in 4.5 years that we have had issues getting in, and in each case were able to get back in within 1 hour. There has not been a major downtime
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Performance
Microsoft
No answers on this topic
NetSuite
Most of the time the performance is very good. Pages load in a few seconds; financial reports take less than 5 seconds; basic searches take a few seconds. But performance can be sporadic throughout the day and cause the run time to triple.
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Support Rating
Microsoft
It provides one to efficiently be able to manage bookkeeping and inventory without much challenges. One can easily navigate through workflow processes while managing usages and budgets. Being able to produce reports in Word, Excel or PDF means one is able to have a working document to produce trends and graphs or produce pivot tables.
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NetSuite
The account rep changes quite often, which requires restarting. Suite Answers is a very good tool but can be hard to use for somebody who is not fully confident with Netsuite. Asking questions that are not already answered in Suite Answers can be rough. Training is readily available, but most of the time stays on the surface and doesn't answer medium to more advanced questions.
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In-Person Training
Microsoft
No answers on this topic
NetSuite
I had in person training for a day when first got the software. The training was good. The challenge was that there was a large gap between training and when we went live so we forgot quite a lot
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Online Training
Microsoft
No answers on this topic
NetSuite
Online training is quite strong. I have used for specific pieces of functionality.However it is not sufficient in all areas.
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Implementation Rating
Microsoft
No answers on this topic
NetSuite
I felt NetSuite Professional Services did an excellent job of guiding us in the implementation. I also felt our internal teams were a little resistant to the change and engagement of new software. Had we performed better engaging and buying into the new software, I would be able to rate the implementation better. Therefore, the lower number should not be viewed as a deficiency with the software or the professional services teams, but as an reminder of how important complete buy-in from the local users is.
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Alternatives Considered
Microsoft
I have personally supported all of the Dynamic family of ERP systems and made the decision to concentrate on NAV as the solution of choice. From a support and development standpoint there are few if any packages that can compare. It is not uncommon for most of the companies that I support to only call me once or twice a month after the first year. This is due to the ease of tracking down problems and errors and the ability for a developer to provide the end-user with routines that automatically correct the most basic kind of error
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NetSuite
Well, the reason why I'm with NetSuite is because obviously it beats out those other options quite considerably. It gave us the whole ecosystem that gave us everything we needed. I didn't need a dedicated administrator whose full-time job is to deal with it like our current system would need to really be useful. I can find people or train people how to use it right away. So for us, that really beats it out compared to the Sage and QuickBooks where we were looking at it from a perspective of, yeah, we can find people who are experts in those fields. They don't scale up to the size that we need as we're going to really quickly go from R&D company into doing tens of millions of dollars a year in revenue and activities. So that's where it beats us out over say Sage or QuickBooks is it's got that complete scalability. We can go to multiple subsidiaries, foreign currency, not a problem. It's got that full functionality.
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Scalability
Microsoft
No answers on this topic
NetSuite
We have been able to scale our business 25X without any major overhaul with Netsuite. Its dashboard setup makes onboarding new employees very easy and allows data to be shared across multiple offices. Its cloud setup does not put any pressure on IT to scale servers or other infrastructure. We have been able to become much more efficient in all aspects of the business.
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Return on Investment
Microsoft
  • Automation processing, including EDI functionality, has increased employee efficiency and prevented the need for adding additional employees.
  • Implementation of the warehouse functionality, including cycle counts, has resulted in better inventory control/less shrinkage.
  • Implementation of e-Ship and e-Receive, has resulted in greater efficiency and order accuracy.
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NetSuite
  • Positive impact, again, it's our source of truth, so we are able to not have questions about how much money we have in the bank or do we have enough material to build this job. Being able to know those things immediately is super valuable.
  • I mean it's the grease that skids the wheels that gets us to accomplish the things that we do in our business.
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ScreenShots

NetSuite ERP Screenshots

Screenshot of one view into the most critical business processes.Screenshot of Mobile-friendly design