Introduction
Enterprise resource planning (ERP) software is crucial for businesses to effectively manage operations, finance, supply chain, customer relationships and more. However, with so many ERP options on the market, choosing the right one can be an overwhelming task. This guide analyzes 15 of the leading ERP solutions based on different evaluation criteria to help you make an informed decision. We look at platforms catering to various industries and company sizes, from SMBs to large enterprises.
Methods of Evaluation
To evaluate and rank the ERP software, we considered the following factors: features and functionality and support for key business processes, pricing and deployment options, industry-specific capabilities, customer reviews and ratings, online popularity based on metrics like backlinks, organic traffic and keyword search trends. Using these conventional evaluation methods alongside online popularity metrics helps paint a holistic picture of how established, reliable and suitable each vendor is for modern businesses.
1. Intuit QuickBooks
Intuit QuickBooks is one of the most popular and easy to use accounting software for small businesses. With over 4 million customers, QuickBooks has been helping small businesses manage their finances for over 30 years. It provides a complete accounting solution that covers invoicing, billing, expenses, taxes, and financial reports.
Pros: Some key advantages of Intuit QuickBooks include:
– Easy to use interface that requires no prior accounting or technical skills
– Covers all basic accounting needs like invoicing, billing, expenses, taxes etc.
– Seamless integrations help automate many financial tasks
– Excellent support and guidance resources for easy setup and use
Cons: A potential disadvantage of QuickBooks could be its pricing, as the packages suitable for growing businesses may seem expensive compared to other accounting software options.
Pricing: QuickBooks pricing starts from $15/month for the self-employed plan and goes up to $80/month for the highest tier ‘Contractor’ plan ideal for businesses with over 20 users.
Some key stats about Intuit QuickBooks include:
– Over 4 million customers worldwide
– Used by more than half of all US accountants
– Covers 99% of standard small business accounting needs
– Integrates with over 3000 financial apps like PayPal and Shopify
2. SAP
SAP is a leading ERP software developer founded in 1972 and headquartered in Germany. SAP offers a comprehensive suite of business applications across various industries including finance, manufacturing, retail, and more. With over 440,000 customers in over 180 countries, SAP has a massive global presence and strong brand recognition.
Pros: Some key advantages of SAP include:
– Massive global presence and customer base
– Strong support for various industries like retail, manufacturing, utilities and more
– Robust R&D and frequent product updates to incorporate new technologies
Cons: One potential disadvantage is the high costs associated with deployment, maintenance and support of SAP systems which can be prohibitive for small businesses.
Pricing: SAP pricing depends on the exact modules, industries and deployments. However, general pricing starts at tens of thousands of dollars per year for standard on-premise licenses or low thousands per user annually for cloud subscriptions.
Some key stats about SAP include:
– Over 440,000 customers worldwide
– Operations in over 180 countries
– Over $30 billion in annual revenue
– 40,000+ employees
– $7.5 billion spent annually on R&D
3. Odoo
Odoo is an all-in-one open source ERP and CRM software developed by Odoo SA. It provides a comprehensive suite of business applications like accounting, manufacturing, project management, sales, purchase, inventory, and more. Companies can use it both as cloud software or install it on-premise. Odoo is one of the most popular open source ERP solutions for small and medium-sized businesses due to its low cost of ownership and high degree of configurability.
Pros: Some key advantages of Odoo include:
– Open source software with low licensing fees
– Wide range of standard and optional applications available
– Cloud or on-premise deployment options provide flexibility
– Highly configurable to meet unique business needs
– Integrated suite of applications eliminates need of separate systems
Cons: One potential disadvantage of Odoo could be lack of offline functionality, as it is primarily an online SaaS platform with limited offline usage support.
Pricing: Odoo has the following pricing models:
– Free Community Edition for up to 10 users
– Professional Edition starting from $75 per user per month (billed annually)
– Enterprise Edition starting from $150 per user per month
Some key stats about Odoo include:
– Used by over 50,000 companies globally
– Available in over 70 languages
– Has over 4000 active contributors to its codebase
– Has more than 600 optional apps available on the Odoo app store
– Serves a wide range of industries like manufacturing, services, retail, etc.
4. Workday
Workday is a leading provider of enterprise cloud applications for finance and human resources. Founded in 2005, Workday helps thousands of organizations globally manage their finances, human resources, spending and more using its holistic cloud-based platform.
Pros: Some key advantages of Workday include:
– Robust HCM with finance and accounting
– Excellent spend and procurement modules
– Powerful analytics and reporting
Cons: One potential disadvantage is that Workday focuses only on larger enterprise customers and may not be as cost effective for smaller businesses.
Pricing: Workday pricing is subscription based starting at around $45 per user per month for the core HCM and Financials modules. Additional modules like Spend Management start at $20 per user per month. Workday also offers flexible deployment options from public to private cloud.
Some key stats about Workday include:
– Over 7,500+ customers globally across industries like technology, services, healthcare and more
– Over 55,000+ organizations use Workday globally
– Revenue of over $5 billion in FY23
5. Infor
Infor is an industry-leading ERP software provider that develops feature-rich, specialized solutions for over 60 industries. Founded in 2002, Infor has a reputation for providing simplified yet powerful technology preconfigured to the unique needs of specific industries. With over 16,000 employees globally, Infor serves more than 68,000 customers in over 175 countries.
Pros: The main advantages of Infor’s ERP software include:
– Strong portfolio of industry-specific solutions that are preconfigured for fast deployment
– Robust supply chain and finance modules to streamline operations
– Favorable pricing models and quicker implementation versus on-premise competitors
Cons: One potential disadvantage is that Infor’s solutions may not be as flexible as some competing products since they are tailored for specific industries. Customers seeking highly customizable ERP may find Infor’s offerings too restrictive.
Pricing: Infor offers a few different pricing models depending on the solution and industry. Most commonly, pricing is based on the number of users, modules, and type of deployment (cloud or on-premise). Implementation and support services are also billed separately. Overall pricing is considered favorable compared to similar ERP vendors.
Some key facts about Infor include:
– Over 16,000 employees globally
– Serving over 68,000 customers worldwide
– Solutions available for over 60 industries
– Over 15 billion in annual revenue
6. Avalara AvaTax
Avalara AvaTax is a leading provider of sales tax determination, compliance and exemption certificate management solutions. Founded in 2004, AvaTax aims to simplify sales tax compliance for businesses of all sizes. With AvaTax, businesses can automate tax calculation and filing for sales taxes, VAT, excise taxes and other transactional taxes.
Pros: Some key advantages of Avalara AvaTax include:
– Leading platform for sales tax determination with high accuracy rates
– Robust compliance capabilities and ability to seamlessly manage tax rates, rules and jurisdictional changes
– Seamless integration with all major ERP systems like NetSuite, SAP, Oracle etc. for a unified tax compliance solution
Cons: One potential disadvantage is that Avalara AvaTax is mainly a subscription based software as a service (SaaS) offering which requires ongoing costs compared to one-time license fees of some competitors.
Pricing: Avalara AvaTax pricing is subscription based, with solutions starting from $99/month for small businesses and ranging upwards depending on transaction volumes, users/seats and modules required. The platform offers free trials and customized pricing quotes on request.
Some key stats about Avalara AvaTax include:
– Processes over $500 billion in commerce annually
– Manages over 2.5 million exemption certificates
– Servers respond to queries within 25 milliseconds
7. Epicor
Epicor is an ERP software provider that has been in business for over 40 years. They offer a full suite of ERP solutions tailored for different industries including manufacturing, distribution, retail and more. Their flagship ERP product is Epicor Eclipse which provides a complete back office solution for companies of all sizes.
Pros: Some of the key advantages of Epicor Eclipse ERP include:
– Excellent for discrete and process manufacturing workflows out of the box
– Provides multi-company and multi-currency capabilities for international businesses
– Robust supply chain management and inventory modules
– Comprehensive financials and accounting functionality
Cons: One potential disadvantage is that the upfront costs and implementation timeframe can be higher compared to some other options since Epicor focuses on delivering highly customized and industry-specific solutions.
Pricing: Epicor Eclipse pricing is customized based on business size, desired modules, services, support levels and other factors. Generally, customers can expect an annual subscription anywhere from $15,000 to well over $100,000 depending on their specific needs and deployment option.
Some key stats about Epicor Eclipse ERP software include:
– Used by over 20,000 customers globally across various industries
– Available in the cloud or on-premises
– Integrates with over 300 applications via its APIs
– Supports 20 global languages
– Robust manufacturing functionality including MES, quality management and more
8. IFS Applications
IFS Applications is a global enterprise software company recognized for developing and delivering robust ERP, EAM, FSM and ESM solutions to businesses worldwide. Founded in 1983, IFS has over 3700 employees and offices in over 80 countries. IFS provides software solutions to a wide range of industries including aerospace & defense, utilities, oil & gas, manufacturing and service management.
Pros: Some key advantages of IFS applications include:
– Strong service and asset management capabilities
– Industry specific versions tailored for aerospace, utilities and other industries
– Robust manufacturing execution tools to manage production planning and processes
– Configurable workflows and interfaces to easily customize the solution
– Cloud, on-premise or hybrid deployment options
Cons: One potential disadvantage is that IFS may have fewer implementation partners globally compared to some other large ERP vendors.
Pricing: IFS pricing is not published openly. Companies will need to request a quote customized for their needs, industry, number of users and required modules. IFS offers perpetual or subscription based license models for both on-premise and cloud-based deployments.
Some key stats about IFS include:
– Over 5000 customers worldwide
– Operating in over 80 countries
– Over 3700 employees globally
– Over 30 years of experience developing enterprise software
– Serving industries like aerospace, utilities, manufacturing and more
9. ERPNext
ERPNext is a free and open source cloud ERP software developed by Frappe Technologies. It is a comprehensive, yet flexible ERP system that can be used by all types and sizes of businesses across various industries.
Pros: Some key advantages of ERPNext include:
– It is free and open source which saves licensing costs
– Highly customizable to meet unique business needs
– Robust reporting tools for financial and operational analysis
– Advanced warehouse and inventory management features
– User-friendly interface that is easy to navigate and use
Cons: One potential disadvantage is that as an open source solution, it doesn’t offer the same level of commercial support as proprietary ERPs. However, the community is very active and helpful.
Pricing: ERPNext has the following pricing plans:
– Free plan for up to 3 users
– Paid plans starting from $50/month for 5 users
Some key stats about ERPNext include:
– Used by over 50,000 companies worldwide
– Supports 15+ languages
– Has more than 10,000 installations
– Completely customizable through its UI builder
10. Unit4
Unit4 is an enterprise software company that provides integrated applications for finance, human resources, services and student management. Founded in 2001 with headquarters in the Netherlands, Unit4 employs over 3,000 professionals and serves over 6,500 customers globally. They offer a comprehensive ERP system aimed at mid-market and large organizations across multiple industries.
Pros: Some of the key advantages of Unit4’s ERP software include:
– Excellent for professional services industries with powerful project accounting and time sheets
– Built-in BI and analytics tools for data-driven decision making
– Highly configurable to specific business needs
Cons: A potential disadvantage is that the software may have a relatively steeper learning curve compared to some simpler ERP options on the market.
Pricing: Unit4 typically prices its ERP software based on the number of users and modules needed. They offer both monthly and annual subscription plans. Contact Unit4 sales for a custom quote based on requirements.
Some key facts about Unit4 include:
– Over 3,000 employees worldwide
– Serves over 6,500 customers globally
– Founded in 2001 and headquartered in the Netherlands
– Customers include Avanade, World Vision and Ericsson
11. Sapphire by Visma
Sapphire by Visma is a European-focused ERP solution developed by Visma, a leading business software company headquartered in Norway. With over 30 years of experience delivering software solutions, Visma powers over 15 million business users worldwide with its suite of ERP, finance, HR and procurement applications.
Pros: Some key advantages of Sapphire ERP include:
– Powerful European focused ERP platform
– Strong suite of HR, procurement and finance modules
– Focused support and excellent system usability
Cons: As an established platform, the user interface of Sapphire ERP could be more modern and intuitive for newer users. However, Visma is continuously investing in updates to improve the UX.
Pricing: Sapphire ERP pricing is based on the number of concurrent users. Contact Visma or an authorized reseller for an exact quote tailored to your business needs and modules.
Some key stats about Sapphire ERP include:
– Over 30,000 customers globally
– Used in over 40 countries
– Integrates with over 500 applications
– Available in 14 languages
– 24/7 support and system monitoring
12. Viewpoint Construction Software
Viewpoint Construction Software is a leading construction-specific ERP software. In business for over 30 years, Viewpoint provides a fully integrated software solution dedicated to meeting the unique needs of construction companies. With clients ranging from small general contractors to large national and international construction firms, Viewpoint supports the construction accounting, project management and field teams for nearly 8,000 construction companies worldwide.
Pros: Some of the key advantages of Viewpoint include:
– Dedicated to the construction industry making it a strong fit for construction business needs
– Strong project management tools to help contractors manage schedules, budgets, RFIs, submittals and more
– Visual workflow execution allows field staff to update progress photos and notes from mobile devices
– Integrated accounting and operations eliminates data entry and keeps financials and project details in sync
Cons: One potential disadvantage is the upfront licensing and implementation costs which can be higher than some other alternatives.
Pricing: Viewpoint pricing is based on annual subscription fees that vary based on company size, functionality, and modules needed. Typical starting pricing ranges from $2,000 to $10,000 per month.
Some key stats about Viewpoint include:
– Over 8,000 construction companies rely on Viewpoint worldwide
– Supports all construction processes from pre-construction to job closeout
– Integrates accounting, project management, and field functionality in a single database
13. Deskera
Deskera is an all-in-one business management software that helps SMBs streamline their operations. The software offers robust accounting, inventory, CRM, payroll, and HRMS capabilities in a single cloud-based platform.
Pros: Some key advantages of Deskera include:
– Robust accounting and inventory modules that help automate financial operations and track stock levels
– Payroll processing and HCM capabilities that simplify managing employees and complying with regulations
– Cloud deployment that eliminates IT costs and allows remote access to the software from anywhere
Cons: One potential disadvantage is that the software may not support some niche or industry-specific requirements for very specialized businesses.
Pricing: Deskera offers flexible pricing plans starting from $25 per user per month for their basic plan. They also have professional and enterprise plans tailored for mid-sized and large businesses with additional features and customization options.
Some key stats about Deskera include:
– Used by over 50,000 businesses worldwide
– Supports over 15 local tax and compliance requirements
– Processes payroll for over 500,000 employees monthly
14. Acumatica
Acumatica is an cloud-based ERP solution developed by Acumatica, Inc. Founded in 2008, Acumatica is headquartered in Bellevue, Washington and has over 300 employees. Acumatica provides a full-featured cloud ERP platform targeting small and mid-sized businesses across various industries like manufacturing, distribution and services.
Pros: Some key advantages of Acumatica include:
– Cloud-based with subscription-based pricing making it affordable for SMBs
– Excellent project accounting capabilities with timesheets, expenses and billing features
– Real-time dashboards and reporting on key business metrics
Cons: One potential disadvantage is that being a cloud-only solution, some companies may prefer an on-premise deployment for data security reasons
Pricing: Acumatica pricing starts from $75 per user per month for their basic Express edition and goes up to $150 per user per month for their high-end Enterprise edition. Volume based discounts are available for higher number of users.
Some key stats about Acumatica include:
– Serving over 4000 customers globally across various industries
– Available in over 20 languages
– Hosted on Amazon Web Services infrastructure ensuring high security and availability
15. Plex Systems
Plex Systems provides an ERP software called the Plex Smart Manufacturing Platform specifically designed for discrete manufacturers. In business since 1995, Plex helps manufacturing companies gain control of their operations from the shop floor to the executive level.
Pros: Some key advantages of the Plex Smart Manufacturing Platform include:
– Excellent for discrete manufacturers due to its focus on production processes and capabilities
– Provides tools for IoT, analytics and smart manufacturing functions to optimize operations
– Easy to use visual kanban and workflows to streamline production planning and execution
Cons: One potential disadvantage is the cost as it is an enterprise-level ERP platform aimed at larger manufacturers. The initial licensing and implementation costs may be high for some smaller businesses.
Pricing: Plex pricing is customized based on business size and requirements. Generally it is licensed on annual subscription fees based on number of users, modules and services. Implementation, consulting and training also have additional associated costs depending on the scope of the project.
Some key stats about Plex include:
– Used by over 1000 companies worldwide
– Processes over $30B in annual transactions
– Integrates with over 50 equipment connectors for shop floor data collection
– Continuously innovating with over 500 machine learning models within the platform
Conclusion
While no single ERP is perfect for all scenarios, we hope this comprehensive analysis and comparison of the top 15 platforms provides useful insights. Consider your specific business needs and processes, budget, and long-term goals to select the ideal solution. An ERP is a significant investment, so choosing the right fit is important for maximizing ROI and operational efficiency. Let me know if you need any other recommendations or have additional questions.