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Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central vs Microsoft Dynamics AX vs SAP ERP comparison

 

Comparison Buyer's Guide

Executive Summary

Review summaries and opinions

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:
 

ROI

Sentiment score
5.5
Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central improved efficiency and savings but returns vary, with some experiencing delays up to six months.
Sentiment score
7.3
Microsoft Dynamics AX enhances efficiency, reduces costs, and offers rapid ROI, benefiting organizations of all sizes with centralized management.
Sentiment score
5.6
SAP ERP enhances inventory management and efficiency, offering cost savings and faster ROI through automation and data analysis.
 

Customer Service

Sentiment score
4.1
Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central offers responsive customer support, though technical assistance can be slow and sometimes checklist-driven.
Sentiment score
4.2
Dynamics AX support is praised for responsiveness and resources, though customization challenges and partner reliance pose issues.
Sentiment score
6.1
SAP ERP customer service is generally praised, but technical support experiences vary, with some noting improvements and valuable features.
The response time before getting someone who can provide a relevant answer is crucial.
The lack of senior technical consultants means Tier 1 support sometimes has limited experience, which could be better.
Microsoft provides real-time support, which makes a big difference compared to SAP.
Microsoft has really good documentation, and they are known for that.
SAP technical support is very good.
It was very quick, and we didn't have many tickets, but every time any issues arose, they were very quickly resolved.
It is not easy to justify something as high priority unless the system is completely down.
 

Scalability Issues

Sentiment score
7.0
Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central is scalable, best with cloud deployment, yet may require alternatives for large implementations.
Sentiment score
7.1
Microsoft Dynamics AX excels in scalability and adaptability for varied industries, though larger deployments may face hardware and compatibility challenges.
Sentiment score
7.9
SAP ERP is praised for its scalability, flexibility, and ability to handle large user bases and significant data loads.
There are these things called AOS nodes where if you have more users and performance decreases, you can add more servers to the cluster.
It struggles with scalability when you need to manage financial reporting or setup for multiple companies.
It is scalable when moving from one version to another or adding additional components like warehouse management.
The scalability of SAP ERP is excellent.
 

Stability Issues

Sentiment score
7.7
Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central is a stable, reliable platform for diverse, demanding organizational needs with minimal bugs.
Sentiment score
7.2
Microsoft Dynamics AX's stability varies, influenced by hardware, customization, maintenance, VPN issues, and user-specific setups.
Sentiment score
8.2
SAP ERP is praised for reliability and efficiency, with stability ratings often between 8 to 10 out of 10.
For the cloud, we have not faced any downtimes or stability issues.
I have not had any major issues with stability.
If you do the maintenance and have your own people, it could be stable, but it means a lot of work.
Production processes would be on hold without stability, so it is quite important that the software is very stable.
Stability-wise, SAP ERP is the best product among others.
 

Room For Improvement

Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central faces challenges in pricing, customization, integration, and user experience while needing enhancements in support and management.
Microsoft Dynamics AX faces performance issues and lacks support; users are encouraged to transition to Dynamics 365 for improvements.
SAP ERP faces criticism for high costs, outdated interface, limited flexibility, and struggles with integration and real-time needs.
There's a gap in advanced features that other platforms like NetSuite handle better.
There is a need for improvement in consolidation and multi-country master data management.
It is no longer supported from a security perspective, so it is not getting updated.
Microsoft Dynamics AX lacks the concept of month-end closing, which is essential for tight control over financial periods.
SAP ERP could improve by integrating additional components such as digital signatures and barcoding.
SAP recently implemented Databricks, and they started investing significantly in the analytic environment.
We are using version 6.0 and it meets our needs.
 

Setup Cost

Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central offers cost-effective, flexible pricing, starting at $70-$100 per user, with variable implementation fees.
Microsoft Dynamics AX is pricey, with costs adding up from licenses and implementation, making thorough enterprise assessment essential.
SAP ERP is costly, with implementation exceeding $1.5 million, but valuable for large enterprises due to extensive features.
However, it was very costly due to the numerous integrations we had.
The pricing for Dynamics 365 Business Central is reasonable.
Acquiring a developer license for customization is expensive, costing over one hundred thousand Hong Kong dollars.
Small and medium companies can struggle with the pricing.
The pricing for SAP ERP is medium but slightly on the higher side.
 

Valuable Features

Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central streamlines operations with seamless Microsoft integration, real-time insights, customization, scalability, and global compliance.
Microsoft Dynamics AX offers flexible, user-friendly integration with strong modules, customization, and cloud-based accessibility for diverse business operations.
SAP ERP offers integration, customization, and efficiency with industry-specific modules, a centralized database, and robust architecture for seamless operations.
The value for money is very high as it fits the business well.
It provides localized compliance for every country, covering VAT compliances, taxing policies, and corporate taxes.
Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central is scalable, as it was able to grow with increasing business demands.
I have not had any major issue with stability.
The most valuable feature of Microsoft Dynamics AX is its full integration with Excel, allowing for cut and paste functionality between Excel and the system.
The consistent integrations and real-time data analytics in SAP ERP significantly enhance the decision-making process by facilitating follow-ups and action points.
SAP ERP has impacted our organization positively because it is highly customizable to build any process we have in our companies and to write programs.
SAP ERP is particularly strong in manufacturing, from production planning to plant maintenance, then Material Management itself, and managing warehouse management and inventory control.
 

Mindshare comparison

As of September 2025, in the ERP category, the mindshare of Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central is 6.5%, up from 6.3% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Microsoft Dynamics AX is 5.4%, down from 6.6% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of SAP ERP is 17.2%, down from 22.2% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.
ERP Market Share Distribution
ProductMarket Share (%)
SAP ERP17.2%
Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central6.5%
Microsoft Dynamics AX5.4%
Other70.9%
ERP
 

Featured Reviews

StefaanVandesompele - PeerSpot reviewer
Provides end-to-end accounting and finance module at reasonable pricing
365 Business Central integrates with Office 365 to streamline the invoice approval process. This allows businesses to manage and approve invoices efficiently within a unified system. Our organization plans to transition to the Dynamics 365 environment, where various functions will be centralized. We will consolidate everything into one system instead of maintaining multiple databases for each country with local data. Dynamics 365 is fully integrated, which should address many of our challenges when we migrate to this new environment. We look forward to seeing how it performs in practice. The project is progressing well overall, though integrating it with other tools and ensuring Dynamics 365 operates smoothly can be challenging. Dynamics 365 is user-friendly and effective. However, a deeper understanding of its technical capabilities and architecture might be necessary to optimize its use fully. The software landscape is evolving, and achieving the best reporting and functionality with just a click can be complex. A clear vision of what you want to achieve with Dynamics 365 is essential. Proper preparation and configuration are crucial to achieving the desired outcomes. This principle applies not only to Dynamics 365 but to all software packages. Understanding the system's flexibility and adaptability based on your specific business needs is key to its successful implementation. Overall, I rate the solution an eight out of ten.
SherifAnter - PeerSpot reviewer
The sales and distribution modules are robust, and reliable, and seldom encounter issues
In GP, there are certain features like financial reporting that aren't part of the core GP package. Users might need to install additional components for these features. For example, there's a reseller product called Management Reporter, but many users would prefer to have the reporting capabilities integrated within GP itself, rather than relying on external tools. The manufacturing module in GP is quite basic, and those who require more advanced manufacturing capabilities often turn to third-party modules or tools. Additionally, you might be aware that in 2028, GP is expected to reach its end of life. Microsoft has already ceased selling GP to new customers. It's essentially the same product, but this marks the final year for GP's availability.
Achmad Dimyati - PeerSpot reviewer
Long-term adaptation and evolution meets changing technology trends
SAP ERP is not really real-time. We use the HANA database which is supposed to be memory data in memory, but we are still not very happy. It is supposed to be real-time and come very quickly, but in reality, it still takes time to run. That is why we use BW of SAP, Business Objects, and now we have moved to the Analytic Cloud where we start using predictive AI. SAP recently implemented Databricks, and they started investing significantly in the analytic environment. SAP ERP has been left behind as they moved to S/4HANA with the HANA database. They restructured the whole table structure of SAP ERP, introduced simple finance, simple logistics, and moved HR to SuccessFactors. They have the BTP layer where they manage everything from integration to master data management. The challenge with SAP is that they move very fast to different products and buy different products. It requires significant investment and many skills to catch up because all of these have different sets of technology. The fundamental has changed differently. It is not monolithic anymore but different products under one name, SAP. You have to buy it model by model for additional models. Products such as SuccessFactors, Ariba for procure to pay, Concur for travel, and Facility Management use totally different technology. They try to integrate with each other, but it remains a challenge for SAP to make them have the same management, technology, and operational approach.
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Comparison Review

it_user110085 - PeerSpot reviewer
Feb 1, 2015
SAP All in One vs. Oracle E-Business Suite vs. Microsoft Axapta
We put together an ERP evaluation for 3 proposed solutions. The top 3 packages considered for detailed evaluation – SAP All in One, Oracle E-Business Suite, Microsoft Axapta. The Key Criteria used for Evaluation are as follows: A. Functional Fit to meet current Business Requirements B…
 

Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews
Computer Software Company
12%
Manufacturing Company
12%
Comms Service Provider
7%
Retailer
7%
Manufacturing Company
11%
Computer Software Company
11%
Comms Service Provider
6%
Retailer
6%
Manufacturing Company
14%
Computer Software Company
11%
Retailer
7%
University
6%
 

Company Size

By reviewers
Large Enterprise
Midsize Enterprise
Small Business
By reviewers
Company SizeCount
Small Business39
Midsize Enterprise12
Large Enterprise19
By reviewers
Company SizeCount
Small Business29
Midsize Enterprise12
Large Enterprise17
By reviewers
Company SizeCount
Small Business31
Midsize Enterprise30
Large Enterprise76
 

Questions from the Community

What do you like most about Microsoft Dynamics NAV?
The platform offers a robust and comprehensive cycle for supply chain and inventory management, with features like mi...
What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Microsoft Dynamics NAV?
I don't have specific information about the pricing of Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central. However, it was very ...
What needs improvement with Microsoft Dynamics NAV?
When I started working with Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central, I was new and didn't know what ERP was or its pu...
What needs improvement with Microsoft Dynamics AX?
I have faced challenges with Microsoft Dynamics AX, specifically localization; it's very challenging because we are f...
What is your primary use case for Microsoft Dynamics AX?
We are a customer of Microsoft Dynamics AX. The ERP system is used to keep tracking our processes. I am using Microso...
Is Anaplan better than SAP ERP?
There are different aspects of both Anaplan and SAP ERP that I like and dislike. Anaplan improves forecast accuracy a...
What do you like most about SAP ERP?
The solution has made the most significant impact on our human resources function, specifically in HR operations and ...
What needs improvement with SAP ERP?
SAP ERP is fine as it is at the moment. It is difficult to comment on improvements for this version. I know HANA has ...
 

Also Known As

Dynamics NAV, MS Dynamics NAV
Dynamics AX, Axapta, MS Dynamics AX
No data available
 

Overview

 

Sample Customers

Harris Farm Markets, Mister Spex GmbH, Bounce Foods, Eurofin Services SA, Medica Medizintechnik, Associated Gaskets, Onduline, Sitka Surfboard Corporation, World Animal Protection
ConQuaestor, D & H Distributing, Sunny Queen, Mesa Associates, Britax Childcare, Ibema, Arafa, Sabo S.p.A.
B&G Manufacturing, Unilever, Life is good Inc., Joy Global Inc., City of Cape Town, Bhopal Municipal, Corporation (BMC), adidas Group, Butcher & Packer Supply Company, Franklin Valve L.P., Evoshield, Prime Meats, a Norsan Group company, EMC Corporation, Varian Medical Systems Inc., FC Bayern Mªnchen AG, AkzoNobel Chemicals B.V., T¾V Rheinland, Pacific Drilling S.A., Fire & Rescue New South Wales, University of Amsterdam, Pa_alon S.A.
Find out what your peers are saying about SAP, Microsoft, Infor and others in ERP. Updated: August 2025.
867,445 professionals have used our research since 2012.