Try our new research platform with insights from 80,000+ expert users

Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central vs Microsoft Dynamics AX comparison

 

Comparison Buyer's Guide

Executive SummaryUpdated on Jun 29, 2025

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
6.2
Users of Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central see varying ROI; efficiency benefits reported, though timelines and outcomes differ.
Sentiment score
7.9
Microsoft Dynamics AX enhances ROI by streamlining financial processes, improving efficiency, and benefiting large-scale operations with centralized management.
 

Customer Service

Sentiment score
4.1
Microsoft Dynamics 365 has good support, but slow responses and complex issue resolution remain areas needing improvement.
Sentiment score
4.3
Customer service for Microsoft Dynamics AX varies, with partner support rated from 3 to 9, highlighting inconsistency and mixed experiences.
The lack of senior technical consultants means Tier 1 support sometimes has limited experience, which could be better.
Some support personnel seem to stick to a checklist, which can be frustrating for experienced users.
Microsoft has really good documentation, and they are known for that.
 

Scalability Issues

Sentiment score
7.1
Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central is scalable for SMBs with customization, but scalability varies by version and deployment type.
Sentiment score
7.2
Microsoft Dynamics AX is scalable for medium to large businesses, but older versions face hardware challenges despite Azure integration.
It does not support consolidated financial reporting.
There are these things called AOS nodes where if you have more users and performance decreases, you can add more servers to the cluster.
 

Stability Issues

Sentiment score
7.8
Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central offers high stability, consistent performance, and few issues, making it reliable for organizational needs.
Sentiment score
7.4
Microsoft Dynamics AX is stable with proper setup, but customization and updates can affect performance, requiring manual issue resolution.
For the cloud, we have not faced any downtimes or stability issues.
I have not had any major issues with stability.
 

Room For Improvement

Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central lacks in cost management, customization, security, reporting, automation, integration, and compatibility features.
Microsoft Dynamics AX faces challenges with usability, infrastructure, and integrations, alongside limited resource capacity and costly customization.
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.
Another drawback is the absence of features like purchase order accruals, critical accounting concepts, and a robust fixed assets module.
It is no longer supported from a security perspective, so it is not getting updated.
 

Setup Cost

Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central offers cost-effective, flexible subscription pricing, though implementation and partner support may incur additional costs.
Microsoft Dynamics AX is costly with high setup fees and subscriptions, while Business Central offers a budget-friendly alternative.
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.
 

Valuable Features

Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central offers seamless integration, customization, and robust features, appealing to SMBs with real-time data and global compliance.
Microsoft Dynamics AX offers flexible, user-friendly features with seamless Excel integration, enhancing scalability, customization, and cloud-based project management.
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.
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.
 

Categories and Ranking

Microsoft Dynamics 365 Busi...
Ranking in ERP
3rd
Ranking in Activity Based Costing Software
1st
Average Rating
8.2
Reviews Sentiment
6.6
Number of Reviews
65
Ranking in other categories
No ranking in other categories
Microsoft Dynamics AX
Ranking in ERP
6th
Ranking in Activity Based Costing Software
3rd
Average Rating
7.6
Reviews Sentiment
6.7
Number of Reviews
56
Ranking in other categories
No ranking in other categories
 

Mindshare comparison

As of July 2025, in the ERP category, the mindshare of Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central is 6.7%, up from 6.4% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Microsoft Dynamics AX is 6.0%, down from 6.5% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.
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.
report
Use our free recommendation engine to learn which ERP solutions are best for your needs.
860,592 professionals have used our research since 2012.
 

Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews
Computer Software Company
13%
Manufacturing Company
11%
Financial Services Firm
6%
Retailer
6%
Computer Software Company
13%
Manufacturing Company
11%
Comms Service Provider
6%
Financial Services Firm
6%
 

Company Size

By reviewers
Large Enterprise
Midsize Enterprise
Small Business
 

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 minimum and maximum settings, dynamic monitoring of inventory levels, and integrat...
What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Microsoft Dynamics NAV?
The pricing for Dynamics 365 Business Central is reasonable. The value for money is very high.
What needs improvement with Microsoft Dynamics NAV?
The advanced warehouse functionalities are not available and should be improved. The purchase requisition process is also lacking, and more advanced functionalities for intercompany consolidations ...
What needs improvement with Microsoft Dynamics AX?
Microsoft Dynamics AX has several areas that need improvement, particularly when compared to larger systems. It lacks the concept of month-end closing, which is essential for tight control over fin...
What is your primary use case for Microsoft Dynamics AX?
I primarily use Microsoft Dynamics AX ( /products/microsoft-dynamics-ax-reviews ) for the financial module, which includes the general ledger, account payable, account receivable, inventory, and pu...
 

Also Known As

Dynamics NAV, MS Dynamics NAV
Dynamics AX, Axapta, MS Dynamics AX
 

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.
Find out what your peers are saying about Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central vs. Microsoft Dynamics AX and other solutions. Updated: June 2025.
860,592 professionals have used our research since 2012.