CRM, invoicing, accounting: the 9 best alternatives to Axonaut in 2026
Axonaut is winning over many French SMEs with its promise to centralise CRM, invoicing, accounting and project management in a single tool. On paper, everything looks perfect. But in practice, users find its interface a little rigid, its functionalities limited for certain businesses and its integrations sometimes capricious... In short, sometimes Axonaut doesn't tick all the boxes.
So what do you do when your needs change, your team grows or you're looking for a simpler, more flexible... or more powerful tool?
👉 We've sifted through the 9 best alternatives to Axonaut, to help you find THE right business management software for your day-to-day needs. Whether you're looking for a simple CRM, a complete invoicing-accounting solution or a really slick all-in-one tool, this guide is here to save you time.
What is Axonaut?
Axonaut is an all-in-one business management software package designed primarily for French VSEs and SMEs. Its aim? To simplify the day-to-day life of managers by bringing together, in a single interface, the tools they need to manage their business:
- CRM ;
- invoicing ;
- estimates;
- expense tracking ;
- accounting ;
- HR ;
- and project management.
🎯 It is aimed at both the self-employed and organisations with between 5 and 50 employees looking to structure their processes without blowing their budget. Designed for teams who want to save time without getting bogged down in complex software, Axonaut features a simple interface, practical functions and automated administrative tasks.
Why consider an alternative to Axonaut?
Features that are too basic for certain business needs
Axonaut offers a range of generalist functions: CRM, invoicing, simplified accounting, quote management, expense tracking, etc. On paper, it's a complete solution. In practice, these modules can quickly lack depth.
Take CRM, for example: it tracks contacts, opportunities and sales. But as soon as you try to :
- automate follow-ups;
- create dynamic sales scenarios;
- or analyse the performance of your sales pipeline ;
you quickly reach the limits of the tool.
The same applies to project management or cash flow monitoring, where the functionalities are limited to very standard, even academic, use.
This may be fine for a small start-up company, but as soon as you have more complex processes, structured teams or sector-specific requirements, Axonaut sometimes becomes more of a hindrance than a help.
A simple interface... but not very scalable and sometimes frustrating
Axonaut relies heavily on a clean, accessible interface. This is one of its marketing arguments: to enable everyone to find their way around, even without training. But this simplicity sometimes comes at the expense of customisation and ergonomics.
In particular, user feedback highlights :
- unintuitive menus that require several clicks to access basic functions ;
- fixed views, impossible to adapt according to priorities or role in the team;
- an ageing design, out of step with modern application standards.
So what was supposed to save time ends up wasting it, especially when several team members have to work together on the tool.
Integration too limited for connected businesses
One of the main criticisms levelled at Axonaut concerns its integration capabilities. In an increasingly rich SaaS ecosystem, where each company uses between 5 and 15 business tools (accounting, marketing, e-commerce, HR, communications, etc.), it is crucial to be able to connect these applications easily.
Axonaut offers a limited number of native integrations. Most external connections require either manual manipulation (CSV exports, copying and pasting of data, etc.) or specific development via APIs or third-party gateways. This puts a considerable brake on productivity gains and increases the risk of errors or duplication in the data.
For a company looking to centralise its activity without increasing the number of times it has to re-enter data, this quickly becomes a critical issue. All the more so if customer relations, marketing campaigns or sales management are based on external tools that do not interact well with Axonaut.
A solution that is struggling to keep pace with business growth
Axonaut is an excellent entry point for young companies. But as soon as the structure grows, teams specialise or flows become more complex, the tool shows its limits in terms of scalability.
📌 For example:
- multi-user access remains basic, with little fine-grained rights management ;
- dashboards and reports are not very customisable, which complicates performance management ;
- there is a lack of advanced functionalities for growing businesses: fine-tuned role management, workflow automation, financial analyses, etc.
For many, this means replatforming after a few months or years: migrating to a more robust solution with better scalability support and analysis or automation tools adapted to a changing structure.
Comparative table of the 9 best alternatives to axonaut
1 of 7
 Pipedrive |  Dolibarr |  Odoo |  Oracle NetSuite |  Pennylane |  Xero |  Freshsales |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| For companies with 1 to 5000 employees | For all companies | For companies with more than 1 employees | For all companies | For companies with 1 to 250 employees | For companies with more than 1 employees | For all companies |
| See software | See software | See software | See software | See software | See software | See software |
| Learn more about Pipedrive | Learn more about Dolibarr | Learn more about Odoo | Learn more about Oracle NetSuite | Learn more about Pennylane | Learn more about Xero | Learn more about Freshsales |
Our selection of all-in-one software alternatives to Axonaut
Dolibarr
Dolibarr is an open source business management solution, popular with very small businesses, SMEs and associations looking for a comprehensive, customisable tool with no fixed subscription costs. Unlike Axonaut, Dolibarr offers great freedom of configuration: you choose which modules to activate according to your needs (CRM, quotes, invoices, stocks, HR, projects, etc.).
Although the interface is less modern than that of recent cloud solutions, Dolibarr's flexibility, rich functionality and low-cost model make it an attractive choice. It's an ideal alternative for organisations looking for a centralised, autonomous and 100% controllable management tool, particularly if they have an IT team or technical service provider to support them.
⚒️ Here's why Dolibarr can replace Axonaut as a flexible, complete business management solution:
- Modular ERP: activate only the functionalities you need (sales, purchasing, HR, CRM, etc.) ;
- open source code: you can host and modify the software to suit your needs;
- extensive community and documentation available free of charge;
- extensive functionality: sales management, accounting, project management, stock management, etc. ;
- extensive customisation at no licence cost;
- multi-user access with detailed rights management;
- local or cloud hosting, depending on your infrastructure.
Dolibarr
Odoo
Odoo is a behemoth of business management software. This open source modular ERP allows you to manage all your operations via a single platform: CRM, invoicing, accounting, stock management, HR, projects, e-commerce and marketing: CRM, invoicing, accounting, stock management, HR, projects, e-commerce, marketing... Whereas Axonaut is limited to SMEs, Odoo is scalable and can be used by start-ups and SMEs alike.
Odoo's strength? Its modularity. You only activate the applications you need, without paying for the rest. And thanks to its extreme flexibility, the tool adapts just as well to growing businesses as to structures with specific needs, thanks to numerous integrations and a robust API.
⚒️ Here's why Odoo is a very serious alternative to Axonaut for companies that want to centralise everything:
- over 40 modules that can be activated as required: CRM, sales, accounting, etc. ;
- unified, modern, responsive interface
- advanced customisation of workflows and user roles;
- integrated analysis tools, with powerful dashboards;
- multilingual and multi-currency support, for international organisations;
- open source, with a large community of developers;
- hosted in the cloud or on a private server, depending on IT policy.
Odoo
Oracle NetSuite
Oracle NetSuite is a top-of-the-range international cloud ERP designed for fast-growing or already well-structured companies. Much more than just management software, NetSuite integrates all the vital functions of a company: accounting, finance, CRM, stock management, e-commerce, human resources, etc. Whereas Axonaut is aimed at VSEs/SMEs, NetSuite is aimed at ETIs, scale-ups or multi-entity groups.
What sets NetSuite apart is its functional depth, its ability to centralise all the company's data and its strong focus on financial performance and process optimisation. It's a robust solution, but one that requires a certain level of operational maturity to realise its full potential.
⚒️ Here's why Oracle NetSuite can replace Axonaut for global and strategic management:
- Unified ERP covering finance, CRM, purchasing, logistics, e-commerce, HR, etc. ;
- powerful real-time reporting and financial analysis tool;
- multi-entity, multi-currency, multi-country management;
- automation of complex business processes;
- highly customisable and scalable;
- Oracle cloud infrastructure: security, performance, availability;
- expert support and assistance during deployment.
Oracle NetSuite
Sellsy
Sellsy is a French sales management software package that integrates CRM, invoicing and quotation, marketing and cash flow modules. It's a natural alternative to Axonaut for companies looking to manage both customer relations and invoicing in the same tool, without using an ERP.
Its main strength? A clear, consistent interface, well-thought-out functionalities for sales staff and a genuine customer follow-up logic, from the first contact to the invoice. Sellsy has positioned itself as a complete sales management solution, particularly appreciated by sales teams who want to work quickly and efficiently (with a high degree of automation!).
⚒️ Here's what makes Sellsy a solid alternative to Axonaut in terms of CRM and customer management:
- CRM connected to invoicing, for commercial continuity;
- Visual sales pipeline that can be customised to suit your processes;
- marketing automation functions, with targeted email and SMS campaigns;
- online invoice payment and automated reminders;
- integration of artificial intelligence, for analysing and summarising information, or writing texts;
- compatibility with the reform of electronic invoicing (registration as an Approved Platform) ;
- practical mobile application for field teams.
Our selection of alternatives to Axonaut for your accounting and billing needs
Sage 50
Sage 50 is a long-standing accounting and financial management solution used by thousands of SMEs. Unlike Axonaut, which aims for simplicity with a range of generalist functions, Sage 50 is positioned as a comprehensive and robust accounting tool, designed for organisations with more advanced financial, invoicing and reporting needs. It is a platform that is particularly appreciated by companies that work in collaboration with a chartered accountant or that internalise their accounting.
The strengths of Sage 50? Genuine functional power, great configuration flexibility and functionalities tailored to financial management, well beyond the capabilities of Axonaut. It's a more demanding solution, but also a richer one, ideal for structured SMEs.
⚒️ Here's why Sage 50 may be right for companies looking for a more robust accounting management tool:
- customisable chart of accounts, compliant with French standards ;
- multi-currency and multi-company management, for international structures;
- advanced financial dashboards and customised reports;
- cash management, fixed assets and automatic reminders;
- integration with Sage payroll, CRM and sales management tools;
- solid track record and proven reliability, with dedicated support;
- Hosted in the cloud or on site, depending on preference.
Pennylane
Pennylane has established itself as one of the new leaders in augmented accounting, with a clear promise: to reconcile managers and accountants around a common tool. Whereas Axonaut is limited to entering and exporting accounting data, Pennylane offers a truly collaborative environment in real time, designed to make exchanges as fluid and automated as possible.
Aimed at fast-growing SMEs and start-ups, Pennylane offers a high level of analysis and automation, with native integration of banking, purchasing, sales and even business tools (Stripe, Shopify, Qonto, etc.). Its modern interface and dynamic reports make it an ideal solution for managers who want to manage their business without waiting for the annual closing.
⚒️ Here's what sets Pennylane apart from software like Axonaut, and why it's winning over more and more finance teams:
- direct connection with your accounting firm, with no need for re-keying ;
- automatic bank imports with intelligent categorisation
- real-time display of cash flow and income statement;
- automation of customer and supplier invoices;
- expense tracking and validation of expense claims ;
- dynamic dashboards, with analysis by item or project;
- native integration with the main SaaS apps used in business.
Pennylane
Xero
Xero is a cloud accounting solution from New Zealand, which in just a few years has become a global benchmark for freelancers, start-ups and small businesses. Ultra-flexible and 100% online, it is positioned as a modern, international alternative to Axonaut, with a strong focus on invoicing, banking and accounting collaboration.
What makes Xero so attractive is the quality of its interface, its rich ecosystem of third-party apps and its ability to adapt to different business contexts and countries. Although the tool is mainly used in English-speaking countries, it is also suitable for French organisations operating internationally or used to working with English-speaking accountants.
⚒️ Here's what makes Xero a credible alternative to Axonaut for fluid, modern financial management:
- customisable invoicing with integrated automatic reminders
- real-time bank synchronisation with over 100 institutions;
- simplified management of estimates, expenses and expense reports ;
- seamless collaboration with accountants;
- over 1,000 available integrations : CRM, payment, e-commerce, etc;
- powerful mobile application , so you can track your data from anywhere;
- active support and an international community of users.
Xero
Our selection of CRM alternatives to Axonaut
Freshsales
Freshsales, developed by Freshworks, is a simple yet powerful CRM that aims to streamline the prospecting, sales and customer management process, without unnecessary complexity. Where Axonaut incorporates a fairly basic CRM, Freshsales relies on a modern interface, advanced automation features and a real ability to structure the sales cycle from A to Z.
Ideal for SMEs looking to accelerate their sales development, Freshsales offers scoring tools, interaction tracking, automated e-mailing and even an integrated telephone. Its excellent value for money and gradual ramp-up make it a strategic choice for ambitious sales teams.
⚒️ Here's what Freshsales has to offer to boost customer relations and sales:
- customisable visual pipeline, with real-time opportunity tracking ;
- automated sales tasks: follow-ups, emails, reminders, etc;
- intelligent lead scoring, based on behaviour
- native VOIP phone integration, including call tracking;
- complete history of customer interactions: emails, calls, meetings ;
- 360° view of the customer, with centralised data per contact;
- multiple integrations with marketing, support and finance tools.
Freshsales
Pipedrive
Pipedrive is a CRM designed for sales performance. Created by salespeople for salespeople, it focuses on a single objective: to convert more leads into customers with an ultra-visual interface, a clear pipeline and a logic of concrete actions. If Axonaut's CRM seems too rigid or too general, Pipedrive offers a user experience focused on efficiency.
This CRM will appeal to start-ups and ambitious SMEs alike, thanks to its ease of use, its ability to integrate easily with other tools and its results-oriented approach. In short, everything is designed to move deals forward quickly.
⚒️ Here's why Pipedrive is often preferred to Axonaut by sales teams:
- ultra-clear, drag-and-drop visual pipeline;
- automation of recurring tasks, emails and reminders;
- Precise tracking of conversions and sales performance;
- ultra-fluid mobile interface, so you can remain efficient on the move;
- fine-tuned management of contacts and companies, with powerful filters ;
- rich marketplace, with over 300 integrations: Slack, Trello, etc. ;
- customisable reports, focused on objectives and results.
Pipedrive
Summary table of the best alternatives to Axonaut
| Software | Target user | Key benefits | Entry price |
| Dolibarr | VSEs, SMEs, associations, technical organisations |
|
From €16/month |
| Freshsales | Commercial SMEs |
|
Free offer |
| Odoo | Companies of all sizes |
|
Free offer |
| Oracle NetSuite | ETIs, scale-ups, international groups |
|
On quotation |
| Pennylane | SMEs, scale-ups |
|
From €14/month |
| Pipedrive | Results-oriented sales teams |
|
From €14/month |
| Sage 50 | Structured SME |
|
From €20/month |
| Sellsy | French SMEs, sales teams |
|
From €29/month |
| Xero | Self-employed, small international businesses |
|
From €5/month |
Criteria to consider when choosing an alternative to Axonaut
Before changing tools, it's essential to assess your priorities and check that the solution you choose can really simplify the management of your business. Here are the main criteria to consider
- functionality essential to your business: CRM, invoicing, accounting, HR management, etc. ;
- ease of use: the tool should be intuitive, quick to learn and easy to use without extensive training;
- integration: check compatibility with your other software (banking, accounting, e-commerce, marketing, etc.);
- value for money: compare the features included, the hidden costs and the potential time savings;
- scalability: the tool should be able to grow with your structure, without forcing you to change in 6 months' time;
- data centralisation: a single platform to avoid re-keying and loss of information;
- mobility: if you often work on the move, the mobile application must be reliable and complete;
- customer support: a responsive service is essential if you want to resolve any technical problems or bottlenecks quickly.
No more compromises: find the right tool to manage your business
Axonaut is still a good business management solution for getting started, but it's not necessarily the best choice for the long term. Too rigid? Not powerful enough? Ill-suited to your processes? Today there are alternatives that are much more targeted, more fluid and sometimes even more economical, depending on your business, your team and your ambitions.
Whether you're looking for a simple CRM, a fast invoicing tool, an automated accounting solution, or scalable all-in-one software, there's bound to be a platform made for you.
💡 The most important thing is to choose software that:
- meets your real needs;
- saves your team time;
- integrates perfectly with your environment.
It's this kind of tool that turns an administrative constraint into a performance lever.
Article translated from French