Infor LN vs SAP: the industrial ERP match-up in 2025
Choosing an ERP is a bit like choosing a co-pilot for your business: it needs to hold the road, anticipate bends... and above all, speak the same business language as you.
If you work in manufacturing, engineering or the supply chain, then Infor LN and SAP ERP are two behemoths that are bound to have crossed your radar. On the one hand, a resolutely production-oriented ERP, capable of adapting to complex chains such as those in the aerospace or automotive industries. On the other, a modular, sprawling giant that equips the world's biggest groups.
But between the flexibility of Infor LN and the firepower of SAP, which ERP will really meet your challenges in 2025?
Productivity, integration, UX, pricing, automation... We've analysed both solutions in detail, based on reliable data and user opinions, to help you make an informed choice (and avoid making a mistake costing hundreds of thousands of euros, while you're at it).
Follow the guide.
What is Infor LN?
General presentation of Infor LN
Infor LN is the Swiss Army knife of industrial ERP systems. Developed by Infor, an American publisher specialising in business solutions, this ERP is designed for complex, often international, companies operating in sectors such as aerospace, automotive, industrial manufacturing or high-tech.
Its strength? A 100% industry DNA. Where other ERP solutions try to cover all sectors, Infor LN focuses on production management, engineering-to-order processes and the supply chain. It is appealing to groups such as Boeing, BAE Systems and Triumph Group, who need a modular, robust and highly configurable solution.
Designed for just-in-time or highly variable manufacturing environments, Infor LN stands out for its 'out of the box', business-focused approach, while remaining flexible enough to be customised to the specific needs of each site or subsidiary.
And since its integration into the Infor CloudSuite, the software has become even more scalable and agile, with on-premise, cloud and hybrid deployments possible.
Key features of Infor LN
There's no denying it: Infor LN ticks all the boxes of an ERP designed for complex, international manufacturing. Here are its main functional strengths:
- Advanced production management: support for Make-to-Order, Make-to-Stock, Engineer-to-Order and other environments, with multi-site planning, scheduling and real-time monitoring.
- Extensive supply chain functionality: end-to-end visibility, stock optimisation, global supplier management, full traceability.
- Integrated project management: particularly useful for manufacturers in project mode (e.g. aerospace, equipment manufacturers), with tracking of costs, margins, resources and deadlines.
- Powerful financial and analytical functions: multi-currency, multi-entity accounting, with real-time dashboards for fine-tuned management.
- Integration with CloudSuite: access to collaboration, CRM, HR, maintenance and BI tools in a unified platform.
- Support for international regulations: ideal for multi-country groups, with compliance with local standards (tax, accounting, logistics).
- Automation and customisation via Infor Mongoose: a low-code platform for rapidly creating bespoke apps without touching the core system.
Infor ERP
Advantages and disadvantages of Infor LN
We sifted through the customer feedback. The verdict: Infor LN shines where it counts, but not everything is perfect.
✅ Most cited advantages :
- Cutting-edge industrial expertise: functionalities are designed for real needs in the field.
- Flexible deployment: cloud, hybrid or on-premise, the choice depends on your constraints.
- Modern interface (thanks to the CloudSuite upgrade), far from the outdated image of some ERPs.
- High degree of customisation possible without too much technical effort, especially with the low-code brick.
❌ Disadvantages to bear in mind:
- Ramping up skills can be steep, especially for business teams unfamiliar with complex ERPs.
- Smaller community than SAP, so slightly fewer external resources and partner integrators.
- High cost of entry, especially in on-premise mode, and ROI that depends heavily on the sector and implementation.
What is SAP?
Overview of SAP
SAP is a bit like the giant that needs no introduction. Present in over 180 countries and used by 99 of the world's 100 largest companies, SAP ERP (and its cloud version SAP S/4HANA) is the global benchmark for general-purpose, modular ERP systems.
But make no mistake: behind its reputation as an institutional behemoth, SAP knows how to be agile, especially in its S/4HANA version, designed for companies that want to standardise, automate and manage their business processes from end to end.
Its target market? Large and very large companies, multi-site, multi-entities, often international, in all sectors. These include customers such as Nestlé, Airbus, Engie and LVMH, as well as ambitious small and medium-sized businesses in an expansion phase.
The heart of the system is based on the HANA in-memory database, which enables ultra-fast data processing, ideal for real-time analysis, management of complex scenarios and predictive modelling.
In a nutshell? SAP doesn't do bespoke solutions for small budgets. It's all about powerful, stable and scalable solutions, for those with the means... and the ambition.
Key features of SAP ERP (S/4HANA)
SAP stands out for its modular, cross-functional approach. Here are the features that systematically come up in user feedback and B2B use cases:
- Extremely comprehensive financial and accounting management: general accounting, cost accounting, multi-currency accounting, management control, it's all there.
- Advanced production resource planning (MRP ), with demand forecasting, stock management, capacity management and constraints.
- Purchasing and supplier management (SRM) with automated workflow, regulatory compliance and supplier rating.
- Sales management module (SD) linked to logistics, for smooth processing of customer orders.
- Real-time business intelligence analysis thanks to the HANA database and highly customisable SAP Fiori dashboards.
- Integrated HR module for talent, time, payroll and recruitment management.
- A complete ecosystem of SAP integrations (SuccessFactors, Ariba, Concur, etc.) to cover all business lines, from the field to senior management.
SAP ERP
Advantages and disadvantages of SAP ERP
SAP is the ERP for major accounts... with all that that implies. Here's what emerges from user reviews and comparative analyses:
✅ The most appreciated advantages:
- Impressive functional coverage, hard to beat in terms of depth and cross-functionality.
- Performance of the HANA database, enabling instant exploitation of complex data.
- Reliability, stability and security: SAP is a solid choice, especially for mission-critical environments.
- Large international community, vast ecosystem of partners, consultants, developers, etc.
❌ Limitations to consider:
- Complexity of deployment and configuration, especially if you go beyond the standard.
- High learning curve, even for experienced users.
- Often very high costs , both in terms of licences and integration and maintenance (not to mention upgrades).
- Less flexible than other solutions in certain very specific sectors.
Infor LN vs SAP: compare functionalities
Whether you're looking to make your supply chain more reliable, speed up your production cycles or better manage your costs, these two ERP solutions won't leave you by the wayside. But their approaches are radically different.
Before delving into the details, here's a summary table to get you started:
| Key functionality | Infor LN | SAP S/4HANA |
| Production management | Very advanced, oriented towards complex industry | Very comprehensive, more standardised |
| Supply Chain & Logistics | Fine-grained, native multi-site traceability | Robust, but more rigid |
| Financial & analytical management | Solid, but a notch below SAP | Ultra-powerful, especially with HANA |
| Customisation / Low-code | Yes via Infor Mongoose | Possible but technical and costly |
| UX & handling | Modern with CloudSuite, fairly fluid | Ergonomic (Fiori), but dense |
Focus 1: Production management
Infor LN is designed for complex industries, with varied production environments (ETO, CTO, MTO, etc.). It natively integrates multi-site management, complex production orders, real-time line monitoring and a true 'extended factory' logic.
SAP also offers comprehensive planning, but with a more standardised approach. Its strength lies in cross-functional integration (MRP + finance + logistics), but its operational granularity may require customisation.
👉 To remember
If your production is technical, tailor-made and international, Infor LN is often more suitable. If you're looking for standardisation across all your processes, SAP will do the job.
Focus 2: Supply chain & logistics
Infor LN stands out for its ability to manage complex, highly traceable international supply chains. It adapts to fragmented chains with highly variable flows.
SAP also offers robust logistics, but with a more 'global standard' orientation, which can become inflexible if your processes are too specific or local.
👉 To remember
For moving, heterogeneous logistics flows, Infor LN offers greater flexibility. For well-oiled, industrialised chains, SAP remains a safe bet.
Focus 3: Financial and analytical management
This is where SAP literally crushes the competition. Its HANA base and FI/CO modules are ultra-powerful, with real-time reporting, multi-entity consolidation and advanced cost accounting.
Infor LN offers solid management, but is less advanced when it comes to the consolidated and predictive aspects.
👉 To remember
If your priority is high-level financial governance, SAP is at the forefront.
Focus 4: Customisation and low-code development
With Infor Mongoose, Infor LN makes it possible to create customised applications without impacting the core system. This is a real lever for agility when it comes to adapting ERP without compromising its maintainability.
SAP offers customisation... but via ABAP, its proprietary language, or with costly extensions via SAP BTP. We are clearly at a higher level of complexity.
👉 To remember
Infor LN is more agile for rapidly developing specific adaptations or applications.
Focus 5: User experience and getting started
SAP has done a lot of work with SAP Fiori, a modern, responsive and UX-friendly interface. But the system remains dense, and business users can quickly get lost.
Infor LN, in its CloudSuite version, also offers a clear, uncluttered interface with intuitive navigation. Less modular than SAP, so easier to read on a day-to-day basis.
👉 To remember
When it comes to rapid ramp-up and simple UX, Infor LN has the edge. SAP remains more complex, but better designed for experts.
Infor LN vs SAP: compare prices
When it comes to ERP, the question of price is never a simple one. And for good reason: no two projects are alike, and each price depends on a cocktail of variables that are very specific to your business.
📌 Infor LN pricing
The price of Infor LN is not public and is only communicated on the basis of a personalised quote. This is common practice in the complex ERP market, as the final cost depends on a multitude of factors.
These include
- The deployment method: Cloud (SaaS) or on-premise licence (on your own servers)
- The number of users: often calculated per user, per month or per year
- The modules activated: finance, production, logistics, maintenance, etc.
- The level of customisation: the more specific your needs, the higher the cost
- Associated services: integration, training, support, maintenance, etc.
💬 Some feedback mentions ranges from €1,500 to €2,500 per user per year, but these figures should be taken with a grain of salt: only a quote can reflect the reality of your project.
📌 Pricing for SAP S/4HANA
SAP offers a more readable pricing structure, particularly on its cloud offerings.
Here are some benchmarks, taken from public documents (UK G-Cloud) and SAP partners:
| SAP Cloud S/4HANA offer | Estimated price (per user/year) | What it includes |
| Base Edition (Cloud ERP) | ≈ 3 420 £ (~4 000 €) | Core modules: finance, logistics, purchasing, stock management |
| Premium Edition | ≈ 5 172 £ (~6 000 €) | Advanced functions + specific industries + operations management |
| Enterprise deployment (on-premise or hybrid) | From €100,000 to €1m+. | Depends on number of modules, sites, users and degree of customisation |
🔍 Here again, the total cost depends on infrastructure, support and implementation time. SAP remains a premium solution, with a high TCO (total cost of ownership) - but justified for large accounts.
Both solutions require a much higher 'real' budget once customisation, integration, global deployment, support and maintenance are included.
👉 To remember
- If your company is medium-sized, with relatively standardised requirements, Infor LN may prove more affordable and flexible.
- If you are a large group with global, multi-entity requirements and many modules, SAP S/4HANA is a serious investment, but one that matches your ambitions.
- Implementation and maintenance costs can far exceed the simple "licence price".
- Always ask for a detailed quote and negotiate: large companies often obtain substantial discounts.
Infor LN vs SAP: which interface is more intuitive?
We've all experienced those software applications where you need three clicks, two tutorials and a shaman to create an order form. Spoiler: that's not what we want here.
The good news is that both ERPs have made huge efforts on the UX side. But they're not in the same league when it comes to philosophy.
| Criteria | Infor LN (via CloudSuite) | SAP S/4HANA (via Fiori) |
| Overall ergonomics | Modern, modular, fluid interface | Responsive and consistent, but dense |
| Learning curve | Average, clear business logic | Fairly steep for non-experts |
| UX/UI customisation | Good via Mongoose | Very advanced but technical |
| Navigation / menu | Clear, task-oriented | Lots of sub-menus to understand |
| Mobile & cloud | Responsive UI on mobile via CloudSuite | Optimised Fiori mobile interface |
| User experience | Close to the ground, industrial logic | Solid but sometimes too generic |
Infor LN' s ergonomics have improved considerably since it was integrated into CloudSuite. The interface is fluid, intuitive and designed with business users in mind. Tasks are well structured, customisation is accessible via the Mongoose low-code brick, and the modular approach allows for a gradual ramp-up.
SAP, with Fiori, offers an elegant, uncluttered and responsive interface. The design is clearly up to scratch. But under the bonnet, the wealth of functionality makes for a cumbersome experience: business users often have to go through training courses, especially if the ERP has not been properly customised for their role.
👉 To remember
- Infor LN is quicker to learn for operational teams, with a task- and industry-oriented approach.
- SAP is extremely powerful, but requires structured onboarding to be truly fluid in use.
Infor LN vs SAP: compare integrations
An isolated ERP is a bit like an orchestra without a conductor. For processes to run smoothly, your tools need to speak the same language. And that's where integration capability makes all the difference.
Here's how Infor LN and SAP stack up in terms of connectivity, automation and openness to other systems.
| Criteria | Infor LN | SAP S/4HANA |
| Number of native integrations | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ - Native integrations with CloudSuite (CRM, HR, EAM, etc.), standard connectors (EDI, PLM, MES, etc.) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Huge ecosystem via SAP BTP + SAP Store + API business hub |
| Ease of integration | ⭐���⭐⭐☆ - Well-documented REST APIs, modular approach, ION platform to orchestrate flows | ⭐⭐⭐☆ - Powerful but often complex integrations, require SAP experts |
| Workflow automation | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ - Infor ION enables the creation of low-code workflows + IoT, BI, RPA connectors | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ - SAP BTP + RPA + AI: advanced automation for high volumes |
| External interoperability | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ - Standard connections with third-party tools (Salesforce, Oracle, Microsoft, etc.) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ - SAP Connectors for Microsoft, AWS, Salesforce, but integration can be costly |
| Community / third-party extensions | ⭐⭐⭐☆ - Less visible than SAP, but solid base of CloudSuite extensions | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ - SAP Store Marketplace + extensive network of certified partners |
- Infor LN relies on middleware logic with Infor ION, which facilitates data exchange between internal modules or third-party systems. The APIs are well thought-out, and the platform is geared towards business automation without code.
- SAP, on the other hand, offers an ultra-complete approach with the SAP Business Technology Platform, which can do everything... as long as you have the budget and the time. It's a war machine, but you have to master it.
👉 To remember
- For rapid, fluid deployment, with ready-to-use connectors, Infor LN is very well equipped, especially in an Infor CloudSuite environment.
- SAP is more powerful and scalable, but often requires specialist consultants to activate its full potential.
When to choose Infor LN or SAP?
You don't need a combat ERP if your needs are simple. Conversely, an ERP that is too light can become a real brake on growth.
If you are an industrial company looking for agility → Infor LN
Infor LN is aimed at manufacturing, technical and multi-site companies that want a business-oriented ERP without overburdening their IT department.
A good choice if:
- You work in project mode or engineering to order (ETO, MTO, etc.)
- Your production is multi-variant, multi-site or highly localised
- You need an ERP that can be customised quickly, even without an ABAP developer
- You are looking for a good power/flexibility/cost ratio
- You want a modular solution that can be deployed in stages
Typically suited to the following sectors: aeronautics, automotive, industrial equipment, electronics, technical textiles, etc.
If you are a large group with complex cross-functional processes → SAP S/4HANA
SAP is designed for mature, global and highly integrated structures. It is the choice of companies that want to harmonise all their processes with surgical precision.
Preferred if:
- You have stringent regulatory and financial requirements (multi-currency, consolidation, audit, etc.)
- Your company is spread over several continents with globalised business processes
- You need a single platform for finance, HR, purchasing, production, etc.
- You are already in the SAP ecosystem (SuccessFactors, Ariba, etc.)
- You have a strong IT team or an experienced SAP integrator
Ideal for: pharmaceutical groups, energy, banking-insurance, luxury goods, mass distribution, public services, etc.
👉 To remember
- If you're looking for a specialised, agile ERP that's rooted in the realities of the field, Infor LN is an excellent choice.
- If you're looking for a universal, robust ERP capable of handling the complexity of a large group, SAP S/4HANA is hard to beat.
Key points from the Infor LN vs SAP battle
Two powerful ERPs, two business visions, two very different profiles.
👉 If you're looking for the perfect solution, it doesn't exist. But if you're looking for the one that's right for you, we can help.
Infor LN is designed to go fast, stay connected to the field and meet real industrial needs, without superfluous.
SAP S/4HANA is the ERP for large-scale standardisation, rigorous governance and powerful analytics.
| Your needs / profile | Our reco |
| You are a manufacturer in project mode, with production to order | ✅ Infor LN |
| You are looking for a modular ERP that can be deployed in stages | ✅ Infor LN |
| You are a multinational with subsidiaries in several zones | ✅ SAP S/4HANA |
| You have complex financial reporting requirements | ✅ SAP S/4HANA |
| You have a small IT department with few internal IT resources | ✅ Infor LN |
| You already have SAP equipment (Ariba, SuccessFactors, etc.) | ✅ SAP S/4HANA |
| You want to automate without heavy dev | ✅ Infor LN |
| You are ready to invest in a long-term premium solution | ✅ SAP S/4HANA |
👉 Verdict
- Infor LN is the industrial ERP that can be deployed quickly, adjusted easily and that speaks the language of factories.
- SAP is a globalised, structured, powerful ERP, designed for large organisations with demanding requirements in terms of governance and scalability.
All that's left is to ask one real question:
👉 Do you want your ERP to follow you or transform you?
FAQ on Infor LN vs SAP
1. Which is easier for business teams to get to grips with?
👉 Infor LN wins here, thanks in particular to its clear interface (CloudSuite) and its business focus. SAP Fiori is well designed, but the SAP ecosystem remains denser, with a steeper learning curve.
2. Which is best suited to an industrial SME?
👉 Clearly Infor LN. It's better suited to medium-sized structures with bespoke or multi-site production. SAP is often oversized for an SME, unless it plans rapid international growth.
3. Is SAP really too expensive?
👉 Not necessarily... but SAP becomes expensive as soon as you move away from the standard. Between licences, consultants, hosting, training and maintenance, the ticket can go up quickly. Consider it if your needs justify this robustness.
4. Does Infor LN make it easy to automate processes?
👉 Yes, thanks to Infor ION (middleware) and the Mongoose low-code platform, you can create customised business flows and apps without heavy development. Very appreciable in terms of agility.
5. Are the two ERPs compatible with other software such as Salesforce or Office 365?
👉 Yes, both are open to integration. SAP offers its own official connectors (which are often expensive), while Infor LN offers more flexible and rapid integration, particularly via ION.
6. What about mobility? How do the two solutions compare?
SAP offers a solid mobile experience via Fiori (responsive + dedicated apps). Infor LN, in its CloudSuite version, is also responsive, but a little less rich in native mobile apps. Depending on your business mobility needs.
7. Can I deploy these ERPs in stages?
👉 Yes for both, but Infor LN is lighter and more flexible in phased deployments (unit, country or process by process). SAP often requires a more structured transformation.
8. Is there a difference on data security?
👉 No, both publishers are at the top level in terms of security, RGPD compliance, and ISO certifications. SAP has a head start for large accounts, but Infor LN remains perfectly compliant for European companies.
Article translated from French