SAP is good... but not for everyone: 6 alternatives you need to know about
SAP reigns supreme in the ERP world... but is it always deserved?
Let's face it, the German solution is still a behemoth. Ultra-complete, yes. But also ultra-complex, and often reserved for very large organisations prepared to devote time, budget and entire teams to it.
The good news is that SAP is no longer the only serious option on the market, and new players have emerged who are more agile, more accessible and sometimes even smarter. And some old rivals have modernised a hell of a lot.
In this article, we take you through 6 must-know alternatives to SAP, depending on the size of your company, your business challenges and your level of patience (because not everyone has 18 months to devote to an ERP rollout...).
What is SAP?
SAP is a bit like the boss of the game when it comes to ERP. Software that aligns processes, centralises data and orchestrates the business machine like a well-oiled German symphony. It's powerful, robust and tried and tested.
But beware, SAP is not a simple plug-and-play application. It's a sprawling ecosystem that covers everything: finance, production, logistics, HR, purchasing, sales, etc. All designed for international groups, with ultra-precise management requirements and often several entities to coordinate.
In practical terms, SAP is aimed at large, and even very large, companies. We're talking here about multinationals or medium-sized businesses with heavy processes, strong IT teams and long-term structural projects. Customers such as Airbus, Coca-Cola and Nestlé are no strangers to SAP.
In terms of positioning, SAP is playing the 'best-of-breed' ERP card: all-in-one, but highly customisable. And that comes at a price: licence, integration, maintenance... We're entering the heavyweight category here, both functionally and financially.
Key features of SAP
SAP is the Swiss Army Knife of the modern enterprise. Everything is there - provided you have the means (and the time) to unfold it all. Here are the functional pillars that make SAP an ERP that is as essential as it is impressive:
- Ultra-advanced financial and accounting management
SAP centralises all accounting, budgeting and tax flows in a single repository, with powerful consolidation and multi-company reporting functions. - Supply Chain Management
From stock forecasting to production planning, SAP synchronises logistics flows to meet customer demand as closely as possible. - Human Resources Management (HCM)
Recruitment, payroll, talent management, HR compliance... SAP offers a complete module for monitoring employees from A to Z. - Controlling and integrated analytics
Thanks to SAP Analytics Cloud, users have access to powerful dashboards, real-time KPIs and predictive scenarios. - Business process automation
SAP includes intelligent workflows to automate critical tasks such as approvals, reminders and expense validation. - Flexibility and extensive customisation
Almost anything can be configured. But that requires a solid project phase... and sometimes a good integrator partner.
👉 In short, SAP does everything, but never does it by halves. That's both its strength... and its complexity.
SAP ERP
Why consider an alternative to SAP?
Let's not beat around the bush: SAP is a Rolls-Royce, but not everyone needs an armoured limousine to buy bread. That's why many companies - SMEs and large groups alike - are now looking to get out of the SAP ecosystem or avoid it from the outset.
✅ What SAP does (very) well
- Monumental functional coverage, capable of managing almost all the business processes of a multinational.
- Rock-solid reliability: critical errors are rare, and regulatory compliance is top-notch.
- Scalability designed for major accounts with multiple entities, countries, currencies and business constraints.
- A vast, structured, experienced ecosystem of partners and integrators.
❌ Where SAP can get stuck
- High total cost of ownership: licences, integration, support, maintenance... the entry ticket is solid.
- Long and complex deployment: often allow 12 to 24 months, sometimes more, for a complete project.
- Steep learning curve: the SAP interface and logic are not very intuitive for the uninitiated.
- Rigid adaptability: anything is possible, but it's rarely simple or quick.
- Less suited to SMEs or fast-growing organisations looking for agility and simplicity.
👉 In short, SAP remains a benchmark solution... but not a universal panacea. Other ERP or specialist tools tick the right boxes with greater flexibility and a more digestible budget.
Comparison table of the 7 best alternatives to SAP
Before delving into the details, here's a quick overview of the best alternatives to SAP. This table allows you to compare the main features of each solution at a glance: target, positioning and ideal use cases.
1 of 7
| SAP ERP |  Microsoft 365 |  Oracle ERP Procurement Cloud |  Odoo |  Sage X3 ERP |  Anaplan |  Board |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| For all companies | For all companies | For companies with more than 1 employees | For companies with more than 1 employees | For all companies | For companies with more than 50 employees | For all companies |
| See software | See software | See software | See software | See software | See software | See software |
| Learn more about SAP ERP | Learn more about Microsoft 365 | Learn more about Oracle ERP Procurement Cloud | Learn more about Odoo | Learn more about Sage X3 ERP | Learn more about Anaplan | Learn more about Board |
Our selection of alternatives to SAP for large enterprises
Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance & Operations
Microsoft may not have invented ERP, but it has certainly modernised it with Dynamics 365 Finance & Operations. Designed for large companies, this tool combines the reliability of a large-scale ERP with the agility of the cloud and modular flexibility.
It includes all the classic building blocks of an ERP (finance, purchasing, supply chain, production), boosted by AI, with true integration with Microsoft 365 tools (Teams, Excel, Power BI). All of this in an interface that is more intuitive than SAP's... and often better received by teams.
Another advantage is that Dynamics 365 is entirely cloud-native, making it quicker to deploy and easier to upgrade over time.
Microsoft 365
Key functionalities
- Advanced financial and accounting management, multi-currency, multi-entity
- Accounting automation tools with integrated AI
- Real-time supply chain management (inventory, production, forecasts)
- Integrated predictive analysis via Power BI
- Native integration with Microsoft tools (Excel, Teams, Outlook, etc.)
- Modular architecture (you only activate what you use)
👉 Our opinion
A serious alternative to SAP, more modern, more fluid and less rigid. Dynamics 365 appeals to finance departments and IT departments alike, not least because of its ability to evolve rapidly. Be careful, however, to plan ahead for integration and train your teams: the tool remains dense and structured. But when it comes to ROI, many find it more profitable than SAP over 3 to 5 years.
Oracle Fusion Cloud ERP
Oracle doesn't do things by halves, and its next-generation cloud ERP is proof of that. Oracle Fusion Cloud ERP is aimed at large enterprises looking to modernise their financial, operational and analytical management - with a focus on automation and integrated AI.
The platform is 100% cloud-based, designed for complex, multinational environments. It covers a broad functional spectrum: finance, procurement, projects, supply chain, HR performance, and much more. All with a modular approach to avoid 'big bang' deployments.
It is also one of the most advanced ERPs in terms of machine learning, with financial prediction, anomaly detection and intelligent recommendations.
Oracle ERP Procurement Cloud
Key functionalities
- Automate financial processes (closing, expenses, compliance)
- Global purchasing, contract and supplier management
- Digital supply chain: planning, production, delivery
- Embedded analytics and dynamic dashboards
- Native integration with Oracle HCM, EPM and CX
- Integrated AI & ML for proactive decision-making
👉 Our opinion
Oracle is hitting hard with an ultra-complete cloud ERP solution designed for large international organisations. The range of functions is impressive, and the integrated AI clearly makes all the difference for CFOs and CIOs who want to anticipate rather than react. The only downside: the learning curve is steep, and the budget can quickly climb if you activate all the modules. Best reserved for mature organisations... with the right support.
Our selection of alternatives to SAP for SMBs and SMEs
Odoo
Odoo is the underdog that's making a lot of noise - and not by chance. This open source ERP from Belgium has achieved a rare feat: making business management modular, intuitive and accessible.
Originally designed for SMEs, Odoo has evolved considerably and is now attracting SMEs too, thanks to its all-in-one approach, its modern interface and, above all, its unbeatable price. There are modules to manage just about everything: CRM, sales, purchasing, accounts, HR, e-commerce, etc.
And the icing on the cake: the Odoo community is extremely active, with thousands of extensions available and an ecosystem of integrators just about everywhere.
Odoo
Key features
- Modular ERP: activate only the apps you need
- Complete sales management: quotes, invoicing, stock, purchasing
- Integrated accounting (with tax localisation by country)
- Native CRM and integrated marketing tool
- Modern, easy-to-use interface
- Marketplace packed with third-party apps
👉 Our opinion
Flexible, affordable and quick to deploy, Odoo ticks a lot of the boxes for growing SMEs and SMIs. It's not a miniature SAP, but it's often more than enough to structure a business without blowing your budget. Beware, however, of complex integrations or ultra-specific requirements: you can quickly reach the limits of the model without a good tech team behind you.
Sage X3
With Sage X3, you're joining the serious ERP club... but without going overboard. This software developed by Sage is aimed at SMEs and SMBs in industry, sales or the agri-food sector, who are looking to manage their operations with a comprehensive ERP, without losing their sanity (or their budget).
Sage X3 is positioned between agility and robustness. It offers considerable functional depth - accounting, financial management, production, inventory, purchasing, sales, etc. - while remaining faster to deploy. - while remaining quicker to deploy and get to grips with than SAP or Oracle.
A real asset for organisations that need an international ERP, but without excessive complexity.
Sage X3 ERP
Key functionalities
- Multi-company, multi-currency financial management
- Supply chain management (purchasing, inventory, sales)
- Production management and traceability (particularly for the agri-food industry)
- Integrated CRM and project management functions
- Native web access, customisable interface
- Adapted to local accounting and tax standards
👉 Our opinion
Sage X3 is an ERP that knows how to stay in its place: it's comprehensive enough to support growth, without becoming overly complex. It's a good compromise for SMEs that want a solid tool, without the cost or complexity of SAP. On the other hand, you need to choose your integrator carefully: the user experience depends very much on the deployment.
Our selection of alternatives to SAP to combine
Anaplan
Anaplan is the secret weapon for finance and operations departments looking for agile planning. It's not an ERP per se, but a Connected Planning platform, designed to complement behemoths like SAP or Oracle - often where they fall short: real-time planning, simulation and collaboration.
Thanks to its ultra-powerful modelling engine (the famous Hyperblock™), Anaplan makes it possible to create complex scenarios, dynamic financial forecasts, and connect decisions at all levels of the business.
It is a particularly relevant choice for large companies that want to gain agility without replacing their ERP.
Anaplan
Key functionalities
- Financial, operational, sales and HR planning
- What if" scenarios, real-time forecasts and simulations
- Multi-team collaboration with shared model logic
- High-performance calculation engine (Hyperblock™)
- Integration with SAP, Oracle, Salesforce, etc.
- No-code interface for easy model creation
👉Our opinion
Anaplan is not an ERP... but it makes it better. For large groups that need to model quickly, simulate budgets or align finance and operations, it's a formidable ally. Its cloud-first, collaborative approach makes up for the shortcomings of traditional ERP systems in terms of agility. The only limitation is that this level of power comes at a price, and requires good project management to get the best out of it.
Board
Board is the Swiss Army Knife of BI and planning. Not quite an ERP, not quite a stand-alone tool, but an intelligent hub that centralises your data, automates your budgets, and aligns strategy and execution.
Designed for finance, sales and HR departments, Board combines Business Intelligence, planning and simulation in a single interface. The aim? To help companies make faster, more reliable and better-connected decisions.
Its key strength: the ability to cross-reference data from your ERP (SAP, Oracle, Sage, etc.) to generate dashboards, budget plans or scenario simulations.
Board
Key functionalities
- Business Intelligence: reporting, dashboards, real-time KPIs
- Strategic, budgetary, sales and HR planning
- What if" modelling, dynamic forecasts
- Collaborative workflow and validation management
- Native ERP connectors (SAP, Oracle, etc.)
- Intuitive, customisable interface
👉 Our opinion
Board is the co-pilot your ERP is missing. Where SAP or Dynamics set the framework, Board helps you optimise it, simulate it and make decisions. The tool shines particularly brightly when it comes to performance management, with no need for a dedicated BI team. Its main challenge? Structuring data governance properly upstream to avoid getting lost in the infinite possibilities.
Summary table: focus on the functionalities of alternatives to SAP
| Software | Type of user | Strengths | Key features | Entry price* (£) |
| Anaplan | Large companies | Agile planning, collaboration | Forecasting, scenarios, Connected Planning, ERP integration | On quotation |
| Board | Large companies / ETI | BI + planning, intuitive interface | Budgets, simulation, reporting, KPIs, SAP/Oracle connectors | By quotation |
| Microsoft Dynamics 365 F&O | Large enterprises | Modular, cloud-native, MS integration | Finance, supply chain, AI, analytics, Microsoft 365 integration | Approx. €180/user/month |
| Odoo | SMES / SMIS | Affordable, modular, quick to deploy | CRM, accounting, billing, HR, sales, e-commerce | From €25/user/month |
| Oracle Fusion Cloud ERP | Large enterprises | Comprehensive, embedded AI | Finance, purchasing, supply chain, AI/ML, analytics, HR | On quotation |
| Sage X3 | Industrial SME / ETI | Solid, adaptable, strong localization | Finance, production, inventory, CRM, multi-company management | On quotation |
* Indicative prices observed on publisher or reseller sites. Varies according to modules, number of users and integrations.
How do you choose your ERP software?
Choosing an ERP (or an alternative to SAP) is a bit like choosing a house: it all depends on your budget, the size of your family (i.e. your business) and your plans for the future. Here are the main criteria to bear in mind before signing up.
1. Identify your real needs (not the neighbour's)
There's no point in copying the setup of a large group if you're an SME with 50 employees. List your critical processes (accounting, production, sales, supply chain, etc.) and concentrate on what will really save you time or reduce your errors.
2. Assess the scalability of the solution
Your ERP needs to be able to keep pace with your growth, without redoing everything in two years' time. Modular or scalable tools (such as Odoo, Dynamics 365 or Sage X3) are preferable if you're expanding rapidly.
3. Think about integration with your ecosystem
A good ERP is also a well-connected ERP. Check that it integrates easily with your business tools (CRM, e-commerce, BI, etc.), and that it has open APIs or native connectors.
4. Don't neglect the UX and adoption by your teams
An ERP, no matter how powerful, is useless if nobody uses it. The interface, the ease of use and the quality of user support all have to play their part.
5. Make your calculations: TCO > entry price
The advertised price is only the tip of the iceberg. Include the hidden costs (integration, training, maintenance, updates) to calculate the total cost of ownership (TCO) over 3 to 5 years.
Article translated from French