SAP S/4HANA vs Sage X3: the ERP match-up for large companies in 2025
Choosing an ERP today is a bit like choosing a co-pilot for a Paris-Tokyo flight in a private jet. It has to be reliable, high-performing and, above all, capable of keeping pace with you... without blowing you out of the sky.
Among the big names in the sector, SAP S/4HANA and Sage X3 lead the way. Two robust solutions, designed for ambitious companies that want to manage their business at 360°, centralise workflows, and stay in control even when the going gets tough.
But behind their appearance as technological twins, their approaches diverge. One comes from Germany, bursting with cloud innovations and promises of automation. The other, more agile, is seductive because of its business flexibility and its ability to adapt to the realities on the ground.
So which one should you choose in 2025? We've analysed, compared, tested and even crossed our fingers that your future ERP doesn't end up a gas factory.
What is SAP S/4HANA?
Overview of SAP S/4HANA
SAP S/4HANA is the flagship of cloud ERP. The brainchild of German software publisher SAP, it embodies the new generation of intelligent ERP systems, designed for large companies with complex processes and international reach.
Designed to replace the ageing SAP ECC, S/4HANA is based on an ultra-fast in-memory database (HANA) that boosts processing performance in real time. It's not just an ERP, it's a digital nervous system capable of connecting finance, supply chain, production, purchasing, sales, maintenance and much more... in a single cockpit.
- Target: large companies (industry, energy, services, retail) with global, multi-site needs.
- Positioning: high-end, modular solution focused on the intelligent digitisation of business processes.
- Use cases: consolidated financial management on a global scale, stock forecasting with AI, real-time production monitoring, automation of purchasing cycles, complex regulatory compliance.
- Customers include Unilever, Airbus, Engie, Coca-Cola, TotalEnergies... we're talking big business.
SAP is also banking on the native integration of AI, machine learning and workflow automation to transform operational and strategic management. To put it plainly: it's not the ERP that keeps up with the times, it's the ERP that anticipates them.
Key features of SAP S/4HANA
SAP S/4HANA doesn't just manage your back office, it reinvents it. Thanks to its processing power and XXL functional coverage, the ERP offers a complete suite for digitising every link in the value chain, from head office to subsidiaries, from stock to end customer.
Here are the key functionalities to remember
- Advanced financial management: cost accounting, multi-currency consolidation, automatic closing, integrated management control.
- Real-time supply chain: dynamic planning, stock and warehouse management, predictive logistics, live order tracking.
- Intelligent production and MRP: scheduling, preventive maintenance, quality management, IoT integration.
- Automated purchasing: strategic sourcing, supplier management, digital contracts and tenders.
- Sales and customer relations: order management, invoicing, integrated CRM with customer cycle tracking.
- Fiori user experience: a streamlined, responsive interface, with customised dashboards for different roles.
Everything is 100% cloud-based, with integrated AI and machine learning capabilities to anticipate disruptions or automate low value-added tasks, and a strong compliance focus (IFRS, RGPD, etc.).
SAP S/4HANA
Advantages and disadvantages of SAP S/4HANA
Adopting SAP S/4HANA is a bit like switching from a saloon car to a Formula 1. It's powerful, it's elegant, but it requires a great deal of mastery. Here's what we've come up with in terms of benefits and points to watch out for.
✅ Benefits
- Technological power: in-memory architecture enables massive processing in real time, a real game changer for finance and operations departments.
- Business hyper-customisation: SAP offers ultra-specific modules, even for complex sectors such as the chemical or aeronautical industries.
- 360° vision of the company: a centralised ERP that unifies data, processes, subsidiaries and business lines.
- Integrated innovation: AI, machine learning, predictive analytics, process automation... everything is already in the box.
- Rich ecosystem: vast marketplace of SAP extensions and certified partners worldwide.
❌ Disadvantages
- High cost: S/4HANA is an ERP Rolls, and it shows in the budget (licences, integration, maintenance).
- Complex implementation: lengthy deployment, essential change management, especially for structures unfamiliar with SAP.
- Learning curve: despite the Fiori interface, the functional richness can be intimidating at first.
To sum up, SAP S/4HANA is tailor-made for large companies aiming for maximum performance, but it requires a certain level of digital maturity (and a budget to match its ambitions).
What is Sage X3?
General presentation of Sage X3
Sage X3 is the ERP you choose when you want performance, but don't want to pay a fortune for it. Designed by British publisher Sage, it is aimed at SMEs and SMIs who have outgrown the limitations of a basic ERP, but who don't necessarily need the gasworks of a behemoth like SAP.
Designed for high-growth businesses, Sage X3 is built on flexibility, customisation and a fluid user experience. All with solid functional coverage: finance, production, supply chain, purchasing, sales, CRM, HR... it's all there, without unnecessary overload.
- Target: SMEs, mid-sized companies and multi-site groups, particularly in industry, distribution, agri-food, chemicals and services.
- Positioning: flexible, customisable ERP with an excellent features/budget ratio.
- Use cases: multi-site inventory management, production management, regulatory traceability, financial consolidation, sales automation.
- Customers: over 7,000 companies worldwide, including Castalie, Derichebourg, Michel et Augustin, Seac Sub, etc.
With Sage X3, we're clearly taking a hands-on approach: quick to deploy, more accessible than its heavyweight rivals, but robust enough to support ramp-up.
Main features of Sage X3
Sage X3 plays in the big league, but without the ERP complex that is too heavy to digest. Its promise? Go fast, stay agile, and cover a lot of ground. All with a modern interface, designed for users who don't have that much to do.
Here's what Sage X3 has to offer:
- Complete financial management: multi-company accounting, cost accounting, cash management, budget management, multi-country taxation.
- Tailor-made production: planning, scheduling, bill of materials management, real-time monitoring, quality management.
- Efficient supply chain: purchasing, stocks, logistics, automated inventories, batch and serial number traceability.
- Integrated sales and CRM: management of quotes, orders, invoices, reminders, customer history.
- Customisable workflows: process automation, notifications and approvals based on your business rules.
- Mobile and cloud accessibility: secure online access, mobile application for field teams, continuous updates.
What we like: each module can be activated or deactivated as required. There's no functional overload, so you don't pay for what you don't use. And when it comes to regulations, Sage X3 ticks all the boxes too: RGPD compliance, ISO standards management, food or chemical traceability.
Sage X3 ERP
Advantages and disadvantages of Sage X3
Sage X3 is a bit like the good pupil in the ERP class: efficient, adaptable, and more affordable than its premium competitors. But like all software, it has its darker side. Here's what you really need to know before taking the plunge.
✅ Advantages
- Quick to deploy: depending on the integrator, a Sage X3 project can be up and running in 4 to 6 months, whereas other ERPs take over a year.
- Business flexibility: the tool can be adapted to a wide range of sectors (industry, chemicals, agri-food, distribution, etc.) with ready-to-use functionalities.
- Clear , customisable interface : users praise the fact that it is quick to learn, with views that can be adjusted to suit each profile.
- Good value for money: less expensive than the giants in the sector, while offering solid functional coverage.
- Solid in multi-site and multi-country: particularly well suited to ETIs undergoing international growth.
❌ Disadvantages
- Functionalities sometimes limited for very large structures or ultra-specific processes.
- Smaller ecosystem than SAP: fewer partners, fewer extensions available, especially internationally.
- Uneven technical support, depending on the integrator chosen (quality depends very much on the service provider).
Sage X3 ticks a lot of boxes for ambitious SMEs that want to digitise without adding complexity. But for ultra-specialised or very international needs, you can quickly reach your limits.
SAP S/4HANA vs Sage X3: compare functionalities
Although they both present themselves as complete ERP solutions, SAP S/4HANA and Sage X3 are not quite in the same league. One relies on technological power and advanced automation, the other on agility and simple deployment. Here's a table to help you get a clearer picture, before zooming in on the key aspects.
| Key functionality | SAP S/4HANA | Sage X3 |
| Financial management | Highly advanced, AI and automatic closing | Complete, but less automated |
| Supply Chain | Real-time, predictive logistics | Solid, multi-site traceability |
| Production & MRP | IoT integration, AI planning | Flexible, business-oriented |
| CRM & sales | Integrated but basic | Integrated CRM, good customer follow-up |
| Workflow automation | Native AI & RPA | Customisable workflows |
| Business customisation | Very advanced (SAP Best Practices) | High business adaptability |
| Mobility & Cloud | Native cloud, SAP Fiori application | Hybrid cloud, mobile application |
| Deployment | Long, complex, structured | Faster, flexible |
Focus 1: Financial management and consolidation
SAP S/4HANA comes with formidable financial management capabilities. Automated filing, group-wide consolidated view, real-time analytics, international compliance (IFRS, SOX, etc.). The SAP FI-CO module is a world reference.
Sage X3 offers efficient multi-company and multi-currency accounting, but less advanced consolidation and automation. That said, it is more than sufficient for most SMEs.
👉 To remember
Finance departments that manage several entities in different countries will find SAP more robust, especially on a large scale.
Focus 2: Production management
SAP offers advanced integration with IoT, predictive maintenance and fine-tuned resource planning. Ideal for Industry 4.0.
Sage X3 remains highly competent, especially for industrial SMEs, with a modular and sector-based approach (bills of materials, quality, traceability).
👉 To remember
The power of SAP appeals to complex industrial sites. But Sage is easier for field teams to get to grips with on a day-to-day basis.
Focus 3: Supply chain & logistics
SAP S/4HANA stands out for its ability to synchronise purchasing, stocks, delivery and planning, all in real time. Modules such as EWM (Extended Warehouse Management) go a long way.
Sage X3 offers a well-designed supply chain, with multi-warehouse management, automated flows and good batch tracking. Less 'intelligent', but often sufficient.
👉 To remember
Sage is ideally suited to traditional supply chains. SAP is well equipped for international supply chains under pressure.
Focus 4: Automation & AI
This is where SAP pulls out the heavy artillery. Artificial intelligence, machine learning, RPA, predictive scenarios... everything is native to S/4HANA.
Sage X3 allows you to automate processes via workflows, but without native artificial intelligence. It can be extended via connectors, but this is not its core value.
👉 To remember
If you are looking to automate your processes on a massive scale using AI, SAP is ahead of the pack. Sage is defending itself well, but remains manual on this point.
Focus 5: Customisation and business adaptability
SAP is highly customisable, but this often comes at a high cost (and time). You have to follow the SAP Activate methodology, go through certified consultants, etc.
Sage X3 is more pragmatic: you can customise the tool to suit your business (agri, pharma, services, etc.), without going overboard. Users appreciate this flexibility.
👉 To remember
Companies with 'non-standard' processes gain in responsiveness with Sage. SAP offers more, but at the cost of greater complexity.
SAP S/4HANA vs Sage X3 : Compare prices
| Software / Model | Pricing / licence / subscription |
| Sage X3 | - Perpetual licence: ≈ €4,500 to €13,500 excluding VAT per full user (depending on modules/options). - SaaS (cloud) subscription: from around €23,000 excluding VAT/year for a "basic" configuration. - The total cost then depends on the number of users, modules activated, integrations, configuration, support, etc. |
| SAP S/4HANA | - No fixed public price available online for Europe / France - SAP offers 'on quotation'. - According to an Anglo-Saxon source (outside the French context), the "starter" cost (including licence + subscription) is quoted as ~ US$3,595 / month (equivalent to just over US$40,000 / year) - which illustrates that S/4HANA is considerably more expensive than "average" ERPs. - The overall cost of a S/4HANA project includes licences/subscriptions, infrastructure or cloud, integration, training and maintenance - which can quickly inflate the TCO (total cost of ownership). |
👉 What these figures mean in concrete terms
- Sage X3 makes it easier to understand your budget: prices (licence or SaaS subscription) are publicly available, so you can control the cost per user - ideal for SMEs and SMIs.
- SAP S/4HANA only works on the basis of quotes. The cost varies according to the modules, hosting, number of users and integrations. There is no standard price.
- For the same scope, Sage X3 is more affordable for a complete ERP. SAP is particularly justified if you are aiming for strict compliance, a global architecture or ultra-complex processes.
- In all cases, you need to assess the TCO (total cost of ownership), including licences, integration, support, training and maintenance.
- The size of the company, the complexity of the business and the level of automation expected have a major influence on the final bill.
SAP S/4HANA vs Sage X3: which interface is more intuitive?
The ERP interface is often the sinews of war. A tool can be ultra-powerful, but if no-one dares to click on it, it stays in the cupboard. The good news is that SAP S/4HANA and Sage X3 have done some serious work on their UX in recent years. But they don't do it with the same philosophy.
| Criterion | SAP S/4HANA (Fiori) | Sage X3 |
| Handling | ⚠️ Initially complex | ✅ Fast and intuitive |
| Design / modernity | ✅ Very modern and responsive | ✅ Modern but more sober |
| Navigation | Rich but dense | ✅ Fluid and logical |
| Customisation by user | Advanced | ✅ Flexible |
| Mobile accessibility | Native | ✅ Via application or browser |
| Training time | High (rich functionality) | ✅ Short (intuitive structure) |
SAP S/4HANA with Fiori: power and rigour
SAP is banking on Fiori, its responsive interface designed for the cloud. The aim is to deliver a consistent user experience across desktop, tablet and mobile devices. It includes :
- Customised views by role (accountant, buyer, production manager, etc.)
- Clickable tiles, like an interactive dashboard
- Fluid yet dense navigation for newcomers
- Intelligent alerts integrated into workflows
In terms of getting to grips with it, it's powerful but demanding. Initial training is essential to get the most out of the tool.
Sage X3: simplicity and pragmatism
The Sage X3 interface focuses on accessibility. Less sexy on paper than SAP Fiori, it is seductively simple and clear, with :
- Classic but effective drop-down menu navigation
- Screens that can be customised according to role
- Quick access to key information (dashboards, KPIs, favourites, etc.)
- A modern interface, with no graphic overload
The result: a faster learning curve, especially for operational teams who are not very tech-savvy.
👉 To remember
SAP S/4HANA offers a high-end experience designed for large organisations with sophisticated processes. Sage X3 prefers to get straight to the point, with a more pragmatic interface that is ideally suited to rapid day-to-day use.
SAP S/4HANA vs Sage X3: compare integrations
An isolated ERP is like a conductor without musicians: impressive, but useless. The ability of software to integrate with other business tools (CRM, e-commerce, payroll, BI, etc.) is therefore crucial. And in this area, SAP and Sage X3 don't have the same score.
| Criteria | SAP S/4HANA | Sage X3 |
| Number of native integrations | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Very broad ecosystem, especially via the SAP Business Technology Platform. Seamless integration with SAP suites (Ariba, Concur, SuccessFactors, etc.). | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ - Good coverage, connectors to Sage Payroll, Sage BI, FRP 1000, CRM, e-commerce tools, logistics, etc. |
| Ease of integration | ⭐⭐☆☆☆ - Powerful but often complex integrations, require SAP-certified consultants for optimal deployment. | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ - REST APIs, connectors available, simpler integrations to set up, even for SMEs without an in-house IT department. |
| APIs available | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ - Well-documented APIs, wide openness, but often reserved for experienced developers. | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ - APIs available and well thought out for integrators. Good openness without excessive dependence on the publisher. |
| Workflow automation | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ - Integration with SAP BTP, native RPA and AI, advanced workflows for large-scale automation. | ⭐⭐⭐☆☆ - Automation via customisable and configurable workflows. Less advanced than SAP, but sufficient for most SMEs. |
| Flexibility of connectors | ⭐⭐⭐☆☆ - Good functional coverage, but connectors often locked into predefined scenarios. | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ - Modular structure designed for interoperability. More business flexibility in third-party integrations. |
👉 To remember
SAP, with its arsenal of technology, is targeting the IT departments of multinationals. Sage, on the other hand, is more down-to-earth, appealing for its pragmatic interoperability, which is easier to deploy without an army of consultants.
When should you choose SAP S/4HANA or Sage X3?
Choosing an ERP should never be a "technical" decision. It is first and foremost a response to your business challenges, your internal constraints and your ability to manage a structuring project. Here are the most logical scenarios.
If you are a large multi-site company with complex processes... choose SAP S/4HANA
- You manage several international subsidiaries with multi-currency financial consolidation
- Your business processes require strict, automated and often regulated rules
- You need predictive tools, artificial intelligence or advanced automation
- Your IT teams can absorb a long, structured project, with budget and resources
- You are aiming for strong integration with other SAP solutions (Concur, Ariba, SuccessFactors...)
💡 This is the choice of industrial, pharmaceutical and energy groups, or any company subject to strict compliance constraints.
If you're a growing ETI or SME with concrete, agile needs... choose Sage X3
- You're looking for a comprehensive ERP solution that's quicker to deploy
- Your business is fast-moving and requires a flexible, customisable tool
- You want to control your costs and avoid heavy dependence on an integrator
- Your teams need a simple interface that they can understand right from the start
- You're in a sector such as food processing, chemicals, distribution, or services
💡 This is the choice of small and medium-sized businesses that want an ERP that's robust but easy to use on a day-to-day basis, without leaving three quarters of margin.
What you need to know about the SAP S/4HANA vs Sage X3 battle
SAP S/4HANA and Sage X3 are not quite playing on the same field, even though they are both vying for the same medal: that of the best ERP for demanding businesses. One is an ultra-technological war machine, the other a nimble, clever and controllable ally.
Here's a clear table to help you decide:
| Need | Our recommendation |
| ERP for a highly complex international group | SAP S/4HANA |
| Rapid deployment with controlled budget | Sage X3 |
| Advanced automation (AI, RPA, predictive analytics) | SAP S/4HANA |
| Intuitive interface for business users | Sage X3 |
| Structured project with a solid IT department | SAP S/4HANA |
| ERP customisable to a specific sector | Sage X3 |
| Integrated application ecosystem (HR, purchasing, BI, etc.) | SAP S/4HANA |
| Simple interoperability with your business tools | Sage X3 |
Simply put:
- SAP S/4HANA is ideal for complex, multi-country, highly industrialised environments where technological excellence is expected.
- Sage X3 stands out for its flexibility, speed of implementation and efficiency in the field, with a price/performance ratio that's hard to beat.
FAQ on SAP S/4HANA vs Sage X3
1. Which ERP is easier to learn?
Sage X3. Its interface is more intuitive, navigation smoother, and initial training quicker. SAP S/4HANA offers a modern UX (thanks to Fiori), but takes some getting used to, especially for the uninitiated.
2. Which software is best suited to international businesses?
👉 SAP S/4HANA. It is designed to manage complex structures with foreign subsidiaries, consolidated reporting, international compliance (IFRS, SOX...), multilingual and native multi-currency.
3. Which is the fastest to deploy?
Sage X3, without hesitation. We're talking 4 to 6 months for a standard deployment. For SAP S/4HANA, allow 9 to 18 months, depending on the functional scope and the complexity of the integration.
4. Which ERP offers the most automation?
SAP S/4HANA. It embeds advanced technologies: AI, machine learning, RPA, real-time analytics, etc. Sage X3 offers automated workflows, but no native AI.
5. Which ERP is the most customisable?
👉 It depends. SAP S/4HANA allows very fine customisation (but complex and expensive). Sage X3 is more flexible and quicker to adapt to business lines, without any additional technical costs.
6. Which is the most cost-effective?
Sage X3, overall. Its cost of entry is clearer, and it requires fewer resources to operate. SAP S/4HANA can justify its price by its power, but requires a 6-figure budget from the outset.
7. Can these ERPs be integrated with tools like Salesforce or Power BI?
👉 Yes, both. SAP has a richer native ecosystem via its SAP BTP platform, but requires more effort to integrate. Sage X3 offers ready-to-use connectors and open APIs, which are more accessible.
8. Which should you choose for a cloud ERP project?
👉 Both exist in cloud versions, but SAP S/4HANA was designed natively for the cloud. Sage X3 offers SaaS or hybrid. The choice will depend on the level of outsourcing you want.
Article translated from French