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ERP · head to head

Dynamics AX vs Katana MRP

Dynamics AX logo

Dynamics AX

ERP

Comprehensive ERP for enterprise operations

From
$210/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Katana MRP logo

Katana MRP

ERP

Smart manufacturing software for scaling brands

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Katana MRP has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Dynamics AX dynamics 365 Finance is 210 USD per user per month paid yearly, and Finance Premium is 300 USD per user per month paid yearly; Katana MRP the free plan caps SKUs at 30 after a 15 day unlimited period
  • They diverge on capability: Dynamics AX covers Financial management, Katana MRP covers Visual production scheduling.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Dynamics AX and Katana MRP actually diverge.

Attributes where Dynamics AX and Katana MRP differ
AttributeDynamics AXKatana MRP
Starting price$210/monthFree
Pricing modelsubscriptionusage-based
Free tierNoYes
Founded19752017

Identical on both: platforms (Cloud, Web, Mobile), user rating (Not yet rated), category (ERP).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Dynamics AX

  • Financial management
  • Supply chain
  • Manufacturing
  • Project accounting
  • Human resources
  • Power BI
  • Power Apps
  • Office 365

Only in Katana MRP

  • Visual production scheduling
  • Real-time inventory
  • Bill of materials
  • Purchase orders
  • Shop floor app
  • Shopify
  • WooCommerce
  • QuickBooks

Both cover

  • Data encryption
  • Cloud support
  • Web support
  • Mobile support

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Dynamics AX

  • Core financial management and accounting for large enterprisesnot Katana MRP
  • Consolidating multi entity and multi currency finance operationsnot Katana MRP
  • Manufacturing and supply chain operations on the Dynamics 365 platformnot Katana MRP

Katana MRP

  • Manufacturing resource planning for small production businessesnot Dynamics AX
  • Tracking live inventory across making, selling and purchasingnot Dynamics AX

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Dynamics AX

  • Dynamics 365 Finance is 210 USD per user per month paid yearly, and Finance Premium is 300 USD per user per month paid yearly
  • Higher capacity and storage entitlements are reserved for the Premium tier
  • Copilot Credits for agent features are bought separately, either pre purchased with up to 20 percent off for committed units or paid as consumed
  • Agent features require a separate Azure subscription

Katana MRP

  • The free plan caps SKUs at 30 after a 15 day unlimited period
  • The Core plan starts at $299 a month and includes one location, with more sold as a usage based add on
  • Core is billed per sales order delivered on top of the base price, so cost tracks throughput
  • Manufacturing management, traceability and warehouse management are separate add ons at $199, $249 and $149 a month
  • A full manufacturing setup therefore stacks to well above the headline $299

Pricing, plan by plan

Dynamics AX

$210/month
  • Finance$210/month
    • General ledger
    • Accounts payable
    • Accounts receivable
  • Operations$210/month
    • Supply chain
    • Manufacturing
    • Inventory

Katana MRP

Free
  • FreeFree
    • 30 SKUs (unlimited during 15-day trial)
    • Unlimited users
    • Unlimited integrations
  • Core$299/month
    • Unlimited SKUs
    • Unlimited users
    • Unlimited integrations
  • Advantage$null/mo
    • Custom annual contract
    • Everything in Core plus custom integrations
    • Custom dashboards and automations

Which should you pick?

Choose Dynamics AX if

  • You need financial management.
  • You work on Cloud, Web, Mobile.
  • You also want supply chain.
Dynamics AX review

Choose Katana MRP if

  • You need visual production scheduling.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Cloud, Web, Mobile.
  • You also want real-time inventory.
Katana MRP review

Questions people ask

Is Dynamics AX or Katana MRP better?
Neither clearly leads. Dynamics AX starts at $210/month and Katana MRP at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Dynamics AX or Katana MRP?
Katana MRP has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $210/month for Dynamics AX and Free for Katana MRP.
Does Dynamics AX or Katana MRP run on more platforms?
Both run on Cloud, Web, Mobile, so platform support will not decide this one for you.
Can I use Katana MRP for free?
Yes. Katana MRP has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Dynamics AX starts at $210/month.
What is Dynamics AX best used for?
Dynamics AX is most often used for core financial management and accounting for large enterprises, consolidating multi entity and multi currency finance operations, manufacturing and supply chain operations on the dynamics 365 platform. Of those, core financial management and accounting for large enterprises and consolidating multi entity and multi currency finance operations are not what Katana MRP is typically brought in for.
What can Dynamics AX do that Katana MRP cannot?
Dynamics AX covers Financial management, Supply chain, Manufacturing, Project accounting. Katana MRP covers Visual production scheduling, Real-time inventory, Bill of materials, Purchase orders. Both handle Data encryption, Cloud support, Web support, Mobile support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Dynamics AX: Where can I find Dynamics 365 Finance & Operations pricing?

Microsoft directs visitors to a dedicated pricing overview page and encourages starting a free trial. Specific pricing tiers and costs are not displayed on the main product landing page.

Source
Katana MRP: How much does Katana MRP cost?

Katana offers a free plan with 30 SKUs and all core features. Core plan starts at $299/month for unlimited SKUs and users. Usage-based pricing applies to sales orders delivered and additional locations beyond the 1 included. Add-ons like Manufacturing Management cost $199/month.

Source
Dynamics AX: Does Microsoft Dynamics 365 offer a free trial?

Yes. Microsoft emphasizes the availability of a free trial option throughout the Dynamics 365 landing page, though specific trial duration is not specified.

Source
Katana MRP: How does Katana charge for multiple locations?

Core plan includes 1 location. Additional locations beyond the included location are charged separately with per-unit costs decreasing at higher volumes. Exact pricing for additional locations is calculated based on scale.

Source
Dynamics AX: What Dynamics 365 applications are included in the Finance & Operations suite?

The platform includes Sales, Customer Service, Finance, Supply Chain Management, and Business Central applications, each with their own pricing structures.

Source
Katana MRP: What are the manufacturing add-on costs for Katana?

Katana charges $199/month for Manufacturing Management, $249/month for Traceability, and $149/month for Warehouse Management add-ons. Onboarding package costs $2,000 but is included with Core plan.

Source
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