Softwr

Software · head to head

Dynamics AX vs Metasfresh

Dynamics AX logo

Dynamics AX

Software

Comprehensive ERP for enterprise operations

From
$210/month
Rated
-
Metasfresh logo

Metasfresh

Software

Open-source ERP for mid-sized wholesale and manufacturing

From
Free
Rated
-

The short version

  • Only Metasfresh 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; Metasfresh cloud hosting is charged separately from user licences at EUR 299 per month on monthly billing or EUR 249 per month on annual billing
  • They diverge on capability: Dynamics AX covers Financial management, Metasfresh covers Inventory.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Dynamics AX and Metasfresh actually diverge.

Attributes where Dynamics AX and Metasfresh differ
AttributeDynamics AXMetasfresh
Starting price$210/monthFree
Pricing modelsubscriptionopen-source
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsCloud, Web, MobileSelf-hosted, Cloud, Web
Founded19752015

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).

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
  • Project accounting
  • Human resources
  • Power BI
  • Power Apps
  • Office 365
  • Azure
  • Azure security

Only in Metasfresh

  • Inventory
  • Purchasing
  • Accounting
  • Wholesale management
  • Custom modules
  • EDI systems
  • Business analytics
  • User roles

Both cover

  • Supply chain
  • Manufacturing
  • Data encryption
  • Cloud support
  • Web 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 Metasfresh
  • Consolidating multi entity and multi currency finance operationsnot Metasfresh
  • Manufacturing and supply chain operations on the Dynamics 365 platformnot Metasfresh

Metasfresh

  • Open source ERP for procurement, sales, warehouse and accountingnot Dynamics AX
  • Hosting an ERP in a German data centre on a dedicated servernot Dynamics AX
  • Self hosting an ERP where the source code must be inspectablenot 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

Metasfresh

  • Cloud hosting is charged separately from user licences at EUR 299 per month on monthly billing or EUR 249 per month on annual billing
  • The EUR 79 per user per month annual rate requires minimum user quantities that depend on company size; monthly billing costs EUR 99 per user per month
  • The mandatory starter package covering setup, customisation, project management and training is priced individually on request
  • Standard support is email only during business hours; a 24/7 SLA is a separate contract on request
  • All published prices exclude VAT
  • Projects larger than the L size starter package require an individual quote

Pricing, plan by plan

Dynamics AX

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

Metasfresh

Free
  • Self-hostedFree
    • Open-source
    • Full functionality
    • Community support
  • Cloud Enterprise$150/month
    • Cloud hosting
    • Professional support
    • Custom development

Which should you pick?

Choose Dynamics AX if

  • You need financial management.
  • You work on Cloud, Web, Mobile.
  • You also want project accounting.

Choose Metasfresh if

  • You need inventory.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Self-hosted, Cloud, Web.
  • You also want purchasing.

Questions people ask

Is Dynamics AX or Metasfresh better?
Neither clearly leads. Dynamics AX starts at $210/month and Metasfresh at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Dynamics AX or Metasfresh?
Metasfresh has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $210/month for Dynamics AX and Free for Metasfresh.
Does Dynamics AX or Metasfresh run on more platforms?
Dynamics AX runs on Cloud, Web, Mobile. Metasfresh runs on Self-hosted, Cloud, Web.
Can I use Metasfresh for free?
Yes. Metasfresh 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 Metasfresh is typically brought in for.
What can Dynamics AX do that Metasfresh cannot?
Dynamics AX covers Financial management, Project accounting, Human resources, Power BI. Metasfresh covers Inventory, Purchasing, Accounting, Wholesale management. Both handle Supply chain, Manufacturing, Data encryption, Cloud support.

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