Softwr

Software · head to head

ERPNext vs NetSuite

E

ERPNext

Software

Open-source ERP solution for SMEs and growing businesses

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
NetSuite logo

NetSuite

Software

The #1 cloud ERP for growing businesses

From
$29/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only ERPNext has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: ERPNext the software is AGPL-3.0 licensed, which imposes source disclosure obligations on anyone distributing a modified network service built on it; NetSuite netSuite implementation and consultancy is listed on UK G-Cloud 14 at day rates ranging roughly £175 to £1,850 per unit per day across multiple suppliers, a public-sector contracted rate for the services layer rather than the core Oracle NetSuite licence itself, which remains quote-only.
  • They diverge on capability: ERPNext covers Accounting, NetSuite covers Financial management.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which ERPNext and NetSuite actually diverge.

Attributes where ERPNext and NetSuite differ
AttributeERPNextNetSuite
Starting priceFree$29/month
Pricing modelopen-sourcesubscription
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsSelf-hosted, Cloud, WebWeb, Mobile, Api
Founded20141977

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 ERPNext

  • Accounting
  • Manufacturing
  • Human Resources
  • Payment gateways
  • Email systems
  • Custom extensions
  • Third-party APIs
  • User role management

Only in NetSuite

  • Financial management
  • Order management
  • Ecommerce
  • Salesforce
  • Shopify
  • Amazon
  • SOC 1
  • SOC 2

Both cover

  • Inventory
  • CRM
  • Web support

What people use each for

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

ERPNext

  • Open source ERP covering accounting, inventory, manufacturing and HRnot NetSuite
  • Self hosting a full business management suite without per user licensingnot NetSuite

NetSuite

  • ERPnot ERPNext
  • Financial consolidationnot ERPNext
  • Ecommercenot ERPNext

Where each one falls short

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

ERPNext

  • The software is AGPL-3.0 licensed, which imposes source disclosure obligations on anyone distributing a modified network service built on it
  • Managed hosting is priced per site and per server rather than per user, so a small team running several sites pays more than a large team on one
  • Dedicated server isolation and stronger reliability guarantees start at $125 a month
  • Self hosting is free but places upgrades, backups and availability entirely on the operator

NetSuite

  • NetSuite implementation and consultancy is listed on UK G-Cloud 14 at day rates ranging roughly £175 to £1,850 per unit per day across multiple suppliers, a public-sector contracted rate for the services layer rather than the core Oracle NetSuite licence itself, which remains quote-only.

Pricing, plan by plan

ERPNext

Free
  • Self-hostedFree
    • Open-source
    • Full functionality
    • Community support
  • Cloud Hosted$50/month
    • Cloud hosting
    • Managed backups
    • Email support

NetSuite

$29/month
  • Base$999/month
    • Core ERP
    • Financial management
    • CRM

Which should you pick?

Choose ERPNext if

  • You need accounting.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Self-hosted, Cloud, Web.
  • You also want manufacturing.
ERPNext review

Choose NetSuite if

  • You need financial management.
  • You work on Web, Mobile, Api.
  • You also want order management.
NetSuite review

Questions people ask

Is ERPNext or NetSuite better?
Neither clearly leads. ERPNext starts at Free and NetSuite at $29/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, ERPNext or NetSuite?
ERPNext has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for ERPNext and $29/month for NetSuite.
Does ERPNext or NetSuite run on more platforms?
ERPNext runs on Self-hosted, Cloud, Web. NetSuite runs on Web, Mobile, Api.
Can I use ERPNext for free?
Yes. ERPNext has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. NetSuite starts at $29/month.
What is ERPNext best used for?
ERPNext is most often used for open source erp covering accounting, inventory, manufacturing and hr, self hosting a full business management suite without per user licensing. Of those, open source erp covering accounting, inventory, manufacturing and hr and self hosting a full business management suite without per user licensing are not what NetSuite is typically brought in for.
What can ERPNext do that NetSuite cannot?
ERPNext covers Accounting, Manufacturing, Human Resources, Payment gateways. NetSuite covers Financial management, Order management, Ecommerce, Salesforce. Both handle Inventory, CRM, Web support.
ShareXLinkedInRedditWhatsAppEmail

Related pages

More on ERPNext

More on NetSuite

Keep looking

Other head to heads