Dynamics GP Alternatives Compared: Business Central, NetSuite, Sage Intacct and Acumatica

With Microsoft no longer selling Microsoft Dynamics GP (Great Plains) to new customers, and product support ending on 31 December 2029, most Dynamics GP customers now face the same question: what comes next?

For many, the obvious answer is Microsoft’s own successor, Dynamics 365 Business Central. But it is not the only option, and a decision of this size deserves a fair comparison. The ERP you choose now will probably run your business for the next ten to fifteen years.

In this article, we will compare the four platforms Dynamics GP customers most often consider: Business Central, NetSuite, Sage Intacct and Acumatica. We will look at what each does well, where each falls short, and which type of organization each suits best.

As a Microsoft partner, we have an obvious interest in Business Central. We have tried to be balanced, because the right answer genuinely depends on your business.

What Dynamics GP Customers Should Look For

Before comparing products, it helps to recognize what Dynamics GP customers usually value, and what they want to improve:

• Strong core financials: Dynamics GP’s general ledger, payables and receivables are mature and reliable. The replacement must be at least as good.
• Familiar reporting: finance teams rely on SmartLists, Management Reporter and Excel.
• Cloud access: most organizations want to stop managing servers and SQL Server updates.
• Fit with existing operations: distribution, project accounting, manufacturing or multi-company needs.
• A sensible migration path: moving years of Dynamics GP data with minimum disruption.
• Predictable costs: both the subscription license and the cost of implementation and support.

Keep these in mind as we look at each option.

1. Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central

What it is: Microsoft’s ERP for small and mid-sized businesses, and the platform Microsoft recommends for Dynamics GP customers. It is built on the same foundations as Dynamics NAV, and has been developed heavily since its launch in 2018.

Strengths for Dynamics GP customers:

• A direct migration path. Microsoft’s free cloud migration tool moves Dynamics GP master data, open transactions and summary history straight into Business Central online.
• Microsoft ecosystem. Deep integration with Outlook, Excel, Teams, Power BI, Power Automate and Copilot.
• Broad functionality. Finance, inventory, purchasing, sales, warehousing, projects, service and manufacturing in one product.
• Deployment choice. Available online, or on-premises for those who need it.
• Familiar ideas. Dimensions replace Dynamics GP account segments, and Microsoft has been adding Dynamics GP-inspired features such as statistical accounts and SmartList-style queries.
• Large app marketplace for industry needs, through Microsoft AppSource.

Points to consider:

• Payroll is not included as standard in most regions, so a separate payroll service is usually needed.
• Very large or complex global organizations may outgrow it.
• Heavy Dynamics GP customization needs to be rebuilt as extensions.

Licensing: per named user, with Essentials and Premium options and lower-cost Team Member licenses for occasional users. You can review the details on our Business Central pricing and licensing page.

Best for: most Dynamics GP customers, particularly those already using Microsoft 365 and wanting a natural, lower-risk next step.

2. Oracle NetSuite

What it is: a cloud ERP owned by Oracle, and one of the earliest cloud business systems. It is widely used by growing and multinational mid-market companies.

Strengths:

• Built for the cloud from the start. There are no servers to manage.
• Strong multi-entity and global capabilities, particularly with its OneWorld edition for multiple subsidiaries, currencies and tax regimes.
• Wide scope, including e-commerce, CRM and professional services modules.
• Saved searches give flexible reporting, somewhat similar in spirit to SmartLists.

Points to consider:

• Cloud only. There is no on-premises option.
• Cost. Pricing is usually a base platform fee plus per-user and per-module charges, and renewals can rise noticeably. We would emphasize negotiating renewal terms carefully at the start.
• No native Dynamics GP migration tool. Data must be extracted, mapped and imported.
• Customization uses NetSuite’s own scripting language, so specialist skills are needed.
• Less integration with Microsoft 365 than Business Central offers.

Best for: fast-growing companies with multiple international entities, or businesses that need e-commerce and ERP tightly combined.

3. Sage Intacct

What it is: a cloud financial management system owned by Sage. It is finance-first: its real strength is accounting, consolidation and reporting.

Strengths:

• Excellent core financials and a strong reputation with accountants and finance teams.
• Dimensions-based reporting, which makes slicing data by department, location, project or grant very straightforward.
• Multi-entity consolidation handled well.
• Popular in professional services, non-profit and SaaS businesses, where inventory and manufacturing are limited.

Points to consider:

• Limited operational depth. Inventory, warehousing and manufacturing are lighter than in Business Central, NetSuite or Acumatica. Distribution and manufacturing companies often need additional products.
• Cloud only.
• No native Dynamics GP migration tool.
• Organizations may end up with several connected systems instead of one ERP.

Best for: service-based and non-profit organizations whose priority is high-quality financial reporting and consolidation.

4. Acumatica

What it is: a cloud ERP for mid-sized businesses, with strong industry editions for distribution, manufacturing, construction and retail. In 2025, Acumatica announced it would be acquired by Vista Equity Partners.

Strengths:

• Pricing not based on user numbers. Acumatica typically prices by the resources and transaction volume you use, so adding users does not increase cost in the same way. This suits businesses with many occasional users.
• Strong industry editions, particularly construction and distribution.
• Deployment flexibility, including SaaS and private cloud options.
• Modern, browser-based interface.

Points to consider:

• Smaller ecosystem of partners and add-on apps than Microsoft or Oracle.
• No native Dynamics GP migration tool.
• Ownership changes can affect product direction and pricing over time, so watch the roadmap.
• Pricing based on resources needs careful estimating as transaction volumes grow.

Best for: distribution, manufacturing and construction businesses with many users, especially where per-user pricing would be costly.

Side-by-Side Comparison

Comparing the Real Cost

Subscription prices are only part of the picture. When analyzing total cost over five years, include:

• Subscription licenses, including expected annual increases
• Implementation, data migration and testing
• Customization and integrations to rebuild
• Add-on products, such as payroll, expense management or advanced reporting
• Training and change management
• Ongoing partner support

In our experience, migration effort is where differences show most. A move to Business Central can use Microsoft’s migration tool and familiar concepts, which often reduces both cost and risk. Moves to the other three usually need a full extract-and-import approach.

How to Make the Decision

A structured selection usually follows these steps:

1. Document your requirements, separating must-haves from nice-to-haves.
2. Review your Dynamics GP customizations and add-ons, and decide which are still needed.
3. Shortlist two or three platforms that fit your industry and size.
4. Ask for scripted demonstrations using your own processes, not generic sales demos.
5. Compare five-year costs, not just year-one prices.
6. Check references from similar businesses that moved from Dynamics GP.
7. Assess the partner as carefully as the software. A good implementation partner matters as much as the product.

Our View

For most Dynamics GP customers, Business Central is the natural first choice to evaluate. It offers the smoothest migration path, the strongest fit with Microsoft 365, and functionality that covers most Dynamics GP users’ needs. That said, NetSuite can suit global groups, Sage Intacct can suit finance-led service organizations, and Acumatica can suit businesses with many users. A fair comparison is time well spent.

How Nevas Technologies Can Help

Nevas Technologies has worked with Dynamics GP since version 7.0 and with NAV and Business Central for well over a decade. We can:

• Assess your Dynamics GP system, customizations and requirements
• Compare options honestly, with realistic five-year costs
• Deliver your Dynamics GP to Business Central migration and Business Central implementation
• Show you Business Central in action through a Business Central demo
• Keep Dynamics GP stable while you decide, through our Dynamics GP support services

Summarizing the Key Points

• Business Central: Microsoft’s successor to Dynamics GP, with a free migration tool and deep Microsoft 365 integration. The best fit for most Dynamics GP customers.
• NetSuite: strong for global, multi-entity and fast-growing companies; cloud only and often costlier.
• Sage Intacct: excellent financials and reporting; lighter on inventory and manufacturing.
• Acumatica: flexible, resource-based pricing and strong industry editions; smaller ecosystem.
• Decide on total cost, fit and partner, not on price alone.

If you would like an honest comparison for your organization, contact Nevas Technologies or schedule a demo with our team.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Microsoft’s replacement for Dynamics GP?

Microsoft recommends Dynamics 365 Business Central, and provides a free cloud migration tool to move Dynamics GP data across.

Is NetSuite better than Business Central?

Neither is better in every case. NetSuite suits complex global groups, while Business Central usually suits Dynamics GP customers better because of its migration path and Microsoft 365 integration.

Can Sage Intacct replace Dynamics GP for a distribution company?

It can handle the finance side well, but distribution businesses often need extra products for inventory and warehousing.

How long does a move from Dynamics GP take?

Typically several months, depending on data volume, customizations, integrations and the number of companies.