ERP Software Comparison 2026

By Christina WendtPublished December 19, 2025Updated June 25, 2026

There are a lot of ERP systems out there and making a decision on which one best fits your business can be hard. Here's a market overview to help you figure out which one fits your needs best.

Business-Hacks_Ein-ERP-Vergleich-scaled
The essentials at a glance:
  • The ERP market is crowded and hard to navigate: We compare 13 well-known vendors: Xentral, weclapp, JTL, Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central, Billbee, SAP, Oracle NetSuite, Scopevisio, Odoo, Haufe X360, PlentyONE, Actindo, and Sage.
  • What fits depends on three things: company size, ERP type (standard, custom, or industry-specific), and deployment model (cloud or on-premises).
  • Enterprise (>€500M revenue): systems like SAP, Oracle NetSuite, Microsoft Dynamics 365, and Sage are the typical fit. Mid-market (€5M–€500M): usually goes with Xentral, Scopevisio, Sage, or Haufe X360. Small business (<€5M): Xentral, weclapp, and Billbee are common picks.
  • Cloud vs. on-premises: Cloud ERP suits SMBs with low entry costs and full scalability. On-premises makes sense when an in-house IT team, IT infrastructure, and full data ownership are hard requirements.
  • Start with a requirements checklist: A structured list before you start comparing saves time and keeps you from paying for features your business doesn't need.

Finding the right ERP software isn't easy. The decision shapes how core parts of your business run, so the stakes are high:

  • Will the system support our current processes and our growth?
  • Which business areas, processes, and workflows should the ERP cover?
  • What's it actually going to cost, now and over the long haul?

Even once you've answered those questions, one challenge remains: the ERP market is large and hard to navigate. That's why it pays to bring structure to your selection process early and compare systems with intent.

Here's an overview of the top ERP systems:

  • Xentral ERP
  • weclapp
  • JTL
  • Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central
  • Billbee
  • SAP
  • Oracle NetSuite
  • Scopevisio
  • Odoo
  • Haufe X360
  • PlentyONE
  • Actindo
  • Sage

What should I look at when comparing ERPs?

The ERP market is enormous. To spend your time wisely during selection, it helps to structure the landscape using a few clear criteria, for example:

  • Company size (enterprise, mid-market, or small business)
  • Type of ERP (standard, custom, or industry-specific software)
  • Deployment model (on-premises vs. cloud)

That lets you shortlist the systems worth a closer look and compare them more effectively.

What is ERP? 

ERP stands for Enterprise Resource Planning. An ERP system helps companies plan, manage, and use their core resources efficiently. That includes capital, people, and operating assets.

An ERP connects relevant business areas on a single platform and creates a unified data foundation. With that in place, you can structure, automate, and transparently manage business processes.

Typical benefits of an ERP system:

  • Centralized management of all company data
  • Clear, end-to-end processes
  • Less manual work thanks to automation
  • Faster response to market changes

An ERP acts as the central control unit for operational workflows. It helps companies work more efficiently and make better-informed decisions.

Not sure yet whether an ERP is the right move?

Talk to one of our ERP experts and get an honest take.

ERP features at a glance 

ERP systems are modular and adapt to a company's specific requirements. Cloud-based solutions are particularly well-suited for small and mid-sized businesses since they scale flexibly and let you turn on only the features you actually need.

An ERP serves as the central system for planning, managing, and analyzing business processes on a shared data foundation.

Typical use cases for an ERP system:

  • Sales
  • Marketing
  • Controlling and finance
  • Team and project coordination
  • Master data management
  • Production
  • Logistics
  • Human resources
  • Research and development
  • Accounting

The possibilities are broad. Today's ERP solutions can make individual workflows more efficient while also tying different business areas together so you can manage end-to-end processes.

That's why it's so important to decide, before picking an ERP, which areas you want it to cover and which features it absolutely needs.

What are the best ERP systems for your business? 

The ERP market offers a wide range of solutions, from comprehensive systems for large enterprises to flexible cloud ERPs for the mid-market and specialized industry solutions.

To find the right software, you need a clear picture of your own requirements. A structured evaluation of the key criteria helps you shortlist systems and compare them realistically.

ERP comparison checklist

Coverage of your automation needs

Support for core business processes

Scalability for future growth

Flexible extensibility

Ability to customize workflows without heavy IT dependency

Realistic, manageable implementation

Usability and team adoption

Integration with existing systems

Compatibility with partner and supplier systems

Centralized data foundation and transparent reporting

Data security and data ownership

Coverage of industry-specific requirements

Total cost of ownership across the full usage period

Licensing model and deployment type

Quality of support, onboarding, and consulting

Long-term viability and product roadmap of the vendor

This checklist helps you rank the most important criteria for an ERP comparison and define your own requirements more clearly.

Beyond that, capabilities like automated logistics, mobile warehouse management, or seamless connections to common shop, marketplace, and logistics systems can be decisive. Integrations with established platforms like Shopify, Shopware, Amazon, eBay, or major shipping carriers are especially relevant.

ERP software comparison 

Below is a selection of well-known ERP systems on the market. A complete comparison of every vendor would go well beyond the scope of this article, so we've focused on a representative shortlist.

Vendor

Deployment

Target audience

Industry focus

Xentral

Cloud

Growing commerce businesses, SMBs, mid-market multichannel

e-commerce, B2B, retail & wholesale, fulfillment, FBA, food & beverage

weclapp

Cloud

SMBs

e-commerce, wholesale, agencies, manufacturing, consulting

JTL

On-premise & cloud

SMBs in e-commerce

e-commerce, retail & wholesale, logistics, manufacturing

Microsoft Dynamics 365

On-premise & cloud

Mid-market, larger enterprises

Retail, professional services, project-based businesses, manufacturing

Billbee

Cloud

Startups, SMBs, e-commerce

e-commerce

SAP

On-premise & cloud

Large enterprises

Automotive, wholesale, professional services, plant & mechanical engineering, steel & metalwork

Oracle NetSuite

Cloud

Mid-market, larger enterprises, international

Retail, professional services, manufacturing, technology

Scopevisio

Cloud

SMBs

Retatil, professional services, consulting

Odoo

Cloud & open source

SMBs

Retail, professional services, manufacturing, e-commerce, consulting

Haufe X360

Cloud

SMBs

Retail, manufacturing, professional services, e-commerce

PlentyONE

Cloud

Online retailers with multiple sales channels

e-commerce, multichannel, online retail

Actindo

Cloud

Mid-market with complex e-commerce, omnichannel startups

e-commerce, online retail

Sage

On-premise & cloud

SMBs

Retail, professional services, manufacturing, trades, public sector

Xentral ERP 

Xentral is a cloud-based ERP for growing commerce businesses that want to automate operations and scale across multiple sales channels. The focus is squarely on order-to-cash, warehouse, fulfillment, and procurement processes, not on classic enterprise complexity.

Unlike traditional enterprise ERPs, Xentral takes a modular, hands-on approach. You start with clearly defined standard processes and expand the system step by step, without lengthy custom projects or costly migrations. The ERP stays manageable even as complexity grows.

Xentral is built as an AI-native ERP: AI agents already handle entire processes today, like posting incoming invoices, managing returns, and creating orders. That noticeably cuts down on manual work compared to traditional ERP systems.

Who is Xentral for?
Xentral is a fit if you sell across multiple channels, want to automate your processes, and need an ERP that grows with you. No enterprise price tag, no months-long rollout. Our strength is in order processing, warehouse management, automation, and connecting your sales channels.

Industries: e-commerce, B2B, retailers and wholesalers, fulfillment providers, FBA sellers, food and beverage

Features:

Similar vendors: weclapp, Haufe X360, JTL

Marco Branco Varga

With Xentral, you have the option of connecting an ERP system to the company quickly, easily, without a great deal of expertise and at low cost.

Marco Branco Varga , Head of Operations

Logo Dogs'n Tiger

weclapp 

weclapp is a cloud-based ERP aimed at small and mid-sized businesses, used across a range of industries. The focus is on core business processes and team collaboration.

It offers a broad feature set and is deployed across industries, with a few specifically targeted verticals.

Who is weclapp for?
weclapp is suited to small and mid-sized businesses that want to centralize their business processes in a cloud-based ERP.

Industries: e-commerce, wholesale, agencies, manufacturing, consulting, and more

Features:

  • Contact management
  • Project management
  • Inventory and order management
  • Shop integrations
  • And more

Similar vendors: JTL, Sage 100, Odoo

JTL 

JTL is an ERP system specialized in e-commerce businesses. The software offers a range of features for managing business processes, tailored specifically to online retailers.

The product family also includes an online shop and separate warehouse management solutions.

Who is JTL for?
JTL's ERP is geared more toward small and mid-sized companies operating in e-commerce.

Industries: e-commerce, wholesale, retail, logistics, manufacturing, and more

Features:

  • Inventory and order management
  • Warehouse management
  • Purchasing
  • Shop integrations
  • Customer management
  • Invoicing and accounting

Similar vendors: Xentral, Sage

Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central 

Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central is part of the Microsoft Dynamics product family. It integrates with the broader Microsoft ecosystem and helps companies manage core business processes. It's used across many industries and offers a broad feature set for operational workflows.

Who is Microsoft's ERP for?
Dynamics 365 Business Central is best suited to mid-sized and larger companies that want a broad-featured ERP with tight integration into their existing Microsoft stack.

Industries: retail, professional services, project-based businesses, manufacturing

Features:

  • Financial management
  • Sales and service management
  • Project and supply chain management
  • Manufacturing and inventory

Similar vendors: Sage, SAP, Oracle NetSuite

Billbee 

Billbee is a software solution focused on e-commerce processes. It primarily supports order processing, product management, and shipping, and is widely used by online retailers. The feature set centers on day-to-day operations in online retail.

Who is Billbee for?
Billbee suits startups and small to mid-sized businesses that want to organize their e-commerce operations in one place.

Industries: e-commerce

Features:

  • Order management
  • Product management
  • Inventory management
  • Invoicing
  • Shipping fulfillment

Similar vendors: JTL, plentymarkets, Xentral

SAP 

With an ERP like SAP S/4HANA, you're working with the market leader, geared primarily toward large enterprises. The software is made up of many modules covering different parts of the business.

Who is SAP for?
SAP's ERP is one of the most successful on the market, but its sheer scope makes it better suited to large enterprises that already know exactly what they need and where.

Industries: automotive, wholesale, professional services, plant and mechanical engineering, steel and metalwork, and more

Features:

  • Procurement and purchasing
  • Manufacturing
  • Supply chain
  • Service
  • Sales
  • Finance
  • Asset management
  • R&D and engineering

Similar vendors: Oracle NetSuite, Microsoft Dynamics 365

Oracle NetSuite 

Oracle NetSuite is a cloud-based ERP and part of the Oracle portfolio. It's used internationally and helps companies manage core business processes across multiple locations. NetSuite is modular and serves a wide range of industries.

Who is Oracle NetSuite for?
NetSuite is suited to mid-sized and larger companies that need a cloud-based ERP with international reach.

Industries: retail, services, manufacturing, technology

Features:

  • Financial management
  • Inventory management
  • Supply chain management
  • CRM
  • Reporting and analytics

Similar vendors: SAP, Microsoft Dynamics 365

Scopevisio 

Scopevisio is a cloud-based ERP focused mainly on commercial and organizational processes. The emphasis is on bringing finance, CRM, and project functions together on one platform. It's used primarily in the mid-market.

Who is Scopevisio for?
Scopevisio is a fit for small and mid-sized businesses looking to centrally manage their finance, project, and customer processes.

Industries: retail, services, consulting

Features:

  • Financial management
  • CRM
  • Project management
  • Controlling
  • Document management

Similar vendors: weclapp, Haufe X360, Sage

Odoo 

Odoo is a modular ERP available as both an open-source and a cloud product. It covers a wide range of business areas and is used globally. You can extend the feature set as your needs grow.

Who is Odoo for?
Odoo suits small and mid-sized businesses that want a flexible, extensible ERP.

Industries: retail, services, manufacturing, e-commerce, consulting

Features:

  • Inventory management
  • CRM
  • Accounting
  • Project management
  • Shop and website modules

Similar vendors: weclapp, Haufe X360, Sage

Haufe X360 

Haufe X360 is a cloud-based ERP for small and mid-sized businesses. It combines commercial functions with inventory management and project controls, and is used across industries in the mid-market.

Who is Haufe X360 for?
Haufe X360 suits small and mid-sized businesses looking for a cloud ERP with a strong focus on commercial processes.

Industries: retail, manufacturing, services, e-commerce

Features:

  • Financial accounting
  • Inventory management
  • CRM
  • Project management
  • Manufacturing
  • Quality management

Similar vendors: Scopevisio, weclapp, Odoo

PlentyONE 

PlentyONE is a software platform focused on e-commerce and multichannel operations. It combines inventory management, shop features, and marketplace integrations in one central system. It's mainly used by online retailers running multiple sales channels in parallel.

Who is PlentyONE for?
PlentyONE suits companies that want to centrally manage their e-commerce and multichannel operations.

Industries: e-commerce and online retail

Features:

  • Inventory management
  • Shop and marketplace integrations
  • Order management
  • Warehouse management
  • Shipping fulfillment

Similar vendors: JTL, Billbee, Xentral

Actindo 

Actindo is a cloud-based platform that combines ERP and order management functions. The focus is on orchestrating processes in digital commerce. It's used internationally, often in more complex retail environments.

Who is Actindo for?
Actindo suits mid-sized companies with complex e-commerce and omnichannel structures.

Industries: e-commerce and online retail

Features:

  • Order management
  • Inventory management
  • Process orchestration
  • Shop and marketplace integration
  • Reporting

Similar vendors: Oracle NetSuite, Xentral, Odoo

Sage 

Sage is an international ERP and business software vendor offering different solutions for small, mid-sized, and larger companies. Sage's systems support core commercial and operational processes and are mostly implemented through partners in the German-speaking market.

Who is Sage for?
Sage suits small and mid-sized businesses that want to handle finance, inventory, and core business processes in one ERP and value an established product with a strong partner network.

Industries: retail, services, manufacturing, trades, healthcare and social services, public sector

Features:

  • Accounting
  • Inventory management
  • Manufacturing
  • e-commerce
  • CRM

Similar vendors: Odoo, Microsoft Dynamics 365

This comparison is based on an analysis of ERP vendors and publicly available product information as of June 2026.

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Top ERP solutions for your business: a market overview 

The sheer number of ERP systems can make picking the right one more complicated than expected. A checklist helps you define your requirements, but you also need a way to bring structure to the market itself.

Not every ERP fits every company. With clear criteria, you can narrow the field early and make the comparison much more manageable.

Company size 

Company size is one of the central criteria when choosing an ERP. As a company grows, so do the demands on processes, data, and reporting.

ERPs built for large enterprises look very different from solutions for small and mid-sized businesses. That said, the lines can blur, especially with cloud-based ERPs that are modular and can scale alongside your business.

Large enterprise

Mid-market

Small business

> €500M annual revenue

€5M – €500M annual revenue

< €5M annual revenue

> 1,000 employees

50 – 1,000 employees

< 50 employees

Example ERPs
- SAP
⁠- Oracle NetSuite
⁠- Microsoft
⁠- Sage

Example ERPs
⁠- Xentral
⁠- Scopevisio
⁠- Sage
⁠- Haufe X360

Example ERPs
⁠- Xentral
⁠- weclapp
⁠- Billbee

Standard, custom, or industry software 

Beyond company size, ERPs can also be grouped by the type of software-as-a-service model they offer.

Standard software

Custom software

Industry software

Standard software is the "off-the-shelf" option in the ERP world. It meets the requirements of a broad industry but is still configurable, so individual needs can be covered.

Custom software is built for one specific use case. It's purpose-made for a single company and highly specialized.

Industry solutions, as the name suggests, are designed for a specific vertical, like retail, pharma, or food. Companies in those industries tend to have similar requirements.

Example ERPs
⁠- Oracle
⁠- Microsoft
⁠- DATEV
⁠- Xentral

Example ERPs
- BEOSYS
⁠- aborsys
⁠- Lavid Software

Example ERPs
⁠- Certified industry solutions for Microsoft Dynamics NAV
⁠- SIVAS.ERP

Cloud vs. on-premises 

Another key difference between ERP systems is the deployment model. The basic split is between on-premises and cloud.

On-premises ERP

On-premises solutions run on servers in your own infrastructure. You buy the license once and install the software locally on your own hardware. You handle administration, maintenance, and data backups yourself.

Pros

Cons

Example ERPs

  • The software belongs to you.
  • Full customization options.
  • Data security is in your hands.
  • High upfront investment for both software and IT infrastructure.
  • You're on the hook for setup and maintenance.
  • Additional costs for support, training, and updates.
  • Concentrix
  • Microsoft Dynamics
  • DirectOne BusinessCloud ERP

When does on-premises make sense?

Skilled staff

You have an in-house IT team for setup and maintenance.

Administration

You're comfortable running the system yourself and owning the responsibility.

IT infrastructure

You have not just the people but also the hardware, capable servers that keep your ERP running around the clock.

Data ownership

You want to back up your own data and have the capacity to do it.

Cloud ERP

A cloud ERP runs in the browser. All content and data live on web servers and are available in real time, anywhere. These systems typically flex to your needs and scale as you grow.

Pros

Cons

Example ERPs

  • Accessible anywhere.
  • Lower costs through monthly licensing.
  • Highly flexible thanks to extensible feature sets.
  • Easy to scale by adding server capacity.
  • Administration, updates, and maintenance handled by the provider.
  • Data lives with the provider.
  • You're dependent on the ERP vendor.
  • Xentral
  • Scopevisio
  • Sage

ERP software comparison: ERP for small businesses 

With the factors above, you can structure the ERP market much more clearly and make comparisons easier. This is especially true if you're looking for an ERP for a small business, where slicing the vendor landscape into categories really pays off. Here's a typical scenario.

Picture this: A young company is looking for an ERP that covers current requirements without putting a ceiling on future growth. The shortlist often includes wildly different options, from enterprise-grade systems to specialized ERPs for SMBs.

Enterprise ERPs are usually built for complex structures and come with a very broad feature set. For small businesses and startups, a cloud-based ERP often makes more sense, because it's more flexible and can be expanded step by step.

Advantages of ERPs built for small businesses tend to be:

  • Modular setup with features tailored to actual needs
  • Lower barriers to implementation and adoption
  • The ability to grow the system alongside the business

The key is picking an ERP that supports your current processes and leaves room for what comes next.

Plenty of ERP vendors to choose from 

The ERP vendor landscape is large and the comparison process can get complex. With the right system, you can structure processes, automate workflows, and support growth in a targeted way. The prerequisite is a clear picture of your own requirements and a smart shortlist of candidates.

This article aimed to give you an overview of the ERP market and show you the criteria worth comparing systems on. If you approach the market with structure, you'll save time during selection and make better-informed decisions.

If you're looking for a cloud-based ERP for growing businesses and you want something hands-on to start with, Xentral is worth a closer look. Book a free consultation and find out whether Xentral fits your requirements.

Frequently asked questions about ERP vendor comparison 

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Christina Wendt - Autorin Xentral
Christina Wendt
Christina is passionate about the SaaS world and innovative B2B topics. With her knack for clear, user-focused content, she makes complex subjects accessible and helps companies navigate their digital transformation.
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