Acumatica vs ERPNext
Side-by-side comparison of Acumatica and ERPNext — features, pricing, modules, and deployment options.
Acumatica vs ERPNext at a Glance
| Criteria | Acumatica | ERPNext |
|---|---|---|
| Best For | Midsize companies wanting unlimited users and flexible cloud ERP | Small businesses and startups wanting free, self-hosted ERP |
| Starting Price | Custom quote | $0 (self-hosted) |
| Pricing Model | resource-based | open-source |
| Deployment | cloud, on-premise, hybrid | cloud, on-premise |
| Company Size | 51-250, 251-1000 | 1-50, 51-250 |
| Implementation | 4–8 months | 1–3 months |
| Typical Cost | $75K–$350K | $0–$30K |
Module Comparison
| Module | Acumatica | ERPNext |
|---|---|---|
| Finance & Accounting | ★★★ Strong | ★★ Moderate |
| Manufacturing | ★★★ Strong | ★★ Moderate |
| Supply Chain | ★★ Moderate | ★★ Moderate |
| CRM | ★★★ Strong | ★★ Moderate |
| HR & Payroll | ★ Basic | ★★★ Strong |
| Project Management | ★★★ Strong | ★★ Moderate |
| Inventory Management | ★★★ Strong | ★★★ Strong |
| Procurement | ★★ Moderate | ★★ Moderate |
| Warehouse Management | ★★★ Strong | ★★ Moderate |
| Ecommerce | ★★★ Strong | ★★ Moderate |
| Business Intelligence | ★★ Moderate | ★ Basic |
| Quality Management | ★ Basic | ★★ Moderate |
| Field Service | ★★★ Strong | ★ Basic |
| Asset Management | ★★ Moderate | ★★ Moderate |
Pros & Cons
Acumatica
Pros
- +Unlimited users — resource-based pricing is unique and cost-effective
- +Open API and strong integration marketplace
- +Excellent construction and distribution editions
- +Modern, responsive UI with mobile-first design
Cons
- -Smaller partner network than SAP, Oracle, or Microsoft
- -HR/payroll is very basic — needs third-party integration
- -Less suited for 5,000+ employee enterprises
- -Business intelligence not as deep as Power BI or SAP Analytics
ERPNext
Pros
- +Completely free and open source (GPLv3)
- +Covers HR, manufacturing, inventory, CRM, and more
- +Easy to customise with Python and the Frappe framework
- +Active community with regular updates
Cons
- -Enterprise reporting is basic compared to paid ERPs
- -Self-hosting requires DevOps expertise
- -Fewer integrations than commercial ERP marketplaces
- -Limited partner ecosystem for implementation support
When to Choose Acumatica
- You need an ERP best suited for midsize companies wanting unlimited users and flexible cloud erp
- Your company has 51-250 or 251-1000 employees
- You operate in Construction, Wholesale & Distribution, Manufacturing
- You prefer cloud / on-premise / hybrid deployment
When to Choose ERPNext
- You need an ERP best suited for small businesses and startups wanting free, self-hosted erp
- Your company has 1-50 or 51-250 employees
- You operate in Manufacturing, Retail, Education
- You prefer cloud / on-premise deployment
- Your budget aligns with $0 (self-hosted) starting price
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Acumatica better than ERPNext?
It depends on your business needs. Acumatica is best for midsize companies wanting unlimited users and flexible cloud erp, while ERPNext is best for small businesses and startups wanting free, self-hosted erp. Acumatica starts at custom pricing and ERPNext starts at $0 (self-hosted).
How does Acumatica pricing compare to ERPNext?
Acumatica uses a resource-based pricing model, while ERPNext uses a open-source model starting at $0 (self-hosted). Acumatica typical total cost is $75K–$350K vs $0–$30K for ERPNext.
Which is better for manufacturing: Acumatica or ERPNext?
Both vendors serve manufacturing companies. Acumatica is typically chosen by 51-250, 251-1000 employee organizations, while ERPNext targets 1-50, 51-250 employee companies. Consider your company size and specific module needs to decide.
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