IFS Applications vs Sage X3
Side-by-side comparison of IFS Applications and Sage X3 — features, pricing, modules, and deployment options.
IFS Applications vs Sage X3 at a Glance
| Criteria | IFS Applications | Sage X3 |
|---|---|---|
| Best For | Asset-intensive industries needing ERP, EAM, and field service in one platform | Midsize process manufacturers and distributors |
| Starting Price | $110/user/mo | $100/user/mo |
| Pricing Model | per-user | per-user |
| Deployment | cloud, on-premise, hybrid | cloud, on-premise |
| Company Size | 251-1000, 1001-5000, 5000+ | 251-1000, 1001-5000 |
| Implementation | 6–14 months | 4–9 months |
| Typical Cost | $200K–$1M+ | $100K–$400K |
Module Comparison
| Module | IFS Applications | Sage X3 |
|---|---|---|
| Finance & Accounting | ★★★ Strong | ★★★ Strong |
| Manufacturing | ★★★ Strong | ★★★ Strong |
| Supply Chain | ★★★ Strong | ★★★ Strong |
| CRM | ★★ Moderate | ★ Basic |
| HR & Payroll | ★★ Moderate | ★★ Moderate |
| Project Management | ★★★ Strong | ★ Basic |
| Inventory Management | ★★★ Strong | ★★★ Strong |
| Procurement | ★★★ Strong | ★★★ Strong |
| Warehouse Management | ★★ Moderate | ★★ Moderate |
| Ecommerce | — N/A | ★ Basic |
| Business Intelligence | ★★ Moderate | ★★ Moderate |
| Quality Management | ★★★ Strong | ★★★ Strong |
| Field Service | ★★★ Strong | — N/A |
| Asset Management | ★★★ Strong | ★★ Moderate |
Pros & Cons
IFS Applications
Pros
- +Best-in-class field service management (FSM)
- +Integrated enterprise asset management (EAM)
- +Excellent for project-based and engineer-to-order manufacturing
- +Strong MRO (maintenance, repair, overhaul) capabilities
Cons
- -No ecommerce module
- -Smaller partner ecosystem than SAP/Oracle/Microsoft
- -Less known in North America (strong in Europe)
- -Reporting/BI relies on third-party tools
Sage X3
Pros
- +Excellent for process manufacturing (batch, formula, compliance)
- +Strong multi-site and multi-legislation support
- +Good total cost of ownership for the mid-market
- +Flexible deployment options (cloud or on-prem)
Cons
- -CRM is very basic — most integrate Salesforce or HubSpot
- -No field service module
- -Smaller ecosystem than SAP/Oracle/Microsoft
- -UI modernisation is ongoing but still behind newer ERPs
When to Choose IFS Applications
- You need an ERP best suited for asset-intensive industries needing erp, eam, and field service in one platform
- Your company has 251-1000 or 1001-5000 or 5000+ employees
- You operate in Aerospace & Defense, Construction, Oil & Gas
- You prefer cloud / on-premise / hybrid deployment
- Your budget aligns with $110/user/mo starting price
When to Choose Sage X3
- You need an ERP best suited for midsize process manufacturers and distributors
- Your company has 251-1000 or 1001-5000 employees
- You operate in Manufacturing, Food & Beverage, Pharmaceuticals
- You prefer cloud / on-premise deployment
- Your budget aligns with $100/user/mo starting price
Frequently Asked Questions
Is IFS Applications better than Sage X3?
It depends on your business needs. IFS Applications is best for asset-intensive industries needing erp, eam, and field service in one platform, while Sage X3 is best for midsize process manufacturers and distributors. IFS Applications starts at $110/user/mo and Sage X3 starts at $100/user/mo.
How does IFS Applications pricing compare to Sage X3?
IFS Applications uses a per-user pricing model starting at $110/user/mo, while Sage X3 uses a per-user model starting at $100/user/mo. IFS Applications typical total cost is $200K–$1M+ vs $100K–$400K for Sage X3.
Which is better for manufacturing: IFS Applications or Sage X3?
Both vendors serve manufacturing companies. IFS Applications is typically chosen by 251-1000, 1001-5000, 5000+ employee organizations, while Sage X3 targets 251-1000, 1001-5000 employee companies. Consider your company size and specific module needs to decide.
Need a personalized recommendation?
Tell us about your business and we'll help you shortlist the best ERP systems for your needs.