Sage X3 vs Unit4 ERP
Side-by-side comparison of Sage X3 and Unit4 ERP — features, pricing, modules, and deployment options.
Sage X3 vs Unit4 ERP at a Glance
| Criteria | Sage X3 | Unit4 ERP |
|---|---|---|
| Best For | Midsize process manufacturers and distributors | Public sector, education, and professional services organisations |
| Starting Price | $100/user/mo | $95/user/mo |
| Pricing Model | per-user | per-user |
| Deployment | cloud, on-premise | cloud |
| Company Size | 251-1000, 1001-5000 | 251-1000, 1001-5000 |
| Implementation | 4–9 months | 5–10 months |
| Typical Cost | $100K–$400K | $100K–$500K |
Module Comparison
| Module | Sage X3 | Unit4 ERP |
|---|---|---|
| Finance & Accounting | ★★★ Strong | ★★★ Strong |
| Manufacturing | ★★★ Strong | — N/A |
| Supply Chain | ★★★ Strong | ★ Basic |
| CRM | ★ Basic | ★ Basic |
| HR & Payroll | ★★ Moderate | ★★★ Strong |
| Project Management | ★ Basic | ★★★ Strong |
| Inventory Management | ★★★ Strong | ★ Basic |
| Procurement | ★★★ Strong | ★★★ Strong |
| Warehouse Management | ★★ Moderate | — N/A |
| Ecommerce | ★ Basic | — N/A |
| Business Intelligence | ★★ Moderate | ★★ Moderate |
| Quality Management | ★★★ Strong | — N/A |
| Field Service | — N/A | — N/A |
| Asset Management | ★★ Moderate | ★ Basic |
Pros & Cons
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
Unit4 ERP
Pros
- +Strong fit for universities, nonprofits, and public sector
- +Excellent project costing and fund management
- +Good HCM and talent management
- +Self-driving ERP with AI-powered automation
Cons
- -No manufacturing, warehouse, or ecommerce
- -Limited brand recognition outside Europe
- -Smaller partner ecosystem than Tier 1 vendors
- -CRM is basic — needs third-party integration
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
When to Choose Unit4 ERP
- You need an ERP best suited for public sector, education, and professional services organisations
- Your company has 251-1000 or 1001-5000 employees
- You operate in Education, Nonprofits, Professional Services
- You prefer cloud deployment
- Your budget aligns with $95/user/mo starting price
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Sage X3 better than Unit4 ERP?
It depends on your business needs. Sage X3 is best for midsize process manufacturers and distributors, while Unit4 ERP is best for public sector, education, and professional services organisations. Sage X3 starts at $100/user/mo and Unit4 ERP starts at $95/user/mo.
How does Sage X3 pricing compare to Unit4 ERP?
Sage X3 uses a per-user pricing model starting at $100/user/mo, while Unit4 ERP uses a per-user model starting at $95/user/mo. Sage X3 typical total cost is $100K–$400K vs $100K–$500K for Unit4 ERP.
Which is better for manufacturing: Sage X3 or Unit4 ERP?
Both vendors serve manufacturing companies. Sage X3 is typically chosen by 251-1000, 1001-5000 employee organizations, while Unit4 ERP targets 251-1000, 1001-5000 employee companies. Consider your company size and specific module needs to decide.
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