Buying a new ERP system is a major decision that will affect your business for many years. If you’ve done your research, you’ve probably found conflicting information. For many businesses, the decision comes down to choosing between NetSuite and Acumatica. Which one do you pick? After all:
- Both Acumatica and NetSuite offer cloud-based SaaS ERP applications.
- Both integrate ERP, CRM, eCommerce, and BI.
- Both support a variety of vertical industries, from retail to distribution to manufacturing.
Here’s how they compare:
| Criteria | Acumatica | NetSuite |
|---|---|---|
| Cloud architecture | True cloud—built natively for web and mobile | Legacy-based, re-engineered for the cloud |
| Data export | Full relational export available anytime | No direct relational export—data lock-in |
| Customization tools | Industry-standard C#/.NET frameworks | Proprietary development tools |
| Upgrade schedule | User-controlled timing | Forced, simultaneous upgrades for all tenants |
| Licensing | Subscription or perpetual—no per-user fees | Subscription only—with per-user fees |
| Deployment options | Public cloud, on-premise, or hybrid | Cloud only |
*“True cloud” means all functionality is accessible through any standard browser without additional client software.
Significant Differentiators between Acumatica and NetSuite
Full relational database export:
NetSuite users cannot directly export their data in a relational format, making migration off NetSuite costly and complex. Acumatica’s built-in automated backups and snapshot feature let you obtain a relational copy of your data at any time.
Customizations using industry standard tools:
While both platforms are highly configurable, Acumatica is built on C# and .NET. NetSuite relies on proprietary development tools, which can complicate custom work.
Upgrade on your schedule:
NetSuite’s multi-tenant model forces simultaneous upgrades for all customers. Acumatica lets you choose when to upgrade, without extra fees.
Flexible licensing options:
Acumatica offers both subscription and perpetual licensing—no per-user fees—so you can choose cash-flow-friendly OPEX or a depreciable CAPEX model.
See Acumatica ERP Pricing.
Multiple deployment options:
Choose public cloud (e.g., AWS), on-premise, or hybrid. NetSuite is cloud-only.
Total cost of ownership (TCO):
Both charge for compute usage, but NetSuite adds per-user fees that grow your costs as you expand. Acumatica never charges per user.
About NetSuite
Established in 1998, NetSuite is the largest true-cloud ERP vendor. It went public in 2007 but has never reported a GAAP profit. Despite ongoing losses, NetSuite invests heavily in sales and marketing—spending nearly three times more there than on product development. In 2016, Oracle’s proposed acquisition of NetSuite remains under review.
By contrast, Acumatica was designed from the ground up for both cloud and on-premise use with modern technology. We offer anytime access to your data, flexible licensing, and no per-user fees—lowering your TCO.
Ultimately, the choice is yours. We encourage you to evaluate both platforms and ask questions. If you choose NetSuite, you won’t be wrong—but you might miss out on a better fit.
Check out the full comparison review
here
.
