Today there are 67 different cloud manufacturing ERPs. We spent 88 hours comparing the top 50 to find the seven best you can use to efficiently manage your manufacturing processes.
What is the Best Cloud Manufacturing ERP?
- NetSuite — best of the best
- Sage X3 — best for process manufacturing
- Striven — best for industrial manufacturing
- IFS Applications — best for consumer electronics manufacturing
- QAD — best for supply chain management
- DELMIAWorks — best for food manufacturing
- Epicor — best for automotive manufacturing
1. NetSuite
Our Verdict — Best Of The Best
Price: Custom
NetSuite is a versatile manufacturing ERP that’s optimized for the cloud. We think it’s the best because of its flexibility, comprehensive set of features, and end-to-end visibility across the manufacturing process.
The Best Part:
It’s very customizable. NetSuite can be tailored to meet your unique needs for manufacturing, supply chain, automation, and more, no matter the complexity.
The Worst Part:
Pricey implementation. NetSuite may be expensive to implement and maintain compared to other solutions.
Get it if you want a flexible manufacturing ERP that can handle any level of complexity.
I recommend you book a free demo with NetSuite.
(free demo)
Best For
NetSuite is best for manufacturers who want a cloud-based solution to automate as they scale.
Top Features
- Order automation. Streamline your entire order-to-cash process by setting up smart workflows, every step of the way.
- Advanced scheduling engine. Plan your manufacturing processes in advance based on factors such as material availability, labor capacity, and machine availability.
- Supply chain visibility. Keep tabs on your inventory levels, production schedules, and vendor locations to get a bird’s eye view of your processes, at any given time.
- Blanket purchase orders. Keep a steady stream of supplies and nail down your procurement costs months in advance using NetSuite’s Blanket PO feature.
- Seamless Salesforce integration. Get your production and marketing on the same page with two-way data syncing to and from Salesforce.
Pricing
NetSuite offers a single pricing plan:
Custom pricing: Monthly plan, for manufacturers who want a customizable cloud ERP to streamline and take full control of their processes.
Try NetSuite today with a free demo.
2. Sage X3
Our Verdict — Best For Process Manufacturing
Price: Custom
Sage X3 is a cloud-based ERP designed to streamline process manufacturing. We think it’s the best option for process manufacturers because of its formula potency management tools, automation workflows, and easy-to-use interface.
The Best Part:
User-friendly interface. Sage X3 has a straightforward interface that makes it easy to operate for you and your staff, right from the get-go.
The Worst Part:
Limited scalability. Sage X3 may not be the best option for very complex, scalable processes.
Get it if you want a user-friendly ERP with cutting-edge tools to scale and automate your process manufacturing efforts.
I recommend you go through Sage X3’s free product tour.
(free product tour)
Best For
Sage X3 is best for process manufacturers who want a powerful process manufacturing ERP to streamline their process.
Top Features
- Automated workflows. React faster to fluctuations in procurement, production, and shipments using automated workflows.
- Robust product data management. Identify suitable raw materials for production, their expiration dates, and their inventory levels to consistently meet customer demand and reduce inventory waste.
- Rule-based quality control. Set rules for product quality at every stage so that each product is as good as the last.
- Potency management for formulas and recipes. Determine your products to automatically contain a set potency percentage for your chosen ingredients.
- Weight scale integration. Connect weight scales in your manufacturing facility to Sage X3 and automatically capture the correct measurements, each and every time.
Pricing
Sage X3 offers a single pricing plan:
Custom pricing: Yearly plan, for process manufacturers who want a reliable cloud ERP to produce high-quality goods and easily manage their manufacturing process.
Try Sage X3 today with a free product tour.
3. Striven
Our Verdict — Best For Industrial Manufacturing
Price: Starts at $119/month
Striven is an all-in-one ERP for manufacturing businesses of all sizes. We think it’s the best for industrial manufacturing because of its comprehensive set of tools, sleek interface, and transparent pricing.
The Best Part:
Transparent pricing. Unlike pretty much every other ERP, Striven has a straightforward pricing system for manufacturers and even offers a 7-day free trial.
The Worst Part:
Lack of integrations. Striven only offers native integration with a few other tools.
Get it if you want a cloud-based manufacturing ERP to streamline and automate complex industrial manufacturing processes.
I recommend you get the 7-day free trial, then get a monthly Enterprise plan for $239/mo.
(7-day free trial)
Best For
Striven is best for industrial manufacturers who want a comprehensive ERP to streamline production and complex processes.
Top Features
- Email-to-task functionality. Turn emails you receive from customers into custom manufacturing tasks to keep the production line always moving.
- Integrated Business Intelligence tools. Leverage the power of BI to reduce costs, deliver on time, and increase efficiency across all stages of your supply chain.
- Complete financial management system. Simplified billing and invoices, robust financial reports for your projects, items, and jobs, and more… With just a few clicks.
- Built-in CRM with advanced marketing capabilities. Launch marketing campaigns based on order data and history, and get a better understanding of your customers with Striven’s data tracking features.
- Image labeling for items. Upload images and assign them to different items to help manage inventory more accurately — each item gets its own separate profile.
Pricing
Striven offers two pricing plans:
- Standard: $119/month per user for small manufacturers who want a comprehensive ERP to organize and manage complex production processes for industrial manufacturing, for up to 100,000 inventory items.
- Enterprise: $239/month per user for midsize and large manufacturers who want the ultimate ERP solution for managing complex industrial manufacturing processes, for up to 500,000 inventory items.
Try Striven today with a free 7-day trial.
Our Top Three Picks
Here’s a quick summary of our top three picks:
- NetSuite — best of the best
- Sage X3 — best for process manufacturing
- Striven — best for industrial manufacturing
Here’s a quick comparison of our top seven picks:
Tool | Entry Offer | Pricing |
|---|---|---|
NetSuite | Free demo | Custom |
Sage X3 | Free product tour | Custom |
Striven | 7-day free trial | Starts at $119/mo |
IFS Applications | None | Custom |
QAD | None | Custom |
DELMIAWorks | None | Custom |
Epicor | None | Custom |
Here are the top 50 cloud manufacturing ERPs we considered in this review:
- NetSuite
- Sage X3
- Striven
- IFS Applications
- QAD
- DELMIAWorks
- Epicor
- Oracle ERP Cloud
- Acumatica
- SAP S/4HANA
- Infor Cloudsuite
- Microsoft Dynamics 365 for Finance and Operations
- DEACOM
- Plex Systems
- SAP Business One
- Odoo
- Fishbowl Manufacturing
- IQS
- Infor LN
- Global Shop Solutions
- Treatstock
- Infor M3
- Kenandy
- Datacor
- S2K Enterprise
- SYSPRO
- Onshape
- Ramco ERP
- Deltek Costpoint
- Quickbase
- HSI
- abas ERP
- Genius ERP
- Ansys
- Sage 100cloud
- Visibility ERP
- SAP Manufacturing
- Fusion 360
- Cerebro
- Ekos
- Rootstock
- ProShop
- SAP Business ByDesign
- ABIS
- PK7
- 1WorldSync
- Lansa 1WS
- Equadis Gaia
- BW Design Group Manufacturing ERP
- WinMan ERP
What is the number 1 cloud ERP?
NetSuite is considered by many experts as the number one cloud ERP solution due to its robust set of features and capabilities. It offers end-to-end business management, including financials, inventory management, manufacturing, supply chain, CRM, and e-commerce.
NetSuite's cloud-based software systems provide real-time visibility into a manufacturing operation's production, inventory, and supply chain management, enabling informed decisions to be made based on accurate data.
Additionally, NetSuite's user interface offers an intuitive user experience, making it easy for business owners to manage their operations effectively.
Businesses looking for a custom cloud ERP experience can customize NetSuite to fit their specific needs. NetSuite enables you to customize customer relationship management, warehouse management, production management, and other business processes manageable on the CRM.
Can ERP be cloud-based?
Yes, ERP can be cloud-based. In recent years, adopting cloud-based software has become increasingly popular in the enterprise resource planning (ERP) landscape. Cloud ERP offers a range of benefits compared to traditional on-premise deployment, making it an attractive option for businesses of all sizes.
Cloud-based manufacturing software, such as IFS Cloud and Business Central, provides real-time visibility into key business processes and financial planning, enabling companies to make data-driven decisions. This shift towards cloud-based ERP is driven by the need for flexibility, scalability, and cost-effectiveness.
One of the main advantages of cloud-based ERP is the user experience it offers, as it can be accessed from mobile devices and easily integrated with e-commerce platforms. The user interface of cloud ERP systems is often designed to be more intuitive and user-friendly, enhancing the overall user experience.
Additionally, cloud-based ERP systems leverage cutting-edge technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and predictive analytics to optimize business processes and financial management. As a result, business owners in the manufacturing industry can gain a competitive edge by adopting cloud ERP solutions.
The transition to cloud-based ERP systems is facilitated by the availability of different pricing models, such as user per month (in the case of Striven, our #3 pick for manufacturing ERPs), making it a more accessible and scalable option for a wide range of businesses. This trend towards cloud-based ERP is expected to continue as companies recognize the benefits of real-time visibility, enhanced user experience, and streamlined operations that these software systems provide.
Is cloud ERP the future?
Cloud ERP is indeed considered the future of enterprise resource planning systems. The shift towards cloud-based solutions has gained momentum in recent years due to the numerous advantages they offer over traditional on-premise systems.
What is ERP in manufacturing?
ERP, or Enterprise Resource Planning, in manufacturing, refers to a comprehensive software system that integrates various aspects of a manufacturing organization to optimize its operations and achieve business goals. It encompasses a wide range of functionalities, including product lifecycle management, project management, and the implementation of various business models.
Enterprise Resource Planning software, such as SAP S/4HANA, provides a unified platform for managing processes like shop floor control, inventory control, and demand forecasting. It offers real-time data and reporting capabilities to enable manufacturers to make informed decisions quickly and effectively. Cloud solutions are often employed to enhance the scalability and accessibility of these systems.
With the integration of product configuration and sales order management, ERP systems streamline the customer experience by ensuring that orders are processed and fulfilled efficiently. They also support a wide variety of manufacturing environments, from job shops to large-scale production facilities, catering to the specific needs of each organization.
Quality management is a crucial component of ERP in manufacturing, as it helps maintain high standards and compliance with regulations. This, along with demand forecasting and real-time reporting, allows manufacturers to identify trends, anticipate fluctuations in demand, and adapt their operations accordingly.
ERP systems contribute to improving the overall customer experience by ensuring that products are delivered on time and meet quality standards. Furthermore, the cost of ownership is reduced through the consolidation of various processes and functions within a single, unified system.
In recent years, the use of ERPs in manufacturing has gained significant traction, with several top-tier software solutions emerging as the preferred choices for businesses across various industries. Among our top picks are NetSuite, Sage X3, and Striven, each offering a unique set of features tailored to the needs of manufacturers.
What is the most widely used ERP?
Across all industries, SAP is considered probably the most widely used ERP system globally. As a market leader, SAP offers a comprehensive suite of solutions tailored to various industries and business sizes. Its flagship product, SAP S/4HANA, is known for its powerful capabilities in managing complex business processes, providing real-time data and analytics, and supporting scalability.
With its robust features and widespread adoption, SAP has established itself as a trusted and reliable choice for organizations seeking to optimize their operations and achieve their business goals through the use of ERP software.
Other alternatives include NetSuite and ERPs offered by Sage, with the former being our top #1 pick for the best ERP as far as features, versatility, and customization go.
The Bottom Line
To recap, here are the best cloud manufacturing ERPs to try this year:
