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Which Microsoft Dynamics ERP Is Right for Your Business?
Compare Microsoft ERP Solutions:
Dynamics 365, Dynamics NAV And Dynamics GP
How do you know which Microsoft Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) solution is right for your business? Will it work for your industry? Can it manage multiple locations or global operations? Are you looking to transition from Dynamics GP or NAV to Business Central or Finance & Supply Chain Management?
While the best first step is to speak to our Dynamics experts to assess your needs, this 2026 guide provides the major differences between Microsoft Dynamics ERP solutions to help you find the best fit. They all offer tight integration, powerful functionality, and flexibility to scale. We've provided side-by-side comparisons of important factors: company size, industry, global capabilities, deployment options, and migration guidance.
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Dynamics 365 Finance Vs. Dynamics 365 Business Central
We have many customers, particularly coming from Dynamics GP and Dynamics NAV, interested in building a cloud-based infrastructure on Dynamics 365 but not sure which solution is the right direction. Since D365 offers two approaches to ERP, it’s worth a brief explanation of each platform.
Dynamics 365 Finance & Supply Chain Management
Dynamics 365 Finance and Supply Chain Management, formerly Dynamics 365 for Finance and Operations, is built for mid-market and enterprise organizations with complex financials, advanced manufacturing, global operations, or high transaction volumes. It gives you the flexibility to implement only the modules your operation needs. You choose from a wide selection of applications such as Finance, Supply Chain Management, Sales, Customer Service, Commerce and more. This gives midsize to large organizations powerful capabilities and unmatched flexibility to tailor the solution to specific requirements.
Dynamics 365 Business Central
Designed for small to medium-sized businesses, Business Central is a comprehensive ERP solution that includes all your core functionality built-in such as Finance, Supply Chain Management, Sales and Customer Service. It is integrated and ready to go, at one monthly price. Business Central is offered in two versions—Essentials or Premium—so you still have some flexibility to choose functionality and add applications to fit your business.
Not sure which platform you need? A quick guide:
Choose Business Central if: you have under 250 users, straightforward financials and inventory, and one or two locations.
Choose Finance and Supply Chain Management if: you have multi-entity financials, complex manufacturing (process, lean, or mixed-mode), global operations, or more than 250 users.
Still not sure? Our team will tell you which one fits your operation and which one does not.
Dynamics Solutions: Side-by-side Comparison
Review the below chart to understand the major differences.
Considering a Dynamics migration? Get a recommendation to find the best solution for your business.
Company Size
Microsoft
Dynamics GP
Small to Midsize Business (SMB)
Microsoft
Dynamics NAV 2018
New licenses are no longer available
Small to Midsize, or Divisions of Enterprise companies
Microsoft
Dynamics 365 Finance & Supply Chain Management
Midsize to Large Enterprises
Microsoft
Dynamics 365
Business Central
Small to Midsize Business (SMB)
Target User Range
Microsoft
Dynamics GP
3 to 250
Microsoft
Dynamics NAV 2018
New licenses are no longer available
5 to 750
Microsoft
Dynamics 365 Finance & Supply Chain Management
20+
Microsoft
Dynamics 365
Business Central
5 to 250
Global Operations
Microsoft
Dynamics GP
Supports global businesses that have a less complex organizational structure
Microsoft
Dynamics NAV 2018
New licenses are no longer available
Supports global businesses that have a less complex organizational structure.
Microsoft
Dynamics 365 Finance & Supply Chain Management
Supports international organizations, multi-plant, and multi-schedule.
Microsoft
Dynamics 365
Business Central
Supports global businesses that have a less complex organizational structure.
Industries
Microsoft
Dynamics GP
Professional Services Industries, Wholesale & Distribution, Packaged Goods, Food & Beverage, Laboratories, Healthcare
Microsoft
Dynamics NAV 2018
New licenses are no longer available
Dynamics NAV is flexible and highly customizable. Because of the very large installed base and availability of add-on enhancements, it supports a huge variety of industries.
Microsoft
Dynamics 365 Finance & Supply Chain Management
Manufacturing, Distribution, Public Sector, Retail, Project Based including Professional Service industries.
Microsoft
Dynamics 365
Business Central
Discrete manufacturing, service management, project management, supply chain management.
Manufacturing Modes
Microsoft
Dynamics GP
Integrated ERP solution for discrete and process manufacturers, field service, and project accounting with purchase of Extended Pack
Microsoft
Dynamics NAV 2018
New licenses are no longer available
Integrated ERP solution designed for discrete manufacturing. Will handle other modes with add-ons.
Microsoft
Dynamics 365 Finance & Supply Chain Management
Designed to be a complete solution for discrete, job shop, process, lean and mixed-mode manufacturing.
Microsoft
Dynamics 365
Business Central
Integrated ERP solution for discrete manufacturers.
Multi-Company
Microsoft
Dynamics GP
Multi-company and intercompany functionality are standard
Microsoft
Dynamics NAV 2018
New licenses are no longer available
Multi-company is handled within separate companies and intercompany functionality is available.
Microsoft
Dynamics 365 Finance & Supply Chain Management
Operate Multi-company within 1 database with easy interoperability between companies.
Microsoft
Dynamics 365
Business Central
Intercompany is available in Dynamics 365 Business Central.
Service Deployment Options
Microsoft
Dynamics GP
Perpetual or subscription licensing with either on-premise or cloud hosting
Microsoft
Dynamics NAV 2018
New licenses are no longer available
On-premises, hosted, and cloud options. Hybrid deployments available. Note: NAV is end of mainstream support, and migration to Dynamics 365 Business Central is the recommended path.
Microsoft
Dynamics 365 Finance & Supply Chain Management
Cloud-based SaaS. Cloud-connected on-premise option available for some workloads.
Microsoft
Dynamics 365
Business Central
Cloud-based, On Premise and hosted.
Client Deployment Options
Microsoft
Dynamics GP
Browser, iOS, Android, Windows Clickonce
Microsoft
Dynamics NAV 2018
New licenses are no longer available
Browser, iOS, Android, Windows Clickonce
Microsoft
Dynamics 365 Finance & Supply Chain Management
Browser, iOS, Android
Microsoft
Dynamics 365
Business Central
Browser, iOS, Android, Windows Clickonce
Ease of International Functionality and Interoperability
Microsoft
Dynamics GP
Multicurrency, multilanguage, country-specific localizations in separate databases with multi-company consolidations to one database.
Microsoft
Dynamics NAV 2018
New licenses are no longer available
Multicurrency, multilanguage, country-specific localizations in separate databases with multi-company consolidations to one database.
Microsoft
Dynamics 365 Finance & Supply Chain Management
Multicurrency, multilanguage, country-specific localization and multi-company within one database.
Microsoft
Dynamics 365
Business Central
Multicurrency, multilanguage, country-specific localizations in separate databases with multi-company consolidations to one database (based on availability).
Implementations
Microsoft
Dynamics GP
Moderate to low cost to implement and maintain. On-premise is more costly to maintain than cloud
Microsoft
Dynamics NAV 2018
New licenses are no longer available
Dynamics NAV has a moderate to low cost to implement and maintain.
Microsoft
Dynamics 365 Finance & Supply Chain Management
Dynamics 365 F&SCM is functionally rich requiring more decisions during the implementation process but is much faster to implement than traditional on-premise ERP applications.
Microsoft
Dynamics 365
Business Central
Dynamics 365 Business Central is quick to implement and easy to use.
Development & Technical Tools
Microsoft
Dynamics GP
Integration Suite and Customization Suite including eConnect, Visual Studio, WebServices, and Dexterity with purchase of Customization Pack
Microsoft
Dynamics NAV 2018
New licenses are no longer available
NAV offers an integrated development environment where NAV can be configured and customized. Reports are designed and rendered using SQL Server toolsets.
Customizations to NAV can be developed using NAV’s event subscription model; this ensures smooth upgrades to future versions.
Microsoft
Dynamics 365 Finance & Supply Chain Management
Full lifecycle services tools to administer, manage and deploy architecture, database and code base. Full development tools using Visual Studio and SQL.
Microsoft
Dynamics 365
Business Central
Business Central offers a modern development environment using Visual Studio to build, manage, and deploy code in a extensions model. Microsoft AppSource offers a complete library of prebuilt extensions that you can add as your business grows.
Business Intelligence
Microsoft
Dynamics GP
Business analyzer, Microsoft Power BI dashboard, numerous SQL reports
Microsoft
Dynamics NAV 2018
New licenses are no longer available
NAV offers a role-based interface with charting and dashboards throughout and also standard integration with Power BI.
Microsoft
Dynamics 365 Finance & Supply Chain Management
Microsoft Power BI as well as several other business intelligence applications in AppSource.
Microsoft
Dynamics 365
Business Central
Microsoft Power BI as well as several other business intelligence applications in AppSource.
Additional Capabilities
Microsoft
Dynamics GP
Human Resources and Payroll are standard with additional capabilities with Extended HR & Payroll pack; built-in workflow engine; public sector encumbrance and grant management, electronic banking suite, Power Apps, Power Automate, Azure IoT
Microsoft
Dynamics NAV 2018
New licenses are no longer available
Microsoft Copilot, Power Apps, Power Automate, Azure IoT, Microsoft Dataverse
Microsoft
Dynamics 365 Finance & Supply Chain Management
Microsoft Copilot, Power Apps, Power Automate, Azure IoT, Microsoft Dataverse
Microsoft
Dynamics 365
Business Central
Microsoft Copilot, Power Apps, Power Automate, Azure IoT, Microsoft Dataverse
PRICING MODEL
Microsoft
Dynamics GP
Perpetual license or subscription
Microsoft ended new GP license sales in April 2026. Existing perpetual licenses remain supported. Subscription licenses are available through end of life. Contact WC for your GP migration options.
Microsoft
Dynamics NAV 2018
Perpetual license or subscription
Note: Licenses no longer available
Microsoft
Dynamics 365 Finance & Supply Chain Management
Subscription:
$180-220/per user/month per module
Multiple modules may be required
Microsoft
Dynamics 365
Business Central
Subscription:
Essentials: $80/user/month
Premium: $110/user/month
Our Focus
Microsoft
Dynamics GP
Transitioning to Dynamics 365
Microsoft
Dynamics NAV 2018
New licenses are no longer available
Distribution
E-Commerce Retailers
(B2B and B2C)
Manufacturing
Rental Companies
Home Builders
Microsoft
Dynamics 365 Finance & Supply Chain Management
Manufacturing
• Engineer to Order
• Configure to Order
• Discrete
• Process
• Lean
Project-Based Services and Manufacturing Companies
Distribution
• WMS
• TMS
E-Commerce Retailers
(B2B and B2C)
Microsoft
Dynamics 365
Business Central
Manufacturing
Distribution
Project-Based Services
Service Management Companies
What’s on the roadmap for Microsoft Dynamics 365 and Power Platform?
Access Microsoft's Release Planner to see upcoming features, current-month releases, and recently added capabilities across Dynamics 365 and Power Platform. Use the app filter to select the specific product you are evaluating.
Free Dynamics 365 Pricing Estimate
based on your needs + growth plans
Product comparisons are easier when you know what your cost range could look like. This self-guided estimate helps you size the investment based on how your team works and the scale you're building toward, so you can prioritize the right path forward.
- What is the difference between Dynamics 365 Business Central and Dynamics 365 Finance and Supply Chain Management?
Business Central is designed for small and mid-sized companies. It includes financials, inventory, supply chain, sales, and operations in a single subscription starting at $80 per user per month. Finance and Supply Chain Management is built for larger, more complex operations with advanced manufacturing, multi-entity financials, global supply chain requirements, and higher transaction volumes. It starts at $180 per user per month. Western Computer implements both and helps you determine which platform fits your operation during discovery.
- Should I migrate from Dynamics GP to Business Central or Finance and Supply Chain Management?
Most companies migrating from GP land on Business Central if they are small to mid-sized with straightforward financials, distribution, or light manufacturing needs. Companies with more complex multi-entity structures, advanced manufacturing, or more than 250 users typically evaluate Finance and Supply Chain Management. WC has migrated companies from GP to both platforms and can advise on the right path based on your operation, not just your user count.
- Is Dynamics NAV still supported by Microsoft?
Microsoft ended mainstream support for Dynamics NAV 2018 in January 2023. Extended support runs until January 2028 for NAV 2018. New NAV licenses are no longer available. Microsoft's recommended path for NAV customers is migration to Dynamics 365 Business Central, which is the cloud successor built on the same AL development platform. Western Computer specializes in NAV to Business Central migrations.
- How much does Dynamics 365 Business Central cost?
Business Central Essentials is $80 per user per month. Business Central Premium is $110 per user per month. These are Microsoft list prices. Implementation costs are separate and vary based on company size, number of integrations, and customization requirements. Use the free pricing estimate on this page to get a range specific to your operation.
- How much does Dynamics 365 Finance and Supply Chain Management cost?
Dynamics 365 Finance starts at $180 per user per month. Supply Chain Management starts at $180 per user per month as well, with additional modules available at $30 per user per month each. Multiple modules are typically required for a full manufacturing or distribution implementation. Implementation costs are significantly higher than Business Central due to the complexity of Finance & Supply Chain Management projects.
- Can I migrate from Dynamics AX to Dynamics 365 Finance and Supply Chain Management?
Yes. Dynamics 365 Finance and Supply Chain Management is the cloud successor to Dynamics AX. The migration path involves moving data, configurations, and customizations from AX to the D365 cloud environment. AX customers on older versions (AX 2009, AX 2012) should plan their migration before Microsoft ends extended support for those versions. Western Computer handles AX to Finance &Supply Chain Management migrations.
- What is the difference between Dynamics 365 Finance and Dynamics 365 Supply Chain Management?
They are sold as separate modules but are typically implemented together for manufacturing and distribution companies. Finance covers general ledger, accounts payable and receivable, budgeting, fixed assets, and financial reporting. Supply Chain Management covers procurement, production planning, inventory management, warehouse management, and transportation management. Both require a base Finance license plus the Supply Chain Management module license.
Not Sure Which Platform Is Right for You?
Western Computer helps distribution and manufacturing companies migrate from legacy ERP systems to modern Microsoft solutions, including Dynamics 365 Business Central and Finance & Supply Chain Management. We will tell you which platform fits your operation, which migration path makes sense for your timeline, and what the investment looks like before you commit to anything.