--- title: "Business Central or Finance & Operations?" canonical: https://ontargit.com/microsoft-dynamics-365-en/finance-en/business-central-or-finance-operations-en/ date: 2023-08-30 15:44:14 description: "What is the best - Business Central or Finance & Operations? Learn key features, differences, and top solution for your business needs." keywords: "Business Central or Finance & Operations?" --- # Business Central or Finance & Operations? Unsure which solution is the right fit? Discover in-depth comparison between main Microsoft ERP options and make an informed decision tailored to your specific needs. # Business Central or Finance & Operations? Unsure which solution is the right fit? Discover in-depth comparison between main Microsoft ERP options and make an informed decision tailored to your specific needs. _ ### Product name In the late 90s, the world of ERP solutions was introduced to two unique products: **Navision and Axapta**. These were developed by different software vendors but both were acquired by Microsoft in 2002. Microsoft took a significant step by integrating all of its business applications, including both CRM and ERP, under the **Dynamics 365** umbrella. Once known as Axapta, **Dynamics 365 Finance & Operations** (F&O) has evolved into tailored licensing options like D365 SCM, D365 Finance, and D365 HR, becoming the market’s leading ERP offer. On the other hand, the **Business Central** platform, previously Navision, is sold in two licensing options – Essential and Premium. ### Licensing cost: Business Central In Business Central you can start with as little as one user license, with no minimum requirement. Essentials licenses are **$70/user per month**, and Premium licenses, including manufacturing functionality, are **$100/user per month**. For example, 10 Essentials and 10 Premium licenses for 20 users would total $1700/month. **Activity user licensing options are not available for user-based subscriptions** in Business Central. [Discover solution](https://ontargit.com/en/microsoft-dynamics-365-en/business-central-en/) ### Licensing cost: Finance & Operations Finance & Operations starts with a minimum of 20 full-user licenses, with costs ranging from **$180-$210 per user**, depending on features required. For 20 users needing both Supply Chain Management and Finance add-ons, the total comes to $3900/month. While initially appearing twice as costly as BC, Finance & Operations offers **“Activity user” licenses at $50 per user/month** for team members performing specific roles. This option often reduces the price difference between the two platforms in real-world implementations. [Discover solution](https://ontargit.com/en/microsoft-dynamics-365-en/finance-en/) - [](#fusion-scroll-section-element-3-1) - [](#fusion-scroll-section-element-3-2) ### Implementation cost When considering implementing Dynamics 365 Finance & Operations or Dynamics 365 Business Central, the **cost is mainly defined by the “scope” or specific processes you want to automate.** Dynamics 365 Finance & Operations may have a larger scope due to its extensive features, thus affecting the cost. However, if the scope is similar, costs should align between both systems, possibly slightly less for F&O. Experienced Dynamics 365 consultants can **tailor the system to your needs**, with consulting rates influenced more by the company’s brand and industry experience than the product itself. ## Solution for every business size _ #### Small business Gain from a scalable ERP solution, starting with essential financial and operational modules that can expand as your business grows, ensuring minimal initial investment and flexibility for future needs. __ #### Medium business Benefit from advanced process automation and real-time analytics, enabling efficient resource management and data-driven decision-making to support operational excellence and strategic growth. __ #### Enterprise Leverage comprehensive integration capabilities and enterprise-level scalability to manage complex operations across multiple locations, ensuring seamless coordination and supporting global business strategies. ## Package comparison _ ### Finance & Operations ##### Core ERP - _ Available out-of-box ##### Warehouse manufacturing execution - __ 50$ per user/month - __ Capabilities and integration provided out-of-box ##### Asset management - __ Capabilities and integration provided out-of-box ##### External user portals (customers / vendors) - __ Vendor portal available out-of-box - __ For customers Microsoft offers a B2B E-commerce portal. It’s sold seperately, but It’s already fully integrated with the F&O platform ##### Global ERP - __ Shared chart of accounts - __ Multi-currency consolidation - __ Shared exchange rates - __ Shared vendor / customer information - __ If required, Tax accounting localizations for several LE supported in the same instance ##### New micro-services availability - __ Available out-of-box ##### Process manufacturing industry - __ Batch balancing - __ Potency and Batch attributes management - __ Quality management - __ Multi-site master planning - __ Engineering change management ##### Retail industry - __ POS apps - __ Advanced pricing and commerce - __ Assortments and HQ management etc. ##### Distribution industry - __ Rich WMS and TMS functionality _ ### Business Central ##### Core ERP - _ Available out-of-box ##### Warehouse manufacturing execution - __ 100$ per user/month - __ No out-of-box optimized applications to support the process - __ Requires ISV solution and integration development cost ##### Asset management - __ Not available out-of-box - __ Requires ISV solution and integration development cost ##### External user portals (customers / vendors) - __ Not available out-of-box - __ You need to buy a separate E-commerce product or develop it yourself ##### Global ERP - __ Multiple instances will be required for each localization - __ Require workaround and manual data processing to consolidate accounts - __ Chart accounts, business accounts information (vendor / customer) are not shared across legal entities ##### New micro-services availability - __ Not planned in a short-term ##### Process manufacturing industry - __ Not planned in a short-term ##### Retail industry - __ Not planned in a short-term ##### Distribution industry - __ Only basic WMS features - __ No pallet tracking supported - __ No RF gun app included _ ### Finance & Operations ##### Core ERP - _ Available out-of-box ##### Warehouse manufacturing execution - __ 50$ per user/month - __ Capabilities and integration provided out-of-box ##### Asset management - __ Capabilities and integration provided out-of-box ##### External user portals (customers / vendors) - __ Vendor portal available out-of-box - __ For customers Microsoft offers a B2B E-commerce portal. It’s sold seperately, but It’s already fully integrated with the F&O platform ##### Global ERP - __ Shared chart of accounts - __ Multi-currency consolidation - __ Shared exchange rates - __ Shared vendor / customer information - __ If required, Tax accounting localizations for several LE supported in the same instance ##### New micro-services availability - __ Available out-of-box ##### Process manufacturing industry - __ Batch balancing - __ Potency and Batch attributes management - __ Quality management - __ Multi-site master planning - __ Engineering change management ##### Retail industry - __ POS apps - __ Advanced pricing and commerce - __ Assortments and HQ management etc. ##### Distribution industry - __ Rich WMS and TMS functionality _ ### Business Central ##### Core ERP - _ Available out-of-box ##### Warehouse manufacturing execution - __ 100$ per user/month - __ No out-of-box optimized applications to support the process - __ Requires ISV solution and integration development cost ##### Asset management - __ Not available out-of-box - __ Requires ISV solution and integration development cost ##### External user portals (customers / vendors) - __ Not available out-of-box - __ You need to buy a separate E-commerce product or develop it yourself ##### Global ERP - __ Multiple instances will be required for each localization - __ Require workaround and manual data processing to consolidate accounts - __ Chart accounts, business accounts information (vendor / customer) are not shared across legal entities ##### New micro-services availability - __ Not planned in a short-term ##### Process manufacturing industry - __ Not planned in a short-term ##### Retail industry - __ Not planned in a short-term ##### Distribution industry - __ Only basic WMS features - __ No pallet tracking supported - __ No RF gun app included #### Customer stories ### From assessment to execution: discover our projects [View all](https://ontargit.com/en/case-studies-en/) _ ##### Infopulse needed a solution to fully conduct the budgeting process and view all analytical business information in one system. Through the implemented solutions, Infopulse was able to automate a range of processes within one ERP system. ###### Products ## Dynamics 365 Finance ## Microsoft Power BI [Read the story_](https://ontargit.com/en/case-study/infopulse/) _ ##### Infopulse needed a solution to fully conduct the budgeting process and view all analytical business information in one system. Through the implemented solutions, Infopulse was able to automate a range of processes within one ERP system. ###### Products ## Dynamics 365 Finance ## Microsoft Power BI [Read the story](https://ontargit.com/en/case-study/infopulse/) ## Discover which one will empower your business [](https://youtu.be/2vFW54gfFr0) #### Resources ### What’s new [View all](https://ontargit.com/en/about-us-en/blog-en/) - [](https://ontargit.com/real-time-inventory-visibility-d365-commerce/) Categories: [Blog](https://ontargit.com/category/blog/), [ERP](https://ontargit.com/category/erp_eng/) ###### Real-time inventory visibility with Dynamics 365 Commerce In 2025, 78% of EU internet users bought something online (Eurostat, E-commerce statistics for individuals, [ Read moreRead more _](https://ontargit.com/real-time-inventory-visibility-d365-commerce/) - [_](https://ontargit.com/agricultural-machinery-erp-tracking/) Categories: [Automotive](https://ontargit.com/category/automotive_en/), [Blog](https://ontargit.com/category/blog/), [ERP](https://ontargit.com/category/erp_eng/) ###### Is your agricultural machinery ERP tracking machines or invoices? In 2023, the 2,400 largest agricultural holdings in Estonia produced 93% of the country’s agricultural [ Read moreRead more _](https://ontargit.com/agricultural-machinery-erp-tracking/) - [_](https://ontargit.com/how-to-set-up-vin-costing-in-dynamics-365-finance/) Categories: [Automotive](https://ontargit.com/category/automotive_en/), [Blog](https://ontargit.com/category/blog/), [ERP](https://ontargit.com/category/erp_eng/) ###### How to Set Up VIN Costing in Dynamics 365 Finance An importer’s margin report shows one figure per model. The finance team knows that figure [ Read moreRead more _](https://ontargit.com/how-to-set-up-vin-costing-in-dynamics-365-finance/) ## Ready to upgrade your business? We have experience in working with different systems to implement solutions that are compatible and accessible. To gain more information or schedule an online demo, please contact with us today. [Free consultation](https://ontargit.com/en/contacts-en/)