Infor M3 vs Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central comparison

Infor M3 vs. Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central

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Review summaries and opinions

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:

Categories and Ranking

Infor M3

Ranking in ERP

12th

Ranking in Activity Based Costing Software

8th

Average Rating

8.2

Reviews Sentiment

6.3

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

Microsoft Dynamics 365 Busi...

Ranking in ERP

5th

Ranking in Activity Based Costing Software

2nd

Average Rating

8.2

Reviews Sentiment

6.4

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

Mindshare comparison

As of June 2026, in the ERP category, the mindshare of Infor M3 is 2.3%, down from 4.9% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central is 3.1%, down from 6.3% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

ERP Mindshare Distribution
Product	Mindshare (%)
Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central	3.1%
Infor M3	2.3%
Other	94.6%

ERP

Featured Reviews

Umesh D

Vice President, Delivery at Independent Computer Consulting Group, Incorporated

Maximized industry-specific process efficiency with rapid implementation

The best features of Infor M3 are the micro-vertical and industry ready-made solutions rather than generic solutions. They have ready-made solutions ready, so the implementation of the process discovery happens very fast. It won't take more than two months, and if the process is very simple and they adopt the standard, it may happen within five weeks, covering the implementation cycle which will finish within seven to eight months. Most of the time, it helps streamline business processes; maybe some processes such as unique subcontracting vary by continent or job work, which could be different due to legal compliance. Other than that, everything helps because the processes are very much streamlined. Everywhere you have a check and maker concept, there is a workflow, and all those things are there; document management is also very simple. You can drag and drop the reports. The workflow feature is very good and flexible, working with multi-level authorization and all those capabilities. Apart from that, the GUI interface screens are really good. Users can design their own workspace based on the roles, and there are roles-based security options, with many roles available that you need not define—you can just tweak them.

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Bhupesh-Nehete

VP Sales at Zelite Solution

Streamlined sales pipeline has improved daily task tracking and clarified client follow-ups

The best features Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central offers for me is that this software makes my life very easy, as I have a complete snapshot of my pipeline and a complete snapshot of my daily activities, where I can see what the status of my leads is, where I am standing in terms of closure, and the aging of my opportunities, which tells me how much time there is in the opportunity. Out of all those things I mentioned, the pipeline view and day-to-day activities feel the most valuable to me in my day-to-day work. There are AI-driven insights through Copilot, which is worth mentioning. Email communication and everything I receive is tracked with Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central, and the best feature is that I can access everything on my mobile, so I do not have to open my laptop and the application every time. It helps me with my sales forecasting also, and predictive analysis is one of the best features for Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central. We have more insights and more clarity about our sales, our pipeline, where we are standing, and we have more clarity on our leads. Becoming a process-centric organization helps us a lot to keep us accountable, so Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central has made our life easy in terms of sales.

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Quotes from Members

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:

Pros

"The most valuable feature of the solution is that it is highly customizable."

"M3 has several useful features for managing supply chains, production, and customer orders. It's an excellent system that helps me meet all my requirements for fixed costs."

"Infor M3 has several valuable features, including customer order management and integration capabilities with third-party applications like ION."

"Infor comes up with different tools every year, and they are all compatible with Infor M3, which makes it a more reliable and trustworthy tool. The integration is very smooth."

"It's simple to use. You don't need any complex training to use it."

"The solution provides all modules, supply chain, HR - it's good for management."

"The most valuable feature of this solution is the Infor GL tool that allows us to do our application support and development."

"The most valuable feature is the ability to cover different types of activities, and the requirement for maintenance and data is very low."

More Infor M3 pros

"One developer is enough to maintain the solution. Microsoft 365 is changing technology. The product is a user-friendly ERP solution."

"Ease of use, extremely flexible, and cost effective, it is well targeted for small and medium size businesses."

"The most important feature of Microsoft Dynamics NAV is that it lets us centralize all our information so that we don't need to rely on any other software outside of Microsoft."

"The solution is easy to use, flexible, and customizable."

"This is readily available and affordable, as well as user-friendly and simple to use in my opinion."

"The most valuable feature of Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central is using the Excel sheets on Chrome and other applications."

"We are very dependent on this solution, we manage almost all of our business processes, and it has helped us a lot."

"The product is customizable so we can tune it according to our requirements."

More Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central pros

Cons

"The product's technical support has certain shortcomings. Sometimes, my company doesn't get a proper response from their end."

"The solution must provide more learning documents."

"We can't make modifications to fit the client's requirements."

"An area for improvement in Infor M3 is training. There should be more training resources available for clients. Clients also find it challenging to get consultants or integrators for Infor M3. The product doesn't have enough resources in the market to help clients."

"It would be great if Infor added some new workflows in the finance module. I'd also like to see better integration with third-party applications."

"It should be improved in terms of procurement of the supply chain and business intelligence analysis. We have the Infor BI tool, but it's more complex to use than, for example, Power Pivot or QlikView in the market."

"Its initial setup was probably complex, but it is a very good system."

"The configuration appears to have been designed around theory rather than practice."

More Infor M3 cons

"Customization and costs could be improved."

"There is a need for improvement in consolidation and multi-country master data management."

"The initial setup of the solution was quite complex and the troubleshooting involved with that needs to be improved."

"There is room for improvement in the ability to reverse or correct transactions more easily."

"The performance and virtual machine backup is not good with this solution and need improvements."

"We need to customize more often than we would like."

"I wouldn't say that Microsoft Dynamics is very scalable."

"If Microsoft made some of the security setups a little easier to work with, that would be a significant improvement. The warehouse management features could also use some work. We had to buy third-party software to make NAV's warehouse management and security more usable and functional."

More Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central cons

Pricing and Cost Advice

"Infor M3 is a tier-two product and is cheaper than tier-one products such as SAP and Oracle. However, it is more expensive than some other tier-two products. The licensing cost is dependent on the number of users. Also, if you purchase other tools from Infor as a package, then there may be other discounts offered."

"If you compare Infor M3 to SAP, Infor M3 is less expensive than SAP, but if you compare Infor M3 to Dynamics 365, Infor M3 is more expensive. It also depends on the model that you buy. It depends on whether you have the complete package or whether you have separate models."

"The cost is between $50 and $100 per user annually."

"I'm not part of the team that manages Infor M3 pricing, but it depends on the client, integration, ship-out, and training levels. You get the price from the solution provider, but it would be best to discuss it because nothing is set in stone regarding pricing."

"There is a yearly licensing cost. The price is based on the modules you need. There are several modules, such as HR module, accounting module, sales module, scheduling module, etc., and the price will vary depending on the number of modules you choose. The customers always say that it's very expensive. It can cost a lot of money if your organization is huge. It's not implemented in a lot of organizations in my country because it's too expensive."

"The tool’s licensing is yearly."

"I have some subscription-based customer and a few customers who have perpetual licenses that hosted the application on the cloud."

"The solution's license is costly compared to other CRM tools."

"The deployment cost us $70,000 and we pay around $18,000 annually for support, which we find to be expensive."

"The per user price of $100 a month is better than competitors."

"$80-$100 per license, per month."

"Business Central charges a monthly fee of $70 to $100 per user."

"The solution is on the cloud and they provide 50 gigabytes of free space on their Microsoft Drive. The reason for this is that Microsoft is requiring you to upgrade all of your systems to Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central in order to effectively use the cloud. This means that if you are currently using a different version of Microsoft for a specific purpose that does not require this solution, it can be frustrating to have to spend money to upgrade to this solution just for the purpose of syncing with the cloud. Additionally, even if you do purchase Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central, there can still be issues with syncing between the on-premise and cloud clients. This can be especially frustrating as the cloud storage is not free and can be difficult to access even after purchasing."

"The solution is a little bit expensive."

More Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central pricing and cost advice

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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Manufacturing Company

14%

Computer Software Company

Comms Service Provider

Financial Services Firm

Manufacturing Company

11%

Construction Company

Comms Service Provider

Financial Services Firm

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	6
Midsize Enterprise	5
Large Enterprise	3

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	42
Midsize Enterprise	12
Large Enterprise	19

Questions from the Community

What needs improvement with Infor M3?

Some customers expect more out-of-box reports, and in some areas, they should provide more reports. However, Infor has introduced a report tool so that key users or global champions can generate re...

What is your primary use case for Infor M3?

Infor M3 is specifically dominant in fashion, food and beverages, and chemicals manufacturing; it works into micro-verticals. In food and beverage, it specializes in meat processing, confectionery,...

What advice do you have for others considering Infor M3?

In Microsoft, it is easier to work due to its .NET technology and hybrid architecture, but Infor M3 is more structured, requiring in-depth knowledge of its rules and table names. I think they shoul...

Is it advisable to purchase Dynamics CRM in addition to NAV 2016?

Short answer: depends on your sales needs. NAV 2016’s built-in CRM is very basic. It’s fine for simple contact management and basic sales tracking, but it lacks: Proper pipeline management Adva...

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Microsoft Dynamics NAV?

Microsoft Dynamics NAV pricing can vary significantly depending on the number of users, deployment model, customizations, and implementation scope. In my experience, the software license is only pa...

What needs improvement with Microsoft Dynamics NAV?

The only thing that could be improved is integration with WhatsApp, which I can see for Microsoft that it has to be available, and that becomes a challenge sometimes. Everything else is perfect.

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More Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central Competitors

Product Reports

Infor M3

Download Infor M3 product report

Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central

Download Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central product report

Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central report

Also Known As

Infor Lawson M3, Lawson M3

Dynamics NAV, MS Dynamics NAV

Overview

Infor M3 is a comprehensive ERP solution designed for ease of use and customization, supporting industries like manufacturing, food and beverages, and chemicals with robust functionalities in finance, supply chain, and manufacturing processes.

Infor M3 offers extensive capabilities in managing core business operations for finance, manufacturing, and supply chain management. It features ease of integration with third-party applications, an intuitive interface, and fast implementation using ready-made solutions. Its flexibility makes it suitable for industry-specific requirements, providing detailed insights into manufacturing with reliable data extraction and efficient bug fixes. Used widely in multinational manufacturing setups and distribution sectors across Europe and India, Infor M3 manages processes from invoicing to purchasing, ensuring streamlined business operations.

What are the key features of Infor M3?

Ease of Use: Simplifies operations with an intuitive design.
High Customization: Adjusts to specific business needs.
Integration: Compatible with third-party applications.
Finance Management: Comprehensive GL tool for accounting.
Supply Chain: Efficiently manages procurement and logistics.
Manufacturing Insights: Provides detailed process analytics.

What benefits should users look for when evaluating Infor M3?

Streamlined Implementation: Rapid deployment minimizes downtime.
Improved Business Intelligence: Data-driven decision support.
User-Friendly Design: Enhances operational efficiency.
Industry-Specific Adaptability: Suits diverse sectors.
Reliable Performance: Consistent bug fixes enhance functionality.

Infor M3 is particularly beneficial within manufacturing, food and beverage, and chemical industries for planning, procurement, and warehousing needs. Integrated with third-party tools, it is favored by multinational enterprises for tasks ranging from invoicing to purchasing, across regions such as Europe and India. Users often seek better integration, industry-standard features, and improved procurement and supply chain capabilities, alongside a demand for enhanced security measures and easier online documentation.

Infor

Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central provides customization and integrates with Microsoft tools like Excel and Outlook. It's accessible via cloud and supports various business functions, making it ideal for small and medium-sized businesses.

Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central is known for real-time data management, robust reporting, financial analytics, and security encryption. It seamlessly adapts to different business needs and is economically viable, making it an optimal choice. There is room for enhancements in pricing for small businesses, sales automation, security configurations, inter-company logistics, inventory management, Power BI and CRM integration, interface friendliness, and reporting tools. Users seek improvements in AI, customization, multi-country management, retail integration, training resources, stability, and transaction correction.

What are Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central's key features?

Customization: Tailors functionalities to unique business requirements.
Integration: Works with Microsoft products like Excel and Outlook.
Cloud Accessibility: Offers web access for enhanced flexibility.
Financial Analytics: Provides insight-driven decision making.
Security Encryption: Ensures data protection and compliance.

What benefits should be considered when evaluating Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central?

Cost-Effectiveness: Provides economical solutions for SMBs.
Scalability: Adapts to diverse business scales and demands.
Automation: Streamlines business operations and increases efficiency.
CRM Capabilities: Enhances customer relationship management.

Used predominantly in financial management, CRM, inventory tracking, and internal operations, Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central supports industries like finance, retail, education, and distribution. It offers modules for accounts receivable, accounts payable, general ledger, and supply chain management. Integration with Microsoft 365 and cloud-based functionalities enhances operational efficiency and data management.

Microsoft

Sample Customers

Grosfillex, High Five Sportswear, L_derach, OTK Group, PHS Group, Propper International, Red Wing Shoe Company, Reynolds Catering Supplies, Saudi Diesel, Sheetz, Zeppelin, Zodiac Aerospace

Harris Farm Markets, Mister Spex GmbH, Bounce Foods, Eurofin Services SA, Medica Medizintechnik, Associated Gaskets, Onduline, Sitka Surfboard Corporation, World Animal Protection

Infor M3 vs. Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central