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Microsoft Dynamics AX vs Microsoft Dynamics SL comparison

 

Comparison Buyer's Guide

Executive SummaryUpdated on Nov 3, 2024

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

Microsoft Dynamics AX
Ranking in ERP
6th
Average Rating
7.6
Reviews Sentiment
6.4
Number of Reviews
59
Ranking in other categories
Activity Based Costing Software (5th)
Microsoft Dynamics SL
Ranking in ERP
22nd
Average Rating
8.4
Reviews Sentiment
6.8
Number of Reviews
3
Ranking in other categories
No ranking in other categories
 

Mindshare comparison

As of May 2026, in the ERP category, the mindshare of Microsoft Dynamics AX is 2.7%, down from 6.0% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Microsoft Dynamics SL is 1.1%, up from 0.3% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.
ERP Mindshare Distribution
ProductMindshare (%)
Microsoft Dynamics AX2.7%
Microsoft Dynamics SL1.1%
Other96.2%
ERP
 

Featured Reviews

reviewer2765214 - PeerSpot reviewer
Senior Sales Support Supervisor at a manufacturing company with 501-1,000 employees
Has required ongoing support and modernization but effectively manages core operations and complex workflows
Microsoft Dynamics AX is a very strong ERP system, applicable for customizations to help companies and organizations streamline their processes. The specific feature I find most valuable about Microsoft Dynamics AX is the applicable permissions. There are many levels of security and permissions for each user to monitor and access specific data relative to their functions. Additionally, the linkage and transition between exploring and moving from window to window, from function to function is valuable. The impact of Microsoft Dynamics AX on managing financial processes is significant. It's a very important element for financial departments as it represents all transactions, references, and records. The adjustments and availability to create more than one virtual company allow large companies, which combined represent one group of companies, to connect and streamline their financials and operations.
Marisol Caamaño - PeerSpot reviewer
Information Technology Manager at Clarimex
Reliable product with straightforward setup process
Overall, Dynamics SL served us well for many years. However, organizations should consider more modern solutions, especially those that support transactional processing, to avoid the inefficiencies associated with batch processing. I would advise looking into more modern solutions that avoid batch processing. While it was reliable, its batch system is outdated compared to newer transactional systems. I rate it a nine out of ten.

Quotes from Members

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

Pros

"Microsoft Dynamics AX meets my requirements."
"The most valuable feature I've found is the UI functionality."
"Flexibility is the best feature. Because we have the source code, we can develop our ideas. It enables us to develop new functions."
"I am impressed with the tool's vendor collaboration. It is also easy to connect with third-party applications."
"All its features are valuable."
"Almost all of the features that we use are efficient. Live master planning successfully handles all of our company's requirements."
"If anyone is familiar with Microsoft products then they can handle it easily."
"It has the same UI and is very similar to any other Microsoft product."
"The solution has provided a good return on investment by ensuring our financial and operational information is accurate and timely."
"It's pretty easy to set up."
"The solution has many helpful features, the stability is very good, its performance is reliable, the solution is extremely useful for e-commerce companies, the compliance has been very useful, the solution is quite stable, the scalability is good, and it is pretty easy to set up."
"If I put myself in the customer's shoes, it's easier to use. Reporting would be a very valuable feature."
 

Cons

"Even with the POS version, if we go above a certain limit, we can have performance issues."
"We actually have a lot of problems with the stability of Dynamics AX. We spend a lot of time trying to solve bugs and other issues."
"If I had to add something in the next release, it would probably be a mobile application for a sister application of Dynamics 365; not the ERP but the Dynamics 365 HR solution. It would definitely help if we could have Microsoft or a Microsoft partner introduce a mobile application for it."
"This solution could be improved with more expert resources and an easier implementation process."
"It could be more scalable and stable. It would also be better if the interface were more integrated with the Microsoft ecosystem because 2012 is not really integrated."
"The non-delivery or non-availability of reliable IT hardware and infrastructure both before and during implementation."
"Microsoft Dynamics AX has several areas that need improvement, particularly when compared to larger systems. It lacks the concept of month-end closing, which is essential for tight control over financial periods."
"The product takes some training to get up to speed on all functionality and modules in Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 ERP system."
"The licensing of the solution should be adjusted; the policies aren't ideal and they should make it easier to understand because right now it's too confusing."
"The licensing of the solution should be adjusted. The policies aren't ideal. They should make it easier to understand. Right now, it's too confusing."
"The product's primary improvement area would be its batch processing system."
"An area of improvement could be around automation and predictability."
 

Pricing and Cost Advice

"We pay for licensing yearly to use Microsoft Dynamics AX."
"The solution is on-premises and we do not pay for a license."
"The solution is expensive."
"Microsoft Dynamics AX is not expensive."
"The product's pricing is expensive. The tool costs 210 USD per user for one month."
"The platform's price offering is good."
"It is not the cheapest solution, but it is also not the most expensive one. It's in between and is cheaper than SAP but more expensive than other local vendors. It is worth the cost."
"I purchased the license once, and there is a license with a partner that I pay for annually."
"If the value proposition is clear for the customer, they won't see it as an expensive solution. A solution becomes expensive when it doesn't do what it promises."
"The licensing costs were reasonable."
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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews
Manufacturing Company
10%
Financial Services Firm
8%
Comms Service Provider
7%
Retailer
6%
No data available
 

Company Size

By reviewers
Large Enterprise
Midsize Enterprise
Small Business
By reviewers
Company SizeCount
Small Business30
Midsize Enterprise13
Large Enterprise17
No data available
 

Questions from the Community

What needs improvement with Microsoft Dynamics AX?
I think the integration capabilities of Microsoft Dynamics AX need to be enhanced. There are many features for integration, such as APIs and connectors, but I need more ready APIs that link directl...
What is your primary use case for Microsoft Dynamics AX?
For industrial companies, I mainly use Microsoft Dynamics AX for those processes. Most of my clients are manufacturing clients, so I work with food industries, steel industries, plastic industries,...
What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Microsoft Dynamics AX?
Microsoft Dynamics AX provides benefits like saving time because it is very easy to use and it offers strong processes to implement full business processes, mapping them with customer business for ...
What needs improvement with Microsoft Dynamics SL?
The product's primary improvement area would be its batch processing system. Transitioning to a transactional processing system would significantly enhance its efficiency and usability.
What is your primary use case for Microsoft Dynamics SL?
Our primary use case for the platform was managing our financial and operational processes across multiple companies. We are a group with 11 to 12 companies, and Dynamics SL has been integral in ma...
What advice do you have for others considering Microsoft Dynamics SL?
Overall, Dynamics SL served us well for many years. However, organizations should consider more modern solutions, especially those that support transactional processing, to avoid the inefficiencies...
 

Also Known As

Dynamics AX, Axapta, MS Dynamics AX
Dynamics SL, MS Dynamics SL
 

Overview

 

Sample Customers

ConQuaestor, D & H Distributing, Sunny Queen, Mesa Associates, Britax Childcare, Ibema, Arafa, Sabo S.p.A.
ASAP, Espartec, S.A de C.V., TGLT, Calder‹n Autopartes El_ctricas, GGS Systems, CLEAResult, Shared Spectrum Company, Scope Global Pty Ltd
Find out what your peers are saying about Microsoft Dynamics AX vs. Microsoft Dynamics SL and other solutions. Updated: April 2026.
893,221 professionals have used our research since 2012.