SAP Business ByDesign vs SAP ERP comparison

The compared SAP Business ByDesign and SAP ERP solutions aren't in the same category. SAP Business ByDesign is ranked #6 in CE , with an average rating of 9.0, and holds a 3.8% mindshare in the category. SAP ERP is ranked #2 in ERP , with an average rating of 7.6, and holds a 8.6% mindshare. Additionally, 92% of SAP Business ByDesign users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 87% of SAP ERP users who would recommend it.

SAP Business ByDesign

Read 16 SAP Business ByDesign reviews

1,196 Views
730 Comparison Views

92% willing to recommend

SAP ERP

Read 108 SAP ERP reviews

13,630 Views
11,994 Comparison Views

87% willing to recommend

SAP Business ByDesign

SAP ERP

Comparison Buyer's Guide

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Executive Summary

We performed a comparison between SAP Business ByDesign and SAP ERP based on real PeerSpot user reviews.

Find out what your peers are saying about Oracle, SAP, NetSuite and others in Cloud ERP.

To learn more, read our detailed Cloud ERP Report (Updated: June 2026).

Buyer's Guide

Cloud ERP

June 2026

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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

SAP Business ByDesign

Average Rating

7.8

Reviews Sentiment

7.2

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

Cloud ERP (6th)

SAP ERP

Average Rating

8.0

Reviews Sentiment

6.3

Number of Reviews

108

Ranking in other categories

ERP (2nd)

Mindshare comparison

While both are Enterprise Resource Planning solutions, they serve different purposes. SAP Business ByDesign is designed for Cloud ERP and holds a mindshare of 3.8%, down 8.0% compared to last year.
SAP ERP, on the other hand, focuses on ERP, holds 8.6% mindshare, down 17.7% since last year.

Cloud ERP Mindshare Distribution
Product	Mindshare (%)
SAP Business ByDesign	3.8%
Oracle Fusion Cloud ERP	18.7%
NetSuite ERP	18.5%
Other	59.0%

Cloud ERP

ERP Mindshare Distribution
Product	Mindshare (%)
SAP ERP	8.6%
SAP S/4HANA	5.8%
Oracle E-Business Suite	3.9%
Other	81.7%

ERP

Featured Reviews

Manoj Sahoo

Divisional Manager IT at a manufacturing company with 1,001-5,000 employees

Valuable features enhance sales and service capabilities while performance improvements are needed

We received a few complaints about the slowness in SAP Business ByDesign last year, so I think SAP can focus on improving performance, particularly when it becomes slow during data saving and handling. My feedback about the modular architecture and customized features of SAP Business ByDesign is that it is only good, but we have not explored much on this one. The initial setup for SAP Business ByDesign was complex. One disadvantage was that we had the legacy system, SAP Business One, and we could not migrate our data to SAP Business ByDesign. They should have provided a migration path.

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Achmad Dimyati

IT Service Management Team Lead at a financial services firm with 1,001-5,000 employees

Long-term adaptation and evolution meets changing technology trends

SAP ERP is not really real-time. We use the HANA database which is supposed to be memory data in memory, but we are still not very happy. It is supposed to be real-time and come very quickly, but in reality, it still takes time to run. That is why we use BW of SAP, Business Objects, and now we have moved to the Analytic Cloud where we start using predictive AI. SAP recently implemented Databricks, and they started investing significantly in the analytic environment. SAP ERP has been left behind as they moved to S/4HANA with the HANA database. They restructured the whole table structure of SAP ERP, introduced simple finance, simple logistics, and moved HR to SuccessFactors. They have the BTP layer where they manage everything from integration to master data management. The challenge with SAP is that they move very fast to different products and buy different products. It requires significant investment and many skills to catch up because all of these have different sets of technology. The fundamental has changed differently. It is not monolithic anymore but different products under one name, SAP. You have to buy it model by model for additional models. Products such as SuccessFactors, Ariba for procure to pay, Concur for travel, and Facility Management use totally different technology. They try to integrate with each other, but it remains a challenge for SAP to make them have the same management, technology, and operational approach.

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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

"Now we can know our available stock; this visibility enables us to make better resource and supply chain operations decisions as well as better financial decisions."

"ByDesign's best features are its speed, real-time data, and reporting."

"I find the tool’s every feature valuable."

"I like its modern approach. It is very modern and new technology."

"The most valuable features of SAP Business ByDesign are customer invoicing and cost and revenue, from which I get the data for my project reports."

"When comparing SAP Business ByDesign to much larger ERP solutions, such as SAP ECC 6.0 or SAP S/4HANA, SAP Business ByDesign is more user-friendly and easier to implement."

"When we were using it, we did see an immediate benefit, especially in the inventory on consignment issue. We were a biotech pre-revenue company and most of our manufacturing was outsourced. So being able to track inventory within the system without creating a financial impact was very key for us."

"The stability has been great, and compared to other products that I have used before, they have been doing really well with stability."

More SAP Business ByDesign pros

"ERP is stable. The outcome is clear to us as far as the design goes."

"The payroll solution and the localization for advances are valuable."

"It is easier to migrate to SAP ERP from a legacy system. We have different products for data services, and it is easier to migrate to SAP ERP as compared to other solutions. Stability is one of the main features of SAP. What makes SAP ERP better than others is that SAP has taken into consideration the business processes of different industries, such as manufacturing. They have done the research, and they know what are the best practices. They have already implemented these best practices in SAP ERP, which are readily available for a client. Clients can also customize it based on their individual needs."

"It has a lot of integrity of data, and it is fast. All the users feel that they can trust this data. So, data integrity is the most important value of SAP."

"It has been quite stable so far."

"The most valuable part of ERP is the well-integrated technology."

"SAP ERP has a good user interface with a lot of functionalities and good interface options."

"MDG provides a central location for governance of the creation/updating processes of master data."

More SAP ERP pros

Cons

"The payroll module of the solution could improve."

"The solution does not support customization for forms and reports. It's not flexible in case you need some enhancements in business processes."

"The Arabic localization is neglected. It should have an Arabic interface. It lacks Arabic translation or support from right to left."

"I would say budget controlling needs improvement. I mention this because it does not have all the functionalities that we need in terms of managing the budget."

"SAP Business ByDesign can improve the flexibility and user-friendliness of the reporting during the implementations. Customizing the reports inside the device requires a lot of knowledge and most of the time a developer level is needed. For example, if you want to have a more specific reporting layout."

"There might be some hurdles when integrating with SAP ECC, but integration with SAP S/4HANA Cloud is smooth."

"The Purchase to Pay process could benefit from further sophistication and additional functionality. It would be helpful for the user community to receive clearer information about the future roadmap of the business. Unfortunately, there were some confusing articles in the German press towards the end of last year about the future of SAP Business ByDesign. Therefore, more clarity is needed in the support function to address this."

"The database needs to be more customizable."

More SAP Business ByDesign cons

"SAP is always costlier than other products so I'd like to see the pricing improved for preferred customers."

"The user interface has room for improvement."

"Certain things are off-the shelf, but there are a few things that need to be developed based on client specific or unique business processes."

"In the next release, I would like to see more technical integration for directly designed solutions on behalf of the selling process so that you can design solutions and not have to use ten or more other tools to get the solution for selling."

"The system is over-customized."

"It should be less complex. It should also have better integration capability. I am using the ACC version, and in this version, the integration and the communication are very difficult and complicated."

"SAP ERP's initial setup phase needs to be simplified."

"The production system must be upgraded."

More SAP ERP cons

Pricing and Cost Advice

"The price of the solution could be better. They have to come up with a new strategy."

"The tool’s pricing is expensive."

"The price of SAP Business ByDesign is less expensive than SAP S/4HANA. However, the price is on par with other similar competitors, such as Microsoft."

"Everything is included in the licensing cost of the solution. However, they use a per-user model for additional charges."

"I rate the price of SAP Business ByDesign a seven out of ten."

"The tool’s subscription is yearly. There is no flat pricing involved and everything has a range. Pricing depends on the functionality that you would use. You need to also pay for the additional hosting and maintenance costs."

"The pricing depends on company size. It's cheaper for small companies and more expensive for large ones."

"The cost starts anywhere between fifty thousand dollars and up depending on the number of licenses."

More SAP Business ByDesign pricing and cost advice

"The on-premises licensing model comes with annual maintenance whereas the cloud-based licensing model is a yearly subscription. The tool’s pricing is normal and not expensive."

"I rate the product's price a seven on a scale of one to ten, where one is cheap, and ten is expensive. SAP ERP is a costly tool."

"SAP is a bit on the costly side, but they also provide support and other things. We are paying for licenses and the use of the cloud."

"SAP ERP is an expensive tool."

"There is an annual subscription for the use of SAP ERP."

"There is a one-time license that is needed to use the solution. The support is what is needed to be renewed annually."

"The solution has moved from a licensing model to a rights-based, subscription model in the cloud."

"My company makes early payments towards the licensing costs attached to the product. There are no additional costs apart from the charges paid toward the subscription-based license offered by SAP."

More SAP ERP pricing and cost advice

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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Construction Company

11%

Healthcare Company

10%

Comms Service Provider

Financial Services Firm

Manufacturing Company

15%

Computer Software Company

Construction Company

Financial Services Firm

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	8
Midsize Enterprise	4
Large Enterprise	5

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	30
Midsize Enterprise	31
Large Enterprise	78

Questions from the Community

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for SAP Business ByDesign?

The price is high, as every year SAP increases the price by 3.5%.

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What needs improvement with SAP Business ByDesign?

See all answers

What is your primary use case for SAP Business ByDesign?

Our use case for SAP Business ByDesign is our dealer team accessing their system to perform sales and service; these two functionalities are done through SAP Business ByDesign. SAP Business ByDesig...

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Is Anaplan better than SAP ERP?

There are different aspects of both Anaplan and SAP ERP that I like and dislike. Anaplan improves forecast accuracy and drives up the quality of analytics. Rather than spending all of their time co...

See all answers

What needs improvement with SAP ERP?

SAP ERP logged out in slightly less time than expected. Updates to the SAP UI would be useful.

See all answers

What is your primary use case for SAP ERP?

I have been using SAP ERP for posting journal entries and analyzing the P&Ls and the financial close. By posting in FBL3N in SAP ERP, I can verify my journals and review how they were posted. I...

See all answers

Comparisons

SAP S/4HANA Cloud vs SAP Business ByDesign

Compared 26% of the time

Oracle Fusion Cloud ERP vs SAP Business ByDesign

Compared 11% of the time

SAP Business One vs SAP Business ByDesign

Compared 10% of the time

NetSuite ERP vs SAP Business ByDesign

Compared 9% of the time

Acumatica vs SAP Business ByDesign

Compared 4% of the time

More SAP Business ByDesign Competitors

SAP S/4HANA vs SAP ERP

Compared 18% of the time

IFS Cloud Platform vs SAP ERP

Compared 5% of the time

Microsoft Dynamics AX vs SAP ERP

Compared 4% of the time

Oracle E-Business Suite vs SAP ERP

Compared 4% of the time

Infor M3 vs SAP ERP

Compared 4% of the time

More SAP ERP Competitors

Product Reports

Buyer's Guide

SAP Business ByDesign

May 2026

Download SAP Business ByDesign product report

Buyer's Guide

SAP ERP

May 2026

Download SAP ERP product report

Overview

SAP Business ByDesign offers real-time integration and a streamlined design with comprehensive management of suppliers and service agents, making it ideal for financial reporting and project management.

SAP Business ByDesign is recognized for its comprehensive capabilities in financial and project management across sectors. With its Financial Closing Cockpit and real-time reporting, it integrates easily with SAP S/4HANA and offers a user-friendly approach to business process management. Challenges may exist in budget management, reporting, and user interface requiring further enhancements. Despite integration challenges, it streamlines operations in education, automotive manufacturing, and professional services.

What features are most important in SAP Business ByDesign?

Financial Closing Cockpit: Streamlines closing processes with automation.
Real-Time Integration: Ensures seamless data flow between systems.
End-to-End Process Capabilities: Supports comprehensive management activities.
Analytics and Dashboards: Provides actionable insights to drive decisions.
Customizable Interface: Allows businesses to tailor functionalities.

What benefits or ROI can users expect to find in reviews?

Streamlined Operations: Enhances efficiency without increasing user count.
Improved Real-Time Reporting: Delivers accurate and timely insights.
Comprehensive Management: Ensures effective handling of suppliers and services.
Reduced Time to Implementation: Facilitates quicker deployment.
Enhanced Performance: Boosts data-driven decision-making and accuracy.

SAP Business ByDesign is leveraged by education, automotive, and professional service industries for enhanced financial reporting and inventory management. It supports sales, service, and CRM functionalities, catering to companies looking to streamline their operations efficiently.

SAP

SAP ERP integrates modules like finance, supply chain, and material management, delivering seamless operations and real-time analytics. Its customization, scalability, and robust security make it ideal for large enterprises across different industries, enhancing decision-making and business efficiency.

SAP ERP is a comprehensive tool designed to streamline enterprise operations across finance, procurement, HR, sales, logistics, and manufacturing. Known for its adaptability and user-friendly interface, it supports real-time data analytics, crucial for informed decision-making. Its scalability ensures suitability for large organizations, while its reliable security measures protect data integrity. Despite its complexity and high initial costs, SAP ERP provides extensive customization options, aligning with specific business practices and enabling enhanced productivity. However, improvements are needed in integration with other systems and reporting features.

What are the key features of SAP ERP?

Module Integration: Seamless connectivity across finance, material management, and supply chain.
Real-Time Analytics: Provides up-to-date data for better decision-making.
Customizable Interface: Adapts to specific business needs for efficient processes.
Scalable Solution: Suitable for growing enterprises with diverse requirements.
Robust Security: Ensures data integrity with centralized measures.

What benefits or ROI should businesses look for when evaluating SAP ERP?

Improved Efficiency: Streamlined business processes enhance productivity.
Data Consistency: Centralized data supports accurate business insights.
Regulatory Compliance: Ensures adherence to industry standards.
Enhanced Decision-Making: Real-time analytics provide crucial information.
Scalability: Adaptation to growing business demands and requirements.

SAP ERP is utilized in sectors such as agriculture, healthcare, and utilities to integrate complex enterprise functions. It aids in production planning, financial control, and maintaining compliance with regulations. Its capability to align with distinct business requirements enables industries to achieve greater operational efficiency.

SAP

Sample Customers

Standard Bank of South Africa, AOK Bundesverband, PT XL Axiata Tbk, Tvoy Dom, Schaidt Innovations GmbH & Co. KG, DeLaval International AB, EMC Corporation, Lenovo, Castle Importing Inc., Unilever, Rifle Paper Co., RAK Ceramics, Rough Country, B&G Manufacturing, Life is good Inc., Joy Global Inc., City of Cape Town

B&G Manufacturing, Unilever, Life is good Inc., Joy Global Inc., City of Cape Town, Bhopal Municipal, Corporation (BMC), adidas Group, Butcher & Packer Supply Company, Franklin Valve L.P., Evoshield, Prime Meats, a Norsan Group company, EMC Corporation, Varian Medical Systems Inc., FC Bayern Mªnchen AG, AkzoNobel Chemicals B.V., T¾V Rheinland, Pacific Drilling S.A., Fire & Rescue New South Wales, University of Amsterdam, Pa_alon S.A.

Find out what your peers are saying about Oracle, SAP, NetSuite and others in Cloud ERP. Updated: June 2026.

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