Dynamics 365 Business Central vs. Dynamics GP

 Dynamics 365 Business Central and Microsoft Dynamics GP are similar ERP solutions with overlapping features and functions. While these solutions share a great deal, several vital differences may make one a better fit for your business than the other. As Microsoft prepares to end support and security updates for Dynamics GP by April 30, 2031, discover how the software stacks up against its spiritual successor, Business Central.

Microsoft’s ERP Focus

The core difference between Dynamics GP and Dynamics 365 Business Central lies in their architecture. Dynamics GP is a legacy on-premise solution with limited cloud functionality added over time, while Business Central was designed from the ground up as a true cloud ERP. This gives Business Central key advantages—like automatic updates managed by Microsoft and no need for costly hardware. Although GP can be hosted in the cloud, updates must be scheduled manually, making it less agile by comparison.

Microsoft has made it clear that its long-term ERP strategy centers on the cloud, with Business Central at the forefront. The last major update to Dynamics GP was in 2022, and mainstream support will wind down by 2029, with security patching ending in 2031. As Microsoft gradually sunsets GP, it continues to invest heavily in Business Central’s growth and innovation.

Features

Both Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central  and Dynamics GP offer robust financial management capabilities, their feature sets reflect their different eras and design philosophies. Business Central builds on that foundation with a broader suite of features that go beyond finance, including integrated sales, purchasing, inventory, supply planning, and project management. It’s designed to connect departments and processes across your organization, offering a more modern, end-to-end ERP experience. Dynamics GP provides a solid foundation of accounting-focused tools, including general ledger, payables, receivables, and cash flow management—ideal for organizations with straightforward financial needs.

In this article, we delve into a comparison of the core features bundled within each solution’s base licenses. For a detailed breakdown of the disparities in features between the Advanced license tiers of Microsoft Business Central and Dynamics GP, refer to our comprehensive Comparison Report.

Pricing

When it comes to pricing, both Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central and Dynamics GP offer different structures to suit varying business needs. Here’s a breakdown of the pricing plans for each:

Choosing between Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central and Dynamics GP involves considering not just the features but also the pricing structure that aligns best with your budget and operational requirements. For precise cost estimates and further details, consulting with a Microsoft partner would be beneficial.

Implementation Timeline

The timeline for implementing Dynamics GP or Dynamics 365 Business Central will vary based on your business requirements, the complexity of your processes, and the number of modules or integrations involved.

On average, Business Central implementations take between 3–6 months. Because it’s a modern cloud solution, Business Central offers flexibility for phased rollouts and can scale as your business grows. Dynamics GP implementations typically take 2–4 months and may be quicker for companies with simpler needs, especially when deployed on-premise. However, as an older system, GP may require more manual configuration and planning upfront.

Whichever solution you choose, working with the right Business Central implementation partner or Dynamics GP implementation partner is key to a successful rollout.

Integrations

When it comes to connecting your ERP with other systems, both Dynamics GP and Business Central offer integration options—but with notable differences. Business Central, built on modern architecture and part of the Microsoft Dynamics 365 ecosystem, offers a wider range of native integrations out of the box. It connects easily with Microsoft 365 apps like Excel and Outlook, as well as Power BI and Power Automate for reporting and workflows. With access to AppSource, Business Central also makes it easier to extend functionality with prebuilt apps and connectors, streamlining the path to a fully integrated business system. Dynamics GP on the other hand supports integrations through third-party tools and custom development, which can add time and cost to the process.

Sum It Up

Dynamics GP is a tried and true ERP solution with built-in HR and Payroll capabilities and an extensive network of users, partners, and consultants. The software usually performs best when deployed on-premise. Although it’s supported by Microsoft, with a product roadmap covering the next ten years, Dynamics GP is not the company’s primary focus.

Dynamics 365 Business Central is Microsoft’s new cloud-based ERP solution, offering full ERP functionality at an affordable price. Microsoft is committed to the cloud, and Business Central is at the core of its future strategy.

At Cargas, our expert consulting team specializes in both Dynamics GP and Business Central. We’ve been working with Dynamics GP since 1993 and were one of the first Microsoft partners to begin implementing Business Central. If you’re struggling to determine which of these solutions is the best fit for your business, we’d love to help. Let’s connect to talk about your needs and what you’re looking for in a software solution.