COMPARISON | 4 MIN READ
Dynamics 365 Business Central vs. QuickBooks
Compare the affordability and flexibility of these two solutions
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central and QuickBooks Enterprise are two leading business solutions with overlapping features and functions. While these products share some capabilities, several key differences may make one a better fit for your business than the other. In this article we will be comparing the similarities and differences. If you want a side-by-side report, unlock our Dynamics 365 Business Central vs. QuickBooks Comparison Report.
Accounting vs. ERP Software
Based on the core and advanced features of the two solutions, we can categorize QuickBooks Enterprise as traditional accounting software and Dynamics 365 Business Central as a full-fledged enterprise resource planning (ERP) solution.
QuickBooks Enterprise is a no-frills option for organizations in need of basic price management, reporting, and financial management features. Even the advanced modules in its Platinum and Diamond versions remain high-level, providing simple but effective warehouse and order management, advanced reporting, and pricing features. Every feature available in QuickBooks Enterprise serves an important accounting purpose. So, organizations with light operational needs will find QuickBooks Enterprise a great fit.
ERP solutions like Business Central provide accounting, inventory, and operations management right out of the box. Small and mid-sized companies experiencing or anticipating growth often rely upon these additional features to ensure sustainable development. Business Central has some industry-specific ERP functionality, such as supply planning and warehouse management, but most of its features are universal across industries. If your business requires collaboration between finance and operations, Business Central is the software for you.
Features
At a glance, Dynamics 365 Business Central and QuickBooks both offer essential accounting features like general ledger, accounts payable and receivable, bank reconciliation, and financial reporting. However, the similarities begin to taper off as business needs become more complex. QuickBooks is often the first stop for small businesses due to its affordability and ease of use. It’s a solid solution for managing day-to-day finances, especially for companies with simple workflows and limited users.
Dynamics 365 Business Central features, on the other hand, goes beyond core accounting. It combines finance, inventory, project management, sales, and customer service into one integrated platform. Businesses outgrowing QuickBooks often look to Business Central for its ability to handle more advanced workflows, automate inter-company transactions, and provide real-time visibility across departments. If your company is scaling operations, managing multiple locations, or needs deeper reporting, Business Central is built to support that next level of growth.
Business Central Core Features:
- Finance Management
- Sales & Marketing
- Sales & Delivery
- Purchasing & Payables
- Inventory
- Supply Planning & Availability
- Project Management
- Warehouse Management
QuickBooks Enterprise Core Features:
- Inventory Management
- Pricing
- Reporting
- Hosting
- Field Service Management
- Order Management
- Job Costing
Suppose you’re eager to explore additional core and advanced module features offered by Business Central and QuickBooks. In that case, our comparison report is the perfect resource for you. Explore a detailed side-by-side comparison report.
Pricing
When it comes to pricing, QuickBooks Enterprise and Dynamics 365 Business Central offer two very different approaches. QuickBooks Enterprise uses a tiered pricing model, with three editions—Gold, Platinum, and Diamond. The Gold edition with remote access starts at $185 per month or $2,200 annually for a single user. Additional users cost $116 per user per month, with pricing varying based on your chosen tier and number of users.
Business Central follows a per-user subscription model. The Essentials package starts at $70 per user per month, or $840 annually. For companies that require advanced features such as manufacturing and service management, the Premium package is available at $100 per user per month. Businesses can also add Team Member licenses for $8 per user per month, which allow for read-only access and limited functionality. Because Business Central pricing can vary depending on modules, user types, and any required services, it’s best to contact a Microsoft partner for a customized quote that reflects your specific needs.
Implementation Timeline
The amount of time needed to implement these solutions will be unique to your business depending on your needs, the modules you choose to implement, and any additional customizations or integrations that are part of your implementation project. QuickBooks Enterprise is generally faster to implement, with many companies fully up and running within 1.5 to 2 months. Its out-of-the-box functionality and simplified setup make it ideal for small businesses that need a quick transition.
Business Central, on the other hand, typically takes 3 to 6 months to implement. While the longer timeline reflects the system’s broader capabilities and configuration flexibility, it also ensures that your solution is tailored to your specific processes, departments, and reporting needs. For growing companies with complex operations, that extra implementation time can be well worth the investment.Regardless of the platform, working with an experienced partner can help ensure your project stays on track.
Integrations
As your business grows, the ability to connect your accounting software with other systems becomes increasingly important. QuickBooks Enterprise offers integrations with many popular third-party apps, including payroll providers, e-commerce platforms, and CRM tools. These plug-and-play integrations work well for smaller businesses with straightforward needs and help extend the functionality of QuickBooks without requiring a major IT investment.
Dynamics 365 Business Central, however, is built to support more advanced integration scenarios. As part of the broader Microsoft ecosystem, it connects natively with tools like Outlook, Excel, Power BI, and Microsoft Teams. For businesses using Microsoft 365 or Dynamics 365 Sales (CRM), this level of integration creates a seamless flow of data across departments. Business Central also supports APIs for custom integrations, making it a powerful choice for companies that rely on specialized industry tools or need to connect data from multiple sources. If your goal is to unify systems across finance, sales, inventory, and operations, Business Central delivers more out-of-the-box flexibility and long-term potential.
Sum It Up
QuickBooks Enterprise is an ideal solution for small businesses with basic accounting and operational needs. It may not have all the bells and whistles of bigger solutions on the market, but QuickBooks Enterprise is a cost-effective, easy-to-use option for organizations without the time or resources for lengthy customization and implementation processes. The solution’s open API lets it integrate with best-in-class software.
Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central is a solution built to scale alongside your business. Small and mid-sized businesses can benefit from its ERP functionality, including out-of-the-box inventory management, supply planning, and warehouse management. Microsoft’s Dynamics 365 solutions integrate seamlessly with software across Microsoft’s platform like Microsoft 365 and the Power Platform.
At Cargas, our expert consulting team specializes in ERP and financial management solutions, including Business Central. We were even 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.
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