Sage Intacct vs. NetSuite: Which ERP is Right for Your Business?

Sage Intacct and NetSuite are two popular forms of ERP software that many growing businesses use to manage their evolving financial needs. While they both offer robust features to streamline operations and improve efficiency, the differences between these two platforms mean they may not be an equally good fit for every business.

It’s important for businesses to choose the right solution that fits their needs. Choosing the wrong ERP can cause even more bottlenecks that hinder growth. In this post, we’ll compare the advantages and disadvantages of Sage Intacct vs NetSuite to help you decide which ERP is the right fit for your business.

What is NetSuite?

NetSuite is a popular form of ERP software provided by Oracle. It includes a comprehensive suite of integrated applications to manage core processes such as financials, customer relationship management (CRM), eCommerce, inventory, human resources, and more.

It’s used by a wide range of businesses across multiple industries, including retail, manufacturing, professional services, wholesale distribution, software, and nonprofits. NetSuite is popular among mid-sized businesses and larger enterprises looking to increase scalability and streamline operations.

But how does NetSuite actually work? It’s a single comprehensive system for managing all kinds of financial and operational data. NetSuite is cloud-based, meaning it provides anytime, anywhere access to real-time operational and financial data. Customizable workflows, dashboards, and reports make it an ideal solution for meeting unique business needs. Companies rely on NetSuite to manage their rapid growth and for handling complex, multi-entity operations.

What is a Sage system?

Sage is a British multinational software firm that provides a host of business management solutions, including Sage X3, Sage Intacct, Sage 500, Sage 100, and Sage 50. The different solutions are tailored to fit the needs of different-sized businesses and businesses in difference industries, particularly wholesale distribution, manufacturing, nonprofits, and accounting and financial services.

The Sage product that is most similar to NetSuite is Sage Intacct, so for the remainder of this blog post, we’ll focus on comparing the functionality of Sage Intacct vs. NetSuite.

Similarities and Differences Between NetSuite and Sage Intacct

Sage Intacct vs. NetSuite Similarities

Both Sage Intacct and NetSuite are cloud-based ERP solutions ideal for a remote or mobile workforce. They both streamline financial management and other core business processes and are tailored to fit the needs of mid-sized businesses and larger enterprises.

They include robust financial management tools, including general ledger, accounts payable (AP), accounts receivable (AR), budgeting, and easy multi-entity consolidation. Both Sage Intacct and NetSuite are designed to be highly scalable and grow with your business, including handling complex structures and high transaction volumes. They also offer seamless integration functionality with other software tools like Salesforce, Expensify, and more.

Sage Intacct vs. NetSuite Differences

Despite their similarities, there are significant differences between Sage Intacct and NetSuite. These differences are outlined below.

• Implementation – The average implementation time is shorter for Sage Intacct than NetSuite, with Sage Intacct implementations typically taking 3-6 months compared to 6-12 months for NetSuite.
• Customization – NetSuite offers extensive customization for all business processes while Sage Intacct’s customization capabilities focus on its financial workflows.
• Usability – Sage Intacct is more user-friendly and takes employees less time to learn while NetSuite has a steeper learning curve.
• Pricing – Sage Intacct is generally more affordable while NetSuite is more expensive due to its broader functionality.
• Core Focus – Sage Intacct offers best-in-class financial management while NetSuite is an all-in-one ERP.

NetSuite vs. Sage Intacct Functionality

Sage Intacct’s core focus is its advanced accounting capabilities while NetSuite provides strong financial tools integrated into a full ERP suite. Sage Intacct is tailored to meet the needs of CFOs and financial teams, and NetSuite is geared to provide financial management tools alongside broader ERP functionality.

Sage Intacct is known for its automated financial workflows; budgeting, forecasting, and compliance functionalities; and its strong multi-entity consolidation capabilities. It’s also known for its granular reporting with custom dimensions, which allows business leaders to analyze data along any dimension they need. It comes with over 200 pre-built standard reports.

NetSuite is known for its general ledger and multi-entity management capabilities as well as its revenue recognition and financial close management capabilities. It has built-in Business Intelligence (BI) for deeper analytics and offers broader reporting capabilities due to its integration with non-financial modules.

ERP Pros vs. Cons

NetSuite Pros and Cons

NetSuite Pros

1. NetSuite is an all-in-one ERP solution that integrates financials, inventory, CRM, eCommerce, and more, eliminating the need for multiple software systems.
2. NetSuite is a cloud-based platform, meaning users can access data from anytime, anywhere.
3. It’s highly scalable and is designed to grow with your business.
4. NetSuite has global capabilities, including multi-currency, multi-language, and multi-entity management capabilities.
5. It has advanced reporting and analytical capabilities, including real-time dashboards and built-in Business Intelligence (BI).
6. NetSuite has tailored modules to fit the needs of business in specific industries, including retail, manufacturing, professional services, and wholesale distribution.
7. It has extensive customization capabilities, including customizable workflows, reports, and dashboards.
8. NetSuite automates routine tasks like financial close, billing, and inventory tracking, which increases efficiency and reduced manual errors.
9. It has seamless third-party integration capabilities, meaning it can easily connect with other software applications, including Salesforce, Shopify, and more.
10. NetSuite comes accompanies by extensive training resources, a robust user community, and Oracle’s global support network.

NetSuite Cons

1. NetSuite can be expensive compared to other ERP solutions, with costs including implementation fees, subscription fees, and ongoing maintenance costs.
2. It takes longer to implement than Sage Intacct, with implementations taking 6-12 months or even longer depending on the needs of the business.
3. It has a steep learning curve due to NetSuite’s comprehensive features and customization options. Employees may require significant training and onboarding before they can become effective users of NetSuite.
4. NetSuite may be overpowered for small businesses, which may end up paying for expensive, comprehensive features they don’t need.
5. While NetSuite has extensive customization capabilities, managing these customizations can be complex and often requires technical expertise.
6. NetSuite has limited out-of-the-box functionality, meaning companies in certain industries may be to use additional modules or third-party tools to add specific functionality, potentially raising costs.
7. As a cloud-based system, NetSuite’s performance is dependent on internet speed and server reliability.
8. NetSuite has rigid contract terms with long-term commitments, which may make it difficult for companies that wish to cancel or downgrade their plan.

Sage Intacct Pros and Cons

Sage Intacct Pros

1. Sage Intacct is a best-in-class financial management system with advanced accounting features, including multi-entity consolidation, revenue recognition, and project accounting. It also complies with ASC 606 and IFRS revenue recognition standards.
2. It provides highly customizable reporting options, including more than 200 pre-built reports and dashboards. Its custom dimensions allow business leaders to perform a granular analysis of financial data.
3. Sage Intacct is highly scalable and efficiently handles high transaction volumes. It has multi-entity, multi-currency, and multi-language capabilities.
4. The average implementation time takes 3-6 months, which is significantly faster than many other ERP systems, including NetSuite.
5. Sage Intacct has a user-friendly interface with intuitive navigation and workflows. It is also easier to learn compared to more complex ERP systems like NetSuite.
6. It seamlessly integrates with third-party tools, including Salesforce, Bill.com, Expensify, and more.
7. Sage Intacct is a fully cloud-based system, meaning it provides anytime, anywhere access to critical operational and financial data.
8. It updates automatically, meaning it’s always up-to-date and users always have access to the latest features.
9. Sage Intacct automates repetitive manual tasks like accounts payable/receivable, revenue recognition, and financial consolidations. This boosts operational efficiency and reduces manual data errors.
10.  Sage Intacct is more affordable than NetSuite and includes a pricing model that is module and scalable. Businesses only pay for the features they need.

Sage Intacct Cons

1. Sage Intacct focus more on financial management and lacks some broader ERP functionality that can be found in other ERPs like NetSuite.
2. It is more expensive than simpler accounting solutions like QuickBooks or Xero, meaning it may not be an ideal solution for smaller businesses.
3. While Sage Intacct offers customizable reporting and workflows, setting it up requires technical expertise and may involve the use of outside consultants.
4. Sage Intacct is heavily reliant on integrations with third-party applications to extend its functionality, which can raise costs and complexity.
5. As a cloud-based platform, Sage Intacct offers limited offline access and is dependent upon a stable internet connection.
6. Sage Intacct’s specialized focus on financial management may not meet the needs of businesses that require more diverse ERP functionalities.
7. While Sage Intacct is more user-friendly than many other ERPs, users may still require training to fully utilize its more advanced features.
8. Migrating data from legacy systems to Sage Intacct may be difficult and time-consuming, particularly for businesses with disorganized financial data.

NetSuite vs. Sage Intacct – Choosing the Right Option for Your Business

Sage Intacct and NetSuite are both ideal solutions for businesses looking to fill certain needs.

Sage Intacct is an ideal solution for mid-sized businesses and enterprise organizations that need advanced financial management. It would also be a good fit for businesses looking for a scalable, cloud-based accounting platform and companies that need financial reporting and more automation instead of broader ERP functionalities.

NetSuite may be a better fit for larger organizations with more complex needs, particularly those with global operations that require an all-in-one ERP solution with financials, inventory, CRM, and more.

Contact Us to See What CertiPro can do for Your Business

At CertiPro, we’re experts in all things related to Sage Intacct, including Sage Intacct implementations, training, and Sage Intacct customer portals. Contact us today to see how we can help boost efficiency and fuel growth.