If you're a business owner considering Acumatica vs NetSuite, you may be having trouble getting the specifics you need to make a decision. You can get all the information you need for your decision on this page. Each of these popular ERP platforms has its own strengths, which means one of them will work better for your specific business.
With a decade of experience in the ERP software industry, I have seen their pros and cons up close!
In this article, I’ll take you through their pricing models, capabilities, and what actual users report about them so you can make an informed choice.
- What is Acumatica?
- What is NetSuite?
- Pricing Models: Acumatica vs NetSuite
- Both ERP Systems Offer Cloud-Based Deployment
- Comparing Functionality: NetSuite vs Acumatica
- Customization Capabilities for Acumatica vs NetSuite
- User Ratings: Acumatica vs NetSuite
- Which ERP Platform is Right for Your Business?
- Small and Midsized Businesses Give Higher Ratings to Acumatica
Read on to get a clear picture of which ERP solution will work better for your company's unique needs.
What is Acumatica?
Acumatica is a cloud-based ERP system founded in 2008 that offers consumption-based pricing. It's designed specifically for small to midsized businesses looking for a scalable solution that won't break the bank as they grow. Acumatica provides comprehensive modules for financial management, customer relationship management (CRM), project accounting, and industry-specific solutions.
What is NetSuite?
NetSuite, established in 1998 and acquired by Oracle in 2016, was one of the first cloud-based ERP solutions. It offers similar core functionality to Acumatica but with a different approach to pricing. NetSuite targets a wide range of businesses from smaller companies to large enterprises with complex, multi-national operations.
Pricing Models: Acumatica vs NetSuite
Acumatica's Consumption-Based Pricing
One of Acumatica's standout aspects is its unique pricing model. Unlike most ERP systems, Acumatica doesn't charge per user. Instead, pricing is based on:
- Which applications/modules you need
- Resources consumed (transactions and storage)
This approach means you can add unlimited users without increasing costs. This can be a huge advantage for growing businesses or those with seasonal staffing fluctuations. Acumatica places customers in one of four license tiers based on usage (Essentials, Select, Prime, or Enterprise). This structure allows for gradual, manageable price increases as your business grows.
NetSuite's User-Based Pricing
NetSuite follows a more traditional pricing structure with:
- Base subscription (offered at different levels)
- Per-user fees
- Additional costs for advanced modules
- Service tier costs based on data size, transaction volume, etc.
This model can become expensive as you add users or increase transaction volume. Many users report substantial price increases (sometimes exceeding 50%) at renewal time.
Both ERP Systems Offer Cloud-Based Deployment
Both Acumatica and NetSuite are available as cloud-based ERP platforms. This supports the current industry trend, as most businesses now opt for cloud solutions when implementing new ERP systems. Leading research firm Gartner predicts that by the end of this year, 85% of all ERP systems will be cloud-based.
Advantages of Cloud-Based ERP Systems:
- Reduced IT overhead: No need to maintain expensive on-premises hardware and infrastructure
- Automatic updates: Software updates are handled by an expert team, ensuring you always have the latest functionality
- Anywhere access: Access your business data from any location with internet connectivity
- Scalability: Easily scale resources up or down based on business needs
- Disaster recovery: Built-in data backup and disaster recovery capabilities
- Lower initial investment: Subscription-based models reduce upfront costs
- Enhanced security: Cloud providers invest heavily in security measures that often exceed what individual businesses can implement
Comparing Functionality: NetSuite vs Acumatica
Core Business Operations
Both systems offer strong core ERP functionality, including:
- Financial management (AP/AR, general ledger, budgeting)
- Inventory and supply chain management
- Customer relationship management (CRM)
- Project management
- Reporting and analytics
Industry Specialization
Acumatica excels in:
- eCommerce and Retail
- Manufacturing
- Distribution
- Professional Services
- Construction
NetSuite works well for:
- Professional services
- Software companies
- Retail
- Wholesale distribution
Customization Capabilities for Acumatica vs NetSuite
Acumatica provides:
- Open API architecture
- Easy data export to various formats
- Low-code/no-code customization framework
NetSuite offers:
- Customization through proprietary SuiteScript
- More limited access to underlying system
- Data export primarily to CSV format
- Often requires vendor support for customizations
User Ratings: Acumatica vs NetSuite
The 2025 G2 User Satisfaction Ratings report provides compelling evidence of how these systems compare in real-world use. Based on reviews from mid-market companies (as of March 2025), Acumatica consistently outperformed NetSuite across the board:
Overall user satisfaction
- Acumatica: 90% likelihood to recommend
- NetSuite: 81% likelihood to recommend
Ease-of-use categories
- Ease of Admin: Acumatica (81%) vs NetSuite (74%)
- Ease of Setup: Acumatica (75%) vs NetSuite (64%)
- Ease of Use: Acumatica (86%) vs NetSuite (76%)
Support and business partnership
- Quality of Support: Acumatica (79%) vs NetSuite (69%)
- Good partner in doing business: Acumatica (85%) vs NetSuite (73%)
- Product Direction: Acumatica (94%) vs NetSuite (81%)
Functionality-specific ratings
Acumatica outscored NetSuite in every functionality category, with notable differences in:
- Customization: Acumatica (87%) vs NetSuite (77%)
- Integration: Acumatica (87%) vs NetSuite (74%)
- Data Import and Export: Acumatica (88%) vs NetSuite (77%)
- Performance and Reliability: Acumatica (88%) vs NetSuite (75%)
Return on Investment (ROI) G2 user reports
- Acumatica: Average ROI in 16 months
- NetSuite: Average ROI in 25 months
Cumulatively, all these reports from the objective G2 surveys suggest that users find Acumatica more user-friendly, better supported, and delivering faster return on investment than NetSuite. However, remember that NetSuite may still be a better fit for some businesses, especially large businesses with operations in more than one nation.
Which ERP Platform is Right for Your Business?
Best fit for Acumatica
Acumatica is the better choice for:
- Small to midsized businesses with growth plans
- Companies wanting predictable, scalable pricing
- Organizations needing flexible deployment options
- Businesses requiring extensive customization
- Retail commerce, distribution, and manufacturing
- Companies wanting top-of-the-line user experience and support
Best fit for NetSuite
NetSuite is preferable for:
- Larger organizations with international operations
- Businesses with complex multi-entity structures
- Companies deeply invested in the Oracle ecosystem
- Software companies
- Businesses prioritizing native global capabilities
Small and Midsized Businesses Give Higher Ratings to Acumatica
Though your best ERP fit will always depend on your business specifics, G2 ratings made typical user outcomes clear in 2025. Based on the survey Acumatica outperformed NetSuite in every category by user rating.
Acumatica offers a more flexible, user-friendly, and cost-effective solution for small to midsized businesses. Its consumption-based pricing model allows unlimited users, making it valuable for growing companies. The system's customization options and strong partner support have earned it significantly higher user satisfaction ratings in every category measured by G2.
NetSuite, while robust, tends to be more expensive and less flexible, with a steeper learning curve and more complex customization requirements. Its average ROI time of 25 months (compared to Acumatica's 16 months) suggests businesses may wait longer to see returns on their investment.
Ready to see if Acumatica is right for your business? As a trusted Acumatica partner, Stellar One can help you explore how this powerful ERP solution can transform your operations. In addition, we offer a 5-year price lock that adds to your pricing predictability.
Discover why businesses consistently rate Acumatica as the superior choice for mid-market ERP solutions. Sign up for your Risk-Free Trial today.
