Infor M3 vs Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central comparison

Infor M3 vs. Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central

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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

Infor M3

Ranking in ERP

12th

Ranking in Activity Based Costing Software

9th

Average Rating

8.2

Reviews Sentiment

6.3

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

Microsoft Dynamics 365 Busi...

Ranking in ERP

5th

Ranking in Activity Based Costing Software

2nd

Average Rating

8.2

Reviews Sentiment

6.4

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

Mindshare comparison

As of August 2026, in the ERP category, the mindshare of Infor M3 is 2.1%, down from 5.0% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central is 3.0%, down from 6.4% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

ERP Mindshare Distribution
Product	Mindshare (%)
Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central	3.0%
Infor M3	2.1%
Other	94.9%

ERP

Featured Reviews

Umesh D

Vice President, Delivery at Independent Computer Consulting Group, Incorporated

Maximized industry-specific process efficiency with rapid implementation

The best features of Infor M3 are the micro-vertical and industry ready-made solutions rather than generic solutions. They have ready-made solutions ready, so the implementation of the process discovery happens very fast. It won't take more than two months, and if the process is very simple and they adopt the standard, it may happen within five weeks, covering the implementation cycle which will finish within seven to eight months. Most of the time, it helps streamline business processes; maybe some processes such as unique subcontracting vary by continent or job work, which could be different due to legal compliance. Other than that, everything helps because the processes are very much streamlined. Everywhere you have a check and maker concept, there is a workflow, and all those things are there; document management is also very simple. You can drag and drop the reports. The workflow feature is very good and flexible, working with multi-level authorization and all those capabilities. Apart from that, the GUI interface screens are really good. Users can design their own workspace based on the roles, and there are roles-based security options, with many roles available that you need not define—you can just tweak them.

Read full review

Jacinta Chanda

Examinations Manager at Northrise University

Integrated academic workflows have transformed how our institution manages courses and results

For Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central, every time we need to make an adjustment, we must make a payment, which is slightly expensive for us as an organization. There are certain modifications we'd like to make, and those come with a cost. The licensing is also very expensive, so if the prices could be revisited, especially for educational institutions, that would be really helpful. Otherwise, it has proven to be a very good tool for us as an organization. I chose a rating of nine for Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central because it has been very useful for us as an organization, but there are still a few improvements that need to be made. Sometimes we experience glitches when generating certain reports, and every time we need to make a modification, we have to pay for that. Thus, I will not give it a ten because there are a few areas needing improvement.

Read full review

Quotes from Members

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:

Pros

"It's very stable, and it handles all types of industrial and manufacturing businesses in very good ways. I've found it to be easy."

"It has improved the way our organization functions by keeping things in order."

"Overall, I rate Infor M3 nine out of ten for a positive experience."

"Infor M3 has several valuable features, including customer order management and integration capabilities with third-party applications like ION."

"M3 has several useful features for managing supply chains, production, and customer orders. It's an excellent system that helps me meet all my requirements for fixed costs."

"The most valuable feature of the solution is that it is highly customizable."

"The most valuable feature is the ability to cover different types of activities, and the requirement for maintenance and data is very low."

"Its ease of use is most valuable; inquiries are transparent, and it shows good information on each screen so we don't have to go to 14 different screens to find out about one item, which is a big advantage."

More Infor M3 pros

"We are getting more features after switching to Microsoft 365."

"We like the manufacturing and case management modules."

"Stable Well known Easy to develop and maintain."

"Reporting is very good in NAV."

"All of the features are valuable, depending on where you implement them. I've done implementations in 60 countries, across 86 different companies and groups, and each company has a different reason for why they want to use it. Every single feature that I've implemented has been successful, and for some companies, where they didn't use the functionality, they have moved to external products or they've integrated into other applications."

"By centralizing the main data, each employee has the necessary information in real time."

"Its most valuable feature is the user interface."

"The initial setup is easy - because it stands on Microsoft offerings, it's simple and intuitive to use."

More Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central pros

Cons

"The solution's technical support is an area with shortcomings that need improvement, especially the support for the product named M3 rather than the support offered by Infor as an organization."

"It would be great if Infor added some new workflows in the finance module. I'd also like to see better integration with third-party applications."

"Its initial setup was probably complex, but it is a very good system."

"Here in Infor M3, you have certain limitations where the main components cannot be modified—you must work around or use bolt-ons."

"The implementation could be simplified, it's complex."

"Customer support from Infor is responsive and addresses issues, but the response time can be delayed, which sometimes leads me to explore private vendors."

"Infor should create one product to handle the whole business. At present, they make ERP systems for each type of business, and then sell additional features. I would like to have one system handing all organizations or all the business in deep ways and not have to buy additional features."

"From a technology perspective, this is an old solution making it harder to integrate and maintain."

More Infor M3 cons

"The solution can improve by having better integration with Microsoft PowerBI and reporting."

"There is a book for Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central explaining how to use it. But it is not easy to use, and it is not easy to learn."

"The reporting tool has room for improvement."

"The solution is stable, but it could improve."

"In the next release, I would like to see a quality check module - Navision doesn't have one, and the industry very much requires it."

"The stability could always be improved."

"The solution's event management can be improved."

"They need to improve their processes."

More Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central cons

Pricing and Cost Advice

"There is a yearly licensing cost. The price is based on the modules you need. There are several modules, such as HR module, accounting module, sales module, scheduling module, etc., and the price will vary depending on the number of modules you choose. The customers always say that it's very expensive. It can cost a lot of money if your organization is huge. It's not implemented in a lot of organizations in my country because it's too expensive."

"Infor M3 is a tier-two product and is cheaper than tier-one products such as SAP and Oracle. However, it is more expensive than some other tier-two products. The licensing cost is dependent on the number of users. Also, if you purchase other tools from Infor as a package, then there may be other discounts offered."

"If you compare Infor M3 to SAP, Infor M3 is less expensive than SAP, but if you compare Infor M3 to Dynamics 365, Infor M3 is more expensive. It also depends on the model that you buy. It depends on whether you have the complete package or whether you have separate models."

"I'm not part of the team that manages Infor M3 pricing, but it depends on the client, integration, ship-out, and training levels. You get the price from the solution provider, but it would be best to discuss it because nothing is set in stone regarding pricing."

"The cost is between $50 and $100 per user annually."

"The tool’s licensing is yearly."

"We have a perpetual license to use Microsoft Dynamics NAV."

"In my opinion, the fees are reasonable."

"The tool’s licensing is yearly. The solution is cheaper compared to other ERP products from Oracle or SAP."

"The price of Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central is reasonable. We pay monthly for the use of the solution."

"Microsoft Dynamics NAV has a pay-as-you-use payment model."

"The price of the solution is reasonable."

"The price of Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central could improve. It is costly. We are paying for the solution on a monthly basis."

"I think the pricing is the best; it's cost effective for sure."

More Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central pricing and cost advice

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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Manufacturing Company

13%

Financial Services Firm

Computer Software Company

Comms Service Provider

Manufacturing Company

11%

Construction Company

10%

Outsourcing Company

Comms Service Provider

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	6
Midsize Enterprise	5
Large Enterprise	3

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	43
Midsize Enterprise	12
Large Enterprise	19

Questions from the Community

What needs improvement with Infor M3?

Some customers expect more out-of-box reports, and in some areas, they should provide more reports. However, Infor has introduced a report tool so that key users or global champions can generate re...

What is your primary use case for Infor M3?

Infor M3 is specifically dominant in fashion, food and beverages, and chemicals manufacturing; it works into micro-verticals. In food and beverage, it specializes in meat processing, confectionery,...

What advice do you have for others considering Infor M3?

In Microsoft, it is easier to work due to its .NET technology and hybrid architecture, but Infor M3 is more structured, requiring in-depth knowledge of its rules and table names. I think they shoul...

Is it advisable to purchase Dynamics CRM in addition to NAV 2016?

Short answer: depends on your sales needs. NAV 2016’s built-in CRM is very basic. It’s fine for simple contact management and basic sales tracking, but it lacks: Proper pipeline management Adva...

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Microsoft Dynamics NAV?

Microsoft Dynamics NAV pricing can vary significantly depending on the number of users, deployment model, customizations, and implementation scope. In my experience, the software license is only pa...

What needs improvement with Microsoft Dynamics NAV?

The only thing that could be improved is integration with WhatsApp, which I can see for Microsoft that it has to be available, and that becomes a challenge sometimes. Everything else is perfect.

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Product Reports

Infor M3

Download Infor M3 product report

Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central

Download Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central product report

Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central report

Also Known As

Infor Lawson M3, Lawson M3

Dynamics NAV, MS Dynamics NAV

Overview

Infor M3 is a comprehensive ERP solution designed for ease of use and customization, supporting industries like manufacturing, food and beverages, and chemicals with robust functionalities in finance, supply chain, and manufacturing processes.

Infor M3 offers extensive capabilities in managing core business operations for finance, manufacturing, and supply chain management. It features ease of integration with third-party applications, an intuitive interface, and fast implementation using ready-made solutions. Its flexibility makes it suitable for industry-specific requirements, providing detailed insights into manufacturing with reliable data extraction and efficient bug fixes. Used widely in multinational manufacturing setups and distribution sectors across Europe and India, Infor M3 manages processes from invoicing to purchasing, ensuring streamlined business operations.

What are the key features of Infor M3?

Ease of Use: Simplifies operations with an intuitive design.
High Customization: Adjusts to specific business needs.
Integration: Compatible with third-party applications.
Finance Management: Comprehensive GL tool for accounting.
Supply Chain: Efficiently manages procurement and logistics.
Manufacturing Insights: Provides detailed process analytics.

What benefits should users look for when evaluating Infor M3?

Streamlined Implementation: Rapid deployment minimizes downtime.
Improved Business Intelligence: Data-driven decision support.
User-Friendly Design: Enhances operational efficiency.
Industry-Specific Adaptability: Suits diverse sectors.
Reliable Performance: Consistent bug fixes enhance functionality.

Infor M3 is particularly beneficial within manufacturing, food and beverage, and chemical industries for planning, procurement, and warehousing needs. Integrated with third-party tools, it is favored by multinational enterprises for tasks ranging from invoicing to purchasing, across regions such as Europe and India. Users often seek better integration, industry-standard features, and improved procurement and supply chain capabilities, alongside a demand for enhanced security measures and easier online documentation.

Infor

Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central provides customization and integrates with Microsoft tools like Excel and Outlook. It's accessible via cloud and supports various business functions, making it ideal for small and medium-sized businesses.

Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central is known for real-time data management, robust reporting, financial analytics, and security encryption. It seamlessly adapts to different business needs and is economically viable, making it an optimal choice. There is room for enhancements in pricing for small businesses, sales automation, security configurations, inter-company logistics, inventory management, Power BI and CRM integration, interface friendliness, and reporting tools. Users seek improvements in AI, customization, multi-country management, retail integration, training resources, stability, and transaction correction.

What are Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central's key features?

Customization: Tailors functionalities to unique business requirements.
Integration: Works with Microsoft products like Excel and Outlook.
Cloud Accessibility: Offers web access for enhanced flexibility.
Financial Analytics: Provides insight-driven decision making.
Security Encryption: Ensures data protection and compliance.

What benefits should be considered when evaluating Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central?

Cost-Effectiveness: Provides economical solutions for SMBs.
Scalability: Adapts to diverse business scales and demands.
Automation: Streamlines business operations and increases efficiency.
CRM Capabilities: Enhances customer relationship management.

Used predominantly in financial management, CRM, inventory tracking, and internal operations, Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central supports industries like finance, retail, education, and distribution. It offers modules for accounts receivable, accounts payable, general ledger, and supply chain management. Integration with Microsoft 365 and cloud-based functionalities enhances operational efficiency and data management.

Microsoft

Sample Customers

Grosfillex, High Five Sportswear, L_derach, OTK Group, PHS Group, Propper International, Red Wing Shoe Company, Reynolds Catering Supplies, Saudi Diesel, Sheetz, Zeppelin, Zodiac Aerospace

Harris Farm Markets, Mister Spex GmbH, Bounce Foods, Eurofin Services SA, Medica Medizintechnik, Associated Gaskets, Onduline, Sitka Surfboard Corporation, World Animal Protection

Infor M3 vs. Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central