Best process manufacturing ERP software in 2025

People in process manufacturing face numerous challenges – from following complex recipes or formulas to monitoring the never-ending processes or batch production. At the same time, they must ensure compliance with strict but necessary regulations.

Fortunately, the industry’s challenges can be made more manageable with the help of enterprise resource planning (ERP) software, but not just any ERP will do. Standard ERP systems often fall short here, highlighting the need for specialized tools explicitly designed for the industry’s unique trials.

The Cybernews team and I dug deeper into these tools, intending to make finding a solution easier, which resulted in the creation of this guide. Its goal? To help you find the right process manufacturing ERP software for your distinctive business needs.

Quick peek at the top 7 process manufacturing ERP software

1. MRPeasy – best for smaller businesses and growing manufacturers
2. Zoho Creator – best for customizable and affordable ERP systems
3. NetSuite ERP – best for comprehensive and customizable cloud-based ERP
4. Epicor Kinetic – best for a comprehensive out-of-the-box ERP
5. SAP S/4HANA – best for large enterprises in need of a comprehensive solution
6. Odoo – best for an affordable and flexible ERP system
7. SYSPRO – best for highly customizable hybrid ERP systems

Comparison of the best process manufacturing ERP software

Before we explore each of the 7 best process manufacturing ERP software solutions individually, let’s quickly take a peek at these systems side-by-side. This way, you’ll know what to expect from each of the 7 ERPs in terms of pricing, beginner-friendliness, and features.

ERP	Pricing	Ease of use	Standout feature
MRPeasy	$$	Highly intuitive	Simplified and user-friendly MRP/ERP for small manufacturers of up to 200 employees
Zoho Creator	$	Intuitive	Customizable ERP solution with advanced automation workflows
NetSuite ERP	$$$	Slight learning curve	Highly customizable cloud-only ERP with countless integrations
Epicor Kinetic	$$$$	Complex	Feature-rich ERP with deployment and business size flexibility
SAP S/4HANA	$$$$	Complex	Heavyweight ERP with everything a large manufacturing enterprise needs
Odoo	$	Intuitive	Open-source build-you-own ERP system with near-limitless customization
SYSPRO	$$$$	Slight learning curve	Heavyweight ERP with comprehensive core functionality and deployment flexibility

Detailed look at the 7 best process manufacturing ERP software

Now that you know what to expect, we can dive deeper into each of the 7 ERPs I’ve selected. Let’s get started.

1. MRPeasy for smaller businesses and growing manufacturers

Best for	Small and medium-sized businesses with up to 200 employees
Free trial	Yes
Starting price	From $49/user/month
Top features	Ease-of-use, out-of-the-box lot traceability, clean and simple interface

Try MRPeasy today

MRPeasy is a cloud-only, AI-powered MRP/ERP software solution designed for small and medium-sized businesses with 10 to 200 employees. Its interface, arguably one of the tool’s best features, is both sleek and easy to use, and it’s also available in multiple languages and currencies.

The ERP in question is available through 4 distinct pricing plans, courtesy of its “no module-based pricing” policy. At just $49/user/month, MRPEasy’s Starter version provides production planning and reporting, lot traceability, warehouse management system (WMS), workforce planning, customer relationship management (CRM), and standard accounting features. Other plans only take it up from there.

As a result, MRPeasy is often seen as the best-bang-for-the-buck ERP system by small manufacturers and distributors, the target market of this solution. The features these organizations value most are the actual cost (rather than the standard cost) and the ability to easily convert material requirements to purchase orders (POs) and manufacturing orders (MOs).

Pricing:

• Starter – $49/user/month
• Professional – $69/user/month
• Enterprise – $99/user/month
• Unlimited – $149/user/month

2. Zoho Creator for customizable and affordable ERP systems

Best for	Manufacturers who know exactly what they need
Free trial	Yes
Starting price	From $12/user/month
Top features	Drag-and-drop interface for creating apps, automated workflows, countless integrations

Visit Zoho Creator

Zoho Creator isn’t exactly an ERP by itself. It’s a low-code platform that allows customers to build their own ERP software from the ground up, with little to no coding. As such, it offers immense flexibility in terms of customization, a feature that quickly sets it apart from competing ERP solutions for manufacturing.

Its bottom-up approach lets Zoho Creator offer easier data management and import, advanced automation workflows, and powerful integration capabilities with other Zoho tools. These features, alongside affordable pricing and the drag-and-drop app builder that makes it easy to create tools without a dedicated IT team, make Zoho ideal for smaller manufacturers.

Overall, Zoho Creator can be a fantastic choice for manufacturers looking for a highly customizable, low-cost solution that streamlines production processes meaningfully.

Pricing:

• Standard – $12/user/month
• Professional – $30/user/month
• Enterprise – $37/user/month
• Flex – custom pricing

3. NetSuite ERP for comprehensive and customizable cloud-based ERP

Best for	Financial management
Free trial	No
Starting price	On request
Top features	Countless integrations, repeatable task automation, single search bar for everything

Visit NetSuite ERP

Oracle’s NetSuite ERP is one of the world’s most well-known ERP solutions today. It was first launched in 1998 and is widely regarded as the first cloud-based ERP system. This breakthrough not only made business data vastly more accessible through internet-connected devices, but it also brought ERP systems to smaller businesses.

From managing accounting, inventory, operations, and distribution to automating manual processes, NetSuite ERP can take process manufacturing to another level. Businesses get greater inventory visibility, real-time metrics, role-based dashboards, supply chain optimization, improved warehouse efficiency, and compliance features.

Alongside AI, these features create a complete business management solution that helps process manufacturers drastically improve their operational efficiency – if you’re willing to look past a resource-intensive implementation and labourly configuration, that is.

4. Epicor Kinetic for a comprehensive out-of-the-box ERP

Best for	Medium-sized manufacturing companies
Free trial	No
Starting price	On request
Top features	Easy and effective searches, quickness of applications, customization

Visit Epicor Kinetic

With real-time insights and powerful AI that streamlines every aspect of your business, Epicor Kinetic is a mighty competitor in the ERP space. Designed by industry experts, this fully integrated system is full of standard features right out of the box. As such, it offers end-to-end capabilities for manufacturers in need of a comprehensive solution.

It’s available as both a cloud ERP system and an on-premises solution, providing flexible deployment. This flexibility makes it ideal for both small businesses with limited IT resources and large enterprises with dedicated IT departments. It also makes it a fine choice for those who want a hybrid deployment.

Epicor Kinetic is jam-packed with 70+ ERP features, like warehouse management and planning and scheduling tools, but users appreciate its customization capabilities the most. However, these features also make Epicor Kinetic more overwhelming and time-consuming to implement.

5. SAP ERP for large enterprises in need of a comprehensive solution

Best for	Large manufacturing enterprises
Free trial	Yes
Starting price	On request
Top features	Embedded machine learning, real-time insights, live MRP engine

Try SAP ERP

As an ERP system vendor, SAP has been in the industry since the 1970s. The company offers multiple ERP solutions, including Business One, Business ByDesign, and Business All-In-One. However, it’s SAP’s latest system, known as SAP S/4HANA, that undoubtedly takes the cake.

This modern and powerful cloud deployment ERP offers a fully-fledged system for manufacturers in all industry fields, including process manufacturing. Featuring 6 robust management modules with everything a process manufacturer could ever need, SAP S/4HANA is obviously targeting large enterprises, the core audience of this feature-rich ERP solution.

The ERP system in question is filled with numerous beneficial features, such as predictive analytics for making well-informed decisions, SAP Integration Suite for native integrations with other SAP products, and real-time insights into resources for quicker adjustments.

6. Odoo for an affordable and flexible ERP system

Best for	Smaller manufacturers who need custom ERP systems
Free trial	Yes
Starting price	From $31.10/month
Top features	Customization capabilities, no-code app studio, open-source design

Visit Odoo

Unlike most of its competitors that offer dedicated ERP systems, Odoo was designed as an open-source platform where manufacturers can build their own ERP. With over 40,000 apps at its disposal, Odoo offers a wide range of pre-built modules for specific industries, including manufacturing. Companies in this sector can benefit from Odoo’s production planning, shop floor monitoring, and quality control tools.

One of its standout features is the no-code app studio, which offers immense flexibility. It lets users create their own automations, screens, and apps, allowing them to go far beyond integrations such as QuickBooks or Microsoft Office.

If you know what you’re after and have an IT team to implement it, Odoo is a great choice. It’s affordable and flexible, which makes it a perfect ERP solution for smaller and medium-sized process manufacturers.

7. SYSPRO for highly customizable hybrid deployment ERP systems

Best for	Medium and larger manufacturing businesses
Free trial	No
Starting price	On request
Top features	Order management, product formula changes, lot traceability with serial tracking

Try SYSPRO

Designed to meet unique manufacturing-specific challenges, SYSPRO is a powerful and very modular ERP solution with a comprehensive suite of tools. Featuring production scheduling, procurement management, inventory control, AI demand forecasting, real-time reports, quality control, and regulatory compliance tools, SYSPRO offers everything a manufacturer needs.

While its core set of tools already delivers a lot, SYSPRO is also extensible through both integrations and the ability to build new functionalities that are missing. Users can easily create customized features and external applications with various programming tools like Visual Studio.

If you can overcome the messy LearnIt training program, you can get a fully-fledged ERP solution that drastically simplifies your production processes. Moreover, you can choose to deploy it in the cloud, on-premises, or as a hybrid system, adding even more flexibility to this already fine ERP choice.

How we selected the best process manufacturing ERP software

To ensure our ERP recommendations are accurate and unbiased, the researchers at Cybernews and I have analyzed data from multiple sources. We visited review sites and forums, had discussions with existing ERP users, and watched product demos to select the top ERP solutions.

Here are the most critical aspects that we took into account:

• User reviews (25%): Dedicated review websites and forums like Reddit and Quora are abundant sources of information for all things software, including ERP systems. I took a deep dive into the comments on these platforms, and user reviews there played a vital role in creating this list.
• Pricing (20%): Let’s face it – cost is one of the most critical factors when it comes to picking any type of software for your business. That’s precisely why I carefully considered each ERP solution's distinct pricing model, including the cost of implementing the system itself.
• Scalability (15%): Your organization’s accompanying software, including ERP, should be able to grow as your business does. With that in mind, I prioritized ERPs that can adapt to your company’s expansion and easily adjust to larger volumes of data.
• Customer support (10%): From system integration to employee training and issue resolution, the effectiveness of an ERP vendor’s customer support is vital. To ensure businesses get the help they need at every step of the way, I looked into each ERP’s customer support availability and responsiveness.
• Real-World Use Cases (30%): Most ERP solutions pride themselves on customizability – theoretically, they can fit all your business needs. However, that’s a different story in practice, so I looked into real-world examples. The result? Only genuinely customizable ERPs already used in the chemical, pharmaceutical, food and beverage, and cosmetics industries have made the list.

What is a process manufacturing ERP?

Designed specifically for manufacturing industries that produce items in bulk, process manufacturing ERPs are specialized software solutions that focus on effectively managing recipes and formulas. Such systems are indispensable to industries like food and beverage, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, and others that rely on precise processes and require consistency.

These tools centralize data from multiple company sectors, including production planning and scheduling, inventory and warehouse management, and financial management. The resulting system makes manufacturing much more efficient. Furthermore, the centralized hub also makes it easier for both management and employees to keep track of the entire operation.

Unlike discrete manufacturing ERPs, which help manage distinct parts and their assembly into end products, process manufacturing software focuses on continuous production processes. As such, they help businesses procure and manage raw materials, handle recipes and formulas, and track and scale batches.

Furthermore, they manage expiration dates and track lots, helping manufacturers comply with industry regulations. OSHA compliance is a prime example, as it handles food, drugs, cosmetics, and other industries that rely on process manufacturing.

Types of manufacturing ERP systems

Just as manufacturing is typically divided into two major types (with a third type that is a combination of the two), the accompanying ERP software can also be divided into three groups:

• Discrete Manufacturing ERP: This type of manufacturing delivers products that can be broken down into their constituent components. Thus, an ERP for such processes must primarily be great at efficiently managing the numerous BOMs the process will need. It should also help manufacturers maintain control and visibility of every process step.
• Process Manufacturing ERP: Unlike discrete manufacturing, process manufacturing relies on recipes (formulas) to create a product that can’t be disassembled back into its constituent parts. As a result, the accompanying ERP software improves efficiency by handling recipe processing, procuring ingredients, and automating calculations.
• Mixed-Mode Manufacturing ERP: The third type of ERP can fit both manufacturing modes by synchronizing data across your organization and helping you plan, track, and control your output. It’s ideal for businesses with both high-volume products that use process manufacturing and low-volume items that rely on discrete manufacturing.

Benefits and features of process manufacturing ERP software

Finding a process manufacturing solution that fits your company’s unique needs also means reaping the full benefits that these tools bring. Some of the most common ones include the following:

• Batch traceability and quality control: From raw materials to end products, ERP software allows manufacturers to monitor each batch of items throughout the production process. That makes it much easier to control the quality of your products, which is especially vital for the food and beverage and pharmaceutical industries.
• Formula/recipe management with scalability: Adjusting to fluctuating markets, different trends, or varying demand levels isn’t an issue when you have an ERP for process manufacturing by your side. These systems significantly simplify the management of highly complex formulas and recipes, allowing manufacturers to scale production efficiently.
• Regulatory compliance tools: Whether you’re following FDA guidelines, manufacturing chemicals up to EPA standards, or ensuring compliance with OSHA regulations, ERP systems can help drastically. Their built-in compliance features, such as automatic audit trails or audit reporting, make it easier for manufacturers to meet industry regulations.
• Automated production scheduling: ERP systems can automatically organize your production tasks, efficiently assigning work to employees and machines. As a result, these tools reduce delays at every step of the way, which, in turn, makes your entire company more efficient as well.
• Real-time inventory and warehouse management: Businesses can prevent both overstocking and shortages by monitoring their inventory levels and warehouse operations in real time. That makes process manufacturing ERPs indispensable for industries that deal with easily perishable goods, such as the food and beverage sector.

How to choose the right process manufacturing ERP software for your needs

Picking the right ERP software for process manufacturing is easier said than done, as it goes far beyond comparing the pricing plans of different vendors. These are highly specialized software solutions, and as every business has distinctive needs, you should do your own research before deciding on one.

With that said, here are a few general aspects you should consider before deciding on a specific process ERP software:

• Business size: One of the most important aspects you’ll need to take into account is the size of your business in terms of the number of ERP users. Yes, most ERP vendors indeed provide scalability, but it’s by no means unlimited. For example, MRPeasy is a great choice for small businesses, as it can fit organizations between 10 and 200 people. However, it might not be the best option for a large enterprise with over 500 employees.
• Budget: The price of an ERP solution, whether it’s the subscription cost of a cloud ERP system or the implementation fee of an on-premises solution, is vital. To find a software package that fits your budget, you’ll need to carefully analyze the initial costs of implementing such a system, as well as customization costs, licensing fees, and long-term expenses.
• Industry-specific requirements: Some ERPs, such as NetSuite and SAP S/4HANA, offer excellent vendor support and are designed to fit various industries. Through powerful integration capabilities, these vendors allow businesses to customize the software package to their needs, making them adjustable to multiple industry sectors. However, the majority of these systems are undeniably focused on specific sectors, such as the pharmaceutical, chemical, or plastic industries. That’s precisely why picking an ERP system based on your company’s business is the proper way to go about it.

Final words on the best process manufacturing ERP software

To summarize, an ERP in process manufacturing can make a major difference, but it can only do so if you pick the right solution for your needs. Top choices like MRPeasy offer a user-friendly interface and features tailored to smaller manufacturers. Solutions from Zoho Creator and Odoo offer a build-your-own ERP experience that is suitable for businesses seeking flexibility.

NetSuite ERP delivers a cloud-based system with a wide range of compliance features. SYSPRO focuses on hybrid deployment ERPs with near-limitless customization. Epicor Kinetic wants you to have the best out-of-the-box experience. And SAP ERP has everything a large manufacturing enterprise will ever need.

All of these vendors offer features beneficial to your business. However, to determine which ERP would work best for you, it’s highly recommended to first thoroughly assess your unique needs and test the tools yourself. After all, most ERP solutions offer free trials or have demos, which can guide you toward a tool that best fits your manufacturing requirements.

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