NetSuite vs Salesforce

March 08, 2025 | Author: Michael Stromann
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NetSuite
NetSuite is the leading vendor of cloud-based Software-as-a-Service integrated business management software for mid-market enterprises and divisions of large companies. NetSuite's cloud business management system including ERP / accounting, order management / inventory, CRM, professional services automation (PSA), and Ecommerce.
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Salesforce
Most-popular CRM. Easy collaboration. Proven cloud platform. Salesforce.com offers everything you need to transform your business into a Social Enterprise, so you can connect to customers and employees like never before. With no software or hardware to install, you're up and running—and seeing a positive impact on your business—quickly.

NetSuite and Salesforce are both cloud-based software solutions, which, in modern business terms, means they exist somewhere in the ether, quietly working while you sip your third coffee. They both excel at managing customers, automating things that used to require actual effort and integrating with other bits of software in a way that sometimes seems like magic and sometimes like a poorly translated alien manual. In short, if you’re a business and you need to keep track of things, both will do the job with varying degrees of enthusiasm.

NetSuite, which has been floating around since 1998 (long before most people knew what “the cloud” even was), is the go-to for companies who enjoy knowing exactly where every last penny, widget and invoice is at all times. Originally called NetLedger, because that sounded appropriately serious, it’s now owned by Oracle, which means it’s both powerful and slightly ominous. It’s fantastic for accounting, inventory and supply chains, which are all things that businesses pretend to be excited about but secretly wish would just manage themselves.

Salesforce, on the other hand, appeared in 1999 and immediately decided that selling things was far more interesting than counting them. It’s the undisputed champion of CRM, which is a fancy way of saying it makes sure sales teams don’t lose track of customers or, more importantly, potential customers. Unlike NetSuite, which is focused on numbers and logistics, Salesforce is all about relationships, which means it’s probably better at remembering people’s birthdays than you are. It also has AppExchange, a marketplace where you can expand its powers, much like giving a robot new skills—assuming the robot doesn’t immediately demand a subscription fee.

See also: Top 10 Online ERP software
Author: Michael Stromann
Michael is an expert in IT Service Management, IT Security and software development. With his extensive experience as a software developer and active involvement in multiple ERP implementation projects, Michael brings a wealth of practical knowledge to his writings. Having previously worked at SAP, he has honed his expertise and gained a deep understanding of software development and implementation processes. Currently, as a freelance developer, Michael continues to contribute to the IT community by sharing his insights through guest articles published on several IT portals. You can contact Michael by email [email protected]