Infor LN vs SAP: the industrial ERP match-up in 2025
Choosing an ERP is a bit like choosing a co-pilot for your company: it has to hold the road, anticipate bends... and, above all, speak the same business language as you do.
If you work in manufacturing, engineering or the supply chain, then Infor LN and SAP ERP are two behemoths that are bound to have crossed your radar. On the one hand, a resolutely production-oriented ERP, capable of adapting to complex chains such as those in the aerospace or automotive industries. On the other, a modular, sprawling giant that equips the world's largest groups.
But between the flexibility of Infor LN and the firepower of SAP, which ERP will really meet your 2025 challenges?
Productivity, integrations, UX, pricing, automation... We've analyzed both solutions in detail, based on reliable data and user opinions, to help you make an informed choice (and avoid making the mistake of spending hundreds of thousands of euros, while you're at it).
Follow the guide.
What is Infor LN?
Infor LN overview
Infor LN is the Swiss Army knife of industrial ERP. Developed by Infor, an American publisher specializing in business solutions, this ERP is designed for complex, often international, companies operating in sectors such as aeronautics, automotive, industrial manufacturing or high-tech.
Its strength? A 100% industrial DNA. Where other ERPs try to cover all sectors, Infor LN concentrates on production management, engineering-to-order processes and the supply chain. It has won over groups such as Boeing, BAE Systems and Triumph Group, who need a modular, robust and highly configurable solution.
Designed for just-in-time or highly variable manufacturing environments, Infor LN stands out for its "out of the box", business-oriented approach, while remaining flexible enough to be customized to the specific needs of each site or subsidiary.
And since its integration into the Infor CloudSuite, the software has gained in scalability and agility, with on-premise, cloud or hybrid deployments possible.
Key features of Infor LN
Let's face it: Infor LN ticks all the boxes of an ERP designed for complex, international manufacturing. Here are its main functional strengths:
- Advanced production management: support for Make-to-Order, Make-to-Stock, Engineer-to-Order environments... with multi-site planning, scheduling and real-time tracking.
- Extensive supply chain functionalities: end-to-end visibility, inventory optimization, global supplier management, full traceability.
- Integrated project management: particularly useful for manufacturers in project mode (e.g. aerospace, equipment manufacturers), with tracking of costs, margins, resources and deadlines.
- Powerful financial and analytical functionalities: multi-currency, multi-entity accounting, with real-time dashboards for fine-tuned management.
- Integration with CloudSuite: access to collaboration, CRM, HR, maintenance and BI tools in a unified platform.
- Support for international regulations: ideal for multi-country groups, with compliance with local standards (tax, accounting, logistics).
- Automation and customization via Infor Mongoose: a low-code platform for rapidly creating customized apps without touching the core system.
Infor ERP
Advantages and disadvantages of Infor LN
We've sifted through the customer feedback. Verdict: Infor LN shines where it counts, but not all is perfect.
✅ Most cited advantages:
- Industry-leading expertise: functionalities are designed for real needs in the field.
- Flexible deployment: cloud, hybrid or on-premise, the choice is yours.
- Modern interface (thanks to the CloudSuite upgrade), far from the outdated image of some ERPs.
- High level of customization possible without too much technical effort, especially with the low-code brick.
❌ Disadvantages to bear in mind:
- Sometimes steep learning curve, especially for business teams unfamiliar with complex ERPs.
- Smaller community than SAP, so slightly fewer external resources and integrator partners.
- High cost of entry, especially in on-premise mode, and ROI highly dependent on sector and implementation.
What is SAP?
Overview of SAP
SAP is a bit like the giant that needs no introduction. Present in over 180 countries and used by 99 of the world's top 100 companies, SAP ERP (and its cloud version SAP S/4HANA) is the global benchmark for general-purpose, modular ERP systems.
But make no mistake: behind its reputation as an institutional behemoth, SAP knows how to be nimble, especially in its S/4HANA version, designed for companies that want to standardize, automate and control their business processes from end to end.
The target market? Large and very large companies, multi-site, multi-entity, often international, in all sectors. These include customers such as Nestlé, Airbus, Engie and LVMH, as well as ambitious small and medium-sized companies in expansion phases.
The core of the system is based on the HANA in-memory database, which enables ultra-fast data processing, ideal for real-time analysis, complex scenario management and predictive modeling.
In a nutshell? SAP doesn't do tailor-made solutions for small budgets. It's about power, stability and scalability, for those with the means... and the ambition.
Key features of SAP ERP (S/4HANA)
SAP stands out for its modular, cross-functional approach. Here are the functionalities that systematically come up in user feedback and B2B use cases:
- Ultra-complete financial and accounting management: general and cost accounting, multi-currency accounting, management control, it's all there.
- Advanced production resource planning (MRP ), with demand forecasting, inventory, capacity and constraint management.
- Purchasing and supplier management (SRM) with automated workflow, regulatory compliance and supplier rating.
- Sales management module (SD) coupled with logistics, for smooth customer order processing.
- Real-time business intelligence analysis thanks to HANA database and SAP Fiori dashboards, highly customizable.
- Integrated HR module for talent, time, payroll and recruitment management.
- Complete ecosystem of SAP integrations (SuccessFactors, Ariba, Concur, etc.) to cover all business areas, from the field to management.
SAP ERP
Advantages and disadvantages of SAP ERP
SAP is the ERP of major accounts... with all that this implies. Here's what emerges from user reviews and comparative analyses:
✅ Most appreciated advantages:
- Impressive functional coverage, hard to beat in terms of depth and cross-functionality.
- Performance of the HANA database, enabling instant exploitation of complex data.
- Reliability, stability and security: SAP is a solid choice, especially for mission-critical environments.
- Large international community, vast ecosystem of partners, consultants, developers, etc.
❌ Limitations to consider:
- Complexity of deployment and parameterization, especially if you go beyond the standard.
- High learning curve, even for experienced users.
- Often very high costs , both in licensing and in integration and maintenance (not to mention upgrades).
- Less flexible than other solutions in very specific sectors.
Infor LN vs SAP: compare functionalities
Whether you're looking to make your supply chain more reliable, speed up your production cycles or better manage your costs, these two ERP solutions won't leave you by the wayside. But their approaches are radically different.
Before delving into the details, here's a summary table to set the scene:
| Key functionality | Infor LN | SAP S/4HANA |
| Production management | Very advanced, complex industry-oriented | Very comprehensive, more standardized |
| Supply Chain & Logistics | Fine-grained, native multi-site traceability | Robust, but more rigid |
| Financial & analytical management | Solid, but a notch below SAP | Ultra-powerful, especially with HANA |
| Customization / Low-code | Yes, via Infor Mongoose | Possible, but technical and costly |
| UX & handling | Modern with CloudSuite, fairly fluid | Ergonomic (Fiori), but dense |
Focus 1: Production management
Infor LN is designed for complex industries, with varied production environments (ETO, CTO, MTO...). It natively integrates multi-site management, complex production orders, real-time line monitoring and a true "extended factory" logic.
SAP also offers comprehensive planning, but with a more standardized approach. Its strength lies in cross-functional integration (MRP + finance + logistics), but its operational granularity may require customization.
👉 To remember
If your production is technical, tailor-made and international, Infor LN is often better suited. If you're looking for standardization across all processes, SAP does the job.
Focus 2: Supply chain & logistics
Infor LN stands out for its ability to manage complex, highly traceable international supply chains. It adapts to fragmented chains, with highly variable flows.
SAP also offers robust logistics, but is more oriented towards "globalized standards", which can become rigid if your processes are too specific or local.
👉 To remember
For moving, heterogeneous logistics flows, Infor LN offers greater flexibility. For well-oiled, industrialized chains, SAP remains a safe bet.
Focus 3: Financial and analytical management
Here, SAP literally crushes the competition. Its HANA base and FI/CO modules are ultra-powerful, with real-time reporting, multi-entity consolidation and advanced cost accounting.
Infor LN offers solid management, but is less advanced in its consolidated and predictive aspects.
👉 To remember
If your priority is high-level financial governance, SAP is at the forefront.
Focus 4: Customization and low-code development
With Infor Mongoose, Infor LN lets you create customized applications without impacting the core system. This is a real agility lever for adapting ERP without breaking its maintainability.
SAP offers customization... but via ABAP, its proprietary language, or with costly extensions via SAP BTP. We're clearly on a higher level of complexity.
👉 To remember
Infor LN is more agile for rapidly developing specific adaptations or applications.
Focus 5: User experience and ease of use
SAP has done a great job with SAP Fiori, a modern, responsive and UX-friendly interface. But the system remains dense, and business users can quickly get lost.
Infor LN, in its CloudSuite version, also offers a clear, uncluttered interface, with intuitive navigation. Less modular than SAP, it's easier to read on a day-to-day basis.
👉 To remember
For rapid ramp-up and simple UX, Infor LN has the edge. SAP remains more complex, but better designed for experts.
Infor LN vs SAP: compare prices
When it comes to ERP, the question of price is never a simple one. And for good reason: no two projects are alike, and each price depends on a cocktail of variables very specific to your business.
📌 Infor LN pricing
Infor LN's pricing is not public, and only communicated upon customized quotation. This is common practice in the complex ERP market, as the final cost depends on a multitude of factors.
These include
- Deployment mode: Cloud (SaaS) or on-premise license (on your own servers)
- Number of users: often calculated per user, per month or per year
- Activated modules: finance, production, logistics, maintenance, etc.
- Level of customization: the more specific your needs, the higher the cost
- Associated services: integration, training, support, maintenance, etc.
💬 Some feedback mentions ranges from €1,500 to €2,500 per user per year, but these figures should be taken with a grain of salt: only a quote can reflect the reality of your project.
📌 SAP S/4HANA pricing
SAP offers a more readable pricing structure, particularly on its cloud offerings.
Here are some benchmarks, taken from public documents (UK G-Cloud) and SAP partners:
| SAP Cloud S/4HANA offer | Estimated price (per user/year) | What's included |
| Base Edition (Cloud ERP) | ≈ 3 420 £ (~4 000 €) | Core modules: finance, logistics, purchasing, inventory management |
| Premium Edition | ≈ 5 172 £ (~6 000 €) | Advanced functions + specific industries + operations management |
| Enterprise deployment (on-premise or hybrid) | From €100,000 to €1 M+. | Depends on number of modules, sites, users and degree of customization |
🔍 Here again, total cost depends on infrastructure, support and implementation time. SAP remains a premium solution, with a high TCO (total cost of ownership) - but justified for large accounts.
Both solutions require a much higher "real" budget once customization, integration, global deployment, support and maintenance are included.
👉 To remember
- If your company is medium-sized, with relatively standardized requirements, Infor LN may prove more affordable and flexible.
- If you're a large group with global, multi-entity requirements and lots of modules, SAP S/4HANA is a serious investment, but one that matches your ambitions.
- Implementation and maintenance costs can far exceed the simple "license price".
- Always ask for a detailed quotation and negotiate: large companies often obtain substantial discounts.
Infor LN vs SAP: which interface is more intuitive?
We've all experienced those software programs where it takes three clicks, two tutorials and a shaman to create a purchase order. Spoiler: that's not what we want here.
The good news is that both ERPs have made huge efforts on the UX side. But they're not in the same league when it comes to philosophy.
| Criterion | Infor LN (via CloudSuite) | SAP S/4HANA (via Fiori) |
| Overall ergonomics | Modern, modular, fluid interface | Responsive and consistent, but dense |
| Learning curve | Average, clear business logic | Rather steep for non-experts |
| UX/UI customization | Good via Mongoose | Very advanced but technical |
| Navigation / menu | Clear, task-oriented | Many sub-menus to understand |
| Mobile & cloud | Mobile responsive UI via CloudSuite | Optimized Fiori mobile interface |
| User experience | Close to the field, industrial logic | Solid but sometimes too generic |
Infor LN' s ergonomics have improved considerably since it was integrated into CloudSuite. The interface is fluid, intuitive and designed with business users in mind. Tasks are well structured, customization is accessible via the Mongoose low-code brick, and the modular approach allows for a gradual ramp-up.
SAP, with Fiori, offers an elegant, uncluttered and responsive interface. The design is clearly up to scratch. But under the hood, the functional richness weighs down the experience: business users often have to go through training, especially if the ERP has not been well customized for their role.
👉 To remember
- Infor LN is quicker to learn for operational teams, with a task- and industry-oriented approach.
- SAP is extremely powerful, but requires structured onboarding to be truly fluid in use.
Infor LN vs SAP: compare integrations
An isolated ERP is like an orchestra without a conductor. For processes to run smoothly, your tools need to speak the same language. And here, integration capability makes all the difference.
Here's how Infor LN and SAP stack up in terms of connectivity, automation and openness to other systems.
| Criteria | Infor LN | SAP S/4HANA |
| Number of native integrations | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ - Native integrations with CloudSuite (CRM, HR, EAM...), standard connectors (EDI, PLM, MES...) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Huge ecosystem via SAP BTP + SAP Store + API business hub |
| Ease of integration | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ - Well-documented REST APIs, modular approach, ION platform to orchestrate flows | ⭐⭐⭐☆ - Powerful but often complex integrations, require SAP experts |
| Automated workflows | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ - Infor ION enables low-code workflows + IoT, BI, RPA connectors | ���⭐⭐⭐☆ - SAP BTP + RPA + AI: advanced automations for high volumes |
| External interoperability | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ - Standard connections with third-party tools (Salesforce, Oracle, Microsoft, etc.) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ - SAP Connectors for Microsoft, AWS, Salesforce, but sometimes costly integration |
| Community / third-party extensions | ⭐⭐⭐☆ - Less visible than SAP, but solid base of CloudSuite extensions | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ - SAP Store Marketplace + extensive network of certified partners |
- Infor LN relies on middleware logic with Infor ION, which facilitates data exchange between internal modules or third-party systems. The APIs are well thought-out, and the platform is geared towards business automation without code.
- SAP, for its part, offers an ultra-complete approach with the SAP Business Technology Platform, which can do it all... provided you devote time and budget to it. It's a war machine, but you have to master it.
👉 To remember
- For rapid, fluid deployment, with ready-to-use connectors, Infor LN is very well equipped, especially in an Infor CloudSuite environment.
- SAP is more powerful and scalable, but often requires the intervention of specialized consultants to activate its full potential.
When to choose Infor LN or SAP?
You don't need a combat ERP if your needs are simple. Conversely, an ERP that's too light can become a real brake on growth.
If you're a manufacturing company looking for agility → Infor LN
Infor LN is aimed at manufacturing, technical and multi-site companies who want a business-oriented ERP, without overloading their IT department.
Preferred if:
- You work in project or engineering-to-order mode (ETO, MTO, etc.)
- Your production is multi-variant, multi-site or highly localized.
- You need an ERP that's quick to customize, even without an ABAP developer
- You're looking for a good power/flexibility/cost ratio
- You want a modular solution that can be deployed in stages
Typically suited to the following sectors: aeronautics, automotive, industrial equipment, electronics, technical textiles...
If you're a large group with complex cross-functional processes → SAP S/4HANA
SAP is designed for mature, global and highly integrated structures. It's the choice of companies that want to harmonize all their processes with surgical precision.
Preferred if:
- you have stringent regulatory and financial requirements (multi-currency, consolidation, auditing, etc.)
- Your company is spread over several continents, with globalized business processes.
- You need a single platform for finance, HR, purchasing, production, etc.
- You are already part of the SAP ecosystem (SuccessFactors, Ariba, etc.)
- You have a strong IT team or an experienced SAP integrator
Ideal for: pharmaceutical groups, energy, banking-insurance, luxury goods, retail, public services...
👉 To remember
- If you're looking for a specialized, agile ERP , rooted in the realities of the field, Infor LN is an excellent choice.
- If you're looking for a universal, robust ERP capable of handling the complexity of a large group, SAP S/4HANA is hard to beat.
What to learn from the Infor LN vs SAP battle
Two powerful ERPs, two business visions, two very different profiles.
👉 If you're looking for the perfect solution, it doesn't exist. But if you're looking for the one that's right for you, we can help.
Infor LN is designed to go fast, stay connected to the field and meet real industrial needs, without superfluous.
SAP S/4HANA is the ERP of large-scale standardization, rigorous governance and analytical power.
| Your needs / profile | Our reco |
| You are a project-based manufacturer, with production to order | ✅ Infor LN |
| You're looking for a modular ERP, deployable in stages | ✅ Infor LN |
| You're a multinational with subsidiaries in several zones | ✅ SAP S/4HANA |
| You have complex financial reporting requirements | ✅ SAP S/4HANA |
| You have a small IT department, with few internal IT resources | ✅ Infor LN |
| You already have SAP equipment (Ariba, SuccessFactors, etc.) | ✅ SAP S/4HANA |
| You want to automate without heavy dev | ✅ Infor LN |
| You're ready to invest in a long-term premium solution | ✅ SAP S/4HANA |
👉 Verdict
- Infor LN is the industrial ERP that's quick to deploy, easy to adjust, and speaks the language of the factory floor.
- SAP is the globalized, structured, powerful ERP, designed for large organizations with high governance and scalability requirements.
All that's left is to ask one real question:
👉 Do you want your ERP to follow you, or transform you?
FAQ about Infor LN vs SAP
1. Which is easier for business teams to get to grips with?
👉 Infor LN wins here, thanks in particular to its clear interface (CloudSuite) and business focus. SAP Fiori is well designed, but the SAP ecosystem remains denser, with a steeper learning curve.
2. Which is best suited to an industrial SME?
👉 Clearly, Infor LN. It's better suited to medium-sized structures with customized or multi-site production. SAP is often oversized for an SME, unless it's planning rapid international growth.
3. Is SAP really too expensive?
👉 Not necessarily... but SAP becomes expensive as soon as you go beyond the standard. Between licenses, consultants, hosting, training and maintenance, the ticket can quickly climb. Consider it if your needs justify this robustness.
4. Does Infor LN make it easy to automate processes?
👉 Yes, thanks to Infor ION (middleware) and the Mongoose low-code platform, you can create customized business flows and apps without heavy development. That's a big plus in terms of agility.
5. Are both ERPs compatible with other software such as Salesforce or Office 365?
👉 Yes, both are open to integration. SAP offers its own official connectors (often costly), while Infor LN offers more flexible and rapid integration, notably via ION.
6. What about mobility? How do the two solutions compare?
👉 SAP offers a solid mobile experience via Fiori (responsive + dedicated apps). Infor LN, in its CloudSuite version, is also responsive, but a little less rich in native mobile apps. Depending on your business mobility needs.
7. Can I deploy these ERPs in stages?
👉 Yes for both, but Infor LN is lighter and more flexible in phased deployments (unit, country or process by process). SAP often requires a more structured transformation.
8. Is there a difference in data security?
👉 No, both publishers are at the top level when it comes to security, RGPD compliance, and ISO certifications. SAP has a head start for large accounts, but Infor LN remains perfectly compliant for European companies.
Article translated from French