Could any expert/experienced user here, share any relevant feedback regarding the pros & cons of using ERPNext over Zoho (especially, Zoho Finance)?
I’m trying to decide between the 2, for a manufacturing startup in India. And while the cost benefit of ERPNext certainly seems attractive, i’m a bit unsure regarding the extent of available capabilities related to Accounting, Bank integrations, Compliances, GST etc. for all things Indian.
The few CAs i’ve spoken to certainly don’t seem to be aware of ERPNext. Nor do they seem to have appreciation for any tool besides Tally.
Hence, i’d really like to be able to make a properly informed decision regarding my choice for the ERP/Accounting system for this client.
Although I am not a certified professional, I would like to share some of my experiences with Frappe:
Pros:
Frappe offers a complete ecosystem, making it a viable solution for organizational needs without major compatibility issues.
One of its greatest advantages is its flexibility—if you can conceive an idea, you can build it. Organizations often require custom workflows, permission levels, user restrictions, CRUD operations, etc., all of which are inherently supported within the Frappe ecosystem.
Bank API integration is definitely possible, and you can explore prebuilt GitHub repositories for reference.
It provides comprehensive modules for GST, banking, sales cycles, and purchase cycles.
It is highly cost-effective compared to other ERP solutions.
Frappe has one of the best documentation resources available for ERPs.
Cons:
Some level of technical expertise is required, especially if you are self-hosting. Alternatively, hiring a consultant or using Frappe Cloud (a highly recommended option) might be necessary.
For custom applications and integrations (e.g., specialized machinery integrations that do not follow standard protocols), proficiency in Python, JavaScript, etc., is essential.
While technical proficiency requirements are not a hindrance in my case, i am a bit concerned regarding the extent of compliance and industry SOPs supported by ERPNext (preferably out of the box), for the Indian context.