tech from europe
vsNetSuite

AFAS vs NetSuite

Last updated October 2026

Looking for a European alternative to NetSuite? Here's how AFAS compares, on EU hosting, GDPR and what it does.

Our pick for a European buyer: AFAS. We weight data residency, GDPR and EU jurisdiction above everything else β€” that is the constraint this directory exists to solve.

What it is
Dutch all-in-one ERP, HR and payroll suite with automated financials and EU-hosted data.
Cloud-based ERP and financial management software for businesses.
Headquarters
πŸ‡³πŸ‡± NL
πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡Έ US Β· 1998
EU data residency
Yes, for all customers
Available on some plansEU data residency is available on request for certain NetSuite services.
DSGVO / GDPR
Yes
Yes
Certifications
ISO 27001:2022, ISO 9001, NEN 7510, ISAE 3402 Type II
ISO 27001, ISO 42001
Price from
No
No
Free plan
No
No
Open Source
No
No
Integrations
Simple-Simon, Transportial
Salesforce, Shopify, Amazon, eBay, Microsoft Dynamics +1

Where each one wins

AFAS

Strengths

  • +Highly intuitive and professional user interface requiring minimal training
  • +Streamlined order-to-invoice workflow with strong financial and inventory management
  • +Reliable support, onboarding, and accessible help portal for implementation
  • +Centralized environment with smooth data flow between modules
  • +Modern architecture and cloud-based employee self-service features
  • +Seamless migration experience with measurable efficiency gains
  • +Broad API connectivity for third-party system integration
  • +Comprehensive feature set meeting most operational needs

Limitations

  • βˆ’Pricing perceived as high, particularly for smaller businesses
  • βˆ’Limited CRM functionality with basic features falling short of user expectations
  • βˆ’Slow performance for complex analyses and report generation

NetSuite

Strengths

  • +Highly scalable for growing businesses
  • +Comprehensive suite of integrated business applications
  • +Strong compliance and security features
  • +Global multi-subsidiary support

Limitations

  • βˆ’Complex implementation and steep learning curve
  • βˆ’High cost, especially for small businesses
  • βˆ’Customization can be resource-intensive
  • βˆ’Limited transparency in pricing

Data residency & compliance

AFAS
NetSuite
EU data residency
Yes, for all customers
Available on some plansEU data residency is available on request for certain NetSuite services.
Transfer mechanism
Not required β€” data stays in the EU
not established
DPA
not established
Sub-processors
not established
Certifications
ISO 27001:2022, ISO 9001, NEN 7510, ISAE 3402 Type II
ISO 27001, ISO 42001

Features

AFAS

Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP)
Modular ERP system for SMEs in the Netherlands and Belgium, Financial management with integrated accounting solutions, Inventory and supply chain management, Reporting and analytics for business insights
Service Management
Service request tracking and management, Automated service workflows, Customer service portal integration, Incident and problem management
Human Resources (HR)
Recruiting and applicant tracking, Time and attendance management, Expense management for employees, Scheduling and workforce planning
Customer Relationship Management (CRM)
Contact and account management, Sales pipeline tracking, Customer interaction history, Automated marketing workflows
Productivity and Collaboration
Document management and sharing, Task and project tracking, Team collaboration tools, Integration with productivity suites

NetSuite

Financial Management
General ledger, Accounts payable and receivable, Fixed asset management, Revenue recognition
Supply Chain and Inventory
Inventory management, Order management, Procurement, Demand planning
Customer Relationship Management (CRM)
Sales force automation, Customer support, Marketing automation, Lead management
Reporting and Analytics
Customizable dashboards, Real-time reporting, Financial analytics, KPI tracking
Compliance and Security
GDPR compliance, Role-based access control, Audit trails, Data encryption