STEPS / stepsERP vs NetSuite
Last updated October 2026
Looking for a European alternative to NetSuite? Here's how STEPS / stepsERP compares, on EU hosting, GDPR and what it does.
Our pick for a European buyer: STEPS / stepsERP. We weight data residency, GDPR and EU jurisdiction above everything else — that is the constraint this directory exists to solve.
What it is
German ERP and CRM suite for SMEs with project, service and trade modules
Cloud-based ERP and financial management software for businesses.
Headquarters
🇩🇪 DE
🇺🇸 US · 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
Microsoft Partner
ISO 27001, ISO 42001
Price from
No
No
Free plan
No
No
Open Source
No
No
Integrations
DATEV, V-LOG, Microsoft Office, Microsoft Exchange, Archiving systems +7
Salesforce, Shopify, Amazon, eBay, Microsoft Dynamics +1
Where each one wins
STEPS / stepsERP
Strengths
- +Handles complex, industry-specific workflows like variable IT-service contracts and billing cycles
- +Centralizes work and data in one shared system for consistency
- +Offers flexibility to adapt standard functions to individual processes
- +Provides reliable day-to-day support for employees
Limitations
- −Usability could be improved
- −Onboarding, reporting, and analysis speed need simplification
- −Costs and pricing transparency require attention
NetSuite
Strengths
- +Highly scalable for growing businesses
- +Comprehensive suite of integrated business applications
- +Strong compliance and security features
- +Global multi-subsidiary support
Limitations
- −Complex implementation and steep learning curve
- −High cost, especially for small businesses
- −Customization can be resource-intensive
- −Limited transparency in pricing
Data residency & compliance
STEPS / stepsERP
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 — data stays in the EU
not established
DPA
not established
not established
Sub-processors
not established
not established
Certifications
Microsoft Partner
ISO 27001, ISO 42001
Features
STEPS / stepsERP
- Contract and Billing
- Maintenance, support, rental and software-care contract management, Contract change handling, Automated recurring billing and cyclical invoicing
- Service and Ticketing
- Integrated user help desk and ticketing, Service-level process management, Self-service support reporting and tracking
- Projects, Services and Resources
- Multi-project planning and resource allocation, Service estimation and management, Activity and time recording, Service catalogs with task dependencies and skill requirements
- ERP, Purchasing and Inventory
- Purchasing and sales workflows, Warehouse logistics and serial-number tracking, Demand planning, Distributor catalog and online-order connections
- CRM and Sales
- Customer and contact management, Sales opportunities and campaign management, Offers and order processing
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