STEPS / stepsERP vs Salesforce
Last updated October 2026
Looking for a European alternative to Salesforce? 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 CRM platform for sales, service, marketing, and more.
Headquarters
🇩🇪 DE
🇺🇸 US · 1999
EU data residency
Yes, for all customers
Available on some plansEU data residency available in Frankfurt on request or specific plans.
DSGVO / GDPR
Yes
Yes
Certifications
Microsoft Partner
ISO 27001, BSI C5
Price from
No
No
Free plan
No
No
Open Source
No
No
Integrations
DATEV, V-LOG, Microsoft Office, Microsoft Exchange, Archiving systems +7
Slack, Microsoft Teams, Google Workspace, DocuSign, QuickBooks +3
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
Salesforce
Strengths
- +Highly scalable for enterprises
- +Extensive customization options
- +Strong ecosystem with AppExchange
- +Reliable uptime and performance
Limitations
- −Steep learning curve for new users
- −High cost for small businesses
- −Complex setup and configuration
- −Limited transparency in subprocessors
Data residency & compliance
STEPS / stepsERP
Salesforce
EU data residency
Yes, for all customers
Available on some plansEU data residency available in Frankfurt on request or specific plans.
Transfer mechanism
Not required — data stays in the EU
Standard Contractual Clauses
Sub-processors
not established
not established
Certifications
Microsoft Partner
ISO 27001, BSI C5
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
Salesforce
- Core CRM
- Lead and opportunity management, Contact and account tracking, Customizable dashboards, Activity and task automation
- Data & Security
- Role-based access control, Field-level encryption, Audit trails, Compliance with GDPR
- Integration & Extensibility
- REST and SOAP APIs, AppExchange marketplace, Custom objects and fields, Third-party app integrations
- Analytics & Reporting
- Custom report builder, Real-time analytics, Forecasting tools, AI-driven insights
- Collaboration
- Chatter for team communication, File and document sharing, Mobile access, Team workspaces