Xentral Alternative 2026: Why Classic ERPs Are No Longer Enough

Introduction: The End of the Pure Administration Era

If you're searching for a Xentral alternative, you likely have one of two reasons: Either you've outgrown the system and are struggling with performance or support issues, or you're just starting out and are deterred by the complexity and price increases of classic ERP systems.

Xentral has established itself over the years as a solid cloud solution for back-office operations. It can manage inventory, write invoices, and label packages. But e-commerce has changed drastically. In 2025/2026, the pure administration of orders is no longer the bottleneck. According to hellorep.ai and shop-eat-surf-outdoor.com, the biggest challenge for online retailers today is the generation of orders in a saturated market.

While Xentral recently introduced an "AI Copilot," it focuses—typical for classic ERPs—on the internal: It helps you analyze reports and evaluate warehouse data, as detailed on xentral.com. That's useful, but it doesn't solve your main problem: How do I sell more?

In this article, we analyze not only the classic Xentral competitors like Weclapp or JTL but also reveal an entirely new category of tools that don't just manage but actively consult and sell.

The Market Landscape: 3 Types of Xentral Alternatives

To make the right decision, you need to understand that the market for inventory management systems (WaWi) is now divided into three segments. It's no longer just about "cheap vs. expensive" but about strategic focus.

Type A: The All-in-One Administration Giants

Here you'll find systems like Weclapp or Haufe X360. They are direct competitors to Xentral. Their focus lies on mapping all business processes—from accounting to project management.

• Ideal for: Companies that mix services and retail and need deep accounting features.
• Problem: They are often rigid, expensive to scale, and offer little innovation on the frontend (customer side).

Type B: The Lean Specialists

Representatives like Billbee or Pickware (for Shopware) belong here. They reduce complexity. Billbee, for example, is not a full ERP but a streamlined order processing tool, as noted by OMR Reviews.

• Ideal for: Start-ups, multichannel retailers with small budgets, or pure Shopware users.
• Problem: As soon as volume increases or complex B2B processes are needed, they reach their limits.

Type C: The Growth Engines (The New Generation)

This is where AI-powered commerce solutions position themselves. While Type A and B focus on managing existing data, these tools use AI and Conversational Commerce to actively consult customers—similar to a salesperson in a physical store.

The Big Comparison: Xentral vs. Classic ERPs vs. AI Commerce

To make your decision easier, we've compared the most important players based on current data from 2024/2025.

Based on aggregated user reviews from [Trustpilot](https://vertexaisearch.cloud.google.com/grounding-api-redirect/AUZIYQFMmXFK8Ac4SNQlps1GoDqpzLJWGaAeLtnsr5uwWt5ZfAU2E92CpTDNXVdweey1FjF1TN9U_uS9rDuZzXoCZp3dNSgJtZX7Z6D4-WXDW9sCP2xfOIsO6JG69fyKCQoqHlD7EA==) and [Xentral comparison data](https://vertexaisearch.cloud.google.com/grounding-api-redirect/AUZIYQEylZsmHlNzeV5rd4YSWbh_PVx7iyhUmR83hUQCO0rMrT_j8saTWsLXwQV6bAi1STqXcspyW5yu0Ll78JBnj4JfO22Cf-foYuo6gXaLf-dsUO4rPH7mXk9Mh3ej3evYLlp1XTmxOgTdOadP77LdlA==).

Deep Dive: Why Inventory Management Is Commodity

Why are so many retailers searching for "ERP like Xentral"? Often because they believe better inventory management will increase their revenue. This is a misconception.

The Problem with "Backward-Looking" AI

Xentral heavily promotes its new AI Copilot. When you analyze the features, you discover: It's a tool that simplifies SQL database queries, as explained on their product pages. You can ask: "Which items did we sell most last month?"

That's helpful for retrospective analysis. But it doesn't help the customer who is right now in your shop and doesn't know which product to buy.

The Gap: Forward-Looking AI

Here's where the crucial content gap comes into play. A modern Xentral alternative must be able to do more today than count inventory.

• Scenario: A customer is looking for hiking boots.
• Classic ERP (Xentral/JTL): Shows "Stock: 50 pieces, Location B3".
• Modern AI Tool: Asks the customer: "Are you hiking in the Alps or flatland? Do you need waterproofing?" and recommends the right product.

According to research from Luxsite Agency and Fulfin, conversion optimization through intelligent customer interaction has become the primary growth driver for e-commerce businesses.

The Classic Alternatives in Detail

If you're primarily looking for software to organize your accounting and logistics, these are the most relevant players in the market:

1. Weclapp – The Usability Champion

Weclapp is often cited as the most user-friendly alternative. It's strongly integrated (CRM + ERP + Project Management), as highlighted by ERP-4-Business.

• Advantages: Very intuitive interface, good CRM, fast setup.
• Disadvantages: The per-user pricing model can become very expensive with growing teams. Functions for complex production are sometimes less deep than Xentral.
• Conclusion: Best choice for service providers who also engage in retail.

2. JTL-Wawi – The Logistics Powerhouse

JTL is the market leader in German e-commerce when it comes to pure volume handling.

• Advantages: The basic version is license-free (on-premise), extremely powerful for marketplace connections (Amazon/eBay) and large warehouses.
• Disadvantages: Outdated user interface, high complexity, often requires expensive service partners for setup. It's a "machine," not a modern SaaS solution.
• Conclusion: Best choice for pure high-volume shippers with little consultation needs.

3. Billbee – The Lean Solution

Billbee deliberately positions itself not as a full ERP but as a "multichannel tool."

• Advantages: Very affordable, covers 80% of small retailers' needs, excellent interfaces.
• Disadvantages: No real financial accounting, no deep warehouse logistics (path optimization, etc.).
• Conclusion: Best choice for starters and solopreneurs.

Why AI-Powered Solutions Are the Modern Choice for 2026

The tools mentioned above solve problems that were dominant 10 years ago: How do I get my data under control? Today, in the age of Agentic AI and Conversational Commerce, priorities are shifting. Customers no longer expect static product lists but interaction, as research from Nebulab confirms.

From Managing to Selling

Instead of just replacing Xentral, you should rethink your architecture. Use a lean backend (e.g., Billbee or JTL) for the basics and AI-powered tools for the premium experience.

1. Automated Sales Consultation

While Xentral works in the backend, modern AI solutions sit in the frontend. The AI analyzes customer behavior and offers proactive consultation. This closes the gap left by the decline of brick-and-mortar retail.

Statistic: AI-powered search and consultation can quadruple conversion rates, making it the most impactful investment for growth-focused retailers.

2. Data Quality as Fuel

An ERP like Xentral is often a data graveyard. Modern AI tools use this product data to bring it to life. They transform technical attributes (e.g., "water column 10,000mm") into customer benefits ("Keeps you dry even in heavy rain").

3. Integration Instead of Rip and Replace

You don't necessarily have to cancel Xentral immediately to benefit from modern AI. AI-powered solutions can often be connected to compensate for the weak point of classic ERPs—the missing sales intelligence.

Buying Guide: What to Look for in an Alternative

Before you decide on something "instead of Xentral," check this list. Many retailers overlook critical points that only become apparent after migration.

1. German Compliance (GoBD & DATEV)

An American tool might look sleek, but in Germany, GoBD compliance and a clean DATEV interface are mandatory.

2. Support and Community

The most common complaint from Xentral users in forums and on Trustpilot concerns support response times. Industry insiders at Xentral Intelligence have also documented these concerns.

Tip: Test the support before buying. Call them. How long do you wait on hold? JTL has a huge community that often helps faster than the manufacturer itself.

3. Total Cost of Ownership (TCO)

Don't just look at the monthly price.

• Xentral/Weclapp: Subscription costs increase with users.
• JTL: Software potentially free, but hosting and service partners often cost thousands of euros.
• AI-powered solutions: Often pay for themselves through increased cart values (ROI consideration instead of cost block).

Admin vs. Growth Features: A Visual Comparison

To clearly illustrate the fundamental difference between traditional ERPs and modern AI-powered commerce solutions, consider this split comparison:

This comparison reveals the strategic divide: Traditional ERPs excel at managing what has already happened, while AI-powered solutions actively shape what will happen next.

Conclusion: The Era of Monolithic ERPs Is Over

The search for a Xentral alternative is the opportunity to modernize your e-commerce setup. It's no longer enough to just have software that prints delivery notes. The market demands systems that actively contribute to business success.

• If you need a pure logistics powerhouse: Go with JTL-Wawi. It's complex but unbeatable in volume.
• If you're looking for a modern "operating system" for your team: Check out Weclapp.
• If you want to grow and not just manage: Combine a lean backend with AI-powered product consultation.

The future belongs to retailers who don't just count their inventory but understand and consult their customers. Classic ERPs like Xentral look backward at what happened. AI-powered commerce solutions look forward at what can be sold.

Note: This article is based on market data and research as of early 2026. Prices and features of providers may change.