MSFT Dynamics vs Salesforce | 2026 Comparison

Which CRM should your company use, either Microsoft Dynamics 365 or Salesforce?

Both platforms dominate the CRM market, drive thousands of organizations around the globe, and provide AI, analytics, and deep ecosystems. To the Canadian businesses, the choice influences integration with Microsoft 365, total cost of ownership, rate of deployment, and compatibility with the current systems such as ERP and finance.

This article will describe both products in a straightforward manner, compare features and costs, and assist you in selecting the right solution for your company.

First, let’s understand what Microsoft Dynamics 365 and Salesforce really are.

Microsoft Dynamics 365

Microsoft Dynamics 365 is a suite of business applications, which integrates CRM and ERP features with the Power Platform and Microsoft 365. Dynamics also focuses on a high level of integration with Microsoft products (Office, Teams, Azure) and modular small and midmarket Sales, Customer Service, Field Service, Marketing, and Business Central (ERP) applications. Dynamics 365 is a smart platform that uses AI and works well for businesses looking for connected applications and familiar user experiences.

Salesforce

Salesforce, a cloud-based CRM platform, has its foundation in customer-related functions. It combines Sales Cloud, Service Cloud, Marketing Cloud, Commerce Cloud, and Einstein AI into a single platform in its customer 360 vision. Salesforce is known for a large ecosystem (AppExchange), a vast partner and developer ecosystem, and CRM features that are market leaders, in particular, sales and marketing automation. Furthermore, one more focus of Salesforce is the AI capabilities (Einstein) and cross-cloud copilot/agent experiences.

After discussing both software, now let’s understand their features and benefits.

Features of Microsoft Dynamics 365

Here are the key features of Microsoft Dynamics 365:

Unified Platform: Integrates CRM and ERP systems, which allow a smooth flow of data in the different departments, like sales, finance, and operations.

Microsoft 365 Integration: Operates fully with Outlook, Excel, and Teams to enable easy collaboration and real-time communication.

Power Platform Integration: Provides Power BI for analytics, Power Automate for workflow automation, and Power Apps for the custom application without heavy code.

AI and Copilot: Assist in automation of repetitive tasks, better forecasting, and decision-making.

Industry-Specific Solutions: Offers dedicated apps in the manufacturing, real estate, and professional services industries.

Data Security and Compliance: Azure offers enterprise-level security, which guarantees data residency and adherence to Canadian regulations.

ERP Integration (Business Central): Seamlessly connects with Dynamics 365 Business Central and provides businesses end-to-end visibility into finance and operations.

Benefits of Microsoft Dynamics 365

Improved Productivity: The ability to directly integrate into Outlook and Teams allows the employees to monitor emails, book meetings, and handle leads—all within familiar tools.

Reduced Total Cost of Ownership: Microsoft offers modular pricing options. Canadian companies can begin with Sales or Business Central and expand with the company, reducing the initial investment.

Better Decision-Making through AI: Dynamics 365 Copilot can help with writing emails, evaluating opportunities, and providing predictive information to enhance customer satisfaction.

Flexibility for Any Industry: Dynamics 365 provides industry-specific modules and extensions, regardless of your industry in the retail areas, manufacturing, and finance.

Faster Implementation: Companies that have already deployed Microsoft 365 or Azure face an easier process of onboarding, since they share user environments.

Continuous Updates and Innovation: Microsoft releases new features with AI implemented on a regular basis, keeping businesses in line with the newest technology.

Since we are discussing Dynamics 365 now, it is time to address what is unique about Salesforce in the CRM market.

Salesforce Features

Customer 360 Platform: Brings sales, service, marketing, and commerce together.

Sales Cloud and Service Cloud: Full-fledged modules to deal with pipelines, leads, and customer service cases.

Einstein AI: In-built artificial intelligence that does lead scoring, opportunity insights, and sales forecasting.

Lightning Platform: It enables developers and non-developers to develop apps and workflows with minimal coding.

Marketing Cloud: Automates customer journeys, email marketing, and campaigns.

Scalable Multi-Cloud Infrastructure: It can be easily integrated across departments and geographies.

Security and Compliance: Compliant with strict international and regional data standards, including the standards of the Canadian businesses.

Salesforce Benefits

Powerful Automation: Einstein AI and workflow applications assist salespeople with prioritizing the leads, automating the data entry, and providing timely follow-ups.

Extensive App Ecosystem: Through the AppExchange, companies can connect to thousands of ready-to-use apps, eliminating the expensive development costs.

Deep Customization: Lightning Platform allows both code and no-code customization, which is why it is perfect when working with complex enterprise processes.

Good International and Local Supply: Salesforce has a strong network of partners in Canada to support its operations as well as 24/7 support.

Advanced Marketing Intelligence: Marketing Cloud assists in monitoring campaigns, calculating the ROI, and managing the customer interaction across multiple channels.

All Business Sizes are Scalable: Salesforce scales with your business, whether you are a start-up or an enterprise, using modular cloud solutions.

Also Read: Dynamics CRM vs Salesforce

Now, it’s right time to understand the comparison of Microsoft vs Salesforce

Comparison Table

Choose the right solution

1. You have Microsoft 365 and Azure: When your organization is already using Microsoft 365, Outlook, Teams, or Azure, then Dynamics 365 is frequently the quicker and cheaper option. Integration is native, and the administrative overhead (identity, security, backups) remains in the Microsoft stack.

2. You require tight CRM integration with ERP: Dynamics 365 with Business Central or Finance is an obvious plus to the companies that are going to experience a unified ERP+CRM vendor (finance, inventory, manufacturing, and sales/service). That minimizes custom integrations and overheads in data synchronization.

3. Cost and license considerations: Depending on the edition, functionality, number of users, or whether you are purchasing Microsoft or Salesforce seats already, the prices will be different. Dynamics 365 may be cheaper when you utilize the existing licenses of Microsoft. The price of Salesforce may be increased with the addition of clouds and advanced AI capabilities. Take into account the total cost of ownership, which includes licensing, implementation, and maintenance.

4. Change management and implementation: Both systems need to be planned on how to migrate data, train, and customize. Dynamics is usually easier to onboard Microsoft-savvy users. Salesforce provides Trailhead education and an extensive marketplace of consultancy in intricate rollouts.

5. Data sovereignty & compliance for Canada: Microsoft Azure, as well as Salesforce, offers compliance and regional controls. Organizations in Canada ought to audit their data residency, encryption, and compliance with their partner.

Migration & Implementation Tips

Here are some tips that are risk-reducing in case of transitioning to either platform

• Begin with a discovery workshop. Identify available processes and areas of pain
• Focus on integrations; that means finance/ERP, e-commerce, and marketing platforms
• Base data cleansing on vendor-supplied tools and partners' best practices
• Train role-based learning (admins, sales reps, service agents)
• Introduce a pilot program with a group of users prior to complete implementation

How Dynamics Square helps

Dynamics Square is a Canadian-based company that is a certified Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central partner. Our company deals with Dynamics 365 projects, data migration, and customization for Canadian companies. If your organization requires assistance in assessing your MSFT Dynamics vs Salesforce, Dynamics Square provides:

• The discovery and roadmap for Dynamics 365
• Dynamics 365 Business Central and Sales implementations require local expertise
• Canadian deployment compliance and data residency guidance

Contact us at +1 778 381 5388 or info@dynamicssquare.ca and get a unique Dynamics 365 implementation plan that fits your budget and business objectives.

People Also Ask:

Is Microsoft Dynamics better than Salesforce?

The two platforms are the leaders in the industry, although a superior option will rely on the business requirements. As Dynamics 365 is mostly chosen by companies that are aiming at an all-purpose ERP and CRM ecosystem, whereas Salesforce is appropriate in the cases when the business is interested primarily in CRM and marketing.

Who is Salesforce’s biggest competitor?

There are several competitors in the market, like HubSpot, Zoho CRM, and Oracle CRM, but none of them offer the same level of ERP-CRM integration as Microsoft.