Dynamics NAV & Dynamics 365 Business Central Version Comparison

    Compare the versions from Navision 3.7 through to the latest Business Central!

    The table below is intended help you understand when functionality was introduced into the different versions of Navision, Dynamics NAV and Dynamics 365 Business Central. Go back to our summary page on Dynamics NAV vs Dynamics 365 Business Central here.

    1) Role-tailored (desktop) client only
    2) Desktop client only, client-side only
    3) Role-tailored client and web services only
    4) Applications (extensions) development only
    5) Modern clients (web, tablet / universal, phone and Outlook) only
    6) Only as a legacy platform, not recommended; extensions 2.0 recommended instead
    7) Task Scheduler recommended for periodic activities
    8) Limited - functionality snap-ins for services. Custom tools available
    9) SaaS (public cloud) - supported, but customers don't have direct access to SQL; on-premise - full access
    10) Natively multi-tenant, but is visible as single-tenant to customers
    11) Integrated with Classic client
    12) SaaS (public cloud) only; they are mandatory with an option only to delay them
    13) On-premise only
    14) SaaS (public cloud) only
    15) On-premise only, desktop client only, client-side only
    16) Multi-column
    17) Classic client only
    18) Declared as obsolete - will be retired at some point. API recommended instead
    19) API recommended instead
    20) Only on-premise - task scheulder recommended for periodic activities
    21) Zoom
    22) Both on-premise and Saas, but for SaaS it is managed by a Vendor or qualified reseller
    23) Tenant administrators receive email notifications with feedback when an environment update fails
     + Existing functionality were enhanced with this release

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    title
    3.7
    4.0
    5.0
    2009
    2013
    2015
    2016
    2017
    2018
    BC 13
    BC 14
    BC 15
    BC 16
    BC 17
    BC 18
    BC 19
    BC 20
    BC 21
    1. Licensing 3.7 4.0 5.0 2009 2013 2015 2016 2017 2018 BC 13 BC 14 BC 15 BC 16 BC 17 BC 18 BC 19 BC 20 BC 21
    Perpetual Licensing
    Subscription Licensing
    New Licence File Format to Support Larger Licences
    Access Business Central with your Microsoft 365 Licence
     
    2. Architecture 3.7 4.0 5.0 2009 2013 2015 2016 2017 2018 BC 13 BC 14 BC 15 BC 16 BC 17 BC 18 BC 19 BC 20 BC 21
    Three-Tier Architecture
    Multi-Tenant Environment 12 13 13 13 13 13 22 22 22
    Ability to Download a Database (SaaS)
    Two-Tier Architecture
    On-Premise Installation
    Support for Azure SQL 11 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9
    SaaS (Public Cloud) Installation
    Sandbox Environment 14 14 14 14 14 14
    Company Hub
     
    3. Client 3.7 4.0 5.0 2009 2013 2015 2016 2017 2018 BC 13 BC 14 BC 15 BC 16 BC 17 BC 18 BC 19 BC 20 BC 21
    Classic Client
    Role Tailored Client
    Role Tailored Interface over a Wide Area Network
    Web Client
    Phone Client
    Tablet Client (Universal Application)
     
    4. Scheduled Tasks 3.7 4.0 5.0 2009 2013 2015 2016 2017 2018 BC 13 BC 14 BC 15 BC 16 BC 17 BC 18 BC 19 BC 20 BC 21
    Job Queues
    Classic Application Server (NAS-NAV Application Server)
    Modern Application Server (NAS-NAV Application Server) 7 7 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20
    Task Scheduler
     
    5. Administration and Upgrades 3.7 4.0 5.0 2009 2013 2015 2016 2017 2018 BC 13 BC 14 BC 15 BC 16 BC 17 BC 18 BC 19 BC 20 BC 21
    Administration and Automation with Powershell 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13
    Automatic Upgrades 14 12 12 12 12 12 12 12 12
    Automatic Testing (Test Codeunits)
    Server Administration Tool 8 13 13 13 13 13 13
    Detailed Notifications for Update Events 14 14 14 23 23 23
    Partner Telemetry 14 14
    Tracing Long Running Execution (with Telemetry) 14 14 14 14 14
    Tracing Web Service Calls (with Telemetry) 14 14 14 14 14
    Application (Extension) Installation Scheduling 14
    Restore the System to a Point in Time 13 13 13
    Copying Environments of Different Types (Production to Production, Sandbox to Sandbox, Sandbox to Production)
    Allow Delegated Admin to Setup and Run Cloud Migration with Approval from a Licensed User
    Administrators Able to Turn off Auto-Save
    Sync Users Based on Environment's Security Group
    Operations Log Enhancements
     
    6. Web Services 3.7 4.0 5.0 2009 2013 2015 2016 2017 2018 BC 13 BC 14 BC 15 BC 16 BC 17 BC 18 BC 19 BC 20 BC 21
    OData Web Services 19 19 19 19 19 19 19
    SOAP Web Services 19 19 19 18 19 19 18
    Web API (Standard and Custom)
    Support for OAuth authentication
    Automation API to Create User Groups
     
    7. Customisation and Extensibility 3.7 4.0 5.0 2009 2013 2015 2016 2017 2018 BC 13 BC 14 BC 15 BC 16 BC 17 BC 18 BC 19 BC 20 BC 21
    Customisation with Apps / Extensions 1.0 6
    Extensibility with ActiveX 1 2 2 2 2 2 17 15
    Extensibility with Microsoft .NET Framework 3 13 13 13 13 13
    Customisation with C/AL
    Customisation with Apps / Extensions 2.0
    Store Applications (Extensions) 14 14 14 14 14 14 14 14
    Classic Development Environment (C/SIDE with C/AL Language) 11 11 11 11
    Modern Development Environment (Visual Studio Code with AL Language)
     
    8. Printing 3.7 4.0 5.0 2009 2013 2015 2016 2017 2018 BC 13 BC 14 BC 15 BC 16 BC 17 BC 18 BC 19 BC 20 BC 21
    Classic Reporting
    Modern Reporting with SSRS (SLQ Server Reporting Services) Layouts
    Customer and Vendor Document Layouts
    Modern Reporting with Microsoft Word Layouts
    Use 2D Barcodes in Reports 14 14 14
     
    9. System Building Blocks 3.7 4.0 5.0 2009 2013 2015 2016 2017 2018 BC 13 BC 14 BC 15 BC 16 BC 17 BC 18 BC 19 BC 20 BC 21
    Table Extensions 4 4 4
    Interfaces
    Page Extensions 4 4 4
    Queries
    Enums (Expandable Options) 4
    XMLport Filtering 1 1 1 1 1 17 1
    Events
    Background Sessions
    Report Extensions
    Enum Extensions
    Functions Returning Complex Types
    Web Services Included in Application 4
    Permission Sets Included in Application 4
    Permission Set Extensions
     
    10. User Interface 3.7 4.0 5.0 2009 2013 2015 2016 2017 2018 BC 13 BC 14 BC 15 BC 16 BC 17 BC 18 BC 19 BC 20 BC 21
    Role Centre Explorer
    Brick Views 5 5 5 5
    Role Centres 16 16 16 16 16 16 16 16
    MenuSuites 1 1 1 1 1 17 17
    Mandatory Fields Marked with Red Asterisk 5 5
    Graphical Role Centre Customisation 1 1 1 1 1 1
    Graphical Fields Customisation 1 1 1 1 1
    Graphical Forms/Pages Customisation 1 1 1 1 1
    Resize Columns 1 1 1 1 1 17 17
    Hierarchical Menus (Actions) 1
    Personalised List Views
    Theme Customisation
    Page Inspector 21 22 22 22
    Dynamic Role Centre Selection
     
    11. Integrations 3.7 4.0 5.0 2009 2013 2015 2016 2017 2018 BC 13 BC 14 BC 15 BC 16 BC 17 BC 18 BC 19 BC 20 BC 21
    Integration with Outlook
    Surface Microsoft Dynamics NAV Information Directly into SharePoint Online
    Interoperability with Office 365 and Office 365 Applications
    Cortana Intelligence
    Contact Synchronisation with Office 365
    Electronic Documents and Incoming Documents
    Integration with Microsoft Office
    Integration with Common Data Services
    Email Integration
    Integration with Microsoft Power Automate
    Integration with Dataverse
    Microsoft Teams Integration
    Synchronise Multiline Text Fields between Business Central and Dataverse (and Dynamics 365 Sales)
    Current User Support for the SMTP Email Connector
    Embed Business Central in Teams Tabs
    Use SharePoint Connector Module in System Application to Build Integration between Business Central and SharePoint
    Configure OneDrive Integration
     
    12. General Functionalities 3.7 4.0 5.0 2009 2013 2015 2016 2017 2018 BC 13 BC 14 BC 15 BC 16 BC 17 BC 18 BC 19 BC 20 BC 21
    Workflows
    Document Sending Profiles
    Charting Capabilities
    Search for Business Features
    Support for Camera and Location
    Multiple Languages per Tenant
    Disable Export of Data to Excel
    Assisted Setup
    Notifications
    Microsoft Social Engagement Integration
    Provisioning Tools for Windows Azure 9 9 9
    Data Upgrade Automation
    Help Server 3 3 3
    Microsoft Office Alignment of Dynamics NAV Windows and Web Clients
    Navigation and Productivity Enhancements
    Non-Sequential Numbering
    Longer Names and Descriptions
    Links in Navigation Menu 17
    Full Keyboard Support 1 1 1 1 17
    Email Body Templates with Microsoft Word
    Print to Attachment
    Locally Installed Help
    Support for 2D Barcodes
    Support Inventory Pick and Warehouse Pick Operations for Jobs
    Online Help
    Enable or Disable Item References from Inventory Setup
    Release and Reopen Multiple Documents
    Make Variant Codes Mandatory
     
    13. Financial Management 3.7 4.0 5.0 2009 2013 2015 2016 2017 2018 BC 13 BC 14 BC 15 BC 16 BC 17 BC 18 BC 19 BC 20 BC 21
    Missing Posting Setup Notifications
    Employee Sub-Ledger
    Support for SEPA Credit Transfer and SEPA Direct Debit
    Cost Accounting
    New Dimensions Engine (Dimension Sets)
    Reminders and Finance Charge Notes Cancellation
    System-wide Dimension Filters
    Deferrals
    Posting Preview
    Cash Management
    Cash Flow Forecast
    VAT Rate Change Tool
    Faster G/L Posting
    Document Line Descriptions in G/L Entries
    Dimension Corrections
    VAT Group Reporting
    Reverse Payment Reconciliation Journal Entries
    Sync Sales Orders Both Ways in Business Central and Sales
     
    14. Manufacturing 3.7 4.0 5.0 2009 2013 2015 2016 2017 2018 BC 13 BC 14 BC 15 BC 16 BC 17 BC 18 BC 19 BC 20 BC 21
    Two New Global Setup Fields 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9
    Manufacturing Module 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9
    Graphical Production Schedule 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9
    Enhanced Integration 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9
     
    15. Business Intelligence & Reporting 3.7 4.0 5.0 2009 2013 2015 2016 2017 2018 BC 13 BC 14 BC 15 BC 16 BC 17 BC 18 BC 19 BC 20 BC 21
    Excel Integration to Query
    Reporting in Excel
    Power BI Reporting
    Excel Read and Write Capabilities
    Embedded Power BI
    New Office Format (Open XML) Integration
    Predefined Charts and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
     
    16. Supply Chain Management 3.7 4.0 5.0 2009 2013 2015 2016 2017 2018 BC 13 BC 14 BC 15 BC 16 BC 17 BC 18 BC 19 BC 20 BC 21
    Inventory Movements
    Picks
    Costing
    Merge Duplicated Vendors
    Copy Items
    Auto-Insert Recurring Sales and Purchase Lines
    Receive More Items Than Ordered
    Use Resources in Purchase Documents
    OCR Recognition of Vendor Invoices
    Item Classification Based on Images
    Surcharges Based on Gross Weight and Volume
    Item Attributes and Hierarchy
    Item Availability by Event
    Additional Default Bins and Dedicated Bins
    Enhanced Integration to Service Management
    Assembly Management
    Supply Planning Setup Enhancements
    Automated Data Capture System
    Modern Price Management
    Supply Planning
    Item Tracking
    Reversing Shipments for Non-item Types
    Configuration of Warehouse Documents