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 NavisionDynamics 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