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Head-to-head · Manufacturing Execution System (MES) Software

Epicor Advanced MES vs Apprentice MES

  • Updated Sep 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 7 checks side by side
Higher score Epicor Advanced MES #3 in Manufacturing Execution System (MES) Software 7.7/10 Pricing on request ✓ 5 of 6 features Visit Epicor
Apprentice MES #8 in Manufacturing Execution System (MES) Software 6.8/10 30-day trial ✓ 5 of 6 features Visit Apprentice

Epicor Advanced MES leads on 1 check, Apprentice MES on 1, and 5 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 7 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreEpicor Advanced MES · 7.7/10

Epicor Advanced MES scores higher on our rubric for manufacturing execution system (mes) software: 7.7 against 6.8 out of 10; our editors rank them #3 and #8.

Epicor Advanced MES offers oee analytics; Apprentice MES doesn't publish it. Apprentice MES offers electronic work instructions; Epicor Advanced MES doesn't publish it.

Epicor Advanced MES is the better fit for plants prioritizing scheduling, OEE, and machine data. Apprentice MES is the better fit for batch producers needing configurable digital execution.

  • Epicor Advanced MES fits best

    Plants prioritizing scheduling, OEE, and machine data

  • Apprentice MES fits best

    Batch producers needing configurable digital execution

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. We may earn a commission when you click some links. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature Epicor Advanced MES 7.7/10 Visit ↗ Apprentice MES 6.8/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 7.7 6.8
Ranking #3 in Manufacturing Execution System (MES) Software #8 in Manufacturing Execution System (MES) Software
Best for Plants prioritizing scheduling, OEE, and machine data Batch producers needing configurable digital execution
Pricing model Paid Paid
Starting price Not published Not published
Free plan Not published —
Free trial — —
Deployment Cloud, Self-hosted Cloud
Integrations 3 integrations 6 integrations
Built for Mid-market, Enterprise Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Epicor Advanced MES 5/6 · Apprentice MES 5/6
Production scheduling ✓ ✓
Quality management ✓ ✓
Traceability & genealogy ✓ ✓
Shop-floor data capture ✓ ✓
OEE analytics ✓ (best) Not published
Electronic work instructions Not published ✓ (best)
Specs
Deployment Not published Cloud
Our review
Pros
  • Dynamic scheduling adjusts production plans in real time
  • Automates machine, sensor and operator data collection
  • Combines SPC/SQC, traceability, OEE and maintenance workflows
  • No-code recipes support branching and enforcement rules
  • Dynamic execution enables mid-run updates and electronic batch records
  • Integrates QMS, ERP, SCADA, IoT and equipment through connectors or API
Cons
  • Pricing requires a contact-sales process
  • Epicor architecture can affect available deployment options
  • No open-source edition is offered
  • No perpetual free plan; the Try offer lasts 30 days
  • Primary deployment is cloud through a web platform
  • The published support channel is documentation
Our verdict

Epicor Advanced MES is a manufacturing execution system for mid-market and enterprise manufacturers that need real-time shop-floor visibility and process automation. It brings together dynamic production scheduling, machine, sensor and…

Read the review →

Apprentice MES is a cloud-native manufacturing execution system for manufacturing organizations, with particular emphasis on pharmaceutical and other regulated production. It brings recipe authoring, batch execution, production planning,…

Read the review →
  1. Epicor Advanced MESManufacturing Execution System (MES) Software 7.7Pricing on request
  2. Apprentice MESManufacturing Execution System (MES) Software 6.830-day trial

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Epicor Advanced MES — where it wins

    • Dynamic scheduling adjusts production plans in real time
    • Automates machine, sensor and operator data collection
    • Combines SPC/SQC, traceability, OEE and maintenance workflows

    Where it doesn't

    • Pricing requires a contact-sales process
    • Epicor architecture can affect available deployment options
    • No open-source edition is offered

  • Apprentice MES — where it wins

    • No-code recipes support branching and enforcement rules
    • Dynamic execution enables mid-run updates and electronic batch records
    • Integrates QMS, ERP, SCADA, IoT and equipment through connectors or API

    Where it doesn't

    • No perpetual free plan; the Try offer lasts 30 days
    • Primary deployment is cloud through a web platform
    • The published support channel is documentation
  • Epicor Advanced MES7.7/10 · Pricing on request

    A broad MES suite for scheduling, machine data, quality, traceability and OEE.

    Visit EpicorFull verdict →
  • Apprentice MES6.8/10 · 30-day trial

    A configurable MES for batch producers digitizing regulated manufacturing workflows.

    Visit ApprenticeFull verdict →

More comparisons

All manufacturing execution system (MES) software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Sep 2026

Last updated · How we research and update