Suggestions appear as you type. Use the up and down arrows to choose one and Enter to open it.

This page's audience our own tag's counts — open to see them
–Visits
–Page views
–Clicks to vendors
–Time on page
–Reading now
Clicks to vendors, by tool
  • –
Top countries
  • –
Devices
  • –

– · visits, page views and clicks counted by our own tag, which counts more than our checked analytics; every figure rounded down · how we count

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

Epicor Advanced MES vs Critical Manufacturing MES

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 5 checks side by side
Higher score Epicor Advanced MES #3 in Manufacturing Execution System (MES) Software 9.0/10 Pricing on request ✓ 5 of 6 features Visit Epicor
Critical Manufacturing MES #8 in Manufacturing Execution System (MES) Software 8.6/10 Pricing on request ✓ 2 of 6 features Visit site

Epicor Advanced MES leads on 0 checks, Critical Manufacturing MES on 0, and 5 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 5 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 · 9.0/10
  • Most featuresEpicor Advanced MES · 5 of 6

Epicor Advanced MES scores higher on our rubric for manufacturing execution system (mes) software: 9.0 against 8.6 out of 10; our editors rank them #3 and #8.

Epicor Advanced MES is the better fit for plants prioritizing scheduling, OEE, and machine data. Critical Manufacturing MES is the better fit for complex discrete manufacturers needing traceability.

  • Epicor Advanced MES fits best

    Plants prioritizing scheduling, OEE, and machine data

  • Critical Manufacturing MES fits best

    Complex discrete manufacturers needing traceability

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature Epicor Advanced MES 9.0/10 Visit ↗ Critical Manufacturing MES 8.6/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.0 8.6
Ranking #3 in Manufacturing Execution System (MES) Software #8 in Manufacturing Execution System (MES) Software
Best for Plants prioritizing scheduling, OEE, and machine data Complex discrete manufacturers needing traceability
Pricing model Paid Paid
Starting price Pricing on request —
Free plan Not checked yet Not checked yet
Free trial — —
Deployment Cloud, Self-hosted Cloud, Self-hosted
Integrations 3 integrations 9 integrations
Built for Mid-market, Enterprise Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Epicor Advanced MES 5/6 · Critical Manufacturing MES 2/6
Production scheduling ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Quality management ✓ ✓
Traceability & genealogy ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Shop-floor data capture ✓ ✓
OEE analytics ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Electronic work instructions Not checked yet Not checked yet
Specs
Deployment Not checked yet Not checked yet
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
  • Tracks production orders, batches, lots, units, and serialized materials
  • Connects factory equipment and enterprise systems, including SAP and Oracle
  • Supports cloud, self-hosted, and hybrid deployment
Cons
  • Pricing requires a contact-sales process
  • Epicor architecture can affect available deployment options
  • No open-source edition is offered
  • Pricing is available through sales rather than published as numeric prices
  • Published Standard, Advanced, and Enterprise plans describe the SMT offering
  • Its focus on complex manufacturing may exceed simpler shop-floor needs
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 →

Critical Manufacturing MES is a modular manufacturing execution system for complex discrete manufacturers, including semiconductor, electronics, medical-device, and industrial-equipment producers. It brings production flows, materials,…

Read the review →
  1. Epicor Advanced MESManufacturing Execution System (MES) Software 9.0Pricing on request
  2. Critical Manufacturing MESManufacturing Execution System (MES) Software 8.6Pricing on request

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

  • Critical Manufacturing MES — where it wins

    • Tracks production orders, batches, lots, units, and serialized materials
    • Connects factory equipment and enterprise systems, including SAP and Oracle
    • Supports cloud, self-hosted, and hybrid deployment

    Where it doesn't

    • Pricing is available through sales rather than published as numeric prices
    • Published Standard, Advanced, and Enterprise plans describe the SMT offering
    • Its focus on complex manufacturing may exceed simpler shop-floor needs
  • Epicor Advanced MES9.0/10 · Pricing on request

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

    Visit EpicorFull verdict →
  • Critical Manufacturing MES8.6/10 · Pricing on request

    A modular MES for complex factories that need traceability, process control, and scheduling.

    Visit siteFull verdict →

More comparisons

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

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update