SAP Rise vs. Grow: Which is Right for Your Business?

SAP S/4HANA has two major cloud-based ERP options under its brand: RISE with SAP and GROW with SAP. Both are designed to support companies transitioning from on-premise to cloud or implementing a cloud-based ERP system from scratch, but have different target audiences, deployment models, and customization capabilities. Read on to better understand the features and differences. 

What Is RISE with SAP? 

RISE with SAP S/4HANA is an all-inclusive business transformation-as-a-service solution. It is designed to help larger organizations or those with complex IT setups transition to a smart ERP system in a flexible, modular way. 

Main Features of RISE with SAP 

• Designed for large enterprises or companies with complex legacy systems 
• Supports private cloud, hybrid cloud, or on-premise deployments 
• Offers maximum flexibility in terms of customization and infrastructure choices 
• Includes SAP Business Technology Platform (BTP) for extensibility and integration 
• Delivered via hyperscaler of choice (AWS, Azure, GCP) 
• SAP provides a single contract for ERP, infrastructure, tools, and services 

What’s Included in RISE with SAP 

• SAP S/4HANA Private Cloud Edition 
• Business Process Intelligence for analyzing and improving workflows 
• SAP Business Technology Platform: AI, ML, RPA, integrations 
• Tools for analytics and compliance 
• Infrastructure managed by SAP or chosen hyperscaler 
• Optional services for migration and transformation via SAP or partners 

What Is GROW with SAP? 

GROW with SAP S/4HANA is a newer offering (launched in 2023) focused on helping mid-sized and fast-growing companies implement SAP S/4HANA quickly and efficiently using a standardized, SaaS-based approach. 

Main Features of GROW with SAP 

• Built for small to mid-sized companies or new SAP customers 
• Delivered exclusively via SAP S/4HANA Cloud, public edition multi-tenant SaaS 
• Emphasizes speed, simplicity, and standardization 
• Ideal for companies looking to scale without complex custom development 
• Includes pre-configured industry best practices 

What’s Included in GROW with SAP: 

• SAP S/4HANA Cloud Public Edition, a preconfigured SaaS ERP 
• SAP Activate, a guided implementation methodology 
• SAP BTP for lightweight customizations 
• Built-in AI, analytics, and process automation tools 
• Automatic upgrades and patches fully managed by SAP 

Feature	RISE with SAP S/4HANA	GROW with SAP S/4HANA
Target Audience	Large enterprises, global corporations	Midmarket, fast-growing companies
Deployment Model	Private Cloud / On-Prem / Hybrid	Public Cloud (multi-tenant SaaS)
Customization	Extensive (custom code & configurations)	Minimal (standardized best practices)
Speed to Implement	Moderate to long (complex planning)	Fast (weeks to a few months)
Flexibility	High (custom infrastructure, processes)	Low (standard SaaS configuration)
Upgrades	Managed by customer (timing is flexible)	Auto-managed by SAP
Infrastructure Control	Choose your hyperscaler	SAP-managed only
Innovation Integration	Deep integration with BTP and 3rd part	Included but more limited in scope
Pricing Model	Subscription + services (custom scope)	Simplified subscription pricing
Partner Involvement	Typically includes SI or SAP services	Often handled by SAP directly

Does RISE with SAP Work for Your Company?

When It Makes Sense 

• You’re a large, complex business with existing SAP systems or legacy ERP. 
• You want control over your cloud infrastructure, upgrade cycles, and customizations. 
• You need to support global operations or industry-specific processes (like manufacturing, oil & gas, utilities, etc.). 
• You plan a strategic transformation over a longer timeline with multiple phases. 

Does GROW with SAP Work for Your Company? 

When It Makes Sense 

• You’re a fast-scaling company or new SAP customer needing ERP quickly. 
• Your business model fits well with standard best practices. 
• You don’t require complex custom development or deep integration (at least not yet). 
• You want to focus on core capabilities, not infrastructure management. 

Two Great ERP Options 

RISE with SAP is a tailored, enterprise-grade transformation platform. It is great for complex migrations and large-scale operations. 

GROW with SAP is a streamlined, rapid-deployment SaaS ERP, ideal for new adopters and mid-sized firms with standard needs. 

Both RISE and GROW include SAP S/4HANA at the core, but the approach, architecture, and flexibility are where the differences lie.