The Best Microsoft MDS Alternative - Pimcore, Profisee, Semarchy xDM, and More

Key Takeaways

Microsoft MDS is retiring: Supported in SQL Server 2022 and earlier, but phased out in future releases.

Alternatives from Microsoft:

• Purview – strong data governance, cataloging, and lineage tracking, but not a full MDM solution.

• Dataverse + Power Platform – can replicate some MDS features, but requires customization and lacks full hierarchy support.

Open-source MDM alternatives:

• AtroCore – flexible, multi-domain (MDM, PIM, DAM), REST APIs; SaaS pricing €4,464–€17,280; steeper learning curve.

• Pimcore – multi-domain, developer-oriented, integrates MDM, PIM, DAM; commercial editions $9,900–$29,900; requires technical expertise.

Proprietary MDM alternatives:

• Profisee – low-code, user-friendly, deep Microsoft ecosystem integration; pricing confidential; rapid deployment.

• Semarchy xDM – scalable, user-friendly, strong Microsoft cloud integration, migration support; ~$360/user/year (~$18,000 for 50 users).

Microsoft Master Data Services is Retiring

Microsoft Master Data Services (MDS) has been a go-to tool for managing critical business data for many companies in North America, Europe, and beyond. It has a market share of about 13.0% in the Master Data Management software category as of September 2025. Yet as many enterprises now demand cloud-first, AI-ready data platforms, Microsoft is retiring this on-premises MDM tool. The software will still be supported in SQL Server 2022 and earlier, but this means MDS is being phased out.

Lots of businesses are still using Microsoft MDS to keep their master data centralized, manage workflows, track versions, and handle data governance. But now, with MDS being phased out, they’re checking out the alternatives. This article is here to help with selecting the best one based on company size, data, budget, goals, and unique data needs.

The Best Microsoft MDS Alternative

Does Microsoft Offer an Alternative?

Microsoft Purview is a comprehensive data governance platform that enables organizations to catalog data, track its lineage, and enforce policies. While it supports effective management of data assets and ensures regulatory compliance, it is not a full Master Data Management (MDM) solution. Purview lacks core MDS capabilities such as centralized master data modeling, versioning, hierarchy management, and out-of-the-box integration for master data across multiple enterprise systems.

Microsoft Purview

For businesses already invested in the Microsoft ecosystem, combining Dataverse with Power Platform tools like Power Apps and Power Automate can replicate some MDS functionalities, particularly around governance and business workflows. However, this approach is not a proper replacement for MDS. It requires significant customization to replicate key MDS features, lacks robust native support for complex master data hierarchies, and does not provide the same level of enterprise-wide data consistency and validation that a dedicated MDS solution delivers.

Dataverse + Power Platform

For businesses already invested in the Microsoft ecosystem, combining Dataverse with Power Platform tools like Power Apps and Power Automate can replicate some MDS functionalities. This approach is particularly effective for governance and business workflows within the Microsoft ecosystem.

Open Source MDM Alternatives

AtroCore

AtroCore is a modern, open-source data management platform designed to handle multiple domains within Master Data Management (MDM). It also offers advanced functionality for Product Information Management (PIM), Business Process Management (BPM), Digital Asset management (DAM) and Data Integration (DI). AtroCore enables the management of digital assets stored on Microsoft SharePoint and external S3 or B2 storages. It features a modular architecture, robust REST APIs and high configurability.

How AtroCore differs from Microsoft MDS

• AtroCore is more flexible and configurable compared to Microsoft MDS due to its modular architecture, support for multiple data domains, and REST API.
• AtroCore offers modern REST APIs for easier custom integrations, while MDS does not have a native REST API, but offers a SOAP-based WCF web service API.
• AtroCore may have a steeper learning curve for non-technical users, while MDS is generally more user-friendly for Microsoft users.

Pricing

AtroCore is open source, so its core features are free. Its commercial SaaS editions range from €4,464 to €17,280 per year, with transparent and straightforward pricing. In contrast, Microsoft MDS is bundled with SQL Server licenses, which cost around $4,200 per 2-core pack for the Standard Edition and $16,500 per 2-core pack for the Enterprise Edition. Overall, AtroCore is considered a more affordable and predictable MDS replacement, especially for smaller deployments or organizations seeking a clear pricing structure and those who did not utilize other Microsoft products included in the SQL Server bundle.

Who Should Choose AtroCore as an MDS Alternative

• Require a more flexible and configurable MDM solution than MDS, with tailored workflows and multi-domain support.

• Need to manage multiple data domains within a single platform.

• Prefer open-source solutions or want transparent, predictable pricing, unlike the SQL Server–bundled MDS.

• Have technical resources to handle initial setup and customization, or are ready to address the vendor for assistance.

• Seek a platform that integrates easily with modern systems, has modular architecture, and offers own REST API.

• Want to minimize reliance on the Microsoft ecosystem or SQL Server licensing while still achieving MDM capabilities.

Pimcore

Pimcore is an open-core platform that offers flexible data modeling, robust workflow automation, and strong data governance features to ensure high-quality, consistent data. Pimcore uniquely integrates MDM with PIM and DAM features.

How Pimcore Differs from Microsoft MDS

• Pimcore provides multi-domain support (MDM, PIM, DAM), whereas Microsoft MDS focuses mainly on structured master data.
• The platform is highly customizable for developers, while MDS is more standardized and integrated within the Microsoft ecosystem.
• Pimcore requires technical expertise for setup and advanced configuration, unlike MDS, which is generally easier for non-technical users.
• Integration is supported via modern REST APIs and modular architecture, while MDS relies on SQL Server and SOAP-based WCF web services.

Pricing

The core Pimcore platform is free under an open-core model. Commercial editions range from $9,900 to $29,900 per year, providing additional enterprise features and professional support. Therefore, Pimcore is generally more affordable for smaller deployments or for those not dependent on the Microsoft ecosystem, while MDS may be cheaper only if you already need SQL Server licenses for other reasons.

Who Should Choose Pimcore as an MDS Alternative

• Enterprises seeking a comprehensive platform that unifies master data, product information, digital assets, and content management.

• Organizations with in-house developer teams ready to leverage Pimcore’s extensibility and customization possibilities.

• Businesses that require robust multi-channel and multi-language data management for complex product portfolios.

• Companies aiming to consolidate various data and experience management capabilities into a single open-core solution.

• Those willing to invest in infrastructure and integration efforts to fully harness a powerful but complex platform.

Proprietary MDMs for MDS Alternative

Profisee

Profisee is a Microsoft-certified MDM solution designed to simplify data governance for business users. It offers a low-code, user-friendly interface with multi-domain capabilities and seamless integration with Microsoft technologies such as Azure and Power BI. Profisee supports rapid deployment and comprehensive data governance.

How Profisee Differs from Microsoft MDS

• Profisee provides a low-code, user-friendly interface for business users, whereas MDS is more technical and SQL Server–centric.
• It is deeply integrated with the Microsoft ecosystem, including Azure, Power BI, and other services, enabling streamlined workflows.
• Profisee supports multi-domain MDM with ready-to-use governance tools, while MDS primarily focuses on structured master data.
• Offers rapid deployment and pre-configured features to accelerate implementation compared to MDS.

Profisee Pricing

Profisee pricing is confidential and based on total record volumes. Profisee provides various licensing models to accommodate different organizational sizes and requirements, ensuring scalability as data needs grow.

Who Should Choose Profisee as an MDS Alternative

• Organizations prioritizing ease of use and low-code functionality.
• Businesses that are heavily invested in Microsoft technologies and Azure services.
• Companies seeking rapid deployment with strong governance capabilities and support.

Semarchy xDM

Semarchy xDM is a scalable, user-friendly MDM platform with strong integration into Microsoft cloud services. It provides tools and support for organizations migrating data from Microsoft MDS and facilitates seamless workflows across Azure, Power BI, Purview, and Teams.

How Semarchy xDM Differs from Microsoft MDS

• Strong integration with Microsoft cloud services enables easier adoption within existing Microsoft ecosystems.
• Provides migration tools from Microsoft MDS, simplifying the transition for organizations switching platforms.
• Focuses on scalability and user-friendly configuration, whereas MDS requires SQL Server expertise and is more technical.
• Supports multi-domain MDM, extending beyond the primarily structured data focus of MDS.

Semarchy xDM Pricing

Estimated at $360 per user annually, with costs scaling based on user count and usage. For an average company with 50 MDM users, Semarchy xDM would cost approximately $18,000 per year. Costs scale linearly with the number of users—for example, 25 users would cost about $9,000/year, and 100 users would cost around $36,000/year.

Who Should Choose Semarchy xDM as an MDS Alternative

• Organizations looking for a scalable, user-friendly MDM platform.
• Companies that want tight integration with Microsoft cloud services.
• Businesses seeking a smooth migration path from Microsoft MDS.