Odoo

What is Odoo?

Odoo is an open source, modular ERP with a wide range of integrated apps, affordable and flexible. Founded in 2005, it offers a large suite of business apps, accounting, inventory, manufacturing, sales, CRM, e-commerce, HR, projects and more, that work together as an integrated ERP, available as open source (Community) and as a paid cloud or self hosted version (Enterprise). Because it is modular, companies start with the apps they need and add more over time, at affordable per user pricing with a free single app tier. Popular with small and mid sized businesses worldwide, Odoo lets firms build the ERP they need app by app. For open source and modular ERP, Odoo is a leading choice.

Odoo's distinction is being an affordable, open source, modular ERP you build from a wide app suite. Firms pick from a large range of integrated apps and pay per user, far less than enterprise suites, with open source flexibility to customise and self host. That modular, open and affordable approach, with a broad integrated app suite, sets it apart and makes capable ERP accessible to SMBs.

Who Odoo is best for

Odoo is best for small and mid sized businesses that want affordable, flexible, modular ERP they can build from a wide app suite, including those wanting open source and the option to self host or customise heavily. It suits cost conscious, flexible firms. It is a weaker fit for the largest, most complex global enterprises, where SAP or Oracle Fusion fit, or organisations wanting a fully managed, out of the box suite with minimal technical involvement.

Key features

The core strengths are a wide suite of integrated apps, accounting, inventory, manufacturing, sales, CRM, e-commerce, HR and projects, that work as one ERP, with open source flexibility and modular adoption. Odoo offers affordable per user pricing, a free single app tier, customisation, and cloud or self hosted deployment. Its modularity, breadth of apps, openness and affordability are its defining advantages for SMBs.

Odoo pricing

Odoo offers a free Community (open source) version and a free single app tier, with the paid Enterprise plan from around 24 to 31 US dollars per user a month giving access to all apps, plus implementation and hosting options. Pricing is far lower than enterprise suites. Costs scale with users, and implementation or partner help adds cost for complex setups. Confirm current figures on the Odoo pricing page.

Integrations and ecosystem

Odoo's apps integrate natively with each other, and it offers an API, a large community of modules and apps, and partner integrations, plus open source extensibility. Its integrated app suite and open, community driven ecosystem, which let firms add functionality and customise freely, are central to its modular, flexible appeal, though it can require technical or partner help.

Odoo and modularity

Modularity is the signature strength: firms start with the apps they need, accounting, inventory, CRM, and add more as they grow, all integrated, at affordable per user pricing, rather than buying a large monolithic suite. For SMBs that want to build the ERP they need step by step and keep cost down, this modular, app based approach is the main reason to choose Odoo.

Ease of use and support

Odoo is flexible and affordable with a broad app suite, though reviewers note that getting the most from it, especially customisation and complex setups, can require technical skill or a partner, and that quality varies across apps. Its G2 reviews praise modularity, breadth and value, with implementation effort and app maturity the main considerations.

Is Odoo worth it?

For small and mid sized businesses that want affordable, flexible, modular ERP they can build from a wide app suite, with open source options, Odoo is an excellent, cost effective choice. The main caution is that customisation and complex setups can need technical or partner help, so the largest enterprises should prefer SAP or Oracle Fusion, and those wanting a fully managed out of the box suite may look elsewhere, but for modular open source ERP Odoo leads.