It is likely that you have heard about the “Odoo Community”. This refers to the most installed ERP and CRM solution in the world, which has a set of open-source features published by the Belgian company Odoo S.A. (project leader).
Table of Contents
However, there is a certain ambiguity here since, in professional environments, this name is also used for those Odoo deployments that add open-source features developed by third-parties –many of them on the shape of addons published under the umbrella of the “Odoo Community Association” or OCA.
Tired of Amazon FBA keeping your reimbursements? Try this
But, for the average user, what matters is that Odoo is an ERP management software that enables the integral management of any company. Like other similar applications, its main goal is to ensure that all users from all departments use a single software for their day-to-day work.
To achieve that, Odoo offers thousands of addons by default that add the required features to the software. This, together with its “open-source” concept and its modern architecture, makes possible its customization or tailored development.
Odoo Features
Open Source
The main feature that sets Odoo apart from other CRM and ERP tools is that it is open source. This means that the work of developers and business experts from all over the world is what lays behind its development. Also, customers can use this solution at their convenience and improve it.
CRM
Odoo is a powerful CRM that will provide you with all your current and potential customers’ data. It offers accurate information to make decisions and increase sales.
Project Management
Using its project management tool, you will be able to organise all your ongoing projects and have a detailed view of each one of them, as well as tracking tasks, establishing action plans, generating reports and measuring results.
Inventory System
It has an inventory management software that will let you manage your store warehouse neatly and keep it up to date.
Financing
Everything related to your business financing can be easily managed with Odoo's billing and accounting systems, which will allow you to handle even the tiniest details with intuitive and user-friendly interfaces.
Point of sale
You will be able to install, in a matter of minutes, an online point of sale with a flexible, easy-to-use interface that will allow you to sell even when you are offline.
Other Features
- Software for Windows and Linux
- Human resources management
- Operation optimization
- Marketing automation
- Website builder
- Reports and metrics
Odoo Plans and Pricing
Being a 100% open-source solution, there is neither a fixed price nor licenses or hidden costs whatsoever. It is usually deployed with the help of a specialized professional, who charges for their functional, project management, training and development services.
Odoo Reviews
Odoo is a comprehensive, sophisticated and last generation client and business product management software.
It is a powerful tool made up of a great set of applications, thus achieving complete business care –from administrative aspects and production processes to manufacturing management.
Some are skeptical before the idea of effectively achieving to offer a total and functional balance. But the fact that Odoo operates in many countries in Europe, Asia and America, with some 2 million customers, confirms that they have been able to become a comprehensive business resource management solution.
Odoo Highlights
- Open source tool. Always owned by the customer.
- Infinity of default applications, both from the community and official –without licenses of any kind, with the subsequent savings.
- It allows the user to carry out custom developments to fully customize it.
- Intuitive and user-friendly interface.
- Available in Spanish.
Odoo Downsides
- ERP software is a kind of tool that usually requires an external web developer. The correct selection of the developer is key to the tool success.
- Odoo releases new versions annually, with complex migrations.
- The self-implantation of this Community version is more complex.
Odoo Enterprise
What is usually called “Odoo Enterprise” is Odoo's ERP and CRM solution with additional paid features added to its Community version via licenses.
These licenses also bring other services together, such as migration between versions, support, etc. The added feature code is not open source (although it is made available to the user), and once the user stops paying licenses, it is no longer available.
At the moment, the Enterprise version is the most advertised on Odoo’s website, and can be hired as a SaaS or as an On-Premise. In addition to it, if the customer wishes to deploy it involving a third party, there’s a partners program that encourages partners to offer the Enterprise version without even mentioning the Odoo’s Community alternative. In fact, partners’ score in different categories does not prove their real knowledge of the tool, but the number of licenses they have been able to sell.
Finally, just to bring up that the Enterprise version is not incompatible with the rest of the community-developed addons at a licensing level, but it can be so at a practical level.
To illustrate that, there’s the Spanish geolocation –a set of addons that make sure Odoo is compliant with Spanish legal regulations but which are incompatible with the Community addons. To top it off, Enterprise features are a lot more restricted.
Default Odoo Community Features
Default features are similar between versions since their core is common. Therefore, it could be said that they share much of their practical features as an ERP.
Open-source code with a restrictive license
As mentioned before, Odoo is an open source CRM and ERP tool, which means that its code comes from the top-tier work of developers and business experts from all over the world. Since it is open source, customers can tailor the tool at their convenience and make improvements.
The Enterprise version, however, comes with a restrictive license that protects business clients’ developments. If a company develops a tailored addon meant to be used on business, this addon is protected by Odoo’s Enterprise restrictive licensing. Once the company stops paying for that license, the addon is no longer available –to anyone.
Licensing System
There is a licensing fee to access the Enterprise feature, both per installed application and per number of users. This cost can be even greater if you choose to work with Odoo's SaaS solution.
Associated Services
The licensing fee has associated services, such as Odoo’s direct support for the entire solution, bug resolution, migrations between versions, etc.
Other Features
SaaS or On Premise installation
Linux server, Web client
Looking for the best PRICE vs VALUE tool for Sellers?
👉 Check our Jungle Scout unbiased review hereOdoo’s Enterprise Plans and Pricing
Prices may vary between countries, since their policy is 100% local. They have two variables: number of users and chosen applications.
Here are some tools and their prices:
- CRM: $8/month
- Billing: $4/month
- Sales: $4/month
- Point of sale: $8/month
- Accounting: $8/month
- Project: $8/month
- Inventory: $12/month
- Purchase: $4/month
- Digital marketing: $4/month
- Expenses: $4/month
- Hiring: $4/month
In order to get to know how Odoo’s applications work, you can access a free 15-day trial and pick up the tools you want to try.
Odoo Enterprise Reviews
Odoo is a comprehensive, sophisticated and last generation client and business product management software.
It is a powerful tool made up of a great set of applications, thus achieving complete business care –from administrative aspects and production processes to manufacturing management.
Some are skeptical before the idea of effectively achieving offering a total and functional balance. But the fact that Odoo operates in many countries in Europe, Asia and America, with some 2 million customers, confirms that they have been able to become a comprehensive business resource management solution.
Odoo Enterprise Highlights
- It is a part of Odoo’s Community
- Allows the user to pay only for the features they really need
- Intuitive and user-friendly interface
- Available in Spanish
- Very interesting official training channels
Odoo Enterprise Downsides
- Odoo Enterprise is not open source. There may be incompatibilities with addons developed by the community.
- In general, Odoo Enterprise’s features are covered by third-party community-developed addons, making it less meaningful to pay for it.
- The Community solutions flexibility is lost since Enterprise is linked to a paid plan. Premium services could be better, including support and migrations.
- High prices compared to the competition, especially for companies with a high volume of users.
- Non-meritocratic partner system.
Our score
-
Number of features
(5)
-
Pricing
(5)
-
Learning curve
(5)
-
User friendly
(5)
Alternatives to ODOO
Here you can find the top ODOOs alternatives
About the author
Jordi Ordonez
I work as an independent eCommerce and Amazon consultant.
Clients
Estrella Damm, Intersport, Bella Aurora, Lladró, Textura Interiors, Nice Things Palomas, Castañer, Due-Home and many other clients.
Lecturer & Teacher
I teach and have been a speaker at: Meet Magento, Prestashop, Prestashop Day, SEMRush, Cambra de Comerç Barcelona, ClinicSEO, Ecommbeers, Ecommbrunch, Ecommercetour.com, Ecommfest, EOI, ESIC-ICEMD, Foxize, Generalitat de Catalunya, Inesdi, Quondos and The Valley.
In addition, I have done in-company trainings for brands such as Orange and Adidas.
Writer
Finally, I collaborate writing articles for Helium 10, Carbon 6, Shopify, SEMRush, Prestashop´s official blog, Brainsins, La Vanguardia, eCommerce-news.es, Marketing4ecommerce and other blogs and media.
Social profiles
- LinkedIn
- Twitter
- Wikipedia
- Youtube
- Quora
- About Jordi Ordonez
