Whether you’re starting a business or looking to improve your existing one, choosing the Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software that best fits you is critical. ERPs can provide everything from financial management to human resource management.

Setting up these programs involves a lot of work and expense, so business owners need to be sure that they choose the right one for them and their business.

These are some critical comparison points between two popular open-source ERPs that will help you decide which one might work better for you.

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Understanding ERPNext

ERPNext is an open-source ERP founded by Frappé Technologies in India. It was first released in 2010 on Google Code as a community version with no official support.

The first official and supported release came out in December of 2017.

ERPNext is now on Version 13, which touts improvements in UI in addition to new features. It’s been making waves within the community, making it into the top 20 on the 2021 Capterra Shortlist. Its biggest pros are its customization and ease of use.

What types of companies use ERPNext?

ERPNext works for almost any size company because of its versatility. It favors no particular industry, so its user base is highly diverse.

ERPNext counts companies like Zerodha, India’s largest stockbroker, and Teabox, a tea company with 90 employees, among its customers.

However, if you want to use the cloud, you’ll need a minimum of 20 users.

How much does ERPNext cost?

As open-source software, ERPNext has a version that will always be free. This version is very stripped down and doesn’t offer support or hosting. However, you still have access to all modules.

If you’re looking for cloud hosting with some support, the managed hosting is a good option at $10 per site a month. This version includes security updates and server monitoring. There’s also an optional warranty.

The enterprise version is their most comprehensive version. The basic is $12,000 a year for 20 users.

It includes everything in the managed hosting and personalized onboarding, professional support, server monitoring, and data migration support.

Professional and Advanced cost $24,000 and $38,400 and include various features and more personalized support and training.

If you’re interested in the paid version but not sure if you want to commit yet, they do offer a 14-day free enterprise trial.

What are ERPNext’s features?

The core modules that make up ERPNext are:

Accounting
Asset management
Customer relationship management (CRM)
Human resource management (HRM)
Payroll
Project management
Purchasing
Sales management
Warehouse management system
Website

How do I access ERPNext?

There are many ways you can use ERPNext, depending on what’s best for your business. If you’re paying for a subscription, there’s a cloud version you can access on your mobile device—including iPad. There are also desktop applications for all major operating systems.

You aren’t limited to any one of these; ERPNext is cross-compatible.

How is ERPNext hosted?

ERPNext offers cloud hosting for their managed hosting and enterprise packages. The open-source version is self-hosting.

Understanding Odoo

Odoo is another open-source ERP that uses a subscription model. It’s been around since the mid-2000s. The company is based in Belgium and boasts a massive following of over 5 million customers.

What types of companies use Odoo?

Odoo is organized with 30 principal modules, which makes it very customizable. As a result, Odoo works for everything from solo operations to giant corporations.

Big names like Toyota and Hyundai have both used Odoo for years. Since Odoo doesn’t require a minimum number of users to access the cloud, it is very accessible for smaller businesses.

The module subscription model is also beneficial for companies in growth stages. Companies get to mix and match the modules they need and can add on as needed. That way, you aren’t paying for features that you won’t use!

How much does Odoo cost?

There is a free version of Odoo called Odoo Community. This version is free for unlimited users, as long as you do not buy any paid apps.

With Odoo Enterprise, businesses only pay for the modules they want with an additional user fee. These modules range in price from $12 to $48 a month. In addition, there are fees for cloud hosting or using Odoo’s cloud platform.

Odoo’s Success Packs help businesses get their ERP up and running with the support of trained professionals. These cost from $3,000 to $25,000.

What are Odoo features?

Odoo has thirty official modules, but these are some of the key ones.

CRM
Warehouse Management
Project Management
Point of Sale (POS)
Sales Management
Manufacturing
Accounting
Purchase Management

This list just scratches the surface. As a longtime open-source software with a vast community, over 1,600 Odoo apps have been developed independently. This is one of the software’s biggest pros since you can find an app for just about anything you need.

How do I access Odoo?

This is another difference between the free and paid versions of Odoo. The Community version is only available on desktop and through the web. Enterprise is available on mobile devices as well.

How is Odoo hosted?

Odoo Community offers on-premises hosting. And for those who want cloud hosting, there’s a couple of options: the standard cloud and odoo.sh, which allows businesses to use the third-party options.

Those who don’t need anything beyond the official modules will probably find the cloud option to work. But for those trying to create a more customized experience, odoo.sh is the best option.

Should You Choose ERPNext or Odoo?

As two open-source programs, ERPNext and Odoo have a lot of similarities. For example, they both have free versions for on-premises hosting and subscription models for those looking for more support and cloud hosting options.

ERPNext is suitable for those looking for a simple, clean interface and happy with the standardized subscription options. On the other hand, Odoo is better for companies that want to mix and match more and explore third-party modules.

If you’re overwhelmed with all the possibilities that Odoo has to offer, StackBench is here to help! Give us a call today to set up a complimentary interview to see how we can help you get the most out of your ERP. We provides the best Odoo customization services for our clients all over the world.

If you like to know more about our discounted Odoo pricing and get a free Odoo demo online, get in touch with our Odoo Support and Maintenance Team.

Other ERP Comparison:

Odoo vs ERPNext