Managing a business is a headache and a half without the right tools. Many companies try to get away with a DIY approach to organizing their business when they’re starting, but that only gets you so far.

When you find yourself drowning in spreadsheets, it’s time to get into the world of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP). Figuring out which one best fits your needs can be tricky, so we’re comparing two popular ERPs – Odoo and NetSuite – to help you decide what’s best for you.

Understanding NetSuite

NetSuite was founded in 1998 and is the first cloud ERP platform. They have over 27,000 customers and are well regarded as veterans of the industry. They promise to help streamline your business with extensive automation to free up your time and resources from tasks that shouldn’t be manual.

What types of companies use NetSuite?

NetSuite targets small to medium-sized businesses. According to enlyft, NetSuite is most commonly used by companies with 10 to 50 employees. Since they can easily modify the software as they use the program, NetSuite is beneficial for businesses that are growing and scaling quickly.

The program doesn’t specialize in any particular industry, preferring to cast a wide net and offer customization. NetSuite is especially attractive to companies already running software like QuickBooks and Sage because of the easy integration.

How much does NetSuite cost?

Like most ERPs, NetSuite’s pricing is dependent on three main factors: core platform, modules you can add on, and the number of users. 

NetSuite runs on a subscription model, either annually or longer. The base price is $999 per month, with an additional monthly fee of $99 per user. When you first change to NetSuite, there is a one-time setup fee, but from there, you can add more modules as you want.

It’s also worth mentioning that NetSuite does not include a free trial.

What are NetSuite’s features?

It has a range of features, including:

  • Accounting Software
  • Financial Management
  • Global Business Management
  • Inventory Management
  • Order Management
  • Supply Chain Management
  • Warehouse Management

These are all oriented toward automation and streamlining. Since the service is all on the cloud, these features are all accessible across your devices. As mentioned above, NetSuite also integrates a variety of other programs.

How do I access NetSuite?

NetSuite is available through a web-based application, iOS, and Android. There is no desktop program.

How is NetSuite hosted?

NetSuite is exclusively hosted on the cloud with no localized option. They transitioned to Oracle’s Cloud Infrastructure to access worldwide data centers and focus on the application instead of IT.

Their database server hardware utilizes solid-state storage to make sure the servers are as fast as possible. 

Understanding Odoo

Odoo was initially released in 2005 and took off in the early 2010s with exponential growth. It’s exceptional in that the core software is open source with optional add-ons, both official and third-party.

The Community version of the software is libre, meaning that savvy users are free to poke around under the hood and change things. This makes the program very dynamic and customizable since users can share their work with others.

What types of companies use Odoo?

Odoo has been installed by an impressive five million users, making it the most downloaded business application in the world. This is largely because they boast a model that fits any size company with the proper customization

Odoo is the software of choice for big guns like Toyota and Hyundai but is equally viable for small businesses.

Like NetSuite, they have 30 main applications that businesses can add as they grow, making them suitable for companies with rapid growth.

How much does Odoo cost?

There are two versions of Odoo: Odoo Community and Odoo Enterprise. Odoo Community is the core of the program and is totally free, while Enterprise’s price is dependent on the apps that users choose. 

Each core feature is available as a monthly subscription, meaning monthly costs could technically be as low as $12 a month, with the additional user fee. If you choose every available module, the monthly price for cloud hosting is a little over $1,000 a month, with a discount if you pay annually.

While users can set Odoo up themselves, there’s also a variety of Success Packs available directly from Odoo. Trained professionals help get the system up and running, as well as optimized. These are recommended for businesses with under 50 users. Pricewise, they range from approximately $3,000 to $25,000, depending on whether you’re a returning customer. 

What are Odoo’s features?

It would be nearly impossible to list all of Odoo’s features, but here are some key features:

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

The fact that the program is open source means that features are essentially limitless. In addition to the 30 paid applications, there are more than 1,600 apps developed by the community.

 

How do I access Odoo?

Odoo is available on desktop, web, iOS, and Android, depending on whether or not you’re using the free or paid version. Odoo Community is available on desktop and web, while Enterprise can also be accessed through iPhone or Android apps.

How is Odoo hosted?

Odoo offers cloud hosting, on-premises hosting, and odoo.sh. The cloud hosting allows only the standard modules, while odoo.sh offers access to third-party options.

Should You Choose NetSuite or Odoo?

Choosing an ERP is a big step for a business. The choice between NetSuite and Odoo comes down to the size of your business, how much you want to pay, and how much customization you want to have.

NetSuite is a more approachable option but more limiting in the long run. With its massive number of modules, Odoo can be overwhelming at first. But you can end up with a more tailored experience that doesn’t waste money on what you don’t need. 

StackBench is an official Odoo Partner. We can help you figure out if it’s the best ERP for your company, then optimize the system for you and your business, so schedule a free call today!

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.

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