Odoo Community vs Odoo Enterprise

In the fast-growing tech world,  it’s essential for companies to manage their workflow with a set of automated and customizable tools. And that’s where an effective ERP system comes in handy. 

Yet, with tons of offerings available on the market today, it’s quite a tricky task to select the best and most effective ERP system for your business.  And to make your choice less daunting,  we would like to introduce a fantastic all-around platform to you – Odoo.

The key thing that sets Odoo above the competition is its versatility and flexibility – the Odoo ERP system is available both as open-source software (Odoo Community) and private software (Odoo Enterprise). Naturally, there are many differences between these versions, and below, we’re going to shed light on them.  Get ready for the battle “Odoo Community vs Enterprise”.

The Main Differences

First of all, we would like to stress that Odoo Enterprise is developed with encrypted code, whereas Odoo Community is a system with open-source code available for everyone. What does it mean for users? The Enterprise version requires a subscription to use its services, whereas Odoo Community has no monthly fees and can be used for an unlimited period for free.

That just being said, by choosing Odoo Enterprise, clients naturally get more perks – a modern, flexible, and user-friendly ERP with hosting, cloud storage, client support, as well as access to unique modules developed specifically for the Enterprise version. Each of these modules boasts great functionality and includes many additional submodules. But take note that the Enterprise modules require a monthly fee, meaning that the prolongation of the subscription will affect the total cost of using the service. Also, you should be aware of the fact that some modules can’t work without each other.  For instance, the eCommerce module should be used only in conjunction with the Website module.

All these modules are easily accessible in the Odoo Apps Store. The cost and terms of use vary from one module to another; however, the good news is that the price is fixed for every module, which means you won’t need to worry about the increased monthly fee in the future.

Speaking about Оdoo Community, users can upload the modules from the Odoo Apps Store too (the terms are the same). Additionally, Оdoo Community has a special Odoo Community Store where you can find modules developed by Odoo Community Association. Many of these modules are very similar to Odoo Enterprise modules yet the main difference is their availability – they are completely free of charge.

It should also be noted that if you use the Community version but need a module from the Enterprise version, you can obtain this module in two ways – by subscribing to the Odoo Enterprise or by hiring the development team to install this module for you. If you choose the latter option, you’ll be able to extend the functionality and tailor it to your specific needs.

Odoo Updating Policy

Just like other sophisticated software, Odoo periodically releases updated versions with improved functionality and advanced services. So, one more critical thing to consider when choosing between Odoo Community and Odoo Enterprise is the updates they offer.  

Odoo Enterprise allows its clients to upgrade to the new version with the help of the Odoo support team. You simply need to leave a request for an update and then follow the recommendation of the customer support service. But bear in mind that if you have integrated third-party services, then the Odoo support team won’t be able to update them along with the original Odoo modules. Also, you should be aware of the fact that you’ll need to book “upgrades” beforehand because of the restricted availability of a team.

On the other hand, the Community version doesn’t depend on the support team and its clients are completely free to decide when to move to the new version.  You can continue to use the old version of Odoo Community until its functionality meets your business needs. When the time comes, the transition to the new version will be quite easy. You can simply upgrade your version by downloading the transition code on the Odoo website or contacting an IT company for support. However, just like with Odoo Enterprise, integration with third-party software, most likely,  will require the extra help of developers.

Summary

Summing up our “Odoo Community edition vs Enterprise edition” comparison, we can conclude that by choosing Odoo Enterprise you’ll get a wide range of services along with quite high monthly fees to pay. As for Оdoo Community, you’ll get an absolutely free ERP with a bit of restricted functionality but the ability to add paid modules from Odoo Enterprise if needed.  

All things considered, Odoo Community seems to be a better choice for the following reasons:

– You get many free modules, plus can buy additional services at any time.

– You won’t need to deal with monthly fees.

–  You can make changes when you need to.

Moreover, if you find a reliable and skilled Odoo developer team, you will be able to open up a whole new world of opportunity for your business. Among the key advantages, we can highlight individual support, prompt issue solutions, possible risk evaluation, and safe data integration. Sounds great? 

To get the best Odoo suite for your company’s needs and benefit from unrivaled support, don’t hesitate to contact us. Let’s get down to business.