Which ERP pricing model fits your budget: Odoo vs ERPNext pricing
If your team is choosing between Odoo and ERPNext on price, the first decision is where the system will run. Odoo's paid subscription and its Custom plan are what you need for an on-premise or Odoo.sh deployment, and the Custom plan is the only one that includes multi-company, Odoo Studio, external API access and custom modules. ERPNext carries no license fee when you self-host it, because the software is GPL-3.0 and self-hosting is free according to the ERPNext pricing page. Frappe Cloud is the managed alternative, with shared site hosting and server prices published on that same page. The real comparison is therefore a recurring Odoo subscription on one side against a free license with your own hosting, operations and support on the other, or a Frappe Cloud plan if you want the vendor to run the servers.
The total cost of either system depends far more on implementation, customization, support and hosting than on the license line. Ask each vendor or partner for a written quote that separates one-time work (installation, data migration, configuration, custom development, testing and training) from recurring items (subscriptions, hosting, backups, upgrades and support). Odoo's per-user prices and yearly discounts are on its pricing page, and Frappe's figures are on its own pricing page; both must be rechecked at quote time because plans and prices change. Also confirm which support tier you need, since Frappe ties warranty coverage to a listed version and a matching Frappe Cloud support plan, and Odoo's security updates run only during standard support.
Before you compare totals, make three checks. First, list every app and integration you need, and confirm which of them your chosen Odoo plan or edition includes, because Enterprise-only apps change the subscription math. Second, ask who will carry upgrades: Odoo's upgrade service is tied to Enterprise, and ERPNext upgrades on Frappe Cloud are handled by the vendor, while self-hosted ERPNext upgrades fall to your team or partner. Third, budget for the implementation partner you will likely need, because ERPNext's implementation is offered through certified partners and Odoo implementation costs vary with scope. Use these answers, not list prices alone, to decide which model fits your budget.
How the cost components compare for Odoo and ERPNext
This table breaks total cost into license or subscription, hosting, implementation, customization, upgrades and support, and shows who gets paid for each on both platforms. Read each row as a question to put to a vendor or partner: what is one-time, what recurs, and what changes the number. The main takeaway is that ERPNext's free license moves cost into implementation and hosting decisions, while Odoo's subscription bundles more of the operating model into a recurring fee.
| Cost component | Odoo | ERPNext |
|---|---|---|
| License or subscription | Community is LGPL-3.0 and free. Enterprise needs a valid subscription matching the user count. Plans are per user per month, with a yearly discount. | ERPNext is GPL-3.0 and free to use. No per-user license fee applies to self-hosting. |
| Hosting | Odoo Online plans cover standard apps. Odoo.sh and on-premise require the Custom plan, so you pay for that tier or for your own servers. | Self-host at no license cost, or use Frappe Cloud shared site hosting from 5 US dollars per month. Servers start at 20 US dollars per month shared and 125 US dollars dedicated (Frappe pricing page). |
| Implementation | Paid to an Odoo partner or your internal team. Quote should cover module setup, data migration and testing against the Enterprise apps you select. | Paid to a certified partner or your internal team. Partner availability and rates must be confirmed directly with Frappe or the partner. |
| Customization | Custom modules need the Custom plan on Odoo.sh or on-premise. Studio and external API access are also Custom-only. Ask whether quotes include upgrade-proofing of custom code. | Customization uses Frappe server scripts and apps. Server Scripts are disabled by default from version 15 and are not available on Frappe Cloud public shared benches, so confirm hosting tier before scoping. |
| Upgrades | Enterprise subscribers get the upgrade service. Community has no access to it, so upgrades are your team's or partner's effort. On Odoo Online and Odoo.sh, major upgrades are mandatory every two years. | Upgrades are your responsibility when self-hosted. Frappe Cloud handles upgrades as part of hosting. Confirm which major versions your partner will support and the minor release cadence. |
| Support and warranty | Standard support covers the first three years after a major release with security fixes. Extended paid support is limited to on-premise and select Odoo.sh versions. Unlimited functional support is Enterprise-only. | Warranty from Frappe needs a listed version and a matching Frappe Cloud support plan. Self-hosted sites rely on community or partner support unless you buy a plan. Ask for the plan's price and response terms in writing. |
| One-time or recurring | Subscription and hosting recur. Implementation and custom module work are typically one-time, with upgrade and support work recurring. | Self-hosting license cost is zero. Hosting, support plans and maintenance recur. Implementation and customization are usually one-time. |
| What to ask for in a quote | Per-user count by edition, plan tier, extended support terms for your chosen version, upgrade approach and test environment costs. | Hosting tier, server sizing, support plan matching your version, customization scope and who handles upgrades and backups after go-live. |
What each deployment option costs to run
Odoo Online Standard is a subscription in which Odoo hosts and runs the database, so the recurring bill is the platform fee. The Standard plan includes all apps but is available only on Odoo Online. Odoo publishes per-user monthly prices and a yearly discount on its pricing page, and you must confirm those current figures there before you budget, since they can change.
- Subscription fee: You pay per user, monthly or yearly, and the yearly discount lowers the effective rate. Confirm the current per-user price for your user count on Odoo's pricing page.
- Hosting and upgrades: Odoo runs the servers. Major versions on Odoo Online are mandatory every two years, so plan the upgrade and testing work into the recurring operating budget.
- Implementation: Configuration, data migration and training sit outside the subscription. They are paid to whoever performs the work, such as an Odoo partner or an independent implementer, and should appear in a written scope.
- Custom code limits: Standard does not include custom modules or external API access, which are features of the Custom plan. If you need them, the cost moves to a different plan.
Ask for the per-user price at your headcount, the yearly discount terms, and a confirmation that every app you need is included in the Standard plan.
Both Odoo.sh and on-premise Odoo require the Custom plan, which is also the only plan that includes multi-company, Odoo Studio, external API access and custom modules. On-premise use also requires a valid Enterprise subscription that matches your user count, and the database is activated with the subscription code. The cost stack is therefore larger and has more recurring lines than the hosted Standard plan.
- Custom plan fee: Per-user pricing applies to the Custom plan. Confirm the current figure on Odoo's pricing page and ask whether it changes with user count and yearly billing.
- Enterprise subscription for on-premise: You host the system on your own servers, but licensing still depends on a valid Enterprise subscription matching your users. This line recurs for as long as you run Enterprise.
- Infrastructure and operations: On-premise, you pay for the cloud account or data center, backups, monitoring and administrator time. Odoo.sh moves hosting into the vendor arrangement, so confirm exactly what it includes.
- Extended support after standard support: Standard support covers the first three years after a major release. Paid extended support is available only for on-premise and select Odoo.sh versions, and security patches stop when standard support ends, so schedule upgrades before that point.
Request a quote that lists the Custom subscription, the Enterprise subscription, hosting, any extended support and the upgrade work as separate lines.
ERPNext is licensed under GPL-3.0, and self-hosting it is free according to ERPNext's pricing page. The costs you carry are infrastructure, staff time, implementation and any support contract you choose. The Frappe Docker setup runs MariaDB, Redis, background workers, the scheduler, Socket.io and Nginx, and Frappe Framework v16 requires MariaDB 11.8, Python 3.14 and Node.js 24, so the platform needs the right servers and skills from the start.
- License fee: ERPNext carries no per-user charge under its GPL-3.0 license. Your recurring costs come from the infrastructure and people that run it.
- Servers and storage: Cloud or data center costs recur for the application, database, cache and worker containers, plus backups. User count, data volume and the number of customizations are the main drivers.
- Staff time for updates: ERPNext ships frequent minor releases, such as v16.51.1 on October 15, 2026 and v15.123.0 on October 14, 2026. Someone must apply and test them on a regular cycle.
- Implementation and support: Implementation is available through certified partners, according to the pricing page. Without a Frappe Cloud support plan, support comes from a partner contract or your own team, so the agreement needs its own scope.
- Customization controls: Server Scripts are disabled by default from version 15 and must be enabled by a setting you control when you self-host. Factor the time to review and govern custom scripts into your staffing plan.
Confirm which supported version line you will run, and whether a partner quote includes upgrades, testing and post-go-live support.
Frappe Cloud is the vendor's managed hosting for ERPNext, and it handles installation, upgrades, monitoring and support. Its published prices recur monthly and depend on whether you choose a shared site, a shared server or a dedicated server. According to ERPNext's pricing page, shared site hosting starts at 5 US dollars per month, shared servers start at 20 US dollars per month and dedicated servers start at 125 US dollars per month.
- Site or server fee: Shared site hosting starts at 5 US dollars per month, shared instance servers at 20 US dollars per month and dedicated servers at 125 US dollars per month. Confirm the current figures and what each option includes on the pricing page.
- Support plan: Frappe's supported versions policy says you must be on a listed version and subscribed to a matching Frappe Cloud support plan to receive warranty coverage from Frappe. That support plan is an additional recurring line, so confirm its price.
- Implementation still separate: Migration, configuration and custom apps are not included in the hosting fee. They are paid to a certified partner or your internal team.
- Feature limits by hosting tier: Frappe Cloud public shared benches do not allow Server Scripts. If your design depends on them, confirm which tier permits them before you commit.
- Version lifecycle: Version 14 reached end of life on January 31, 2026. Version 15 is planned to be supported until the end of 2027 and version 16 until the end of 2029, so schedule upgrades against those dates.
Ask for a monthly total broken out by site, server, support plan and any storage or data transfer charges, and confirm those figures against the current pricing page.
What pushes the total cost up or down
Licence fees are only part of the bill for either platform. The factors below decide how much you pay each year and how much effort lands on your team, and most of them depend on your user count, the apps you need, and how often you plan to upgrade.
User count and Enterprise subscriptions
Odoo Enterprise is licensed under the proprietary Odoo Enterprise Edition License v1.0, which requires a valid Enterprise subscription matching the user count. Each added user therefore adds to the recurring Odoo bill, while ERPNext self-hosted carries no per-user licence fee. Ask Odoo for the per-user monthly price with the yearly discount applied, and confirm whether your count includes occasional or portal users, since those categories are often priced differently in quotes.
Custom plan for on-premise and custom code
On Odoo's pricing page, only the Custom plan can be hosted on Odoo.sh or on-premise, and only Custom includes multi-company, Odoo Studio, external API access and custom modules. If you run Odoo on your own servers with multiple companies or custom modules, the Custom plan becomes the baseline cost. ERPNext has no equivalent plan gate for self-hosting, so compare the Odoo Custom quote against your own hosting and admin effort for ERPNext.
Customization effort in each framework
Odoo customization is done through Python modules that must be maintained across upgrades. ERPNext customization can use Frappe apps or Server Scripts, but since version 15 Server Scripts are disabled by default and must be enabled with the server_script_enabled setting, and Frappe Cloud public shared benches do not allow them. Budget for custom apps on Frappe Cloud dedicated servers or self-hosted setups if you need server-side logic, and confirm the chosen route with the implementer before scoping.
Data import volume
Migration effort grows with the number of historical records. The ERPNext Data Import tool handles CSV or Excel files and child table rows, but its documentation advises importing only a few thousand records at a time, so large histories need batched loads and validation cycles. Odoo migrations are typically scoped similarly, so ask both implementers to price data cleansing, mapping and reconciliation separately from the software licence.
Support windows and version lifecycles
Odoo standard support covers three years after a major release, with security updates only during that window, and paid extended support is limited to on-premise and select Odoo.sh versions. Frappe plans version 15 support to the end of 2027 and version 16 to the end of 2029. Factor in when you must move to a new major version, and whether the support you buy covers the version you run on the date you go live.
Upgrade frequency and upgrade services
On Odoo Online and Odoo.sh, major version upgrades are mandatory every two years, and Odoo's upgrade service requires an Enterprise subscription for on-premise use. Each upgrade needs a tested database copy and regression work on custom modules. On ERPNext you control upgrade timing for self-hosting, but a Frappe Cloud support plan is needed for vendor warranty coverage. Ask who will run and test each upgrade, and what it costs when the work is outsourced.
Where implementation and support costs land on each side
On Odoo Enterprise, version upgrades and unlimited functional support are part of the subscription, so the recurring cost of staying current and getting vendor help sits inside the per-user fee. On ERPNext's free self-hosted path, those same jobs fall to your own team, a certified partner or a Frappe Cloud support plan, and each one needs its own budget line. Before comparing totals, ask each side's quote to name who performs every upgrade, who answers functional questions after go-live, and whether that party bills by the hour, by ticket or on a retainer. Count the answers as recurring costs, not as one-time project fees.
Support windows also differ in what they cost to extend. Odoo standard support covers three years after a major release and includes security updates, but paid extended support is limited to on-premise and selected Odoo.sh versions, and security patches stop when standard support ends. For ERPNext, Frappe's warranty coverage depends on running a listed version and holding a matching Frappe Cloud support plan. A self-hosted ERPNext site without that plan has no vendor warranty behind it, so the internal or partner support contract becomes the only safety net. Check the supported versions page for the current list before choosing a release line.
DeployOpen plans, implements and supports either platform inside the client's own infrastructure, and most engagements are fixed-scope with deliverables and timelines agreed in writing before work starts. It does not publish prices, so the quote follows from that scope. Ask for the scope to list data migration, custom modules or integrations, testing, documentation, handover and any retainer for upgrades, with each line marked as one-time or recurring. Then confirm with the platform vendor which items remain under its own paid support, so the two sides are compared on the same work.
How to build a like-for-like cost model before you ask for quotes
This sequence turns two different pricing models into one set of assumptions, so every quote you receive covers the same users, apps, hosting, custom work, data and support window. The output is a written cost model that separates one-time work from recurring fees for each option.
List users by role and access level
Count named users for each role across every department that will touch the system, including approvers, read-only executives, warehouse staff and external users such as customers or suppliers. Odoo prices per user per month and Frappe Cloud pricing is not based on named users, so the same headcount must be written down once and reused in every comparison. You know this step is done when each role has a count and the list is signed off by the business owner for finance and operations.
Decide which apps and modules are required
Map each business process to a specific application, such as accounting, inventory, manufacturing, HR, sales or project management, and mark each one as required, nice to have or out of scope. Check the Odoo editions page against this list, since several areas such as Studio, Documents, Sign, Payroll, Quality and Field Service are listed only for Enterprise. Confirm with the ERPNext team which modules you need from the free product and which features your partner would build. The output is a module list that both vendors and any implementation partner can quote against.
Choose the hosting model for each option
Decide whether the system will run on your own infrastructure, on Odoo.sh, on Odoo Online, on Frappe Cloud, or on a combination. Odoo's pricing page states that only the Custom plan can be hosted on Odoo.sh or on-premise, so an on-premise or Odoo.sh quote must be requested on that plan rather than on a standard plan. For ERPNext, self-hosting is free in the software itself, while Frappe Cloud has published site and server prices, so you must also price the servers, backups, monitoring and staff time your own environment needs. Ask each vendor to confirm in writing which plan and hosting option the quote assumes.
Identify custom work and integrations
List every custom report, workflow, module, API connection, identity integration and third-party system, such as a payment provider, tax engine or bank feed. Note which items need custom code and which can be met with configuration. Ask Odoo whether the required custom modules and external API access are included in the plan you are quoting, because the pricing page ties these features to the Custom plan. For ERPNext, ask the partner which customizations would use Server Scripts, which the framework disables by default from version 15 and which Frappe Cloud public shared benches do not allow. The output is a written list of custom items with an estimated build owner for each.
Size the data migration
Count the records to migrate by type, including customers, suppliers, products, open invoices, stock balances, bills of materials and historical transactions, and state how much history you need. For ERPNext, the Data Import documentation advises importing only a few thousand records at a time, so large volumes will need batching and more partner time. Ask both vendors and partners to quote migration separately, with the number of test cycles and the reconciliation steps included. The output is a migration inventory that shows record counts and the cleansing work your team must do before any quote can be compared fairly.
Set the support and upgrade window
Decide how long you need security updates and bug fixes for each major version and who will apply upgrades. Odoo's standard support covers three years after a major release, with paid extended support limited to on-premise and selected Odoo.sh versions, and security patches only during standard support. On Frappe, the supported versions page lists version 15 until the end of 2027 and version 16 until the end of 2029, and warranty coverage requires a matching Frappe Cloud support plan. Ask each vendor to confirm the support end date for the version you would deploy, and price upgrades and testing as recurring work in your model.
Request written quotes that split one-time and recurring costs
Send the same scope package to each vendor and each implementation partner, and ask for separate line items for licenses or subscriptions, hosting, implementation, custom development, integrations, data migration, training, upgrades and support. Mark each line as one-time or recurring and state the billing period. Ask Odoo to confirm the per-user monthly and yearly figures and any discount terms on the plan quoted. Ask the ERPNext partner to confirm the implementation scope, since implementation is provided through certified partners. The output is a comparison sheet where every row covers the same users, apps, hosting and support window.
Review the model with each vendor and partner
Walk through the completed model with each vendor and partner and ask them to confirm every assumption in writing, including which tasks are excluded, what happens when user counts or modules change, and what it costs to move to another platform later. Confirm whether the quote is fixed-scope or time-and-materials and what changes would trigger a new quote. The model is complete when each assumption has a written confirmation and the one-time and recurring totals can be compared line by line.
Questions buyers ask about Odoo and ERPNext pricing
Is ERPNext really free to run yourself?
The license costs nothing, but running ERPNext carries recurring costs. ERPNext is GPL-3.0, and the ERPNext pricing page states that self-hosting is free. Your ongoing costs are servers, storage, backups, monitoring, security patching and the staff time needed for upgrades. If you choose Frappe Cloud for managed hosting, the same page lists shared site hosting from 5 US dollars per month, shared servers from 20 US dollars per month and dedicated servers from 125 US dollars per month. Implementation work is delivered through certified partners and quoted separately. Ask any provider to split the quote into one-time setup, recurring hosting and ongoing support, and to state what each line includes.
What does the Odoo Custom plan add over Standard?
Custom is the only Odoo plan that can run on Odoo.sh or on your own servers, and it is the plan that includes multi-company, Odoo Studio, external API access and custom modules, according to Odoo's pricing page. Standard covers all apps but runs only on Odoo Online, and One App Free covers a single app on Odoo Online. Odoo prices per user per month with a yearly discount, so your user count drives the bill. On-premise use also requires an Enterprise subscription that matches your user count under Odoo's license terms. Before you sign, confirm the current per-user rate, the number of users and companies, and whether the quote includes Odoo.sh or on-premise hosting.
How much does Frappe Cloud cost per site or server?
Frappe Cloud publishes starting prices on the ERPNext pricing page: shared site hosting starts at 5 US dollars per month, shared servers start at 20 US dollars per month and dedicated servers start at 125 US dollars per month. These are starting points, so your final cost depends on the plan and resources you select. Frappe's warranty coverage also depends on a matching Frappe Cloud support plan for your supported version, which is a separate line item from hosting. Confirm whether support is included, which ERPNext version you will run, how backups and restores are charged, and what changes if you move a site to a dedicated server later.
How much do implementation and support depend on scope?
Scope is the largest driver. The number of apps or modules, the volume of data to migrate, the number of companies, integrations with other systems and any custom code all add work. ERPNext's data import documentation advises importing only a few thousand records at a time, so large migrations need staged runs and checks. Server Scripts are disabled by default from version 15, and public shared benches on Frappe Cloud do not allow them, so custom logic may need a different setup. DeployOpen works on fixed scope: deliverables, timelines and exclusions are agreed in writing before work starts, and a quote follows from that written scope. Ongoing support and upgrades are available as retainers. Ask for acceptance criteria, data volumes and the list of exclusions.
Can a small team self-host ERPNext or Odoo without a partner?
Yes, a capable team can self-host either product, but the work is mostly ongoing operations rather than a one-time installation. For ERPNext, Frappe Docker provides production images and Compose files for MariaDB, Redis, background workers, the scheduler, Socket.io and Nginx, while its single-file demo is meant for short-lived evaluation only. For Odoo, you can use packaged installers or a source install, and Odoo 19 requires Python 3.10 or later and PostgreSQL 13 or later. Enterprise databases are activated with a subscription code. In both cases your team owns patching, backups, restore tests and upgrades. Confirm who handles security updates, how restores are tested and who responds outside business hours. An outside provider can take on any of these under a written scope.
How do upgrades change the recurring cost of Odoo and ERPNext?
Upgrades become a recurring cost on both platforms, and the timing differs. Odoo provides standard support for three years after a major release, with Odoo 19 under standard support until September 2028. On Odoo Online and Odoo.sh, major upgrades are mandatory every two years. Paid extended support exists only for on-premise and select Odoo.sh versions, and security updates stop when standard support ends. ERPNext v15 is supported until the end of 2027 and v16 until the end of 2029, while v14 reached end of life on January 31, 2026. Budget for test environments, upgrade labor and any extended support fees, and ask whether Odoo's upgrade service is included in your Enterprise subscription.
Does Odoo Community remove the subscription cost entirely?
Community removes the license fee but leaves several features in the paid tier. Odoo Community is LGPL-3.0, while Studio, Documents, Sign, Payroll, PLM, Quality, Field Service, Approvals, Knowledge, the mobile apps, version upgrades and unlimited functional support are listed only for Enterprise. Community also has no access to Odoo's upgrade service. If you need those features, price the Enterprise subscription at your user count and include it in the three-year total, not only the first year. If you plan to run Community, decide who will maintain modules and upgrades, and confirm which missing features you can replace with community or custom work.
When pricing should decide the choice between Odoo and ERPNext
Pricing should decide the choice when the budget has no room for a per-user subscription and the team can carry the work that a free product leaves to them. Odoo's per-user plans are published on its pricing page, and on-premise or Odoo.sh hosting is available only on the Custom plan, so a company that wants Odoo on its own servers must budget for that tier before any per-user cost is counted. ERPNext's self-hosting is free under GPL-3.0, and the ERPNext pricing page lists Frappe Cloud hosting from 5 US dollars per month for shared sites, so the recurring license line for a self-hosted ERPNext deployment is zero. The condition is that the team accepts the costs that remain: the server, backups, monitoring, upgrades and implementation, which ERPNext's pricing page routes through certified partners. Ask any quote to separate those one-time and recurring items so the comparison is between complete totals, not between a subscription and a zero.
Pricing is also the deciding factor when the company needs on-premise hosting but does not want to buy Enterprise. On Odoo, that combination is not available: Community is free under LGPL-3.0, but on-premise use of the full product requires an Enterprise subscription and the Custom plan. ERPNext has no equivalent gate, so a regulated organization that must keep data in its own infrastructure can run the full product without a license fee. The condition is operational maturity. Someone must own the database, the Docker or bench deployment and the upgrade path, and the team should confirm that its security and compliance controls can be met with its own tooling before choosing the free route on cost alone.
Pricing should not decide when a required function sits behind Enterprise. If the business needs Studio, Documents, Sign, Payroll, Quality or Field Service, those apps are listed only for Enterprise, and a free ERPNext deployment will not replace them with a lower total cost. Module fit also outweighs license cost when the processes are complex, such as multi-company accounting or a specific manufacturing flow, because rework and custom code can cost far more than a subscription. The practical check is to map every required process to a named module in each product, then price the gaps. Where a gap is covered only by custom development, the quote should estimate that development as a separate line, since it recurs with every upgrade.
How DeployOpen helps you compare and implement Odoo or ERPNext
DeployOpen helps teams work out what Odoo or ERPNext will actually cost to run in their own infrastructure, from licensing and plan requirements to implementation and support. We turn that comparison into a written scope, so the cost components are agreed before any build work starts.
How we scope
- We list the user count, entities, apps and hosting target that drive licensing and plan choice.
- We map which features you need to the edition or plan that includes them, such as Enterprise apps or Custom plan features.
- Engagements are fixed-scope, with deliverables and timelines agreed in writing before work starts.
How we build
- We install and configure the chosen platform inside your cloud accounts, data centers or air-gapped network.
- We set up integrations such as identity, data migration and any required custom development within the agreed scope.
- We test the build, including upgrade rehearsals on a copy, before anything moves toward production.
How we hand over
- We document the licensing terms, plan requirements, hosting setup and upgrade procedure for your records.
- We hand over runbooks that show who pays for which component, so procurement can track recurring costs.
- We walk your team through the operating model so day-to-day administration stays with your staff.
How we support
- Ongoing support, upgrades and continuous testing are available as retainers after handover.
- We can plan the upgrade cadence against the vendor's support windows for the version you deploy.
- We recommend asking any quote to separate one-time implementation fees from recurring subscription and hosting costs.
