Which open source ERP fits your company: Odoo, ERPNext or Dolibarr
If your team is shortlisting self-hosted ERPs, the short answer is that Odoo fits companies that want the broadest suite and can fund paid Enterprise apps, ERPNext fits teams that want a fully GPL-3.0 stack with free self-hosting, and Dolibarr fits small organizations that want a lighter modular PHP application with only the modules they need. Odoo Community is licensed under LGPL-3.0, while Odoo Enterprise is licensed under the proprietary Odoo Enterprise Edition License v1.0 and requires a subscription matching the user count. Odoo's Enterprise-only list includes Studio, Documents, Sign, Payroll, PLM, Quality and Field Service, so a team that needs those areas should price them before comparing free editions. ERPNext runs on the MIT-licensed Frappe Framework and can be self-hosted with Docker or the bench command line tool, with Frappe Cloud as the vendor's managed option. Dolibarr is GPL-3.0 and runs on MySQL, MariaDB or PostgreSQL, which keeps the footprint small for a team with a limited IT staff.
The choice turns on three questions: which features you must pay for, how deep the modules need to go in manufacturing, accounting and HR, and how much effort your team can spend running and upgrading the platform. Odoo's three-year standard support window and the fact that security updates stop when standard support ends make the upgrade calendar a planning item, and ERPNext's supported versions depend on a matching Frappe Cloud plan for warranty coverage. Confirm each vendor's current support terms in writing before you rely on them. Ask your implementation partner for a fixed scope covering data migration, custom code and upgrades, because those items drive most of the effort on all three platforms. No platform is the right answer for every team, so test your shortlist against your own processes before you commit.
Which platform fits which scenario
This table matches each common buying situation to the platform that fits it best and the condition that makes that fit hold. Read each row against your own entity count, skills, budget model and hosting preference, since a fit that depends on a paid tier or in-house skills is marked as such. Odoo suits broad multi-entity scope, ERPNext suits teams that want a free, fully GPL stack with managed hosting options, and Dolibarr suits lighter, PHP-based operations.
| Scenario | Best fit and why | Condition that must hold |
|---|---|---|
| Multi-entity business needing manufacturing, accounting and HR in one system | Odoo, because its suite covers manufacturing, accounting and HR as connected apps in one database | Multi-company and the Custom plan are needed for on-premise or Odoo.sh; many Enterprise apps such as Payroll and Quality require the Enterprise edition |
| Team that must avoid per-user subscriptions | ERPNext or Dolibarr self-hosted, since both are free to self-host with no per-user license fee | You accept running the software yourself and budgeting for internal or partner support; Frappe Cloud pricing is not per user, but confirm current terms with the vendor |
| Small business that wants only invoicing, stock and CRM | Dolibarr, because its modules can be enabled individually and the footprint is lighter | Your team is comfortable with a PHP application and fewer integrated apps; confirm the modules you need on the Dolibarr modules list |
| Company with in-house PHP skills | Dolibarr, because its modular PHP application can be maintained and extended with those skills | Your staff can handle the MySQL, MariaDB or PostgreSQL setup, the Module Builder and DoliStore add-ons |
| Team planning to hire a partner for customization | ERPNext or Odoo, depending on the stack your partner knows: Python on both, with JavaScript in ERPNext's Frappe Framework | Confirm partner experience with the framework, upgrade testing and the customization method; Odoo custom modules on Odoo.sh or on-premise need the Custom plan |
| Team that wants a vendor-run cloud | Odoo Online or Odoo.sh for Odoo, or Frappe Cloud for ERPNext, depending on whether custom code is needed | Odoo.sh and custom modules require the Custom plan; Frappe Cloud publishes site and server prices, so compare them with the scope you define |
| Team that needs long-term security patches on a fixed release | ERPNext, with the v15 line supported until the end of 2027 and v16 until the end of 2029, according to Frappe's supported versions policy | Plan upgrades within those windows and confirm which versions your hosting option covers |
What is free and what is paid in each platform
Odoo uses two licenses. The Community edition is licensed under LGPL-3.0 and can be installed and modified without a subscription. The Enterprise edition is proprietary, its source code is not publicly available, and it is governed by the Odoo Enterprise Edition License v1.0, which requires a valid Enterprise subscription matching your user count. Running Enterprise on your own servers therefore carries a recurring cost that Community does not. See the Odoo license documentation for the exact terms.
- Community edition: free under LGPL-3.0, with the core business applications, but without access to the upgrade service.
- Enterprise subscription: priced per user and matched to your user count. On-premise Enterprise databases are activated with a subscription code.
- Enterprise-only apps: Studio, Documents, Sign, Payroll, PLM, Quality, Field Service, Approvals and Knowledge, plus the Android and iOS mobile apps.
- Enterprise-only services: version upgrades and unlimited functional support.
- Plan rules: Odoo's pricing page lists One App Free, Standard and Custom. Only the Custom plan can run on Odoo.sh or on-premise, and only Custom includes multi-company, Studio, external API access and custom modules.
Confirm with Odoo the current per-user price, how the user count is defined in your contract, and which extended support terms apply to your version before you budget, because subscriptions and plan rules are the largest recurring costs.
ERPNext is licensed under GPL-3.0 and built on the Frappe Framework, which is licensed under MIT. Running the software is free: the ERPNext pricing page states that self-hosting costs nothing. What you pay for is the infrastructure you run it on, the staff who install and maintain it, and any hosting, support or implementation contract you add. Frappe Cloud and Frappe support plans are separate purchases from the software, so review both licenses and both commercial offers.
- Self-hosting: free to install with Docker through frappe_docker, or manually with the bench command line tool. Servers, backups, monitoring and administration time are your recurring costs.
- Frappe Cloud hosting: a separate paid service. The ERPNext pricing 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.
- Support and warranty: Frappe's supported versions policy says you must run a listed version and hold a matching Frappe Cloud support plan to receive warranty coverage from Frappe.
- Implementation: available through certified partners, who quote their work separately from the license.
- Version lifecycle: version 14 reached end of life on January 31, 2026, version 15 is planned for support until the end of 2027, and version 16 until the end of 2029.
Ask Frappe which support plan matches your version and what warranty it gives you, and ask any partner to price implementation and support as separate line items.
Dolibarr is free open source software under the GPL, licensed GPL-3.0 according to its GitHub repository. It is supported by the Dolibarr Association, founded in 2009. The core application and its modules are free to self-host, so the recurring costs are your infrastructure, the people who maintain it, and any hosting or add-on purchases you choose. The Dolibarr website describes deployment on premises, on virtual or dedicated machines, with Docker, or as SaaS through providers and partners.
- Self-hosting: free on your own machines or on a cloud provider you manage. Hosting and administration time are your costs.
- DoliCloud SaaS: a hosted option from DoliCloud, which describes itself as the official Dolibarr preferred partner. Its Basic plan is 14 euros per user per month and Premium starts at 45 euros per month, with a 30-day free trial.
- DoliStore add-ons: third-party extensions from the DoliStore marketplace may carry their own licenses, fees and update terms that differ from the core GPL-3.0 license.
- Module Builder: a low-code tool for building your own modules, so custom work is a cost you plan and staff for.
- Vendor support: the Association supports the project, but any support contract for regulated work is a separate agreement with the party you hire.
Check the license text, update policy and support terms of every DoliStore add-on you plan to use, and confirm with DoliCloud which plan matches your user count and what it includes.
How the three platforms compare on architecture, stack and modules
This table sets Odoo, ERPNext and Dolibarr side by side on licensing, runtime, database support, module depth and extension methods. Read each row against your own hosting plan and the runtime your IT team already supports, because the current-release requirements differ sharply between the three. Confirm module behavior against the current release notes before you commit to a version.
| Capability | Odoo | ERPNext | Dolibarr |
|---|---|---|---|
| License | Community under LGPL-3.0; Enterprise under the proprietary Odoo Enterprise Edition License v1.0 | ERPNext under GPL-3.0 on the MIT-licensed Frappe Framework | GPL-3.0 per its GitHub repository |
| Language and framework | Python with PostgreSQL | Python and JavaScript on the Frappe Framework | PHP application |
| Database support | PostgreSQL 13 or later for Odoo 19 | MariaDB 11.8 for Frappe v16 | MySQL 5.7.7 or newer, MariaDB 10.3 or newer, or PostgreSQL 9.1.0 or newer |
| Runtime for current major version | Python 3.10 or later for Odoo 19 | Python 3.14 and Node.js 24 for Frappe v16, with Redis or Valkey 6 or later | Any web server that runs PHP, such as Apache, Nginx, Lighttpd or IIS |
| Manufacturing depth | MRP in Community; PLM, Quality and Field Service listed for Enterprise only | Bills of materials, work orders, job cards and production planning in the free product | Manufacturing (MRP) module, enabled only when needed |
| Accounting and HR depth | Full accounting and Payroll listed for Enterprise only | Accounting covered in the core product | Invoicing and HR modules (employees, expense reports, leave, timesheets, recruitment) that you enable individually |
| Extension method | Odoo modules; Studio and custom modules on the Custom plan | Frappe apps; Server Scripts, which are disabled by default from version 15 and must be enabled | DoliStore add-ons and the low-code Module Builder |
| Managed hosting | Odoo Online, Odoo.sh (Custom plan) or on-premise | Frappe Cloud, with published site and server prices | SaaS through cloud providers and partners, including DoliCloud |
| Confirm before deciding | Which Enterprise apps your Community or Enterprise plan includes on the version you will run | Which Frappe Cloud plan carries warranty coverage for your listed version | Which DoliStore add-ons and Module Builder output your chosen release supports |
What drives the running cost of each platform
Running cost for Odoo, ERPNext and Dolibarr comes from different places: licenses, per-user subscriptions, hosting, upgrades, add-ons and partner work. The cards below separate one-time spend from recurring spend for each platform, so you can ask every vendor or partner for the same written breakdown.
License and edition fees
ERPNext and Dolibarr are GPL-3.0 and self-hosting carries no license charge. Odoo Community is LGPL-3.0 and free to download, but Odoo Enterprise requires a valid subscription matching the user count under the proprietary Enterprise license. For Odoo, the recurring edition fee is the largest cost driver if you need Studio, Payroll, Quality or the upgrade service. Ask each vendor which apps and features sit behind a paid edition.
Per-user subscription fees
Odoo's pricing page lists per-user monthly prices, and only the Custom plan allows on-premise or Odoo.sh hosting with multi-company and custom modules. DoliCloud charges 14 euros per user per month on its Basic plan, so user count scales that fee directly. ERPNext does not charge per user on Frappe Cloud, but its hosting is priced per site or server. Ask each vendor to price your exact user count, including non-login users, and to state whether the figure is monthly or yearly.
Hosting and infrastructure
Self-hosting moves cost into servers, backups, monitoring and storage, which recur every month whichever ERP you pick. Frappe Cloud shared site hosting starts at 5 US dollars per month, shared servers at 20 US dollars per month and dedicated servers at 125 US dollars per month. Dolibarr runs on a modest PHP and database stack, while Odoo needs Python and PostgreSQL and ERPNext needs MariaDB, Redis and Node.js. Ask whether the quote includes backups, monitoring and disaster recovery, and which resources scale with users.
Upgrade and maintenance effort
Odoo standard support covers three years after a major release, and Odoo Online and Odoo.sh require major upgrades every two years. ERPNext v15 is supported until the end of 2027 and v16 until the end of 2029, and Frappe warranty coverage depends on a matching Frappe Cloud support plan. Upgrades on any platform need a tested copy of production data, and that testing time recurs with every release. Ask who pays for the test environment, the upgrade rehearsal and any custom module fixes.
Add-ons and marketplace extensions
Odoo's paid apps and Enterprise modules add license fees on top of the base subscription, and custom modules need maintenance through each upgrade. Dolibarr extensions come from the DoliStore marketplace, and each third-party add-on has its own support terms and upgrade cycle. ERPNext customizations often use Server Scripts, which are disabled by default from version 15 and not available on Frappe Cloud public shared benches. Ask each vendor which extensions you need, who maintains them and what happens to them at the next major version.
Implementation and partner fees
Implementation is usually the largest one-time cost and is quoted separately from licenses. ERPNext pricing lists implementation through certified partners, and DoliCloud names itself a preferred partner, while Odoo's partner network sets its own rates. Data migration, process design, training and custom development are the main drivers, and bulk imports need batching because the ERPNext documentation advises importing only a few thousand records at a time. Request a fixed-scope written quote from each vendor or partner, listing deliverables, timelines and what is excluded, rather than relying on an estimate.
What implementing each platform involves in practice
Implementation effort on all three platforms is driven less by installation than by data migration, configuration decisions and the people who sign them off. For ERPNext, the ERPNext Data Import tool loads and updates records from CSV or Excel files or public Google Sheets using downloadable templates, and it handles child table rows. The documentation advises importing only a few thousand records at a time, so a migration of a large customer or item master becomes a batched, repeatable job with reconciliation after each run. Ask your implementation partner how they will sequence batches, validate totals in accounting and inventory, and roll back a bad load. ERPNext implementation is available through certified partners, so confirm the partner's ERPNext credentials and the fee basis in writing before work starts.
Odoo and Frappe both need configuration work that reaches into code. In Frappe, Server Scripts run Python on document events or as API endpoints, and from version 15 they are disabled by default and must be enabled through the server_script_enabled setting. Frappe Cloud public shared benches do not allow them at all, so any custom validation or integration logic that depends on Server Scripts needs a dedicated bench or a self-hosted deployment. In Odoo, custom behavior is normally delivered as modules, and Studio, multi-company and custom modules sit on the Custom plan. Odoo's upgrade service requires an Enterprise subscription, so budget for test upgrades of every custom module as part of each major version cycle, and confirm who in your team owns that work.
Dolibarr is the lightest of the three to set up because it is a modular PHP application where you enable only the modules you need, such as invoicing, stock, proposals or projects. The effort concentrates on module-by-module setup, numbering, user rights and document templates, which a small finance or operations team can often handle with a partner for the initial configuration. Whatever platform you choose, the client must supply the process owners who decide how orders, stock and approvals should flow, the data owners who certify the source records and their quality, a test environment that mirrors production, and a named sign-off authority for each go-live step. Agree these roles and the acceptance criteria in the written scope before any migration begins.
How to test the shortlist before you commit
This sequence turns the three-way comparison into evidence from your own processes, data and infrastructure. Each step ends with a written output you can put in front of your architecture, security and finance reviewers before choosing a platform.
Define the processes that decide the outcome
Start by listing the three to five processes that would hurt most if they worked poorly, such as bills of materials and work orders for manufacturing, or multi-entity accounting and intercompany postings. Name the business owner for each process and the report or document it must produce. Done means one signed page per process that states the inputs, outputs and the people who approve them, so every candidate is tested against the same list.
Load a representative data sample
Build a test dataset from real exports of products, customers, suppliers, chart of accounts and open orders, with personal data masked where needed. ERPNext's Data Import tool accepts CSV or Excel files with templates, and its documentation advises importing only a few thousand records at a time, so confirm batch sizes during the test. Done when each candidate has loaded the same sample and the import errors are logged and explained.
Test the customizations you expect to need
Write down each custom field, workflow, approval rule or integration you expect, then build it in each candidate. For Odoo, check whether Studio and custom modules sit in the edition and plan you would buy, since the pricing page ties them to the Custom plan. For ERPNext, confirm whether Server Scripts are enabled in your hosting model, because they are disabled by default from version 15 and Frappe Cloud public shared benches do not allow them. For Dolibarr, test the Module Builder and any DoliStore add-ons you would depend on. Done when each customization is recorded with the effort it took and who maintains it afterward.
Confirm the upgrade path and support window
For the exact version you would deploy, check the published support end date and the upgrade route. Odoo's support documentation covers standard support for three years after a major release, and security updates stop when standard support ends, so ask Odoo which extended options apply to your deployment type. For ERPNext, check the Frappe supported versions page for the version line and the matching support plan. For Dolibarr, check the maintenance releases for your line. Ask each vendor or partner to show a test upgrade of your sample database. Done when you have a dated support table and a tested upgrade log for each candidate.
Check the hosting model against residency rules
Map where each candidate would store personal, financial and export-controlled data, including backups, logs and uploaded documents. Compare self-hosting in your cloud account, data center or air-gapped network against the vendor-managed options: Odoo Online and Odoo.sh, Frappe Cloud, and DoliCloud. Confirm with the vendor which regions and data locations each managed service uses, and confirm with your legal team which rules apply. Done when a single page shows, for each candidate, where the data sits, who can access it and which options are ruled out.
Request written scopes from two or three partners
Send the same written requirements, sample dataset and customization list to two or three implementation partners and ask for a fixed-scope written proposal for each candidate you keep. Ask each partner to state what is in scope, which deliverables are included, what the client must provide, and how upgrades and ongoing support are handled after go-live. Ask for the license and subscription items separately from the services. Done when you hold comparable written scopes and quotes that you can compare line by line, with the assumptions behind each one clearly stated.
What buyers ask before choosing and hiring help
Can our team implement Odoo, ERPNext or Dolibarr without an outside partner?
Yes, for a small and simple setup, but the effort depends on the number of processes, the amount of custom code and how much data must be migrated. Odoo and ERPNext both reward teams that know Python, PostgreSQL or MariaDB, and Dolibarr is a PHP application that a systems administrator with web hosting experience can often run. Before deciding, map your core processes to the modules each platform provides, list every integration, and confirm with the vendor and your own environment which parts need specialist work. A partner is most useful when the scope spans several business areas or needs custom development.
What does an ERP implementation partner charge, and what drives the quote?
DeployOpen does not publish prices. Every quote follows from a written scope, so the figure depends on the scope, data volume, customization, integrations and the number of environments you need. Ask any partner to split the quote into discovery, configuration, data migration, custom development, testing, training, hosting setup and post-go-live support, and to state which items are one-time and which recur. On the vendor side, the ERPNext pricing page lists Frappe Cloud plans starting at 5 US dollars per month for shared site hosting, and Odoo's pricing page sets per-user monthly prices, both of which you should confirm are current before budgeting.
Is Odoo Community enough without an Enterprise subscription?
Odoo Community is licensed under LGPL-3.0 and is free to use, but it does not include the apps and services that Enterprise adds. According to Odoo's editions page, Studio, Documents, Sign, Payroll, PLM, Quality, Field Service, Approvals, Knowledge, the mobile apps, version upgrades and unlimited functional support are Enterprise only. Community is often enough for a team that needs core accounting, sales, inventory and manufacturing and can maintain its own modules. Check the specific apps your processes depend on, and confirm with Odoo whether your planned hosting route and user count match the edition you choose.
How long do upgrades take, and what must our team provide?
Upgrade duration depends on database size, the number of custom modules, the number of third-party add-ons and how many business processes must be retested. Odoo's upgrade service moves a database to a newer supported version through an upgraded test database that you should test before production, and on Odoo Online and Odoo.sh major upgrades are mandatory every two years according to Odoo's upgrade documentation. Your team must provide test cases, sign-off owners, a rollback plan and a maintenance window. ERPNext and Dolibarr upgrades follow their own release lines, so confirm the supported versions and the migration steps for your version in each vendor's documentation before you commit.
Do ERPNext or Dolibarr need a paid plan to be production ready?
No. ERPNext is GPL-3.0 and self-hosting it is free according to the ERPNext pricing page, and Dolibarr is free open source software under GPL-3.0. Production readiness depends on your hosting, backups, monitoring, security hardening and support arrangements rather than on a license fee. Frappe's supported versions policy says a customer must be on a listed version and subscribed to a matching Frappe Cloud support plan to receive warranty coverage from Frappe, so a paid plan matters if you need that coverage. Dolibarr offers SaaS through DoliCloud, where the Basic plan is listed at 14 euros per user per month, and self-hosting carries no license fee.
What should we ask a partner to confirm in writing before signing?
Ask for a written scope listing modules, integrations, data migration sources and volumes, custom development, environments, and the acceptance criteria for each deliverable. Request the named versions you will run, the upgrade approach for the next major release, the backup and restore procedure, and who is responsible for security patches during each support window. Confirm which vendor licenses or subscriptions are your responsibility, which items are one-time, and which recur. DeployOpen plans, implements, hardens, backs up, upgrades and documents self-hosted platforms in your own infrastructure, and most engagements are fixed-scope with scope, deliverables and timelines agreed in writing before work starts.
Which platform's support window matters most for our long-term plan?
Support windows differ by vendor and by edition, so compare them against your planned upgrade cadence. Odoo provides standard support for three years after a major release, with paid extended support afterwards only for on-premise and selected Odoo.sh versions, and security updates only during standard support. Odoo 20 was released in September 2026 with standard support planned until September 2029. For ERPNext, Frappe's supported versions page lists version 15 supported until the end of 2027 and version 16 until the end of 2029. Dolibarr's older lines, including 23.0 and 22.0, still received maintenance releases in 2026, but confirm the current policy with the Dolibarr Association before relying on any line.
How DeployOpen helps you choose and implement without favoring a platform
DeployOpen plans, implements, integrates, hardens, documents and supports self-hosted open-source platforms inside your own infrastructure, so the choice between Odoo, ERPNext and Dolibarr starts from your requirements rather than from a platform we sell. We scope each option against your licensing position, module needs, hosting model and upgrade appetite before recommending anything.
How we scope
- Engagements are fixed-scope, with scope, deliverables and timelines agreed in writing before work starts.
- Scope lists which modules, editions or license tiers each candidate platform would require for your processes.
- Requirements cover manufacturing, accounting, HR and integrations, with gaps named before any build begins.
- Written scope states which hosting route applies, such as your own servers, cloud accounts or air-gapped networks.
How we build
- Implementation covers installation, configuration, data import and customization in your own environment.
- Custom code is reviewed against the platform's extension model, including Odoo modules, Frappe apps or Dolibarr modules.
- Testing covers upgrade rehearsals on a copy of production data, with database neutralization for test copies where applicable.
- Integrations with identity, email and accounting systems are built and tested against your directory and access policies.
How we hand over
- Handover documents the installed version, enabled modules, custom code, backup schedule and upgrade procedure.
- Runbooks explain how to apply minor releases and plan major upgrades for the specific platform you chose.
- Evidence for compliance readiness, such as access configuration and change records, is delivered in a form your auditors can review.
- Your staff receive training on administration tasks so the platform stays operable after the engagement ends.
How we support
- Ongoing support, upgrades and continuous testing are available as retainers, scoped separately from the build.
- Retainers can cover monitoring of supported version windows, so you know when a release line leaves support.
- Upgrade planning names the cost of custom code and add-ons, so renewal decisions rest on written figures.
- Support scope is confirmed in writing, including what your vendor subscription covers and what DeployOpen covers.
