Softwr

ERP · head to head

Apache OFBiz vs bexio

Apache OFBiz logo

Apache OFBiz

ERP

Java ERP and e-commerce framework from the Apache Foundation, sold as a toolkit not a product

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
bexio logo

bexio

ERP

Simple business software for Swiss SMEs, the self-employed and startups

From
35/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Apache OFBiz has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Apache OFBiz oFBiz has disclosed repeated critical vulnerabilities including pre-authentication remote code execution and authentication bypass chains, several exploited in the wild, so an internet-facing instance that is not patched promptly is a genuine breach risk rather than a theoretical one.; bexio pricing in Swiss francs only; prices exclude VAT
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 31 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Apache OFBiz and bexio actually diverge.

Attributes where Apache OFBiz and bexio differ
AttributeApache OFBizbexio
Starting priceFree35/month
Pricing modelOpen source, no licence feesubscription
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWeb, Linux, Windows, macOS, Self-hostedWeb

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (ERP).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Apache OFBiz

  • Entity engine
  • Service engine
  • Accounting
  • Order management
  • E-commerce storefront
  • Warehouse management
  • Manufacturing and MRP
  • Party model

Only in bexio

Nothing recorded that Apache OFBiz does not also cover.

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Apache OFBiz

  • A systems integrator building a vertical industry product on a permissively licensed ERP core it can redistribute commerciallynot bexio
  • An organisation with strong Java capability that needs an order and inventory data model it can extend rather than configurenot bexio
  • A business that requires a permissive Apache 2.0 licence because GPL copyleft is unacceptable to its legal teamnot bexio
  • A team replacing a bespoke in-house order management system that wants an entity model rather than a finished applicationnot bexio

bexio

  • SMB accountingnot Apache OFBiz
  • Invoice managementnot Apache OFBiz

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Apache OFBiz

  • OFBiz has disclosed repeated critical vulnerabilities including pre-authentication remote code execution and authentication bypass chains, several exploited in the wild, so an internet-facing instance that is not patched promptly is a genuine breach risk rather than a theoretical one.
  • There is no vendor, no support contract and no hosted edition, so every deployment depends on either in-house Java skill or an integrator you find and vet yourself.
  • The screens and default workflows look and behave like enterprise software from the 2000s, and user acceptance in a finance or warehouse team is frequently the reason projects stall.
  • It is a framework rather than a configurable product, so meaningful deployments require Java, XML widget and entity engine development, which puts the real cost in developer months rather than licence fees.
  • Localisation for tax, statutory reporting and payroll is largely absent, so any country-specific compliance requirement has to be built, and that build has to be maintained against upstream releases.

bexio

  • Pricing in Swiss francs only; prices exclude VAT
  • Add-on costs: Payroll CHF 7-25/month, bexio Pay CHF 14/month, QR scanning limited on lower tiers

Pricing, plan by plan

Apache OFBiz

Free
  • Self-hostedFree
    • Apache License 2.0, permissive and commercially redistributable
    • Accounting, order management, warehousing and manufacturing included
    • E-commerce storefront included

bexio

35/month
  • Basic$35/month annual
    • 1 user
  • Advanced$25.2/month annual
    • 2 users
  • Optima$41.4/month annual
    • 5 users
  • Ultimate$71.4/month annual
    • 25 users

Which should you pick?

Choose Apache OFBiz if

  • You need entity engine.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Linux, Windows, macOS, Self-hosted.
  • You also want service engine.
Apache OFBiz review

Choose bexio if

Nothing in the data separates bexio from Apache OFBiz on the points above - pick on price and on how each one feels to use.

bexio review

Questions people ask

Is Apache OFBiz or bexio better?
Neither clearly leads. Apache OFBiz starts at Free and bexio at 35/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Apache OFBiz or bexio?
Apache OFBiz has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Apache OFBiz and 35/month for bexio.
Does Apache OFBiz or bexio run on more platforms?
Apache OFBiz runs on Web, Linux, Windows, macOS, Self-hosted. bexio runs on Web.
Can I use Apache OFBiz for free?
Yes. Apache OFBiz has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. bexio starts at 35/month.
What is Apache OFBiz best used for?
Apache OFBiz is most often used for a systems integrator building a vertical industry product on a permissively licensed erp core it can redistribute commercially, an organisation with strong java capability that needs an order and inventory data model it can extend rather than configure, a business that requires a permissive apache 2.0 licence because gpl copyleft is unacceptable to its legal team, a team replacing a bespoke in-house order management system that wants an entity model rather than a finished application. Of those, a systems integrator building a vertical industry product on a permissively licensed erp core it can redistribute commercially and an organisation with strong java capability that needs an order and inventory data model it can extend rather than configure are not what bexio is typically brought in for.
What can Apache OFBiz do that bexio cannot?
Apache OFBiz covers Entity engine, Service engine, Accounting, Order management.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Apache OFBiz: Is Apache OFBiz safe to run on the public internet?

Only with disciplined patching. It has shipped fixes for pre-authentication remote code execution and authentication bypass flaws, with CVEs continuing into 2026, and some have been exploited in the wild.

bexio: How much does Bexio's Basic plan cost?

Bexio's Basic plan costs CHF 35 per month with annual billing or CHF 45 per month with monthly billing, including 1 user.

Source
Apache OFBiz: What does it cost?

Nothing to licence. It is Apache 2.0. The cost is Java development, hosting and ongoing security maintenance.

bexio: What discount do new Bexio customers receive?

New customers receive a 40% discount on Advanced and higher tiers during their first year when using code bx40 by August 28, 2026.

Source
Apache OFBiz: Can I use it as a finished ERP?

Not realistically. It is a framework with reference applications, and most production deployments are custom builds on top of it.

bexio: Does Bexio offer a free trial?

Bexio provides a 30-day free trial with Ultimate plan features included, allowing users to test all functionality before committing.

Source
Apache OFBiz: Why choose it over a GPL ERP?

The Apache 2.0 licence is permissive, so an integrator can build and sell a derived commercial product without copyleft obligations.

bexio: How many users can each Bexio plan support?

Bexio plans support 1 user (Basic), 2 users (Advanced), 5 users (Optima), and 25 users (Ultimate).

Source
Share

Related pages

More on Apache OFBiz

More on bexio

Keep looking

Other head to heads