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ERP · head to head

Apache OFBiz vs Cin7 Core

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
Cin7 Core logo

Cin7 Core

ERP

Inventory management for growing businesses

From
$349/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.; Cin7 Core transaction limits vary by tier; exceeding included sale orders or integrations requires additional cost
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 31 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Apache OFBiz and Cin7 Core actually diverge.

Attributes where Apache OFBiz and Cin7 Core differ
AttributeApache OFBizCin7 Core
Starting priceFree$349/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 Cin7 Core

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 Cin7 Core
  • An organisation with strong Java capability that needs an order and inventory data model it can extend rather than configurenot Cin7 Core
  • A business that requires a permissive Apache 2.0 licence because GPL copyleft is unacceptable to its legal teamnot Cin7 Core
  • A team replacing a bespoke in-house order management system that wants an entity model rather than a finished applicationnot Cin7 Core

Cin7 Core

  • Syncing inventory across e-commerce, POS, and wholesale channelsnot Apache OFBiz
  • Preventing stockouts in multi-warehouse distribution networksnot Apache OFBiz
  • Automating bill-of-materials for assembly-based manufacturingnot Apache OFBiz
  • Forecasting demand to optimize production schedulesnot 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.

Cin7 Core

  • Transaction limits vary by tier; exceeding included sale orders or integrations requires additional cost
  • Cin7 Omni requires custom pricing via sales contact

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

Cin7 Core

$349/month
  • Standard$349/month
    • 5 users
    • 2 e-commerce/app integrations
    • 6,000 sale orders/year
  • Pro$599/month
    • 10 users
    • 4 e-commerce/app integrations
    • 24,000 sale orders/year
  • Advanced$1199/month
    • 15 users
    • 6 e-commerce/app integrations
    • 120,000 sale orders/year

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 Cin7 Core if

Nothing in the data separates Cin7 Core from Apache OFBiz on the points above - pick on price and on how each one feels to use.

Cin7 Core review

Questions people ask

Is Apache OFBiz or Cin7 Core better?
Neither clearly leads. Apache OFBiz starts at Free and Cin7 Core at $349/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Apache OFBiz or Cin7 Core?
Apache OFBiz has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Apache OFBiz and $349/month for Cin7 Core.
Does Apache OFBiz or Cin7 Core run on more platforms?
Apache OFBiz runs on Web, Linux, Windows, macOS, Self-hosted. Cin7 Core runs on Web.
Can I use Apache OFBiz for free?
Yes. Apache OFBiz has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Cin7 Core starts at $349/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 Cin7 Core is typically brought in for.
What can Apache OFBiz do that Cin7 Core 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.

Cin7 Core: What is the base price for Cin7 Core?

Cin7 Core pricing starts at $349 per month for the Standard plan, which includes 5 users, 2 e-commerce integrations, and up to 6,000 sale orders per year.

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.

Cin7 Core: How many users and integrations are included in each plan?

Standard includes 5 users and 2 integrations; Pro includes 10 users and 4 integrations; Advanced includes 15 users and 6 integrations. Additional users and integrations are available for extra cost.

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.

Cin7 Core: What happens if I exceed my included number of sale orders?

Standard plan allows 6,000 sale orders per year, Pro allows 24,000, and Advanced allows 120,000. Exceeding these limits incurs additional charges; exact fees for overages are not specified on the pricing page.

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.

Cin7 Core: Is there a free trial available?

Yes, Cin7 offers a free trial option, though the specific trial duration is not detailed on the pricing page.

Source
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