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ERP · head to head

Apache OFBiz vs Cin7

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 logo

Cin7

ERP

Connected inventory management for product sellers

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 no free trial mentioned
  • They diverge on capability: Apache OFBiz covers Entity engine, Cin7 covers Inventory management.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 31 August 2026.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where Apache OFBiz and Cin7 differ
AttributeApache OFBizCin7
Starting priceFree$349/month
Pricing modelOpen source, no licence feesubscription
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWeb, Linux, Windows, macOS, Self-hostedCloud, Web, Mobile
FoundedUnknown2012

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
  • E-commerce storefront
  • Manufacturing and MRP
  • Party model
  • Apache 2.0 licence
  • Widget UI framework

Only in Cin7

  • Inventory management
  • EDI integration
  • B2B commerce
  • Shopify
  • Amazon
  • eBay
  • QuickBooks
  • Xero

Both cover

  • Order management
  • Warehouse management

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

Cin7

  • Inventory management and ERPnot Apache OFBiz
  • Multi-location inventory controlnot Apache OFBiz
  • Order and contact managementnot Apache OFBiz
  • Accounting integrationnot 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

  • No free trial mentioned
  • Standard plan includes only 6,000 orders annually, average 500/month
  • User counts are fixed per tier: 5 users on Standard, 10 on Pro, 15 on Advanced
  • Advanced warehouse management only on Advanced plan (minimum $1,199/month)
  • Pricing excludes taxes

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

$349/month
  • Standard$349/month
    • 5 users
    • 6,000 sales orders per year
    • 2 integrations
  • Pro$599/month
    • 10 users
    • 24,000 sales orders per year
    • 4 integrations
  • Advanced$1199/month
    • 15 users
    • 120,000 sales orders per year
    • 6 integrations
  • Cin7 Omni$null/month
    • Custom pricing
    • 8 users
    • Flexible order volume

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 if

  • You need inventory management.
  • You work on Cloud, Web, Mobile.
  • You also want edi integration.
Cin7 review

Questions people ask

Is Apache OFBiz or Cin7 better?
Neither clearly leads. Apache OFBiz starts at Free and Cin7 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?
Apache OFBiz has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Apache OFBiz and $349/month for Cin7.
Does Apache OFBiz or Cin7 run on more platforms?
Apache OFBiz runs on Web, Linux, Windows, macOS, Self-hosted. Cin7 runs on Cloud, Web, Mobile.
Can I use Apache OFBiz for free?
Yes. Apache OFBiz has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Cin7 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 is typically brought in for.
What can Apache OFBiz do that Cin7 cannot?
Apache OFBiz covers Entity engine, Service engine, Accounting, E-commerce storefront. Cin7 covers Inventory management, EDI integration, B2B commerce, Shopify. Both handle Order management, Warehouse 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: What is the minimum cost to start using Cin7?

Cin7 Core Standard plan costs $349/month (USD), including 5 users, 6,000 annual sales orders, and 2 integrations. Pricing excludes taxes.

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: How many users are included on each Cin7 plan?

Standard includes 5 users, Pro includes 10 users, and Advanced includes 15 users. Cin7 Omni is customizable with 8 base users.

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: What sales order limits apply to each plan?

Standard supports 6,000 orders annually, Pro supports 24,000 orders annually, and Advanced supports 120,000 orders annually. Cin7 Omni has flexible order volumes.

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: Does Cin7 offer material requirements planning on all plans?

No, material requirements planning is only available on Pro ($599/month) and Advanced ($1,199/month) plans. The Standard plan does not include this feature.

Source
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