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ERP · head to head

Apache OFBiz vs Focus Softnet

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
-
Focus Softnet logo

Focus Softnet

ERP

Cloud ERP for Indian and Asian markets

From
$300/month
Rated
-

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.; Focus Softnet no specific pricing plans, tiers, or costs are published on the website
  • They diverge on capability: Apache OFBiz covers Entity engine, Focus Softnet covers Financial management.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 31 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Apache OFBiz and Focus Softnet actually diverge.

Attributes where Apache OFBiz and Focus Softnet differ
AttributeApache OFBizFocus Softnet
Starting priceFree$300/month
Pricing modelOpen source, no licence feesubscription
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWeb, Linux, Windows, macOS, Self-hostedCloud, Web, Mobile
FoundedUnknown1994

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 Focus Softnet

  • Financial management
  • GST compliance
  • Inventory
  • CRM
  • Reporting
  • Local tax systems
  • REST APIs
  • Third-party systems

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

Focus Softnet

  • Cloud ERP covering sales, accounting, procurement and fixed assetsnot Apache OFBiz
  • Customer relationship management and lead nurturingnot Apache OFBiz
  • Human capital management including employee data and payrollnot Apache OFBiz
  • Industry specific operations such as warehouse, manufacturing, retail point of sale and restaurant 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.

Focus Softnet

  • No specific pricing plans, tiers, or costs are published on the website
  • Requires direct contact and free demo request to obtain pricing information

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

Focus Softnet

$300/month
  • Starter$300/month
    • Core ERP modules
    • Financial management
    • GST compliance
  • Professional$700/month
    • All modules
    • Advanced analytics
    • Priority support

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.

Choose Focus Softnet if

  • You need financial management.
  • You work on Cloud, Web, Mobile.
  • You also want gst compliance.

Questions people ask

Is Apache OFBiz or Focus Softnet better?
Neither clearly leads. Apache OFBiz starts at Free and Focus Softnet at $300/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Apache OFBiz or Focus Softnet?
Apache OFBiz has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Apache OFBiz and $300/month for Focus Softnet.
Does Apache OFBiz or Focus Softnet run on more platforms?
Apache OFBiz runs on Web, Linux, Windows, macOS, Self-hosted. Focus Softnet 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. Focus Softnet starts at $300/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 Focus Softnet is typically brought in for.
What can Apache OFBiz do that Focus Softnet cannot?
Apache OFBiz covers Entity engine, Service engine, Accounting, Order management. Focus Softnet covers Financial management, GST compliance, Inventory, CRM.

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.

Focus Softnet: What is Focus Softnet's pricing model?

Focus Softnet operates a cloud-hosted, mobile-ready SaaS subscription model, but specific pricing structures are not published on their public website.

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.

Focus Softnet: How can I get Focus Softnet pricing information?

Pricing inquiries require direct contact with their sales team. Contact them at [email protected] or call +91 40 4035 3535 to request a free demo.

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.

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.

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