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ERP · head to head

Apache OFBiz vs Holded

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
Holded logo

Holded

ERP

Spanish cloud ERP for invoicing, accounting and business management for small companies

From
€7.5/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.; Holded 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 Holded actually diverge.

Attributes where Apache OFBiz and Holded differ
AttributeApache OFBizHolded
Starting priceFree€7.5/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 Holded

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

Holded

  • Managing bank reconciliation rules across multiple accountsnot Apache OFBiz
  • Scaling from 250 to unlimited invoices annually as business growsnot Apache OFBiz
  • Processing payroll and absences for teams of 5-50 peoplenot Apache OFBiz
  • Managing stock across multiple warehouses for distributionnot Apache OFBiz
  • Automating tax authority submissions for Spanish SMEsnot 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.

Holded

  • Prices exclude VAT
  • Annual limits reset January to December
  • Invoice limits cap usage per tier

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

Holded

€7.5/month
  • Plus$7.5/month
    • 250 invoices per year
    • 1 connected bank
  • Basic$14.5/month
    • 1,000 invoices per year
    • 5 connected banks
    • 2 users plus advisory
  • Standard$29.5/month
    • 3,000 invoices per year
    • Unlimited banks
    • 4 users plus advisory
  • Advanced$49.5/month
    • 10,000 invoices per year
    • Unlimited banks
    • 7 users plus advisory

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 Holded if

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

Holded review

Questions people ask

Is Apache OFBiz or Holded better?
Neither clearly leads. Apache OFBiz starts at Free and Holded at €7.5/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Apache OFBiz or Holded?
Apache OFBiz has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Apache OFBiz and €7.5/month for Holded.
Does Apache OFBiz or Holded run on more platforms?
Apache OFBiz runs on Web, Linux, Windows, macOS, Self-hosted. Holded runs on Web.
Can I use Apache OFBiz for free?
Yes. Apache OFBiz has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Holded starts at €7.5/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 Holded is typically brought in for.
What can Apache OFBiz do that Holded 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.

Holded: Does Holded offer annual billing discounts?

Yes, Holded offers 50% discount for the first 3 months across all plans. Additionally, annual billing provides savings compared to monthly plans.

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.

Holded: What add-ons does Holded offer?

Holded offers optional add-on modules: Inventory (25 EUR/month), Team Pro (1.50 EUR per employee per month), Payroll (5 EUR per employee per month), and POS (25 EUR per store per month).

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.

Holded: What are the invoice limits per plan?

Invoice limits vary by plan: Plus (250/year), Basic (1,000/year), Standard (3,000/year), Advanced (10,000/year), and Premium (unlimited).

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.

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