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ERP · head to head

Apache OFBiz vs Megaventory

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
Megaventory logo

Megaventory

Inventory

Order and inventory management for SMBs

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • 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.; Megaventory single Pro plan tier; no tiered options for different business sizes
  • They diverge on capability: Apache OFBiz covers Entity engine, Megaventory covers Inventory tracking.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 31 August 2026.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where Apache OFBiz and Megaventory differ
AttributeApache OFBizMegaventory
Pricing modelOpen source, no licence feesubscription
PlatformsWeb, Linux, Windows, macOS, Self-hostedWeb
CategoryERPInventory
FoundedUnknown2010

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated).

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
  • Warehouse management
  • Manufacturing and MRP
  • Party model
  • Apache 2.0 licence

Only in Megaventory

  • Inventory tracking
  • Manufacturing
  • Multi-location
  • WooCommerce
  • Shopify
  • Magento
  • QuickBooks
  • Xero

Both cover

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

Megaventory

  • Small inventory operations with Pro plan's 50,000 transaction capacity and 5 usersnot Apache OFBiz
  • Multi-location inventory management across up to 20 locations with Pro plannot Apache OFBiz
  • Growing businesses requiring custom plans beyond Pro specifications via Enterprise tiernot 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.

Megaventory

  • Single Pro plan tier; no tiered options for different business sizes
  • Additional users cost $45 per month each up to 35 total users
  • Additional transaction blocks cost $45 per month per 25k transactions up to 200k total
  • Enterprise plan pricing requires contacting sales for custom quote

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

Megaventory

Free
  • Pro$135/month
    • 5 users
    • 50k transactions
    • 20 locations
  • Pro (annual)$121.5/month
    • 5 users
    • 50k transactions
    • 20 locations

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 Megaventory if

  • You need inventory tracking.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You also want manufacturing.
Megaventory review

Questions people ask

Is Apache OFBiz or Megaventory better?
Neither clearly leads. Apache OFBiz starts at Free and Megaventory at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Apache OFBiz or Megaventory?
Apache OFBiz starts at Free and Megaventory at Free.
Does Apache OFBiz or Megaventory run on more platforms?
Apache OFBiz runs on Web, Linux, Windows, macOS, Self-hosted. Megaventory runs on Web.
Can I use Apache OFBiz for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
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 Megaventory is typically brought in for.
What can Apache OFBiz do that Megaventory cannot?
Apache OFBiz covers Entity engine, Service engine, Accounting, E-commerce storefront. Megaventory covers Inventory tracking, Manufacturing, Multi-location, WooCommerce. Both handle 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.

Megaventory: What is included in Megaventory's Pro plan?

The Pro plan costs $135 per month ($121.50/month with annual billing) and includes 5 users, 50,000 transactions, 20 locations, 20,000 product SKUs, 20,000 clients, and 2 hours of training.

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.

Megaventory: How much does Megaventory charge for additional users?

Megaventory charges $45 per month for each additional user, up to a maximum of 35 total users on the platform.

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.

Megaventory: Does Megaventory offer a free trial?

Yes, Megaventory offers a 15-day free trial with no obligation to continue to a paid subscription. Non-profit organizations can contact Megaventory for discounted subscription rates.

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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