Softwr

ERP · head to head

Apache OFBiz vs Rasa

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
Rasa logo

Rasa

Live Chat

Open-source framework for building conversational AI

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.; Rasa free Developer Edition caps conversations at 1,000 external or 100 internal per company per month
  • They diverge on capability: Apache OFBiz covers Entity engine, Rasa covers NLU engine.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 31 August 2026.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where Apache OFBiz and Rasa differ
AttributeApache OFBizRasa
Pricing modelOpen source, no licence feefreemium
PlatformsWeb, Linux, Windows, macOS, Self-hostedOn-premise, Cloud deployment, Docker, Kubernetes
CategoryERPLive Chat
FoundedUnknown2016

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
  • Order management
  • E-commerce storefront
  • Warehouse management
  • Manufacturing and MRP
  • Party model

Only in Rasa

  • NLU engine
  • Dialogue management
  • Multi-language support
  • Testing tools
  • Slack
  • Teams
  • Custom channels
  • API

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

Rasa

  • Developers self-hosting an open source conversational AI framework before needing enterprise scalenot 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.

Rasa

  • Free Developer Edition caps conversations at 1,000 external or 100 internal per company per month
  • Rasa Pro and the Business Plan (Pro plus Studio) are not priced on the site and require contacting sales

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

Rasa

Free
  • Free Developer EditionFree
    • One bot per company
    • Up to 1,000 external conversations per month or 100 internal conversations per month
    • Free Rasa license for local or production use
  • Rasa Pro$undefined/mo
    • Pro-code framework with CALM dialogue understanding
    • Language-agnostic NLU, enterprise search, multi-LLM management
    • Kubernetes support
  • Enterprise$undefined/mo
    • Full access to Rasa Platform and Premium Support
    • 24/7/365 support with Customer Success Manager
    • Business reviews and guidance

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 Rasa if

  • You need nlu engine.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on On-premise, Cloud deployment, Docker, Kubernetes.
  • You also want dialogue management.
Rasa review

Questions people ask

Is Apache OFBiz or Rasa better?
Neither clearly leads. Apache OFBiz starts at Free and Rasa at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Apache OFBiz or Rasa?
Apache OFBiz starts at Free and Rasa at Free.
Does Apache OFBiz or Rasa run on more platforms?
Apache OFBiz runs on Web, Linux, Windows, macOS, Self-hosted. Rasa runs on On-premise, Cloud deployment, Docker, Kubernetes.
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 Rasa is typically brought in for.
What can Apache OFBiz do that Rasa cannot?
Apache OFBiz covers Entity engine, Service engine, Accounting, Order management. Rasa covers NLU engine, Dialogue management, Multi-language support, Testing tools.

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.

Rasa: Does Rasa offer a free version?

Yes. Rasa offers a free Developer Edition with one bot per company, up to 1,000 external conversations per month, and free community support.

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.

Rasa: What support is included with Rasa's free tier?

The free tier includes community forum support with responses from Rasa community members. Paid tiers add premium support with enhanced response times.

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.

Rasa: What is the difference between Rasa Pro and Enterprise?

Rasa Pro includes the pro-code framework with advanced NLU and multi-LLM management. Enterprise adds full platform access, 24/7 support, dedicated Customer Success Manager, and business reviews.

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.

Share

Related pages

More on Apache OFBiz

More on Rasa

Keep looking

Other head to heads