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ERP · head to head

Apache OFBiz vs Vtiger

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
-
Vtiger logo

Vtiger

CRM

Open source CRM for growing businesses

From
Free
Rated
-

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.; Vtiger free One Pilot plan caps at 10 users and 3,000 records with 3 GB storage
  • They diverge on capability: Apache OFBiz covers Entity engine, Vtiger covers Contact management.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 31 August 2026.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where Apache OFBiz and Vtiger differ
AttributeApache OFBizVtiger
Pricing modelOpen source, no licence feesubscription
PlatformsWeb, Linux, Windows, macOS, Self-hostedWeb, Ios, Android
CategoryERPCRM
FoundedUnknown2004

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 Vtiger

  • Contact management
  • Sales pipeline
  • Service desk
  • Marketing automation
  • Reporting
  • Mobile app
  • API access
  • Zapier

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

Vtiger

  • Sales CRM and pipeline managementnot Apache OFBiz
  • Marketing automation and email campaignsnot Apache OFBiz
  • Help desk and customer supportnot Apache OFBiz
  • Project managementnot Apache OFBiz
  • Time tracking and billingnot 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.

Vtiger

  • Free One Pilot plan caps at 10 users and 3,000 records with 3 GB storage
  • One Growth plan is limited to 15 users
  • Standard users on One Enterprise cost $42 per user per month billed, more than double the Single App User rate of $30

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

Vtiger

Free
  • One PilotFree
    • Up to 10 users
    • Up to 3,000 records
    • Contact management
  • One Growth$12/month
    • Standard User: $12 per user per month
    • Up to 15 users
    • Up to 100,000 records
  • One Professional$30/month
    • Standard User: $30 per user per month
    • Single App User: $20 per user per month
    • Marked as Popular tier
  • One Enterprise$42/month
    • Standard User: $42 per user per month
    • Single App User: $30 per user per month

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 Vtiger if

  • You need contact management.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android.
  • You also want sales pipeline.

Questions people ask

Is Apache OFBiz or Vtiger better?
Neither clearly leads. Apache OFBiz starts at Free and Vtiger at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Apache OFBiz or Vtiger?
Apache OFBiz starts at Free and Vtiger at Free.
Does Apache OFBiz or Vtiger run on more platforms?
Apache OFBiz runs on Web, Linux, Windows, macOS, Self-hosted. Vtiger runs on Web, Ios, Android.
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 Vtiger is typically brought in for.
What can Apache OFBiz do that Vtiger cannot?
Apache OFBiz covers Entity engine, Service engine, Accounting, Order management. Vtiger covers Contact management, Sales pipeline, Service desk, Marketing automation.

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.

Vtiger: How much does Vtiger One Growth plan cost?

Vtiger One Growth costs $12 USD per standard user per month and supports up to 15 users with 100,000 records. Yearly billing saves up to 34% compared to monthly billing.

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.

Vtiger: What user types does Vtiger offer?

Vtiger offers Standard Users with full access to all apps and features, and Single App Users with full access to one app (Sales, Marketing, Help Desk, Projects, or Inventory) plus view-only access to others. Single App Users cost less than Standard Users across all paid tiers.

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.

Vtiger: What is included in Vtiger One Pilot free plan?

Vtiger One Pilot is free and supports up to 10 users with 3,000 records, including contact management, marketing automation with 1,000 emails monthly, help desk, project management, and sales pipeline features.

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.

Vtiger: What are the higher pricing tiers for Vtiger?

Vtiger offers One Professional ($30 per standard user or $20 per single app user monthly), One Enterprise ($42 per standard user or $30 per single app user monthly), and One AI ($50 per standard user or $38 per single app user monthly with new AI capabilities).

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