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ERP · head to head

iDempiere vs Odoo

iDempiere logo

iDempiere

ERP

Community-governed open source ERP, CRM and supply chain built on Java, OSGi and PostgreSQL

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Odoo logo

Odoo

ERP

Open-source ERP and CRM suite for all business needs

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: iDempiere there is no vendor, so there is no support contract, no service level agreement and nobody to escalate to; you either build the skills internally or you depend entirely on a local partner whose quality you must judge yourself.; Odoo the free plan is limited to one app, so any second module moves the whole account to a paid per user plan
  • They diverge on capability: iDempiere covers Application dictionary, Odoo covers Sales management.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 31 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which iDempiere and Odoo actually diverge.

Attributes where iDempiere and Odoo differ
AttributeiDempiereOdoo
Pricing modelOpen source, no licence feesubscription
PlatformsWeb, Self-hosted, Docker, Linux, WindowsCloud, On-premise, Web, Mobile
FoundedUnknown2002

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), 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 iDempiere

  • Application dictionary
  • OSGi plug-in architecture
  • Multi-organisation accounting
  • Materials management
  • Manufacturing
  • Workflow engine
  • Report and print engine
  • No paid edition

Only in Odoo

  • Sales management
  • Inventory
  • Accounting
  • CRM
  • Project management
  • E-commerce
  • Email marketing
  • Payment gateways

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

iDempiere

  • A distributor wants multi-organisation, multi-currency accounting and warehouse costing without a per-user ERP licence that scales with headcount.not Odoo
  • An organisation that has been caught by an open core vendor moving features into a paid tier wants an ERP with no company that can make that decision.not Odoo
  • A team needs heavy customisation of screens, fields and approval workflows that must survive version upgrades, which the application dictionary makes possible without forking.not Odoo
  • A public sector or university body in Latin America or Indonesia needs a locally supportable ERP where the source and the implementation skills are both available in-country.not Odoo

Odoo

  • Running ERP, CRM, inventory and accounting from one integrated suitenot iDempiere
  • Starting with a single business app and adding modules over timenot iDempiere

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

iDempiere

  • There is no vendor, so there is no support contract, no service level agreement and nobody to escalate to; you either build the skills internally or you depend entirely on a local partner whose quality you must judge yourself.
  • It demands real Java, OSGi and PostgreSQL administration, so the running cost is a systems engineer rather than a subscription, and that engineer is harder to hire than a PHP developer.
  • The ZK-based interface is dense and dated, with a data-entry feel inherited from Compiere that staff used to modern software find hostile, which drives up training cost.
  • Localisation depends on community contribution, so tax, payroll and statutory reporting for your country may be absent, out of date or maintained by one person, and you may end up funding it yourself.
  • The documentation is a community wiki with gaps and stale pages, and much of the practical knowledge sits in forum threads and partner heads rather than in anything you can hand to a new administrator.

Odoo

  • The free plan is limited to one app, so any second module moves the whole account to a paid per user plan
  • Standard runs $13.50 to $16.90 per user per month and Custom $20.40 to $25.50, both quoted with a yearly discount applied
  • Implementation services and custom development are not included in any plan
  • Odoo.sh hosting is required for custom modules and is charged separately from the subscription
  • SMS credits and AI scanning are billed on top of the per user price

Pricing, plan by plan

iDempiere

Free
  • iDempiereFree
    • Full ERP, CRM and supply chain source
    • Unlimited users and organisations
    • No enterprise edition and no feature gating
  • Implementation partner$undefined/year
    • Local partners provide installation, configuration, training and support
    • Priced per engagement, not published
    • Realistically the only viable route for a production deployment

Odoo

Free
  • One App FreeFree
    • Unlimited users
    • One app included
    • Hosted on Odoo Online
  • Standard$13.5/month
    • All apps included
    • Odoo Online hosting
    • Unlimited support, hosting and maintenance
  • Custom$20.4/month
    • All apps, multi-company support
    • Odoo Studio access
    • External API access

Which should you pick?

Choose iDempiere if

  • You need application dictionary.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Self-hosted, Docker, Linux, Windows.
  • You also want osgi plug-in architecture.
iDempiere review

Choose Odoo if

  • You need sales management.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Cloud, On-premise, Web, Mobile.
  • You also want inventory.
Odoo review

Questions people ask

Is iDempiere or Odoo better?
Neither clearly leads. iDempiere starts at Free and Odoo at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, iDempiere or Odoo?
iDempiere starts at Free and Odoo at Free.
Does iDempiere or Odoo run on more platforms?
iDempiere runs on Web, Self-hosted, Docker, Linux, Windows. Odoo runs on Cloud, On-premise, Web, Mobile.
Can I use iDempiere for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is iDempiere best used for?
iDempiere is most often used for a distributor wants multi-organisation, multi-currency accounting and warehouse costing without a per-user erp licence that scales with headcount., an organisation that has been caught by an open core vendor moving features into a paid tier wants an erp with no company that can make that decision., a team needs heavy customisation of screens, fields and approval workflows that must survive version upgrades, which the application dictionary makes possible without forking., a public sector or university body in latin america or indonesia needs a locally supportable erp where the source and the implementation skills are both available in-country.. Of those, a distributor wants multi-organisation, multi-currency accounting and warehouse costing without a per-user erp licence that scales with headcount. and an organisation that has been caught by an open core vendor moving features into a paid tier wants an erp with no company that can make that decision. are not what Odoo is typically brought in for.
What can iDempiere do that Odoo cannot?
iDempiere covers Application dictionary, OSGi plug-in architecture, Multi-organisation accounting, Materials management. Odoo covers Sales management, Inventory, Accounting, CRM.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

iDempiere: Is iDempiere the same as ADempiere or Compiere?

It shares the lineage. iDempiere forked from ADempiere in 2011 to rebuild the platform on OSGi, and it is the branch that remains actively developed.

Odoo: How much does Odoo cost per user?

Odoo pricing ranges from $0/month for one free app with unlimited users, to $13.50-$16.90/month per user for Standard, and $20.40-$25.50/month per user for Custom, depending on billing frequency (yearly vs monthly).

Source
iDempiere: Is there a paid or enterprise edition?

No. There is no commercial owner and no feature gating. Money is spent on implementation partners and hosting, not on licences.

Odoo: Is there a free Odoo plan?

Yes, Odoo offers a free plan that includes unlimited users for one app with hosting and support included on Odoo Online.

Source
iDempiere: What does it actually cost to run?

Nothing in licence fees, and a great deal in skills: expect a partner implementation and ongoing Java and PostgreSQL administration, which for a mid-sized company is comparable to a commercial subscription.

Odoo: How does Odoo define a paying user?

A paying user is typically an employee who has access to the Odoo backend to create, view, or edit documents. Customers and suppliers accessing portals are free users and do not count toward the seat limit.

Source
iDempiere: Which database does it need?

PostgreSQL or Oracle. PostgreSQL is the mainstream community choice and the one most partners deploy.

Odoo: What is included in Odoo's Standard plan?

The Standard plan at $13.50-$16.90/user/month includes all Odoo apps, hosting, unlimited support and maintenance, daily backups, 24/7 monitoring and security, and free eLearning platform access.

Source
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