Approximate reading time: 10 min.
While Odoo Community is an excellent option for many businesses, Odoo Enterprise may be the right choice for others. In this blog, we will evaluate both options to identify the one that best fits your company.
What is Odoo Community and how Odoo Enterprise came to be?
Odoo Community is the free and open-source version of Odoo, which is developed collaboratively by a global community of developers and users. In this version, anyone can contribute to the code, report bugs, or add new features to the software.
On the other hand, Odoo Enterprise was created in response to the demand from businesses that need a more advanced business management solution with professional support.
It offers all the features of the Community version, but with additional services such as guaranteed updates, technical support, and access to a series of exclusive applications that we will discuss in detail later.
Now that you know a bit about each, we'll tell you more about the factors that differentiate them.
1. Applications
While both editions offer a comprehensive set of essential applications for business management, the Enterprise version includes exclusive applications and advanced features designed for specific needs.
Below, we present a table with the exclusive applications of Enterprise that are not included in the Community version:
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You can find a complete comparative list of applications on the official Odoo page / community / compare editions. if you want more information.
2. Hosting
Odoo does not offer management for Odoo Community, so the most common option is third-party management on a local server or on a dedicated cloud server. However, for Odoo Enterprise, you can choose from the following options:
Odoo Enterprise Cloud (Odoo .SH)
This is Odoo's cloud hosting service that offers high availability, security, scalability, as well as automatic software updates and regular backups. Additionally, it allows the installation of third-party applications, access to the backend, customizations with Odoo Studio, and integration with other platforms. The cost of this service varies depending on the number of users and the amount of data hosted in the ERP system.
Odoo Enterprise On-Premise
This is a hosting option that involves installing Odoo on a local server or a dedicated cloud server managed by a third party. It requires a larger investment in hardware, setup time, and ongoing maintenance with specialized technical staff.
Odoo Enterprise Online
This is Odoo's cloud hosting service for companies that are just starting out and need support in managing the server. It offers high availability, backups, security, scalability, and automatic software updates. It does not include third-party application installation, backend access, customizations with Odoo Studio, or integration with other platforms. The cost of this service varies depending on the number of users and the amount of data hosted in the ERP system.
3. Support and Warranty
For customers who have purchased an Enterprise subscription, Odoo offers a technical support service, which includes assistance via email, as well as software updates and security patches. The warranty is permanent during the subscription period.
Updates
Odoo announces its new version every year, showcasing new features and improvements. These regular updates include functionality improvements, bug fixes, and security patches.
4. User Experience
In Odoo Enterprise, the user interface is designed to be visually appealing and easy to navigate. It can be customized to meet the specific needs of the business and can be used on both mobile applications and desktop computers.
On the other hand, in Odoo Community, the user experience is not as advanced as in Enterprise and may require more effort in terms of customization and configuration. This version only allows access to the software from a desktop computer.
5. Price
Although the Community version is free, if your company does not have a team of Odoo programming experts, you will need to hire services from an external provider. That’s why we recommend not only focusing on costs but also analyzing your company’s specific needs and evaluating which version of Odoo can offer the most suitable solutions.
Analyze your needs!
Odoo Enterprise is for you if... | Odoo Community is for you if... |
• You have a company that needs a scalable, customizable software platform with advanced features. | • Your business is just starting and you don’t need advanced features, just a free open-source software platform. |
• You need to manage your business from a single platform. | • You are willing to manage your business with multiple platforms. |
• You need third-party integrations or custom applications to meet your specific business needs. | • You don’t need integrations with other business applications. |
• You need access to regular software updates and improvements. | • You don’t need regular software updates and improvements. |
• You need technical support and professional assistance. | • You don’t need technical support or professional assistance. |
• You are looking for a software solution that meets security and privacy standards. | • You don’t need to comply with security and privacy standards. |