In-Depth Comparison of Odoo Community vs Odoo Enterprise: Which Differences?

Rated one of the Top ERP solutions in the world, Odoo ERP offers advanced customization capabilities, unlimited integration, and expansion. With two fundamental versions: Odoo Community vs Odoo Enterprise, Odoo ERP solution meets the diverse needs of users effectively.

However, when businesses choose the Odoo ERP solution, they always consider: Between Odoo Community vs Odoo Enterprise, which version best meets your business needs?

This article will help you answer these questions. Dive deep into our article right now to explore!

Overview of Odoo Community vs Odoo Enterprise

Definition of Odoo Community 

Between Odoo Community vs Odoo Enterprise, Odoo Community is a free and open-source version of Odoo ERP. It was released under the LGPLv3 license. Developed and tested by OCA, Odoo Community is installable to meet business requirements. 

Thanks to that, many businesses can start using Odoo ERP and customize this Odoo system to become their own. Some businesses choose customization through their IT team, others choose outside partners to deploy and build the system more effectively.

Although Odoo Community doesn't offer the premium features and official technical support of Odoo, it is still a popular choice for small and mid-sized businesses with limited budgets or in need of a managed solution for basic and flexible business management.

Definition of Odoo Enterprise

Odoo Enterprise was launched as a closed source ERP version of Odoo in 2015. This version makes performance speed faster, efficiency, and mobile browser compatibility.

The aim of this version is to provide the best choice ERP system for businesses, helping to optimize operating processes with many exclusive features and modules.

Odoo Enterprise gets unlimited functionality, regular upgrades, and public and private cloud ERP solutions like hosting support from Odoo SA. Many functional modules, such as Data Cleansing, Signing, Help Desk, Marketing Automation, Quality Management, Maintenance, Online Appointments, Registration, Studio are exclusive to Odoo Enterprise and not available in the Odoo Community version.

In contrast to Odoo Community when comparing Odoo Community vs Odoo Enterprise, Odoo Enterprise is a paid version, the subscription fee depends on the number of users and used applications. The Odoo Enterprise version is upgraded and more suitable for niche and high-value markets. 

Odoo Community vs Odoo Enterprise: Detailed Comparison

When deciding between Odoo Community vs Odoo Enterprise, it's important to understand the key differences and unique benefits that each version offers. This helps you quickly make potential decisions that are consistent with the operating direction of your business.

Let us help you with the core differences of these two versions below:

Pricing

The fundamental difference between Odoo Community vs Odoo Enterprise is price. As mentioned, Odoo Community is free basic software while the Odoo Enterprise is a paid version. 

But it is not entirely correct to say that Odoo Enterprise will always cost businesses more than the Odoo Community version.

The expense of Odoo Enterprise can vary based on five key factors: the number of users, installed applications, storage methods, deployment costs, and external application integration by third-party.

On the other hand, as an open-source ERP version, Odoo Community permits businesses to download applications directly from the official Odoo website without paying any licensing fees. 

However, customizing and developing modules are not in the free version to fully meet the needs of the business can also incur significant costs. In addition, the cost of maintaining an IT team to operate the system also needs to be considered.

User Interface

 Odoo Community vs Odoo Enterprise are multi-language versions and offer desktop use or through the web browser. The difference is that Odoo Enterprise can be used on Mobile applications (Android and IOS platform). This creates more convenience for users.

Accounting

Two features of the Accounting, comprise: Invoicing and Payments, which are used in Odoo Community vs Odoo Enterprise.

With the Invoicing feature, businesses can perform many tasks such as: Creating customer invoices, issuing refunds, auto filling addresses, managing supplier invoices, processing recurring invoices, and triple matching payments, etc.

With the Payments feature, you can make assignments, for example:  Invoice overview, convert currencies, batch payments, receive payments online, manage and customize order numbers, etc.

Different points

When utilizing Odoo Community, your business will not be supported with Complete Accounting. 

If you wish to access this feature, you'll need to adopt Odoo Enterprise. This version supplies a full range of accounting features, including General Ledger, Bank Statement Reconciliation, Analytical Accounting, Optical Character Recognition (OCR) for entering supplier invoices, Estimates, Check Writing, Consolidation, Localization, Reporting, and more.

Sales Management

Similar points

CRM, Sales, and Customer Portal features are all supported in the Sales Management of Odoo Community vs Odoo Enterprise. 

CRM is a method that helps businesses approach and communicate with customers systematically and effectively, managing customer information such as: Account information, needs, contact information, and other information.

Sales features promote Customer and contact management; Creating orders and sales orders, Managing products and services, Managing prices and discounts; Creating and managing projects.

Customer Portal in Odoo is an important method that offers better interactive experiences between businesses and customers.

Different points

VoIP Integration, eSignature, Subscriptions, Rental check, Digital products, Helpdeck, Field Service features are not given to Odoo Community. However, Odoo Enterprise has it all. 

These features provide a range of useful tools to assist businesses boost performance, improve customer experience, and manage services effectively.

Website Builder

Similar points

Odoo Community vs Odoo Enterprise have full Website Builder features, consisting of: Website builder, Blogs, Presentation, Themes.

They encourage businesses to build and manage websites flexibly and professionally. For instance, they include designing website interfaces, writing blog posts, and creating online presentations. By that way, it develops the experience for customers and enhances your business's marketing and advertising effectiveness.

Different points

The main difference in Website Builder of Odoo Community vs Odoo Enterprise is Call-to-Action Blocks.

This functionality allows businesses to create compelling call-to-action points on their website, increase customer conversion opportunities, and improve online marketing effectiveness.

Inventory

Similar points

Odoo Community vs Odoo Enterprise have Purchase Management and Inventory Management features.

For Purchase Management, it meets all 5 life principles for retail businesses when purchasing in practice, including: Right item, Right quantity, Reasonable price - good quality, Right time, Accurate information.

Inventory management allows tracking and controlling goods inventory, managing goods setup and delivery, optimizing receiving processes, and checking and adjusting warehouses.

Different point

When comparing Odoo Community vs Odoo Enterprise, Odoo Enterprise has additional features such as: Shipping Connectors, Barcode support, Multi-company in Inventory module.

All these features improve your workflow and optimize your business operations, from overseeing shipping and inventory to managing multiple companies or branches.

Human Resources

Similar points

Employee Directory, Expenses, Leaves, Recruitments integrated in Odoo Community vs Odoo Enterprise. Supporting businesses maximize Human Resource and Financial Management, from employee information management, expense management, to recruitment processes.

Different points

Payroll, Appraisals, Employee Referral, and Departments Dashboard features are not provided for the Odoo Community version, only for the Odoo Enterprise. 

Using these exclusive features, you can manage Human Resources effectively, from calculating and managing salaries to evaluating and developing employees, as well as optimizing departmental management, and the recruitment process.

Marketing

Similar points

Marketing in Odoo 17 gives a series of features that aid businesses reach and interact with customers more effectively.

It offers Events, Email Marketing, Livechat, SMS Marketing for two versions. They are a powerful and useful method to reach and interact with customers more successfully.

Different points

Social Marketing, Marketing Automation, Lead Scoring, Email Marketing Templates are not available in Odoo Community, but Odoo Enterprise is included with all.

These functionalities help businesses elevate marketing strategies, increase customer interactions, and develop the effectiveness of online marketing campaigns.

Project Management

Similar points

Tasks, Timesheets features are used for the free version and paid version. They aid businesses to govern projects powerfully, track progress and employee working time, thereby optimizing resource management and project costs.

Different points

The only difference between Odoo Community and Odoo Enterprise in Project Management is Forecast. This feature predicts and plans for the future effectively, from revenue forecasting to planning and budget management. This helps improve business decisions and enhance business performance with prominent results.

Manufacturing

Similar points

Two versions are only similar in the Maintenance feature. It gives tools to manage and track maintenance of business assets and equipment. 

Different points

MRP, IoT, MRPII, PLM, Quality, Shipping Connector features only appear in Odoo Enterprise, not in Odoo Community.

These special features just present in Odoo Enterprise version aim to promote an integrated system to control manufacturing operations, product and quality management, and to integrate transportation services that help provide a comprehensive solution for businesses. 

E-commerce

Odoo Enterprise applies Shipping Connectors, Amazon Connectors, eBay Connectors but Odoo Community doesn’t.

These important functionalities permit businesses to handle shipping processes and integrate with major e-commerce platforms such as Amazon and eBay. This helps to improve business efficiency and create a better shopping experience for customers. 

Point of Sale

Similar points

In the Point of Sale, Odoo Community vs Odoo Enterprise are the same in Point of Sale and POS Restaurants features. They supply a comprehensive platform for managing business operations in the food service industry.

Different points

Odoo Community does not have Loyalty cards, but Odoo Enterprise has. This is an effective tool to create long-term relationships and increase sales for businesses.

Customization in Odoo Studio

This function is only available in Odoo Enterprise. You can customize your system even without IT expertise. This editing capability includes Screen Customization, Report Designer, Menus Editor, and Apps Creator.

These features personalize the user experience of the Odoo Enterprise version. However, Odoo Studio cannot replace an Odoo programmer or consultant.

In addition, it is not possible to combine code editing and editing in Odoo Studio at the same time. If you arbitrarily modify Odoo Studio and the code on Odoo, it can create many errors when used. Especially when the editor is not an Odoo expert like A1 Consulting, for example.

Storage options

Storage is also one of the differences that cannot be ignored between Odoo Community vs Odoo Enterprise.

Odoo Community allows you to use your hosting server or any other third-party partner. Usually, there are two types of hosting as follows:

• Database: Use your existing database to store Odoo. This is a pretty red and cheap option. Usually, large businesses that want to manage their data themselves will use this method for storage. Management work is also very complex and requires a large amount of energy (IT, software, hardware and budget).
• Cloud database: Use cloud computing to store data (AWS, Google Cloud, etc.)

If you use Odoo Enterprise edition, in addition to the above editions, you will have more options:

• Odoo SaaS (Odoo Online): Cloud platform suitable for users new to Odoo Enterprise. The system is owned by Odoo, so you can be completely security minded. However, when hosting Odoo SaaS, you will not be able to load or edit any editing modules. Of course, that includes the modules on the Odoo store.
• Odoo.Sh: Odoo's premium cloud platform with GitHub integration. Users of this hosting service do not need to care about technology or technical knowledge to manage and maintain storage like other platforms. Furthermore, when using this hosting service, you will also receive support from Odoo partners around the world, such as A1 Consulting.

Limitations of Using Odoo Community

When comparing Odoo Community vs Odoo Enterprise, our team of experts found that Odoo Community provides a fairly complete set of tools to meet business performance. However, it has certain limitations for businesses that you should consider before making an official decision:

• Fewer features than Odoo Enterprise version, limited functionality for businesses with advanced needs.
• Lack of official support from Odoo developers. Businesses using Odoo Community almost have to rely on the community if they need support, which does not guarantee quality or timeliness.
• Compatibility limitations when integrating Odoo Community with other business software.
• Less customization options when compared to Odoo Enterprise. This poses a challenge for businesses aiming for highly customized solutions.
• Less powerful in security features, especially when comparing Odoo Community vs Odoo Enterprise. Businesses operating in specific fields that require strict data protection will be confused about this issue.

Odoo Community vs Odoo Enterprise: Choosing the Right One for Your Business

When doing Odoo implementation, you need to think carefully about Odoo Community vs Odoo Enterprise. The selection is so important because the ERP version you choose will be with your business for a long time.

• If your business just wants to own core Odoo features and has a limited budget, you can consider the Odoo Community. 
• Contrary to this, if your business needs to expand more features to better meet management activities and has a higher investment budget, Odoo Enterprise is the best-suited choice.

Final Thoughts

The difference between Odoo Community vs Odoo Enterprise is extremely significant. Only when you clearly understand these differences can you fully make a choice that best suits the needs and operational goals of your business. The general distinctions we made above will partly help you speed up this decisive process.

In case you are still wondering whether Odoo Community vs Odoo Enterprise the right fit for your business is, get in touch with us, A1 Consulting. We can help you find the best solution. We are Odoo’s leading partner in Malaysia, with extensive knowledge in all fields, and we will certainly provide all of your most demanding requirements.

Contact us immediately to get more detailed information about Odoo Community vs Odoo Enterprise, also the exclusive consultancy from the A1 Consulting expert teams!