Dolibarr or Odoo: the ERP match-up for SMEs seeking growth!
Dolibarr and Odoo are among the most popular open source ERP solutions on the market. Two powerful tools that promise to simplify day-to-day management, support SME growth and adapt to the most specific needs thanks to their numerous modules. But despite their shared open source DNA, these two platforms adopt very different approaches.
One is designed to be lightweight, quick to learn and no-frills. The other relies on a more complete, highly modular offering, but can be more complex to deploy. So, which is the best choice for your company?
👉 In this comparison, we analyze features, costs, interface, customization and integrations to help you find the ERP system that really sticks to your goals.
What is Dolibarr?
Dolibarr overview
Dolibarr is open source management software designed for SMEs, micro-businesses, the self-employed and even associations. Initially developed in France, this modular ERP system brings together a range of functions essential to running a business: CRM, invoicing, accounting, inventory management, human resources and more.
Accessible via a free community version or in cloud mode, Dolibarr seduces with its open source philosophy, ease of installation and short learning curve. It can be hosted on its own server, or used via a service provider, making it a flexible option for companies looking for a customizable management tool, without blowing their budget.
Dolibarr's main features
Dolibarr offers a catalog of modules that can be activated à la carte, to adapt precisely to the needs of each company. No unnecessary overload: just the essentials.
⚒️ Before diving into the list, let's be clear about one thing: Dolibarr isn't here to impress with fancy tricks. It's straight to the point, with clear functionalities designed for structures that want a simple, robust and frictionless ERP:
- CRM: management of prospects, customers and sales opportunities ;
- invoicing and quotations: creation of sales documents, payment management, reminders;
- basic accounting: journals, VAT, bank reconciliations (extended modules available) ;
- inventory management: products, warehouses, movements, stock levels;
- project management: tasks, milestones, Gantt charts;
- human resources: vacations, expense reports, time spent;
- agenda and planning: synchronization of events, collaborative vision;
- point of sale (POS): solution adapted to physical stores.
Dolibarr
Advantages and disadvantages of Dolibarr
Before jumping on the Dolibarr bandwagon, it's time to take a look under the hood. Because, while the tool may be seductive, it's not without its limitations. So we take an honest look at what Dolibarr does very well... and what it does a little less well.
✅ Dolibarr has carved out a place for itself in the world of open source ERP thanks to several key strengths that speak to medium-sized businesses and smaller structures alike:
- quick and easy installation (local or cloud) ;
- highly flexible modularity: you activate only the modules you need;
- very low cost, or even zero cost with the community version;
- clear, accessible interface, even for non-technical users;
- easy customization via modules or specific development;
- large French-speaking and international community;
- respect for open source logic: no proprietary lock-in.
❌ But Dolibarr isn't for everyone. Some more complex or fast-growing companies could quickly hit its limits:
- limited advanced functionality compared to Odoo or other full-featured ERPs ;
- less-than-modern (albeit effective) interface;
- fewer native integrations with third-party applications;
- limited support if you stay with the community version;
- sometimes technical customization curve for specific needs.
What is Odoo?
Odoo overview
Odoo is a comprehensive, ultra-modular open source ERP designed to meet the management needs of companies ranging from ambitious start-ups to large multi-site organizations.
Its strength lies in its impressive library of modules, with over 30 main applications and thousands of extensions, covering the whole spectrum of business management: sales, marketing, finance, HR, production, logistics, etc. Odoo is available as a free community version and a paid enterprise version, with premium features, support and cloud options.
It's an ERP designed for companies that want to centralize, automate and customize everything, without compromising on scalability.
Key Odoo features
Odoo is more than just a management tool: it's a truly integrated ERP ecosystem, designed to adapt to every stage of a company's growth. Its modular architecture makes it possible to do almost anything.
Before diving into the key modules, it's important to understand that Odoo is an all-in-one ERP solution, but capable of evolving in line with business needs. You can start small, then add bricks as you go along.
⚒️ Here's an overview of Odoo's key functionalities:
- advanced CRM: pipeline, scoring, automated reminders ;
- complete invoicing and accounting: estimates, invoices, VAT, cost accounting, multi-currency ;
- commercial management: sales, purchasing, inventory, deliveries;
- website and e-commerce: creation of online stores and showcase sites;
- marketing automation: email campaigns, SMS, tracking, forms;
- human resources: recruitment, payroll, leave, appraisals;
- production management (MRP): production orders, bills of materials, quality monitoring;
- Business Intelligence (BI): dynamic dashboards, customized reports;
- native mobile applications for all modules.
Odoo
Advantages and disadvantages of Odoo
Odoo is a powerful tool, but this power comes at a price. Before taking the plunge, you need to carefully assess whether its level of complexity, potential costs and functional richness match your company's digital maturity.
✅ Here are some of Odoo's strengths , according to feedback from SMEs and large groups alike:
- comprehensive ERP, capable of managing all aspects of a business ;
- extreme modularity, with thousands of apps and integrations;
- modern, intuitive interface, accessible from desktop and mobile;
- free community version for risk-free start-up;
- extensive customization possibilities;
- strong community and extensive partner ecosystem ;
- remarkable scalability: Odoo keeps pace with growth without changing tools.
❌ But beware, power sometimes means complexity. Odoo is not necessarily the ideal choice for the most modest structures or those without in-house technical resources. Here are the main limitations:
- longer learning curve than simpler tools like Dolibarr ;
- initial configuration can be technical, especially in the community version;
- costly enterprise version if several modules are activated;
- some advanced functionalities only available in the paid version;
- official support reserved for Odoo Enterprise customers.
Dolibarr vs Odoo: compare features
Between pragmatic simplicity and functional richness, the duel between Dolibarr and Odoo is above all a question of priorities. For medium-sized businesses, the right ERP system must strike a balance between immediate needs and scalability.
| Functionality | Dolibarr | Odoo |
| CRM | Yes (simple) | Yes (very complete, with automation) |
| Invoicing & Quoting | Yes | Yes |
| Accounting | Basic (expandable by modules) | Complete (multi-currency, analytical) |
| Inventory management | Yes | Yes (advanced, multi-warehouse) |
| Project management | Yes (functional but simple) | Yes (more visual and integrated) |
| Human resources | Yes (leave, expenses, time) | Yes (recruitment, payroll, appraisals) |
| E-commerce / website | ❌ No | Yes (integrated CMS) |
| Marketing automation | ❌ No | Yes (email, SMS, nurturing) |
| BI / Reporting | Basic | Advanced with customized dashboards |
| Module customization | Yes (but limited) | Very advanced with Studio |
| Mobile applications | ❌ Non-native | Yes (official) |
Focus on sales management
Odoo takes automation a step further:
- automatic invoice generation,
- complex workflows,
- integration with e-commerce or dropshipping.
Dolibarr, on the other hand, remains highly functional, but without advanced automation. It's perfect for SMEs with a simple structure, who want to stay in control without complicating their processes.
💡 Verdict: Dolibarr gets straight to the point, while Odoo excels in automation and omnichannel.
Focus on CRM
Dolibarr allows you to track customers, prospects and opportunities, but without a visual pipeline or scoring.
Odoo, on the other hand, offers :
- an intuitive kanban interface,
- automation (emails, tasks),
- native integration with marketing,
- and even a sales forecasting tool.
💡 Verdict: Odoo is better suited to structured sales teams; Dolibarr is sufficient for basic customer management.
Focus on accounting
Dolibarr offers management accounting, with :
- journals,
- VAT,
- exports to other software (such as Sage).
But no complete management of tax returns or cost accounting without external extensions.
Odoo's enterprise version provides a true advanced accounting module:
- multi-company,
- multi-currency,
- bank reconciliation,
- lettering,
- automatic reminders, and much more.
💡 Verdict: Dolibarr can suffice for a micro or small business; for more advanced needs, Odoo is clearly the superior choice.
Dolibarr vs Odoo: price comparison
| Plan | Dolibarr | Odoo |
| Free offer | Community version, self-hosted | A free Odoo app |
| Basic package | " Dolibarr Basic- from €14 / month / user :
|
" Standard- from €19.90 / month :
|
| Corporate offer | " Dolibarr Premium" - from €30 / month + €15 / user / month :
|
" Custom"- from €29.90 / month :
|
Dolibarr vs Odoo: which interface is the most intuitive?
When choosing an ERP solution, the user interface plays a key role. Why is this? Because software can be ultra-powerful, but if it's a pain to use on a daily basis, your teams will quickly give up.
So, between Dolibarr and Odoo, which offers the best user experience? We compare their ergonomics, ease of use, customization and mobile accessibility.
| Criteria | Dolibarr | Odoo |
| General ergonomics | Classic, uncluttered, but a little dated | Modern, fluid, UX-minded |
| Learning curve | Very fast, little training required | ⚠️ Medium to long, depending on module |
| Navigation | Simple tree structure by module | Intuitive navigation via apps and menus |
| Interface customization | ⚠️ Limited (menu, colors) | Advanced (via Odoo Studio, dashboards) |
| Mobile & responsive | Responsive interface, but no dedicated app | Native mobile apps per module |
| Multilingual and accessible | Yes, good language management | Yes, very comprehensive |
🧠 Analysis:
- Dolibarr gets straight to the point. Its interface is sober, without graphic overload. The menus are clear, and each module has its own logic. You won't get lost... but don't expect a visual experience worthy of modern SaaS apps. Ideal for companies that want efficiency, not bling.
- Odoo, on the other hand, makes a clear commitment to design. It's clean, elegant and designed for intensive use. It may take a little longer to get used to, but everything is fluid and coherent. And above all, the experience is the same on desktop, tablet or mobile, thanks to dedicated apps. Perfect for collaborative, mobile or performance-oriented UX teams.
Dolibarr vs Odoo: compare integrations
The better an ERP solution integrates with your CRM, accounting or HR stack, the more it becomes a central lever in your company's digital transformation. For a CIO, integrator or system manager, it's not just a question of "connecting", but of synchronizing intelligently.
👉 Number of available integrations
- Dolibarr: ⭐⭐☆☆☆
Dolibarr offers a few native integrations (PayPal, Stripe, LDAP, e-commerce like WooCommerce) and third-party connectors via external modules or specific developments. No centralized marketplace, no wealth of ready-to-use tools. Dolibarr remains a simple but limited choice on the direct interconnection side with tools like Salesforce, HubSpot or Microsoft 365.
- Odoo: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Over 39,000 modules in the Odoo App Store, many of which can be integrated with CRMs, accounting tools, e-commerce platforms, marketing tools and more. Native integrations with Google Workspace, Dropbox, Shopify, Amazon, Jira, Slack, etc. A rich ecosystem, supported by an active community and a network of integrator partners.
👉 Ease of configuration
- Dolibarr: ⭐⭐☆☆☆
Dolibarr integrations often require technical intervention: manual installation of modules, configuration via back-offices, or even code customization for certain APIs. Few "plug & play" connectors. You need to be comfortable with the modular logic and sometimes get your hands dirty with the engine.
- Odoo: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
Thanks to Odoo Studio's integrated modules and low-code/no-code environment, many integrations can be configured without coding. For complex cases, robust APIs and clear documentation are available. Odoo is designed to facilitate integration, even if some advanced functionalities remain technical.
👉 Customization and automation
- Dolibarr: ⭐⭐☆☆☆
Possibility of activating or creating custom triggers, but very few visual automation tools. Some customizations require going into the source code. Automation remains functional but limited, unless coupled with external tools. A good level for an SME with simple needs, but not very upgradeable without technical skills.
- Odoo: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is where Odoo shines: automated workflows, business rules, data synchronization between modules, marketing, sales or HR automation... everything can be scripted. And with Odoo Studio, you can go even further without typing a line of code. The level of customization is very high, perfectly suited to fast-growing organizations.
💡 Conclusion
- Odoo wins hands down when it comes to integrations, thanks to its impressive catalog of applications, ease of configuration and powerful automation tools. It's a strategic choice for companies that want to centralize their IS and make their tools communicate intelligently.
- Dolibarr, on the other hand, remains a simpler, lighter option , to be considered for SMEs with little dependence on third-party applications, or with a technical team ready to get its hands dirty with code.
When to choose Dolibarr or Odoo?
Choosing between Dolibarr and Odoo isn't just a question of budget or design. It's a strategic decision, depending on the company's size, organizational complexity, business and internal resources. Here's how open source ERP software comes into its own.
Typical use cases for Dolibarr
Dolibarr is a minimalist yet effective ERP solution, designed for those who want to get straight to the point, without getting lost in configuration or superfluous options. Its "light" modular approach and free community version make it an ideal choice for agile, low-complexity structures.
📌 Here are the profiles for which Dolibarr is an excellent choice:
- VSEs / SMEs with a simple activity (services, crafts, trade) ;
- companies that want an ERP that's easy to install and maintain, without having to go through an integrator;
- associations or foundations needing a basic management tool (members, donations, projects);
- freelancers who want to centralize quotations, invoices and CRM without blowing their budget;
- SMEs with manual processes who want to gradually digitize their management;
- organizations with limited IT resources, who want to keep to a lightweight stack.
Typical Odoo use cases
Odoo, with its rich functionality and ability to centralize everything, is aimed at companies that need a structuring ERP capable of supporting their growth, automation and data-driven approach. It's a strategic choice for organizations that see ERP as the heart of their IS.
📌 Here's where Odoo comes into its own:
- fast-growing SMEs, who want their ERP to keep pace with their development ;
- mature startups or scale-ups with varied business needs (sales, production, marketing, HR);
- multi-site or multi-entity companies (multi-company management);
- e-commerce or retail players needing to link ERP, CRM, online stores and logistics;
- industrial companies needing an integrated MRP, production or quality module;
- structures with mobile teams, who need ERP applications accessible on smartphones;
- organizations with a vision of data and advanced automation, who want to create tailor-made workflows.
Dolibarr vs Odoo: two visions of ERP, one good choice for you
This face-off between Dolibarr and Odoo shows that there isn 't just one good open source ERP, but solutions adapted to very different needs and contexts.
👉 Dolibarr stands out for its simplicity, lightness and free pricing. It ticks all the boxes for an SME with standard needs, who wants a reliable, no-frills management tool that's easy to maintain, without mobilizing internal IT resources.
👉 Odoo, on the other hand, is positioned as a comprehensive, modular and scalable ERP, designed for ambitious, multi-team or multi-site companies that want to centralize all their processes within a powerful, automated ecosystem.
FAQ - Dolibarr vs Odoo
What's the difference between Dolibarr and Odoo?
Dolibarr is a simple, lightweight open source ERP, ideal for small and medium-sized businesses with basic management needs.
Odoo, on the other hand, offers a much more comprehensive and modular suite, suited to growing companies with more complex needs and a strong need for automation.
Dolibarr or Odoo: which is best for a small business?
For small businesses with few in-house resources, Dolibarr is often the best choice. It's easy to learn, quick to deploy, and offers excellent value for money.
Odoo may also be suitable, but will require more time and configuration.
Is Odoo really free?
Yes and no. The community version of Odoo is free (open source), but it doesn't include all the advanced features. To take advantage of the full range of modules, support and official cloud hosting, you need to upgrade to the paid enterprise version, billed on a per-user basis.
Can Dolibarr be customized like Odoo?
Dolibarr allows a certain degree of customization, notably by activating modules or adding plugins. But Odoo goes much further, with tools like Odoo Studio, a rich API and an ecosystem of customized apps. For complex business needs, Odoo is more flexible.
Which software offers the best support?
Dolibarr relies mainly on its open source community and a few specialized service providers. Support can therefore vary. Odoo, on the other hand, offers official support, with SLA, exhaustive documentation and a network of certified partners.
Article translated from French