Odoo vs Sage: the 2025 comparison we wish we'd read sooner to choose the right ERP
Odoo and Sage, it's a duel we didn't see coming... and yet, we're going to have to choose. On the one hand, there's the gifted open source vendor who wants to do it all, centralize it all, automate it all. On the other, the ERP veteran, solid, reassuring, but more traditional.
Both are heavyweights in the business management world. They promise to save you time, manage your operations better and, let's be honest, make you sleep a little easier at night. But their approaches, their modules, their prices and their interfaces... have nothing in common.
So, Odoo or Sage in 2025? We've dug deep, compared, tested and read hundreds of user reviews, and we've come up with a clear, unambiguous and useful comparison to help you choose the right tool. The one that suits your needs, not the one next door!
What is Odoo?
Odoo overview
Odoo is a modular, open source, full web ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) designed to help companies centralize their management: accounting, HR, CRM, inventory, invoicing, web site... Just to name a few.
Known for its extreme flexibility and frequent updates, Odoo appeals to start-ups as well as SMEs and ETIs who want a customizable tool without blowing their budget.
Behind Odoo lies a Belgian success story and a clear ambition: to make business management simpler and more accessible. Unlike "gas factory" ERPs, Odoo offers a modular approach: you activate only the apps you need. The result: a tool that's lightweight at the outset, but ultra-powerful as it evolves.
Odoo is aimed at companies of all sizes, but is a big hit with :
- fast-growing SMEs who want to automate without coding ;
- tech startups looking for a flexible, fast-to-deploy ERP;
- consulting firms and e-tailers juggling CRM, invoicing and project management.
On the customer side, Odoo has more than 7 million users worldwide, including companies such as Toyota, Danone and Decathlon. In France, Odoo is also popular with ESNs, e-tailers and B2B startups. In short, widespread adoption is due to a rare combination of flexibility + attractive price + rich ecosystem.
Odoo's key features
Odoo is more than just an ERP. It's a veritable management toolbox, with over 40 integrated modules. And it's all connected, customizable and often bluffingly efficient. Here are some of the most popular features:
- Ultra-fluid, integrated CRM: track prospects, automate follow-ups, score leads and keep your sales force focused.
- Comprehensive accounting (multi-currency, analytical, bank reconciliation, VAT, etc.) compliant with French standards.
- Automated invoicing: quotations, orders, invoices, customer reminders... everything is seamless.
- Advanced stock management: real-time tracking, barcoding, multi-warehouse, alerts, even dropshipping.
- Website + e-commerce: site creation without coding, integrated sales tunnel, native Stripe/PayPal connectors.
- Human resources: leave management, timesheets, expense reports and even recruitment.
And if that's not enough, Odoo also offers a marketplace of third-party apps, often free or low-cost, to take things even further.
Odoo
Advantages and disadvantages of Odoo
Odoo's appeal lies in its versatility... but it's not for everyone. Here's what users like - and what can get in the way.
What we like about Odoo
- Extremely modular: start small, scale painlessly.
- Modern, fluid interface, far superior to conventional ERP standards.
- Attractive pricing, especially for open source versions.
- Rich ecosystem of apps, with extensions for almost everything.
- Active community and abundant documentation.
What can slow you down
- Learning curve at first, especially if you want to push customization.
- Paid support, unless you use an integrator or the Enterprise version.
- No direct hotline, everything is done via tickets.
- Some advanced functionalities (such as payroll) are not native or less mature than with specialized ERPs.
What is Sage?
Overview of Sage
Sage is a name you've heard of even if you're not interested in it. This is no coincidence: Sage is one of the world's most established ERP publishers, particularly in Europe and France. Sage offers a complete suite of tools for managing accounting, payroll, finance and sales management, with a focus on small and medium-sized businesses, mid-sized companies and accountants.
Founded in the UK in the 1980s, Sage is now a global player in B2B software, with a long-standing specialization in accounting and payroll. In France, Sage is an authority, particularly among SMEs and accounting firms, thanks to products such as Sage 100, Sage Business Cloud and Sage 50.
Sage's approach is more "traditional" than Odoo's, but based on sound values: compliance, security and business robustness. The company also emphasizes localization by country, with French versions always aligned with legal obligations (DSN, VAT, CRC standards...).
Who is Sage for?
- SMEs needing rigorous management of their accounting, cash flow or payroll.
- ETIs looking for well-defined financial flows and solid financial reporting.
- Accounting firms, often partners of the publisher.
Sage's customers include many international groups, as well as thousands of French VSEs and SMEs who have been loyal to the company for years. What makes the difference? Stability, compliance and a well-established network of integrators.
Key Sage features
Sage is the toolbox of the rigorous manager. Not as flashy as Odoo, but tailored to the needs of finance, accounting and payroll professionals. Here are Sage's flagship modules, based on Sage 100 and Sage Business Cloud:
- Complete, compliant accounting: entries, VAT, balance sheet, tax return... all in compliance with French standards.
- Payroll and HR management: pay slips, DSN, vacations, absences, social declarations, employee portal.
- Sales management: quotes, invoices, purchase orders, purchase/sales follow-up, lightweight CRM.
- Cash flow and forecasting: cash flow management, payment schedules, bank reconciliations.
- Business Intelligence: dynamic reports, customizable dashboards, analysis by analytical axis.
- Office 365 integration: work hand in hand with Excel, Outlook, Teams, etc.
Sage also offers a cloud range (Sage Business Cloud) for businesses that want more mobility, while retaining a secure, structured environment.
Advantages and disadvantages of Sage
Sage reassures, secures... but can also frustrate. Here's what we've learned from Capterra, G2 and French user reviews.
What we like about Sage
- Top-notch accounting and social compliance : ideal for French legal obligations.
- Proven reliability , even with very high data volumes.
- Comprehensive payroll and accounting modules designed for professionals.
- Solid customer support , often cited as responsive and efficient.
- Extensive network of partners/integrators , especially in France.
What can slow us down
- Aging interface on some versions (Sage 100), especially compared to Odoo.
- Limited customization flexibility, especially for agile SMBs.
- Unclear pricing, with costs varying from integrator to integrator.
- Longer deployment times, especially for on-premise versions.
- Less "modern" business-oriented (SaaS, e-commerce, agencies, freelancers).
Sage remains an excellent choice for companies looking for compliance, stability and local support. Provided they are prepared to follow a more structured ERP logic... and sometimes a more rigid one.
Odoo vs Sage: compare features
Both software packages claim to be "complete", but in practice, their strengths lie in very different areas. Odoo relies on flexibility and scalability, while Sage plays the business reliability card. We've cross-referenced user feedback, the publisher's documentation and our own tests to bring you a field comparison, by use case.
| Functionality | Odoo | Sage |
| CRM | Lead tracking, visual pipelines, automated follow-up, integrated marketing. | Basic sales management: customers, quotes, orders, simple reminders. |
| Accounting | Multi-currency, analytical, bank synchronization, but advanced configuration required. | Full compliance (VAT, DSN, balance sheet), reliable and ready to use. |
| Payroll & HR | High-performance HR modules (leave, absences, recruitment), but payroll via integrator. | Complete HR + payroll suite, up to date with French social standards. |
| Sales management | Sales/purchase tracking, quotations, inventory, e-commerce, all connected. | Robust tools for sales and purchasing processes, adapted to SMEs. |
| Reporting / BI | Visual dashboards, easy to configure, but with native analytical limits. | Advanced BI with multi-axis reporting, customizable, suitable for CFOs. |
| E-commerce & Web | Site creation and native online store, integrated sales tunnel. | No native module, integration via external partners only. |
| Customization & Dev | Open source, highly customizable, open API, large ecosystem of apps. | Not very flexible without specific development, dependence on integrators. |
Focus 1: CRM and customer relationship management
Odoo offers a visual CRM system , connected to marketing and highly automatable. Pipeline, scoring, e-mail campaigns, everything is fluid. Custom workflows can be created without a single line of code.
Sage, on the other hand, offers more traditional sales management: customer follow-up, quotations, invoices. The CRM is there, but it remains basic, without the level of personalization or marketing intelligence of Odoo.
👉 To remember
For fine-tuned management of leads and customer paths, Odoo has the edge.
Focus 2: Accounting
Sage is in its element here. Analytical accounting, VAT declarations, DSN, fixed assets... it's solid stuff, with ironclad compliance. Accountants love it.
Odoo is making great strides, especially in its Enterprise version, but requires precise initial configuration. Its strength? Fluid integration with other modules (invoices, CRM, inventory, etc.).
👉 To remember
For seamless, regulatory-compliant use, Sage stays one step ahead. For integrated, dynamic accounting, Odoo is a good option, especially with support.
Focus 3: Payroll and HR management
Sage is the boss in this field. Its payroll module is complete, continuously updated and integrates all legal obligations. It is particularly appreciated by SMEs with in-house HR management.
Odoo, on the other hand, offers efficient HR modules (vacations, absences, timesheets), but no native payroll. This requires third-party apps or partners such as Noviat or Payroll Engine.
👉 To remember
If payroll management is central to your business, Sage is the obvious choice.
Focus 4: Reporting and Business Intelligence
Sage shines with its powerful BI tools, especially in its Sage 100 range. Financial reporting, analytics, customized dashboards... CFOs love it.
Odoo offers pleasant, dynamic views, but sometimes lacks depth when it comes to financial data. This can be compensated for with modules or connections to Power BI.
👉 To remember
For advanced analytical needs, Sage is more robust. Odoo is suitable for more operational and visual use.
Focus 5: Web, e-commerce and personalization
This is where Odoo blows away the competition. Drag-and-drop website creation, native e-commerce modules, Stripe connectors, sales tunnel management... It's an integrated Shopify+ERP mini.
Sage, on the other hand, doesn't play in this field. You have to use external integrations (such as PrestaShop or WooCommerce), which are often complex to maintain.
When it comes to customization, Odoo is open source, with virtually infinite possibilities. Sage is more closed, and relies heavily on its network of integrators.
👉 To remember
For a digital or fast-growing business, Odoo is a real Swiss Army knife. Sage is more rigid, but still structured.
Odoo vs Sage: compare prices
The pricing grid is a real indicator of the opposing philosophies of the two software packages.
Odoo focuses on transparency and modularity, with a price per app. Sage offers several products (Sage 50, 100, Business Cloud, etc.) with prices often linked to personalized quotes.
| Offer | Odoo | Sage |
| Business model | Per user + per module (SaaS or free open source) | License or subscription (depending on version), prices on quotation |
| Free formula | ✅ Community open source version, without official support | ❌ No free offer |
| Monthly rate (SaaS basis) | From €24.90/month/user, + modules (approx. €12/month/module) | Sage Business Cloud: from €25/month, but scalable according to needs |
| Payroll (optional) | On quotation via external integrators | Included in Sage 100 Paie, price on request |
| Accounting | Included in "Accounting" module, approx. 12-20 €/month depending on use | Included in Sage Accounting packages, with variable pricing |
| Customer support | Payable via subscription or service provider | Included in some packages (Sage 100), or via maintenance contract |
| Integrators & deployment | Large network, flexible pricing | Certified network, but integration costs often high |
Odoo vs Sage: which interface is more intuitive?
Ergonomics are often the key to adopting a tool... or abandoning it.
And between Odoo's modular, modern interface and Sage's sometimes old-school rigor, the contrast is striking. We've tested, read dozens of reviews (Capterra, G2, pro forums) and summarized them in a clear comparative overview.
| UX criteria | Odoo | Sage |
| User-friendliness | Intuitive interface, simple onboarding, but gradual learning curve. | More technical, requires training or support. |
| Design & navigation | Modern, responsive, well thought-out on mobile and desktop. | More dated interface (especially on Sage 100), less fluid navigation. |
| Interface customization | Very high level of customization (views, workflows, menus). | Not very customizable without specific integration. |
| Mobile / cloud access | Excellent on SaaS version, native mobile apps. | Good on Sage Business Cloud, more limited on desktop versions. |
| Learning curve | Easy at first, increases with project complexity. | Stable but long, especially for accounting/payroll modules. |
| Overall user experience | Fluid, pleasant to use on a daily basis. | Efficient but more austere, focused on business productivity rather than comfort. |
👉 Our analysis
- Odoo is clearly designed with the end user in mind. The UX is polished, the menus are clear, and the modules integrate naturally. It's easy to become more complex without realizing it.
- Sage, on the other hand, is aimed primarily at seasoned professionals: it's stable and robust, but not very sexy. You'll need to allow time for training, especially on the desktop version (Sage 100).
Odoo vs Sage: compare integrations
Today, companies need tools that talk to each other. CRM, accounting, e-commerce, marketing, project management... If the ERP isn't well integrated, it often ends up copying and pasting from Excel.
| Criterion | Odoo | Sage |
| Number of native integrations | ★★★★★ - +10,000 apps via Odoo Apps, native connectors with Google, Microsoft, e-commerce, CRM, marketing tools, etc. | ★★✩✩✩ - Integrations limited to certain tools (Microsoft, PayPal...), little openness to modern SaaS tools without dedicated development. |
| Ease of integration | ★★★★✩ - Open API, direct connectors (Zapier, Make), well-supplied documentation, integrations often plug & play. | ★★✩✩✩ - Integrations often complex to set up, requiring consultants or partner integrators. Little self-service. |
| Automated workflows | ★★★★✩ - Customizable workflows, automatic triggers, great compatibility with no-code tools (Zapier, Integromat, etc.). | ★★✩✩✩ - Automations possible but rigid, few no-code orchestration tools. Very business logic but no "connectivity" thinking. |
👉 To remember
- Odoo, thanks to its open source DNA and app marketplace, is a champion of integration. Whether it's with Google Workspace, Stripe, WooCommerce, HubSpot, or even in-house apps, everything is designed to streamline workflows effortlessly. What's more, the Zapier and Make connectors make it possible to go even further, without a developer.
- Sage remains more closed. Some integrations are possible (notably with Microsoft 365 or Salesforce), but they often require extensive parameterization or a certified partner. And forget native no-code automation.
Verdict integrations:
👉 If you're looking for an ERP connected to your entire ecosystem, Odoo is clearly ahead.
👉 Sage is a good choice if you don't use many third-party tools, or if your CIO wants to keep control of every link.
When to choose Odoo or Sage?
The needs of a fast-growing company differ from those of a well-established firm.
Here are some typical use cases to help you decide which software to choose, depending on your business profile, your challenges and your organization.
If you're an agile, growing or tech-driven company → choose Odoo
- If you're a start-up or a fast-growing SME looking for a flexible, scalable ERP without blowing your budget.
- You're looking for an all-in-one tool to manage CRM, accounting, invoicing, HR, website... with a modern, fluid interface.
- You already work with SaaS tools (Slack, Google, Stripe) and want an ERP that 's easy to integrate.
- Your team is comfortable with digital, and you have a culture of autonomy + automation.
- You want a customizable ERP, with an ecosystem of open source apps and an active community.
Examples: B2B scale-ups, e-tailers, digital firms, agencies, tech SMEs.
If you're a structured SME or a regulated company → choose Sage
- Your priority is accounting compliance, data security and state-of-the-art payroll management.
- You're a company that works with a certified accountant, or even a Sage partner firm.
- You have few needs in e-commerce, CRM or web tools, but you expect a solid ERP for finance and administration.
- You have a CFO or HR manager who prefers a reliable, proven tool with certified support.
- You are in a sector with strong legal or social constraints.
Examples: industrial SMEs, service companies, accounting firms, public or semi-public organizations.
👉 To remember
👉 Odoo is for those who want to build an ERP to their image, evolve quickly, and connect their business tools.
Sage is for those who need stability, compliance and structured management.
The Odoo vs Sage battle: what to remember
No universal winner here, but two very distinct visions of ERP. One focuses on agility and innovation (Odoo), the other on robustness and compliance (Sage).
The right choice depends less on the software... and more on you.
| Your needs | We recommend |
| Create a tailor-made, scalable ERP system | Odoo |
| Manage payroll in-house, without regulatory headaches | Sage |
| Easily integrate CRM, e-commerce and SaaS tools | Odoo |
| Ultra-compliant management software for accounting and taxation | Sage |
| Manage a 100% digital or e-commerce business | Odoo |
| Work with a Sage accountant or partner firm | Sage |
| Control start-up costs without license fees | Odoo |
| Be supported by a certified network for structured deployment | Sage |
👉 To remember
👉 Are you an agile company looking for freedom, customization and automation? Go for Odoo.
👉 Looking for stability, compliance, and an ERP recognized by accounting pros? Sage is your ally.
Odoo vs Sage FAQ
1. Is Odoo really free?
Yes... and no. The Community (open source) version is free, but without official support or hosting. For smooth, professional use, we recommend the Enterprise version, from €24.90/month/user. You only pay for activated modules.
2. Is Sage right for a small business?
Yes, but it all depends on your needs. Sage Business Cloud is ideal for small businesses with simple accounting and invoicing needs. For broader needs (payroll, cash flow, analytics), you'll need to upgrade to Sage 50 or 100... with a bigger budget.
3. Can you manage everything with Odoo?
Theoretically, yes. Odoo offers over 40 native modules, from CRM and e-commerce to inventory, recruitment and accounting. But beware: the more you stack up, the more parameterization, training and support you'll need.
4. Which solution is easiest to learn?
Odoo appeals for its modern interface and modular approach. You can start light, then work your way up. Sage, on the other hand, is more rigid and often requires training or support from an integrator, particularly for Sage 100.
5. Does Sage offer a cloud solution?
Yes. Sage Business Cloud is the publisher's cloud range, with modules for accounting, payroll and sales management. It's less flexible than Odoo, but more stable and compliance-oriented.
6. Is Odoo suitable for accounting firms?
Not really. Sage remains the benchmark for accounting firms, thanks to its specific tools (tax returns, DSN, etc.). Odoo may be suitable for companies that internalize their management, but it is not designed for chartered accountants.
7. Which tool offers the most integrations?
No contest: Odoo. With its open source ecosystem, app marketplace and no-code connectors, it integrates with almost everything. Sage is more closed, except for certain cloud versions.
8. Is it easy to change software later?
Let's face it: no ERP migration is simple. That said, Odoo, with its open source format and standard exports, is more "portable". Sage, especially the on-premise version, is more restrictive.
Article translated from French