What about the different versions of Odoo? On the Odoo website, you can install the software directly, or you can do it through an Odoo partner. What are the differences, advantages and disadvantages of Odoo Online compared to Odoo Enterprise? In this blog, we tell you everything you need to know.
What is Odoo Online
Odoo Online is the Odoo SAAS Platform. SAAS stands for Software As A Service, meaning the software is offered as a service.
Software as a service? What does that mean?
Software as a service means that you purchase the software online (via the internet) for a monthly fee. You do not have to worry about hardware and infrastructure. The software is delivered through a subscription. You can request your subscription online and within a few minutes you will have an Odoo instance you can get started with.
Can I start using the software right away?
No, not exactly. Odoo is delivered as a bare system. A number of basic settings are configured, such as the Dutch chart of accounts and VAT. Odoo is also set up straight away so that you can send emails. But that is where it ends. You will have to install and configure the modules yourself. Help with setting up Odoo is not part of your subscription and is therefore extra.
Whichever version of Odoo you use, it is always wise to hire an ERP Consultant to guide you through the implementation of Odoo.
What is Odoo Enterprise?
Odoo Enterprise is the Odoo version delivered by Odoo Partners such as Odoo Experts. You can install this version on your own server, but most customers choose hosting on Odoo.sh. With Odoo Enterprise, you have your own server, your own software, and full access to your own data.
Which version does Odoo Online use?
Odoo Online follows its own versioning. These are the so-called SAAS versions, and these versions are released in between Odoo's major releases. A major release is a version with only a whole number, such as version 11, 12 or version 13. Every year, Odoo launches a new version at Odoo Experience. 2 October 2019 is the release of Odoo version 13.
With Odoo Online, Odoo rolls out upgrades throughout the year. These are, for example, version 12.1, version 12.2 and version 12.3. So between major releases 12 and 13 there are a number of intermediate versions. In these versions, Odoo launches new features that are not made available in the Enterprise version. Odoo Online therefore runs ahead of the Enterprise version. The features of the SaaS versions only become available for the Enterprise version with the next major release. With Odoo Online, you get new features earlier, but you are also first in line and therefore a bit of a guinea pig.
Can I switch from Odoo Online to Odoo Enterprise?
Yes, you can, but only once a year. Odoo does not offer migration from a SaaS intermediate version to the Enterprise version. So you have to wait until the Online version matches the Enterprise version. So if Odoo Online uses version 11, 12, 13, etc., you can switch to Odoo Enterprise …but not at any other time.
Are community apps possible?
Yes, unlike Odoo Online, with your own Enterprise version you can make use of more than approximately 20,000 Odoo Community Apps. Whatever you might need, someone else may already have built it. Take a look at the Odoo App Store for all the possibilities.
What is the difference in price?
The price of the Odoo Apps is the same for Odoo Enterprise and Odoo Online. The only difference is that with Odoo Online you have the option to pay monthly. With Odoo Enterprise, you always pay annually. However, the prices for monthly payment are 25% higher.
The short summary: everything at a glance.
The price of the Odoo Apps is the same, except if you pay monthly, then the prices are 25% higher. So that is a significant increase.
The advantage of Odoo Online is that you do not have extra hosting costs, but in return you also lose flexibility, such as not being able to use community apps or custom development. But if you can use Odoo entirely as standard, this is not really a limitation. With Odoo Studio you can also make many small adjustments.
The implementation costs will not differ. The software is the same, so the implementation time will not be significantly different either. If you choose to be supported by Odoo, keep in mind that an Odoo Consultant will not come on-site and will only support you online. You have to want that, and it also has to be feasible. Of course, it is also possible to get advice on Odoo Online from an Odoo partner.
An overview of all the advantages and disadvantages of Odoo Online can be found in the table below:
Odoo Online Advantages
- No separate hosting required
- Free when using 1 Odoo App
- Easy to get started via online registration
- The latest features
- Pay only for what you need
- You can do everything yourself
- Monthly payment possible
Odoo Online Disadvantages
- No third-party Odoo Apps possible
- Adjustments only via Odoo Studio (and this must be purchased separately)
- SaaS intermediate versions, in which Odoo tests new features live. New features are often not yet available in Dutch
- No access to the server log
- Odoo is updated when Odoo releases it, not when it is important for you
- No Dutch support and/or knowledge of the Dutch market
- No on-site consultant
