What is Odoo used for?

Odoo is open-source business software that runs in the browser, with CRM, eCommerce, accounting, inventory and HR apps usable alone or together as an ERP. It is a good fit for small business ERP, running online stores with inventory sync and consolidating separate business tools.

Yes. Odoo is open source under a custom licence. Its source code is on GitHub at odoo/odoo and is written mainly in Python.

Yes. Odoo is open source, so the software itself is free to use under the terms of its own licence. A managed cloud version is also available, with paid plans from $11.20 per seat per month.

Can I self-host Odoo?

Yes. Odoo can be self-hosted on your own server or infrastructure.

What is Odoo an alternative to?

Odoo is an open-source alternative to NetSuite, SAP Business One, Dynamics 365 Business Central and Acumatica. Other open-source alternatives to NetSuite include ERPNext, Dolibarr and iDempiere.

Is Odoo actively maintained?

Yes. The most recent commit to Odoo was on 2 October 2026. The project has 55k stars on GitHub.

Odoo: open-source alternative to NetSuite, SAP Business One

About Odoo

Odoo is a bundle of browser-based, open-source business applications. Apps cover sales (CRM and eCommerce), a website builder, inventory and manufacturing, projects, invoicing and accounting, point of sale, human resources and marketing. It is written in Python, and GitHub lists the license as 'Other', so check the repository for the exact terms.

Each app can be used as a stand-alone application, but they are designed to work together, so installing several apps gives you a full-featured ERP system. This lets a business start with a single function, such as sales or invoicing, and add modules as its needs grow without changing platforms.

The README points to setup instructions for a standard installation, an eLearning course and a business game called Scale-up for learning the software, and developer tutorials for extending it. Odoo can be run on your own infrastructure, and the vendor's website offers commercial services. It suits small and mid-sized companies looking for an integrated business suite.

Key features

CRM and sales applications
Website builder and eCommerce
Billing and accounting
Warehouse and manufacturing management
Project management and HR apps
Stand-alone or integrated ERP use

Good fit for

→Small business ERP
→Running online stores with inventory sync
→Consolidating separate business tools

Built with: Python
Tags: erp; crm; accounting; ecommerce; business-apps; inventory; python; open-source

Odoo: questions and answers

What is Odoo used for?: Odoo is open-source business software that runs in the browser, with CRM, eCommerce, accounting, inventory and HR apps usable alone or together as an ERP. It is a good fit for small business ERP, running online stores with inventory sync and consolidating separate business tools.
Is Odoo open source?: Yes. Odoo is open source under a custom licence. Its source code is on GitHub at odoo/odoo and is written mainly in Python.
Is Odoo free?: Yes. Odoo is open source, so the software itself is free to use under the terms of its own licence. A managed cloud version is also available, with paid plans from $11.20 per seat per month.
Can I self-host Odoo?: Yes. Odoo can be self-hosted on your own server or infrastructure.
What is Odoo an alternative to?: Odoo is an open-source alternative to NetSuite, SAP Business One, Dynamics 365 Business Central and Acumatica. Other open-source alternatives to NetSuite include ERPNext, Dolibarr and iDempiere.
Is Odoo actively maintained?: Yes. The most recent commit to Odoo was on 2 October 2026. The project has 55k stars on GitHub.