ODOO vs NetSuite

Published on December 18th, 2024

An ERP system can either propel a business on its growth journey or slow it down. The right ERP could streamline your processes, enable better decision-making, and can also accelerate innovation. However, selecting the wrong ERP can bring inefficiency and waste resources. Among the many solutions, ODOO and NetSuite are the most used ERP solutions. Both these systems offer different features and benefits. ODOO is flexible, scalable, and cost-efficient and meets the customization and control requirements of businesses. However, NetSuite is a fully comprehensive cloud product that works great for larger companies and organizations with more complex needs.

Curious about which one to go for? This blog has got you covered! It gives you a comparison of ODOO vs NetSuite based on different factors, allowing you to pick between these two to drive business growth.

What is ODOO?

It was originally founded as “TinyERP” in 2005 by Fabien Pinckaers and has today become one of the most famous ERP solutions. The name was changed to ‘OpenERP’ in 2010 and then ‘ODOO’ in 2014. It was developed as a simple solution to address complex business needs with simplicity.

ODOO is an open-source platform with over 82 fully integrated business apps and thousands of community modules. It is flexible enough to serve businesses across all industries, including brands of all sizes. The features include everything from CRM, sales, and accounting to project management, inventory, marketing to human resources in a single system.

It is an ERP solution that makes it easy for you to integrate different business functions into one solution. ODOO has over 200,000 daily downloads and is one of the most installed app suites against NetSuite, Microsoft, Shopify, and so on. As a result, it stands out as a favorite of businesses seeking a tailored, scalable solution.

Key Features of ODOO

• Open-source with extensive customization options.
• Intuitive user interface designed for easy navigation and efficiency.
• Modular structure, allowing businesses to start small and scale up as needed.
• Affordable pricing compared to other modern ERP systems.
• Strong e-commerce integration with platforms like PrestaShop and Shopify.
• Advanced automation features for repetitive tasks.

Also Read: ODOO vs. ERPNext

What is NetSuite?

NetSuite, which was named ‘NetLedger’ when it first came out in 1998, was developed as a cloud-hosted accounting software. It eventually expanded into a broader set of business applications. NetSuite works only in the cloud and provides an integrated platform that runs a business. In 2016, NetSuite was acquired by Oracle and now resides as a standalone global business unit of Oracle using its own rich deployment technology stack.

The structure of NetSuite is modular and allows businesses to pick specific apps or preconfigured suites to fit the needs of different businesses and organizations. Advanced modules are also available for businesses that seek more advanced features. Its product categories include:

• NetSuite ERP: For inventory, supply chain, and financial management.
• NetSuite Accounting: For tax, cash, and payment management.
• NetSuite CRM: For Sales and Marketing.
• NetSuite PSA: Focused on Project Management
• NetSuite Commerce: Supporting web and on-site sales.
• Global Business Management: For multinational operations.
• Human Capital Management: For HR functions.

NetSuite boasts over 40,000 customers in over 160 countries and is widely used in service-centric enterprises and larger industries. The platform is just the best when it comes to scalability and flexibility. It truly focuses on cloud-based operations and is an integrated solution that helps businesses streamline their operations.

Key Features of NetSuite

• Better decision-making with real-time data access and analytics.
• Support for business growth through scalable architecture.
• Forecasting and trend analysis with AI-driven insights.
• Easy integrations through APIs and connectors with seamless third-party integrations.
• Advanced security features, including role-based access controls.

Read More: A Complete Guide to NetSuite ERP Integration

ODOO vs NetSuite – The Similarities

ODOO and NetSuite are both powerful ERP solutions designed to streamline business processes. There are several similarities in functionality between the two, including:

• Comprehensive ERP Capabilities: They both have integrated modules for key business functions such as accounting, CRM, marketing, inventory, and HR, ensuring seamless operations across departments.
• Scalability: These two solutions grow with your business, so you can add modules or users anytime. For instance, a growing retail company can expand from basic inventory management to complete supply chain management.
• Cloud-Based Deployment: ODOO and NetSuite are both cloud-based, giving real-time data access from any location, which is ideal for companies with remote teams or even multiple locations.
• Customizability: Both support customization as per business requirements like creating custom reports or workflows.

ODOO vs NetSuite – Key Differences

Here’s a breakdown of their primary differences based on the following aspects:

ODOO Vs NetSuite – Software Provisions

• ODOO – It offers two editions – the ODOO Community Edition (CE) and the ODOO Enterprise Edition (EE), providing different features and catering to various user needs. Releasing updates regularly also makes ODOO stand out from its competitors. ODOO recently introduced ODOO 18, which includes new functionalities focusing on performance enhancements.

Choosing the right hosting plan is also crucial for businesses. ODOO and its partners provide four hosting solutions:

• ODOO Online – A user-friendly SaaS option for cloud access with minimal technical skills.

• ODOO.sh – A PaaS platform for customizable cloud hosting.
• On-Premise – Host ODOO on your infrastructure, allowing app customization and third-party integrations.
• Cloud Hosting – Secure, scalable solutions via providers like Google Cloud and AWS, ensuring 99.9% uptime.

Apart from this, ODOO has a wide network of partners to provide personalized support and make the implementation process smoother. Local partners, such as Portcities, also offer additional services like technology consulting, ODOO hosting, and ongoing support and maintenance. 

• NetSuite – Oracle NetSuite updates its features twice a year, offering three versions to meet different business needs and skill levels:
• NetSuite OneWorld – The most advanced version, designed for global businesses, offering unique tools and interfaces for managing operations across multiple countries.
• NetSuite Standard – A simpler version focused on basic business tasks. It has an easy-to-use interface and tools for managing various business activities.
• NetSuite CRM –  Ideal for customer-focused businesses, it offers several self-service tools, support features, and dashboards to monitor satisfaction and resolve issues.

When it comes to hosting, NetSuite is a fully cloud-based platform with an average uptime of 99.96%, ensuring your data is secure and always accessible through multiple backups. Unlike ODOOs user-driven updates, NetSuite relies on its internal team for new features and customizations. With 250+ global partners, it provides strong resource availability but fewer hosting options.

ODOO Vs NetSuite – Functionality

• ODOO – It provides modularity, allowing businesses to start with a few essential applications, like CRM, Sales, or Inventory, and expand as needed. This modular design fits well for businesses with growing needs. For example, a small retailer can begin with ODOO’s POS and later add E-commerce or accounting modules. In addition, ODOO is particularly strong in providing simple tools that do not require extensive training, making it an appealing set of services for small and medium enterprises (SMEs). Additionally, its project management and time-tracking tools are equally appropriate for service based industries.
• NetSuite – It provides a complete package, which includes core business operations, like financials, CRM, ERP, and eCommerce. The system is robust enough to support complex workflows like advanced financial reporting and global supply chain management. Its built-in modules are especially effective for manufacturing and wholesale distribution industries. For example, NetSuite’s Advanced Inventory module allows businesses to automate restocking and track inventory access in multiple locations in real time.

ODOO Vs NetSuite – Customization

• ODOO – One of ODOO’s unique features is that the framework is open source, which means that businesses have the ability to customize their ERP setup, to a large extent. It allows developers to be able to modify the source code and unique functionalities to customize the workflows to meet their specific needs. For example, a company specializing in manufacturing can create custom dashboards to track machine downtime or unique KPIs. The ODOO Studio app also allows non-technical users to create custom forms and reports, reducing the dependency on developers.
• NetSuite – While NetSuite offers some level of customization, it is largely dependent on SuiteScript and third-party integrations for advanced modifications. Customization within NetSuite tends to be more structured and less flexible compared to ODOO but is designed to maintain the system’s stability and performance, which allows customization of tax codes, accounting standards, and reporting for different countries without imparting core functionalities.

ODOO Vs NetSuite – Integration

• ODOO –  Integration is a key strength of ODOO, thanks to its open-source API. Businesses can connect ODOO with other third-party software solutions like payment gateways, marketing tools, or proprietary systems. However, the integration process may require skilled developers for seamless operation. For example, ODOO integrates well with platforms like Shopify and PayPal, making it a practical choice for retail businesses.
• NetSuite – This platform comes with prebuilt integrations with the most popular enterprise tools such as Salesforce, Shopify, and HubSpot so that businesses can run operations between departments smoothly. Its SuiteCloud development platform allows for custom integrations, though these often involve additional costs. Companies with complex ecosystems, such as those using multiple CRM tools, benefit from NetSuite’s robust integration capabilities, especially when managing multichannel sales.

ODOO Vs NetSuite – Ease of Use

• ODOO – It has an easy-to-understand interface, making it usable for people who aren’t particularly tech-savvy. Its dashboard is clean, simple, and straightforward with drag-and-drop functionalities and a simplified user experience. This makes onboarding faster for small teams. Additionally, ODOO provides user training and documentation, further simplifying the learning curve.
• NetSuite – The advanced functionalities that NetSuite offers come with a steeper learning curve. While it offers comprehensive training resources, the complexity of its features can be overwhelming for small teams or first-time ERP users. However, for experienced teams, NetSuite provides a high level of efficiency in automating repetitive tasks like financial reconciliations and supply chain tracking.

ODOO Vs NetSuite – Scalability

• ODOO – While ODOO scales well for SMEs, it may face challenges in handling extremely large datasets or highly complex business processes. Its scalability is more horizontal, focusing on adding new functionalities or users rather than managing intensive workloads. This makes ODOO a better fit for businesses in their growth stages rather than established global enterprises.
• NetSuite –  It is built to support enterprise-level scalability, which means it is perfect for managing bulky operations, such as multinational companies having numerous subsidiaries. Its OneWorld feature gives a global view of the company, including multiple currencies, tax regimes, and compliance standards. This makes it a go-to for organizations with complex global supply chains or multiple operational hubs.

ODOO Vs NetSuite – Cost

• ODOO – It is more affordable, with modular pricing that starts low and scales as businesses add more users or features. It also offers a community version, which provides basic functionalities for businesses with limited budgets. However, companies should account for potential development and maintenance costs when customizing the system extensively. For instance, small eCommerce startups can implement ODOO for basic operations without significant upfront investment.
• NetSuite – The pricing structure is subscription-based and includes licensing fees, implementation costs, and maintenance fees. It’s significantly more expensive, often starting at tens of thousands of dollars manually. Its total cost depends on the number of users and required modules. That’s why NetSuite is perfect for organizations with bigger budgets and more specific operational needs, like multinational companies with rigorous financial management and compliance needs.

Important: A Comprehensive Guide Of NetSuite ERP Tools For Every Business

ODOO Vs NetSuite  – A Quick Comparison

The Verdict

When it comes to deciding between ODOO Vs NetSuite, choose ODOO if you are a small to mid-sized business seeking an affordable, flexible, and customizable ERP solution. It’s ideal for startups and growing companies needing modular scalability, simple tools, and community-driven support.

Opt for NetSuite if you’re a large enterprise with complex operations and a bigger budget. Its comprehensive cloud-based features, robust scalability, and global business management capabilities make it suitable for multinational organizations and industries requiring advanced financial management, compliance, and detailed reporting.

In a nutshell, your choice should solely depend on budget, business size, complexity, and specific operational needs.