Odoo or SAP: which is the right ERP for your business in 2025?
When we talk about business management in 2025, there are two names that come back like a refrain: Odoo and SAP. On the one hand, an ultra-modular open source ERP that appeals to agile SMEs. On the other, the historic, rock-solid giant that has been powering the backbone of multinationals for decades.
But between flexibility and power, which is the best choice for your business?
We're not just going to put them side by side on a datasheet. What we're proposing here is a real duel, contextualised, focused on use cases, price, features, UX and even integration. In short, everything that counts when it comes to signing up (or not) for an ERP.
Spoiler alert: there's no universal winner, but there's clearly software that's better suited to your reality. And that's what we're going to break down.
What is Odoo?
Overview of Odoo
Odoo is a bit like the Swiss Army knife of modern ERP. Designed for SMEs and ETIs, this Belgian open source software breaks the mould of traditional ERPs with one watchword: modularity.
Nothing is imposed on you; you choose what you need: CRM, invoicing, project management, HR, accounting, etc. There are more than 60 native modules, and a well-stocked marketplace to take things further. As a result, Odoo adapts to your pace of growth, without locking you into a rigid functional tunnel.
The promise is clear: to offer businesses an all-in-one solution that is accessible, intuitive and, above all, scalable. And it's winning over customers: over 12 million users worldwide, from start-ups to well-established groups. Notable customers include Toyota, Danone and Sodexo, proof that the model also appeals to major accounts.
When it comes to deployment, there's a choice: the free, self-hosted Odoo Community version, or Odoo Online, the convenient SaaS edition, with hosting and updates included.
In short, Odoo ticks the boxes for flexibility and accessibility, while offering an ERP approach designed for scalability. Ideal for businesses on the move.
Odoo's main features
Odoo is a modular ERP, but please note: modular does not mean dispersed. Here, everything is integrated, everything communicates. Here are the modules most used (and most effective) by businesses.
- CRM: ultra-visual sales management with drag-and-drop pipeline, automation and native integration with invoicing and marketing campaigns.
- Accounting: invoicing, automated bank reconciliation, multi-currency, customer dunning, etc. Financial management is intuitive and comprehensive.
- Project management: Kanban and Gantt tools, timesheets, forecasts - everything you need to manage your teams without getting lost in the shuffle.
- Stocks and logistics: advanced warehouse management, MRP, barcodes, product traceability, all synchronised with your sales.
- Human resources: holiday tracking, recruitment, expense reports, payroll (via third-party app), all in a unified interface.
- Website and e-commerce: drag & drop editor to create a site, a shop, manage SEO, payments and deliveries.
Bonus: Odoo also offers a fluid, multi-platform mobile app for managing essentials on the move.
Odoo
Advantages and disadvantages of Odoo
Before jumping in headlong, it's best to know what Odoo does really well... and where it's having a bit of a problem. Here are the strengths and limitations most often cited by its users.
✅ Advantages
- Ultra-modular: you activate only the modules you need, without unnecessary extra costs.
- Intuitive, modern interface, a far cry from dusty ERPs.
- All-in-one ecosystem: everything is connected, so there's no need to juggle 10 tools.
- Active open source community, with thousands of apps and integrations available.
- Competitive value for money, especially in its Community version.
❌ Disadvantages
- Learning curve can be steep, especially when self-hosted.
- Advanced customisation = dependence on developers (and therefore budget).
- Limited technical support in the free version, unless you go through an integrator.
- Some advanced features reserved for the Enterprise version.
👉 To remember
In short, Odoo shines for its flexibility and 'ERP à la carte' logic, but requires a little technical mastery to get the best out of it. If you're looking for a turnkey solution but don't want to get your hands dirty, it's best to opt for the SaaS edition or go through a partner.
What is SAP?
Overview of SAP
SAP is the ERP with a CV as long as your arm. Founded in 1972 in Germany, it is now the world leader in business management software, with customers in over 180 countries and a long-standing specialisation in key accounts and complex processes.
SAP is also a galaxy of solutions, but the star is SAP S/4HANA, the next-generation cloud version that succeeds the illustrious SAP ECC. Designed for real-time performance, it is based on the company's HANA database, which is capable of processing colossal volumes of data at lightning speed.
The target market? Large companies and ambitious medium-sized businesses looking to unify their operations: finance, supply chain, production, HR, purchasing, etc. SAP is playing the maximum integration card, with a modular structure that is more locked down than Odoo.
Among its customers? Coca-Cola, Airbus, Carrefour, L'Oréal. We're clearly at a very high level, with deployments that are sometimes global, often complex, but formidable once mastered.
SAP has also invested heavily in the cloud in recent years, with SaaS and PaaS offerings and a more flexible approach than before. But beware: the entry ticket is still high, and technical support is virtually unavoidable.
Key features of SAP
SAP is the ERP for large-scale operations. Here, each brick is designed to orchestrate complex, large-scale operations. Here are the most strategic modules of SAP S/4HANA, the flagship version in 2025.
- Finance & accounting: real-time reporting, analytical accounting, multi-entity management, regulatory compliance, automated closing... SAP is a global benchmark in financial management.
- Supply chain & production: advanced stock management, MRP planning, preventive maintenance, logistics, quality, etc. The tool of choice for manufacturers.
- Purchasing: supplier management, strategic sourcing, automated procurement, contract monitoring and supplier performance.
- Human Resources (via SAP SuccessFactors): talent management, payroll, training, GPEC, all connected to the global HRIS.
- Sales and customer relations (SAP Sales Cloud ): configuration of complex offers (CPQ), management of quotes and orders, integration with marketing automation.
- Business Intelligence (SAP Analytics Cloud): personalised dashboards, predictive analysis, collaborative planning.
And we can also integrate AI (SAP Joule), IoT, RPA, etc. In short, SAP has what it takes to support an end-to-end digital transformation, without having to move house.
SAP ERP
Advantages and disadvantages of SAP
SAP is one of the few software packages that can manage a business from A to Z, on a global scale. But this power comes at a price - in time, budget and sometimes sweat.
✅ The benefits
- Ultra-complete functional coverage, capable of modelling complex business processes.
- Real-time performance with HANA technology: billions of data items processed without slowing down.
- Global benchmark for finance and supply chain, with tools that comply with international standards.
- Large-scale customisation possible, with an ecosystem of certified partners.
- Secure, future-proof cloud solution designed for international operations and large groups.
❌ Disadvantages
- Complexity of implementation: lengthy deployment, often requiring an army of consultants.
- High cost, both in licences and in integration and maintenance.
- Interface still rigid, even though SAP has made progress on the UX side.
- Less agile than more recent ERPs in certain SME scenarios.
👉 To remember
SAP impresses with its robustness and functional depth, but it is primarily aimed at solid structures with a substantial budget and an organisation that is already well organised.
Odoo vs SAP: compare functionalities
Choosing an ERP is not a matter of prestige or budget. Above all, it's a question of features that match your operational needs. Here's a clear, point-by-point comparison.
| Functionality | Odoo | SAP S/4HANA |
| CRM | ✅ Complete, visual, integrated | ✅ Advanced, key account oriented |
| Financial management | ✅ Solid for SMEs and SMIs | ⭐ Global benchmark, ultra-powerful |
| Supply chain & production | ✅ Efficient for standard needs | ⭐ Highly advanced, for heavy industry |
| Customisation | ⭐ Very flexible (open source) | ✅ Possible, but restricted |
| UX / interface | ⭐ Modern and intuitive | ✅ More rigid, but improving |
| Cloud / SaaS deployment | ✅ Odoo Online or Community | ✅ Cloud, On-premise or hybrid |
| Marketplace / extensions | ⭐ +20,000 third-party apps | ✅ Certified integrations |
Focus 1: CRM and customer relationship management
Odoo offers an easy-to-use, visual CRM with drag & drop pipeline, marketing automation and direct link to invoicing. Ideal for short to medium sales cycles.
SAP, via Sales Cloud, targets structured sales teams, with complex cycle management, personalised quotations (CPQ), and integration with marketing and customer service. Heavier, but well suited to international sales forces.
👉 To remember
Odoo appeals to agile salespeople, while SAP reassures structured teams with long processes.
Focus 2: Finance and accounting
Odoo covers the needs of SMEs: invoicing, bank reconciliations, multi-currency accounting. It's comprehensive, but still geared towards medium-sized businesses.
SAP shines here: automated closing, inter-company consolidation, multi-country taxation... It's the Rolls Royce of finance departments, particularly in multi-site groups.
👉 To remember
SAP clearly dominates the financial sector, but Odoo offers an excellent solution for simpler requirements.
Focus 3: Production and supply chain management
Odoo enables you to manage stocks, production and logistics flows in great detail. Sufficient for companies with standardised production.
SAP goes much further: MRP planning, predictive maintenance, complex production scenarios, international logistics. It's the ally of demanding manufacturers.
👉 To remember
SAP is designed for heavy industry, while Odoo effectively covers traditional needs.
Focus 4: Customisation and modularity
Odoo, as an open source solution, is extremely flexible. You can modify, develop and add as much as you like (with a good dev or integrator).
SAP is customisable, but within a rigorous framework: you pay for it, you plan for it, and you control it. Perfect for maintaining strict governance.
👉 To remember
Odoo gives a hand, SAP reassures with a controlled framework.
Focus 5: User experience (UX)
Odoo has a modern, fluid interface that's very much like a consumer SaaS. It's easy to find your way around, even if you're not an expert.
SAP, historically less sexy, has made efforts with Fiori, but remains more structured and dense. It takes a little longer to get the hang of it.
👉 To remember
Odoo wins out on usability, but SAP makes up for it with power and consistency once it has been trained.
Odoo vs SAP: compare prices
When choosing an ERP, price is never "just a price". You need to look at what's included, what's optional, and above all the long-term cost (licences, maintenance, integration, etc.). Here's a no-nonsense comparison.
| Offer | Odoo (SaaS) | SAP S/4HANA Cloud (public edition) |
| Basic price | Standard: €24.90/user/month | Approximately €1,000 to €3,000/user/year |
| Number of modules included | All modules (unlimited) | A la carte modules (variable licences) |
| Hosting | Included in SaaS | Included in public cloud (or to be managed on-premise) |
| Updates | Automatic | Included in the SaaS offer |
| Integration cost | Variable (via partners) | High (complex projects) |
| Support | Included in Odoo Online Enterprise | Included depending on contract and service level |
| Free version | Yes (Odoo Community, self-hosted) | No |
👉 To remember
- Odoo is focusing on transparent pricing, with an all-inclusive SaaS model.
- SAP, on the other hand, works on the basis of licences + associated services. The budget rises quickly, but comes with a level of service to match.
Odoo vs SAP: which interface is the most intuitive?
Choosing an ERP also means thinking about day-to-day issues: who is going to use it? How often? And above all... how easy will it be? Software may look brilliant on paper, but if you need 3 days' training to generate an invoice, you've missed out.
Here's how Odoo and SAP compare in terms of UX, ease of use and customisation.
Odoo relies on a clean, fluid and consistent interface, designed for non-technical users. There's an appreciable 'no-code' logic: everything is visual, editable and drag-and-drop friendly.
SAP, historically more technical, has modernised with SAP Fiori, a more ergonomic interface, but one that remains dense. The tool is still designed for trained teams in a structured environment. In short, it' s square, but a little rigid.
💡 The Odoo app (iOS / Android) is often praised for its mobile ergonomics. As for SAP, the mobile experience depends very much on the modules activated.
| Criterion | Odoo | SAP S/4HANA |
| Handling | ⭐ Very fast for basic modules. Designed to be used without technical training. | ✅ Training required, especially for complex modules (finance, supply chain). The interface takes some getting used to. |
| Ergonomics / Design | ⭐ Modern, clear, consistent across all modules. Inspired by SaaS tools such as Notion or Monday. | ✅ Significant improvement with SAP Fiori, but some areas remain technical and "old school". |
| Learning time | ⭐ A few hours for the main functions, thanks to modular logic and simple navigation. | ❗ Allow several days, or even weeks, to get the hang of it all. |
| Interface customisation | ✅ Fields, views and workflows can be customised without coding. Specific dashboards can be created. | ✅ Customisation possible, but restricted. Often requires an SAP administrator or consultant to modify views. |
| Mobile / Responsive | ⭐ Fluid mobile app, available on iOS and Android, well rated and really usable on the move. | ✅ Mobile experience available, but depends on the module activated and often more limited than the desktop version. |
| Suitable for non-technical users | ⭐ Yes, ideal for SMEs without an IT team. Many integrated tutorials and very didactic interface. | ❗ Less accessible to non-technical profiles. Optimised use only after training or personalised support. |
👉 To remember
Odoo is appealing because of its SaaS logic for the general public: it's visual, fast and intuitive. SAP remains a high-level professional tool, which needs to be tamed rigorously, but which deploys its full value in mature, well-structured organisations.
Odoo vs SAP: compare integrations
An ERP is never alone in a company's software galaxy. It needs to talk to your CRM, e-commerce, payroll, BI, marketing and other tools. Here's a clear comparison to see which, Odoo or SAP, comes out on top when it comes to connectivity.
| Criterion | Odoo | SAP S/4HANA |
| Number of native integrations | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ - +20,000 modules in the Odoo Apps Store + popular connectors (Stripe, Amazon, etc.) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ - Very broad ecosystem, especially via SAP Business Technology Platform |
| Ease of integration | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ - Well-documented APIs, numerous plug & play apps, integration possible without dev | ⭐⭐⭐☆☆ - Powerful but often complex integrations, requiring SAP consultants or partners |
| Workflow automation | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ - Workflows between native modules + Zapier/Make to automate without code | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ - Integration with SAP BTP, RPA, AI, advanced automations for large volumes |
| External interoperability | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ - Easy connections with third-party tools (Google, Office 365, e-commerce, etc.) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ - SAP Connectors for Salesforce, Microsoft, AWS, etc., but sometimes expensive |
| Community / third-party extensions | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Very large open source community, rich in community connectors | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ - Closed but structured ecosystem, with SAP Store marketplace |
💬 What you need to understand
- Odoo is aimed at businesses that want to connect quickly and efficiently, without having to break the bank at every stage. Its marketplace of third-party apps (free or paid) and its compatibility with tools such as Zapier make it a flexible solution , even without a developer.
- SAP, on the other hand, plays in the big league: its integrations are more powerful, secure and robust, but often require a dedicated project (and an SAP integrator).
When should you choose Odoo or SAP?
An ERP is like a pair of shoes: even a top-of-the-range one, it has to fit. Here are the typical use cases where each solution has the advantage.
If you're an SME or a fast-growing business
Odoo is clearly right for you.
Do you need an agile, cost-effective ERP that' s easy to deploy, with modules that can be activated as you go along? Odoo lets you start small, then build up your management smoothly. Its flexibility, modern interface and controlled cost make it an excellent ally for fast-moving organisations without dedicated IT departments.
Typical use cases :
- Start-ups or SMEs looking to centralise CRM, invoicing and project management
- Growing company with several entities to structure
- Multi-department organisation with varied needs, but not too complex
💡 Bonus: you can test Odoo Community for free before investing.
If you are an SME or a large group with complex processes
SAP becomes your best ally.
Do you manage several subsidiaries, hundreds of users, and ultra-structured production or logistics flows? SAP S/4HANA is designed for just that. It offers solid governance, standardised business processes and global scalability. Perfect for demanding financial or industrial departments.
Typical use cases :
- International industrial group with advanced supply chain requirements
- Holding company with multi-company financial management
- Regulated organisation, with a need for traceability and strong compliance
💡 Warning: deployment requires time, budget... and rigour. But once in place, the power is formidable.
Things to remember about the Odoo vs SAP battle
Odoo and SAP do not have the same DNA. One plays the agility card, the other the industrial power card. What do they have in common? The ability to structure a company from top to bottom. What sets them apart? The degree of complexity, the cost and the target.
If you're an SME looking to digitise quickly with a flexible, visual tool, Odoo is the obvious choice.
If you're an international organisation with complex workflows that need to be rigorously managed: SAP is designed for you.
To help you decide, here's a final needs/recommendations table:
| Your need | Our recommendation |
| Get started quickly with an all-in-one ERP | Odoo |
| Keep control of costs and scope | Odoo |
| Manage a growing SME or ETI | Odoo |
| Unify the management of several subsidiaries | SAP |
| Structure complex industrial or logistics processes | SAP |
| Optimise a multi-site finance department | SAP |
| Comply with international standards | SAP |
| Deploy globally with centralised governance | SAP |
Odoo vs SAP FAQs
Is Odoo powerful enough for a fast-growing company?
Yes, Odoo is designed to support scalability: you start small and add modules as you go along. Many scale-ups and SMEs use it to structure their growth without exploding costs.
Is SAP only for very large companies?
To a large extent, yes. SAP is primarily designed for complex, multi-site, multi-process organisations. But the publisher is now offering more accessible solutions such as SAP Business One or SAP S/4HANA Public Cloud for small and medium-sized businesses.
Does Odoo offer a free version?
Yes. The Odoo Community version is open source and free, but requires hosting and manual configuration. The SaaS "Odoo Online" version is not free, but is turnkey, with updates and support included.
Is SAP customisable?
Yes, but with rules. SAP allows advanced customisation, often via certified partners. This involves additional costs and time, but ensures reliability and consistency on a large scale.
Which solution is easier to learn?
Odoo wins here. Its interface is modern, intuitive and designed for non-technical users. SAP is denser, and requires training and support to get to grips with it effectively.
Can Odoo or SAP be integrated with other tools?
Yes, for both.
- Odoo integrates easily via its modules, its API, or platforms such as Zapier.
- SAP offers robust integration via SAP BTP, but often requires an integrator to set it up.
What is the best solution for an industrial company?
SAP, without hesitation. This is one of its greatest strengths, with ultra-specialised supply chain, production, quality and maintenance functionalities designed for demanding industrial environments.
What if you want to change ERP at a later date?
That's a good question. Odoo offers greater flexibility for pivoting or migrating. SAP, because of its complexity, implies a longer-term commitment. It's a strategic project that needs to be thought through... and stabilised over time.
Article translated from French