These are the 7 Best Free Open-Source ERP Systems
We show you the 7 best open-source ERP systems, so you can efficiently organize all your tasks for your business.
- What is an open-source ERP system?
- Open-Source-ERP or Cloud-ERP-Software?
- The 7 best Open-Source-ERP-Tools
- 1. Odoo
- 2. Dolibarr ERP & CRM
- 3. ADempiere
- 4. Apache OFBiz
- 5. ERPNext
- 6. VIENNA Advantage Community Edition
- 7. Tryton
- Conclusion
It doesn't always have to be expensive: Free open-source ERP systems aim to make your product planning, pricing, marketing, accounting and much more in your company more efficient - at no cost! We show you in this article the 7 best open-source alternatives for ERP systems and what they bring in terms of functionality for your inventory management.
Recommended ERP-Systeme
On our comparison platform OMR Reviews you can find more recommended ERP systems. We present over 300 solutions that are specially tailored to the needs of small and medium-sized companies, start-ups and large corporations. These ERP systems offer comprehensive support in all business processes. Take this opportunity to compare the various ERP solutions, drawing on authentic and verified user reviews:
What is an open-source ERP system?
ERP stands for Enterprise Resource Planning and is used for information management in the entire company. An ERP system is made up of different modules, such as marketing, CRM, inventory management and finance and accounting. All modules access the same, higher-level master data of the company. ERP tools help to optimize work processes and thus increase productivity and turnover.
Open-Source means that the source code of the software is accessible to the public. The source code is simply downloaded and the ERP system is ready for use immediately. Your developers can write their own codes and add them. This allows the ERP system to be changed and adapted according to your needs.
Open-Source-ERP or Cloud-ERP-Software?
Cloud-ERP systems are provided and managed in the cloud. So they are not hosted locally in the company. This limits your freedom of action. Both ERP solutions have their advantages and disadvantages, which we will now show you in more detail.
Benefits Open-Source-ERP
- Free entry
- can be installed by the company itself
- Software can be adapted to your own needs
- Costs only arise through customization, maintenance and support
Disadvantages Open-Source-ERP
- high internal IT effort when extensive customization of the modules is made
- no automatic updates; development is often not up to date
- Cost advantage quickly lost when support and maintenance are frequently commissioned
- no guaranteed bug fixing in the system, as the manufacturers are not obliged to do so
Advantages Cloud-ERP-Software
- can be used anytime and anywhere
- Software is always up to date
- very good security structure incl. backups and emergency recovery
- internal IT resources can be reassigned
Disadvantages Cloud-ERP-Software
- stable internet connection needed
- sensitive company information is shared
- Dependence on external service providers
- the costs can rise drastically for rapidly growing companies
If you now want to understand what the difference is between ERP and an inventory management system, this article is interesting for you: “What is the difference between an inventory management system and an ERP?”
The 7 best Open-Source-ERP-Tools
You now know what open-source ERP systems are and you know their advantages and disadvantages. In the article All efforts on the ERP: Why you should rely on scalable ERP software you can read what you need to consider when choosing an ERP. Now let's take a closer look at the best open-source ERP tools and their functionality. For this we have selected seven open-source ERP systems:
Odoo
Dolibarr ERP & CRM
ADempiere
Apache OFBiz
ERPNext
VIENNA Advantage Community Edition
Tryton1. Odoo
Odoo Features
- Invoice and manage
- Expenses such as business meals, simply upload
- comprehensive reporting to track sales, for example
- Email templates for efficient customer communication
- Website with modular system quick to create
- Create employee profiles, manage time sheets and contracts
Odoo Costs
The software is licensed under LGPLv3; the source code of the system can be downloaded from GitHub. There is a price calculation for Odoo on the company's own website. This is where you can choose your apps and see what costs you and your company will face. The cheapest apps start at 8 € per month.
More information about the Odoo prices and user reviews with price visibility can be found on OMR Reviews.
Odoo Alternatives
On OMR Reviews you can look at Odoo alternatives.
2. Dolibarr ERP & CRM
Dolibarr ERP & CRM offers a comprehensive solution for small and medium-sized businesses with its range of functions. The tool combines ERP and CRM. You can keep track of invoices, contracts, orders and other aspects of your inventory management easily. Also included is document management and an electronic cash register.
Dolibarr ERP & CRM Functions
- HR module incl. accounting, work time sheets and recruiting
- CRM and sales, contains contract management and a helpdesk in addition to
- Create email campaigns for different target groups
- Upgrade of the current version without data loss
- over 100 paid add-ons to extend the software without programming knowledge
Dolibarr ERP & CRM Costs
In the DoliStore there are numerous modules and plugins, free and paid. Numerous interfaces are available to you free of charge.
More information about the Dolibarr ERP & CRM prices and user reviews with price reference can be found on OMR Reviews.
Dolibarr ERP & CRM Alternatives
On OMR Reviews you can look at Alternatives to Dolibarr ERP & CRM.
3. ADempiere
Like many other open-source ERP solutions, ADempiere also targets small and medium-sized businesses. The tool has many features. ADempiere is a cross-platform, Java-based ERP solution that supports all common operating systems. The source code can be seen on GitHub.
ADempiere Features
- comprehensive ERP with all usual areas
- The basis for the design is business processes, not individual specialist departments
- Supply chain management, covering all inventory management operations
- CRM with 360-degree view of customers
- Performance analyses for various areas
ADempiere Costs
There are no additional costs, as support is provided via forums and community pages. Comprehensive documentation on how to use the software is available.
More information about the ADempiere prices and user reviews with price reference can be found on OMR Reviews.
ADempiere Alternatives
On OMR Reviews you can look at ADempiere Alternatives.
4. Apache OFBiz
Apache OFBiz took care during the tool architecture to make it easy to integrate into existing IT and business processes. There are modules for accounting, manufacturing, human resources, inventory management, e-commerce and more. You can find the source code of Apache OFBiz in the Apache OFBiz repository. The software is written in Java.
Apache OFBiz Features
- Core functions such as accounting, CRM, order management and e-commerce are included by default
- Contract management, payment processing and invoicing are integrated
- Product and catalog management for webshops
- Marketing and price management
Apache OFBiz Costs
There are a number of companies and freelancers who offer services such as installation, training, support, custom developments and more. The costs vary and must be requested individually.
More information about the Apache OFBiz prices and user reviews with price visibility can be found on OMR Reviews.
Apache OFBiz Alternatives
On OMR Reviews you can look at Apache OFBiz alternatives.
5. ERPNext
ERPNext was designed for small and medium-sized businesses. It includes modules for accounting, inventory management, sales, purchasing and project management. The applications that ERPNext is made of are form-based. You fill out a series of fields and let the tool do the rest. The software is intuitive to use.
ERPNext Features
- simple organization with calendar, social network and messaging service
- integrated task lists and projects
- a lot of functions for accounting and billing
- Sales and CRM, incl. support system and customer newsletter
- Inventory management and manufacturing with production planning tool
- Creation and design of websites
- Integrations such as Google Calendar, Dropbox, PayPal and Shopify
- HR features like vacation and presence management, payroll and employee evaluation
ERPNext Costs
Costs only incur if you hire external service providers. You have documentation and a forum on the provider's website for the tool.
More information about the ERPNext prices and user reviews with price visibility can be found on OMR Reviews.
ERPNext Alternatives
On OMR Reviews you can look at ERPNext alternatives.
6. VIENNA Advantage Community Edition
The VIENNA Advantage Community Edition is a free version intended for developers, IT companies and small businesses. The Community Edition connects ERP, CRM + DMS. It is no longer being developed, but is largely up to date with patches and other improvements.
VIENNA Advantage Community Edition features
- integrated document management system
- productive work with email, calendar, dashboards, tasks and Co.
- Financial management with debtor and creditor accounting, financial planning and more
- Purchasing management with tendering, goods ordering, automatic repurchasing and supplier management
- Project management with task management, project accounting, time and cost expenditure
- Marketing with campaign management and target group definition
- CRM with comprehensive features and much more
VIENNA Advantage Community Edition Costs
If the range of functions is not sufficient for you, you can obtain many free and paid modules and functions on the VIENNA Advantage Market. Support is available via a community portal.
More information about the VIENNA Advantage Community Edition prices and user reviews with price visibility can be found on OMR Reviews.
VIENNA Advantage Community Edition Alternatives
On OMR Reviews you can look at Alternatives to VIENNA Advantage Community Edition.
7. Tryton
Tryton is aimed at companies of all sizes and has a number of modules. These include accounting, sales, invoicing, project management, sales, data analysis and inventory management. The system is modular in design. You only install modules that you really need. Tryton offers different download options. The software is based on Python and is licensed under GPLv3.
Tryton Functions
- Financial accounting to record all transactions
- Tracking orders from quote to customer satisfaction
- Tracking of request for quotation and ordering at low prices
- Keeping an eye on inventory with supply chain management
- Managing projects
Tryton Costs
Costs only occur if you book services with Tryton partners, such as maintenance or customization.
More information about the Tryton prices and user reviews with price visibility can be found on OMR Reviews.
Tryton Alternatives
On OMR Reviews you can look at Tryton alternatives.
Conclusion
Open-source ERP tools often offer a very good range of functions. Nevertheless, they are more interesting for companies that have the know-how and IT infrastructure to adapt and maintain the ERP software. Also for small companies with simple processes, the ERP freeware is well suited. Nothing for you? On OMR Reviews there is already a carefully selected list of the best ERP systems for small and medium sized businesses, which are paid.
Katharina-Maria Röder ist freie Redakteurin bei OMR Reviews und schreibt zu den Themen Software und Co.
