Why We’re Choosing Frappe and ERPNext Over Odoo
After evaluating several ERP systems for our open-source projects, we have decided to promote and support Frappe Framework and ERPNext as our preferred ERP stack.
This is not meant as criticism of Odoo, but rather an explanation of why ERPNext better aligns with our community’s open-source values and long-term goals.
Truly Open Source
Odoo is often described as open source, but in reality, only the Community Edition is. Many advanced features such as accounting, payroll, manufacturing, and helpdesk are locked behind Odoo Enterprise, which is proprietary and paid.
ERPNext, in contrast, is completely open source under the GPLv3 license. Every module and feature is available to everyone. You can self-host it, modify it freely, and build on top of it without worrying about licensing or vendor restrictions.
Fair and Transparent Costs
ERPNext does not charge per user. You can add as many users as you want and only pay for infrastructure or managed hosting if you choose. You can also host it yourself for free.
Odoo’s model, by contrast, charges per user and per app, which can become expensive for growing organizations and communities.
Simplicity and Flexibility
ERPNext includes all major modules, Accounts, HR, Projects, CRM, Manufacturing, and Support, right out of the box. It is simple to get started and easy to customize.
Non-technical users can adapt forms, workflows, and reports through the UI, while developers have full access to the Frappe Framework for scripting and automation.
The Honest Reality
While ERPNext has strong foundations, it is not perfect by default. Some features are incomplete, documentation can be lacking, installation and configuration can be challenging, translations and key workflows need further refinement, and e-commerce features are limited in some aspects. The platform has great potential, but it requires active contribution and careful implementation to reach its full promise.
Where DeusOp Comes In
This is where DeusOp enters the picture. Our goal is to strengthen ERPNext through hands-on development, better documentation, improved translation systems, and practical extensions that fill in the missing pieces. We want to make ERPNext more reliable and accessible for real-world organizations while keeping everything open and community-friendly.
Guaranteeing the Open-Source Spirit
Over time, successful open-source projects sometimes drift toward closed or commercialized models. Odoo is a clear example of how that can happen. To prevent this, DeusOp will maintain its own independent fork of ERPNext, ensuring that the project’s open-source essence remains intact and protected from commercial influence.
The goal is not to fragment the community, but to cooperate with the original developers to safeguard openness, transparency, and long-term integrity, while positively supporting and influencing the Frappe team in a healthy way, and at the same time preserving our own vision and path.
Our Direction
We believe Frappe and ERPNext represent what open source should be: transparent, extensible, and community-first. With DeusOp, we aim to build on that foundation, improving usability, stability, and long-term sustainability while keeping the spirit of open collaboration at the core.
For us, ERPNext will be for ERP systems what Blender has been for the 3D industry.
If you have worked with ERPNext or Odoo, we would love to hear your experiences. What has worked well for you and what challenges have you faced? Let’s collaborate to make open ERP truly work for everyone.