The CRM market is dominated by giants like Salesforce and HubSpot. Yet more companies are choosing Odoo CRM instead. This guide explains why companies choose Odoo CRM over standard solutions and when it makes sense for your business.
What Makes Odoo Different
Open Source Foundation
Odoo's core is open source, which means:
No Vendor Lock-In: - Access to source code - Freedom to customize without restrictions - Ability to self-host if desired - Community-driven development
Transparent Pricing: - No hidden feature gates - Predictable scaling costs - No surprise price increases - Clear cost per user
All-in-One Platform
Unlike point solutions, Odoo provides:
- CRM
- Accounting
- Inventory
- E-commerce
- HR/Payroll
- Project Management
- Manufacturing
- And 30+ more apps
Integration Benefits: - Single database across all functions - No data synchronization issues - Unified reporting - Consistent user experience
Odoo CRM vs. Standard Solutions
Odoo vs. Salesforce
| Feature | Odoo | Salesforce |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | $24/user/month | $25/user/month |
| Full Suite Price | $31/user/month | $150+/user/month |
| Customization | Unlimited | Per-license restrictions |
| Implementation | Weeks | Months |
| Learning Curve | Moderate | Steep |
| Source Access | Yes | No |
When Odoo Wins: - Need integrated ERP + CRM - Budget-conscious organizations - Companies wanting customization freedom - Mid-market businesses
When Salesforce Wins: - Enterprise-scale operations - Need for Salesforce ecosystem - Complex sales processes requiring AppExchange - Industry-specific Salesforce clouds
Odoo vs. HubSpot
| Feature | Odoo | HubSpot |
|---|---|---|
| Free Tier | Community edition | Free CRM |
| Paid CRM | $24/user/month | $45/user/month |
| Marketing Suite | Included | Separate cost |
| ERP Functions | Full suite | None |
| Customization | Extensive | Limited |
When Odoo Wins: - Need more than just marketing/sales - Want ERP integration - Require deeper customization - International operations
When HubSpot Wins: - Marketing-first organizations - Simple sales processes - Strong content marketing focus - Small teams wanting quick setup
Why Companies Switch to Odoo
Cost Savings
Typical Savings: - 40-70% reduction vs. Salesforce Enterprise - Elimination of multiple software subscriptions - Lower implementation costs - Reduced integration expenses
Real Example: A 100-person company paying: - Salesforce: $15,000/month - Various integrations: $3,000/month - Total: $18,000/month
After Odoo: - Odoo Enterprise: $3,100/month - Savings: $14,900/month ($178,800/year)
Unified Operations
Before Odoo (typical stack): - Salesforce for CRM - QuickBooks for accounting - ShipStation for shipping - Mailchimp for marketing - Multiple integrations needed
After Odoo: - Single platform for everything - One login, one database - Seamless workflows - Simplified training
Customization Freedom
Odoo's modular architecture allows:
Business Logic Changes: - Custom workflows without code - Field-level customization - Role-based access control - Automated actions and triggers
Technical Customization: - Custom modules - API extensions - Report customization - Integration development
Global Capabilities
Odoo excels for international businesses:
- Multi-currency support
- Multi-language interface
- Country-specific localizations
- International accounting standards
Implementation Considerations
Deployment Options
Odoo.sh (Cloud): - Managed hosting - Automatic updates - Built-in staging environments - Odoo support included
Self-Hosted: - Full control - Data sovereignty - Custom infrastructure - Lower recurring costs
Odoo Online: - Quickest setup - No technical management - Automatic updates - Limited customization
Implementation Timeline
Typical Project Phases:
- Discovery (2-4 weeks):
- Requirements gathering
- Process mapping
Gap analysis
Configuration (4-8 weeks):
- Module setup
- Workflow configuration
User role definition
Customization (2-6 weeks):
- Custom development
- Integration work
Report creation
Testing (2-4 weeks):
- User acceptance testing
- Data validation
Go-Live (1-2 weeks):
- Data migration
- User training
- Support transition
Total: 11-24 weeks depending on complexity
Common Challenges
Data Migration: - Plan data cleanup before migration - Map fields carefully - Validate data integrity - Keep historical data accessible
User Adoption: - Invest in training - Identify champions - Provide documentation - Plan change management
Customization Scope: - Start with standard features - Customize only what's necessary - Document all customizations - Plan for upgrade compatibility
Is Odoo Right for Your Business?
Ideal Odoo Candidates
Company Profile: - 20-500 employees - Growing businesses - Multiple operational departments - International or multi-location - Budget-conscious but quality-focused
Technical Profile: - Some internal IT capability - Open to learning new systems - Value data ownership - Want long-term flexibility
Poor Fit Indicators
Consider Alternatives If: - Deep Salesforce ecosystem investment - Simple sales-only CRM needs - No internal technical resources - Require specific industry cloud features - Very large enterprise (1000+ users)
Getting Started with Odoo
Evaluation Steps
- Try the Demo:
- Odoo.com offers free trials
- Test with your actual workflows
Evaluate user experience
Assess Requirements:
- List must-have features
- Identify integrations needed
Define customization requirements
Calculate TCO:
- Include implementation costs
- Factor in training time
Compare 3-year total costs
Find a Partner:
- Work with certified Odoo partners
- Check implementation experience
- Verify support capabilities
Implementation Best Practices
- Start with core modules, expand gradually
- Invest in proper data migration
- Train super-users as internal experts
- Plan for ongoing optimization
The Bottom Line
Companies choose Odoo CRM over standard solutions because it offers more value: an integrated platform, lower costs, and greater flexibility. The trade-off is implementation complexity and the need for more active management.
For mid-market companies seeking a unified business platform without enterprise pricing, Odoo represents a compelling alternative to fragmented point solutions.
Considering Odoo for your business? Big0 provides Odoo implementation services, from initial assessment through deployment and ongoing optimization. Contact us for a free consultation.
