Odoo Customization vs. Standard: Which Option Fits Your Business?

Choosing the right ERP solution is a critical decision for any business, and when it comes to Odoo, the choice between Standard and Customization plans can significantly impact your future growth. 

While Odoo Standard offers a quick and cost-effective entry point, it may not meet the evolving needs of businesses with complex workflows or integration requirements. Based on our decades of experience, we observed that many businesses find that starting with the Odoo Custom plan provides the flexibility and scalability they need to succeed in the long run. 

Want to know more? In this article, you will explore the key differences between these two options that help you make an effective decision focused on what truly matters based on your business requirements. So, let's get started!

Begin by Understanding the Core Choices

Before diving deeper, it’s important to understand what each option truly offers. Think of it as choosing between a ready-made toolkit and one that you can build to suit your specific needs.

What do You Get From the Odoo Standard Plan?

• Ready-to-use and cloud-hosted: Odoo Standard is a Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) solution, meaning it’s hosted by Odoo and comes pre-configured, ready for use.
• Built for speed and simplicity: It’s perfect for businesses looking to get started quickly without needing technical setup or customization.
• Limited flexibility: You can use Odoo’s built-in apps and make minor tweaks with Odoo Studio, but you won’t be able to make extensive customizations or integrate with external systems.

What do You Get From the Odoo Custom Plan?

• Tailored to fit your business: Odoo Custom gives you the flexibility to adapt the system to your specific needs, no matter how unique or complex.
• Flexible hosting options: You can choose how your system is hosted—whether it’s on Odoo’s cloud (Odoo.sh), your own servers, or through Odoo online. Odoo takes care of Odoo.sh and Odoo Online, ensuring 99.9% uptime. If you choose to host on your own infrastructure, you’ll be responsible for system setup, configuration, security, and end-to-end operations.
• Unlimited possibilities: Build custom apps, integrate with external systems, and create workflows that align perfectly with your operating style. 

Assess Your Business Needs

Now that you know the differences between Odoo Standard and Custom, it’s time to determine which one suits your business best. 

Choose Odoo Standard if:

• Your workflows are straightforward, like sales, inventory, accounting, and CRM, without heavy customization.
• You need a quick, easy setup with minimal technical involvement.
• You prefer Odoo to handle hosting, backups, updates, and security, so your team doesn’t need to manage these.
• You plan to use Odoo apps as-is, with only minor tweaks using Odoo Studio.

In short, if your business is just moving from tools like QuickBooks and spreadsheets to a full ERP system, Odoo Standard is a great fit.

Choose Odoo Custom if:

• Your business has unique needs that can’t be met by standard apps.
• You need to integrate with other third-party tools, such as specialized logistics, finance, or CRM systems.
• You require advanced workflows, custom reporting, or detailed user roles and permissions.
• You plan to manage multiple companies, regions, or currencies within a single system.
• You want full control over hosting, performance, and updates—whether in the cloud or on your own servers.

Note: If you choose Odoo Custom with Odoo.sh hosting, the Odoo team will handle hosting, backups, updates, and security, just as with the Odoo standard. However, if you opt for Odoo Custom with on-premise hosting, you’ll be responsible for managing all aspects of hosting, system updates, and security. Since Odoo is not hosting the solution in this case, they won't be able to assist with these tasks. You will need either an internal IT team or a reliable Odoo partner to manage and maintain the system.

If you’re already using an ERP, planning to go multi-company, or need external tools beyond the Odoo database, Odoo Custom is the ideal choice. The cost difference is also minimal. Odoo Standard starts at $24.90, while Odoo Custom is priced around $37.40, offering much more flexibility.

Compare Key Differences (At a Glance)

Here's a visual comparison to help you evaluate the options at a glance:

Essential Things to Consider Before You Decide

Before you finalize your decision between Odoo Standard and Odoo Custom, there are a few key factors to keep in mind that could save you time, money, and potential headaches down the road.

• Long-Term Vision vs. Short-Term Needs

While Odoo Standard might be a good fit for today's needs, it's important to think about where your business will be in a few years:

• Odoo Standard works well for now, but will it support your needs as you grow in the next 2-5 years? Will you require more complex workflows, integrations, or multi-company management down the line?
• Odoo Custom requires more effort up front, but aligns your system with your growth trajectory, ensuring it adapts as your business evolves.
  
  

If you're uncertain about your long-term needs, talking to someone with experience across both Standard and Custom setups can help clarify things. Cudio, for example, has worked with 35+ businesses to turn failing projects around, helping them build systems that truly match their needs. With this kind of expertise, you’ll be better equipped to decide what’s best for your future growth.

• Flexibility

Consider how well the system can adapt to your business as it changes. Let's think of it this way: a rigid system puts you in a box and doesn't let you out of its box. It might fit okay for now, but as you grow or change, it may start to feel tight or uncomfortable. A flexible system, on the other hand, is like a custom-tailored suit—it adjusts perfectly to your specific needs and can expand or change as your business does.

With Odoo Standard, you get a system that works well out of the box; however, there are limitations. You can tweak things here and there, but the system can’t stretch too much if your needs change. If you require more extensive customizations, such as integrating with external systems or creating workflows tailored to your specific business processes, Odoo Standard may feel restrictive.

Now, Odoo Custom gives you that flexibility. Whether you're handling multiple companies or need to plug into a complex system, Odoo Custom adapts to you. So as your business expands, Odoo Custom can change right alongside it, allowing you to scale smoothly without hitting roadblocks.

• Internal IT Resources

Consider the capacity of your internal IT team to manage and maintain your system:

• Odoo Standard is hosted and maintained by Odoo, so your IT team doesn't need to worry about updates, security, or server maintenance.
• In the Custom plan, you will have three hosting options- Odoo Online, Odoo.sh, and Odoo on-premise. Odoo.sh and Odoo Online are managed by Odoo with 99.9% uptime guarantees. On-premise hosting shifts the responsibility for setup, maintenance, and security to your team. In such cases, it’s highly recommended to work with an Odoo partner to navigate these complexities and ensure your system remains secure and up-to-date.

• Avoid Overcustomization 

While customizing your system can greatly improve it, over-customization can lead to:

• Technical debt: Quick fixes today can lead to costly rework in the future, especially if custom modules aren't built with future upgrades in mind.
• Complexity and maintenance headaches: Too many customizations can slow down the system and make it harder to manage over time.

It’s important to customize thoughtfully, focusing only on areas where it’s truly needed. Avoid unnecessary complexity that could bog down your system. Experienced partners can guide you on striking that balance, ensuring your system remains scalable and efficient without becoming over-complicated. 

• Upgradeability and Stability

One of the main concerns with Odoo Custom is ensuring that the custom work remains compatible with future Odoo updates.

• As your business needs evolve, you’ll need a system that adapts easily without breaking.
• Keeping your system stable and upgrade-friendly requires careful planning and design, especially when custom features are involved.

In such cases, Cudio can help ensure that your customizations are made with long-term stability in mind. We will plan upgrades strategically to ensure smooth transitions as Odoo releases new versions.

By considering these factors carefully and aligning them with your long-term vision, you'll be able to make an informed decision. No matter which path you choose, it can be helpful to connect with an expert who understands both Odoo Standard and Custom, someone who can guide you through the options and help you make the best decision for your business needs.

Conclusion

Choosing between Odoo Standard and Odoo Custom is about selecting the one that best fits your current business needs and your future goals.

Odoo Standard is perfect for businesses just starting out with ERP or transitioning from spreadsheets. If you're new to ERPs and need a straightforward solution with quick deployment, Odoo Standard is the ideal choice.

However, if you're already using an ERP system and considering a switch to Odoo, Odoo Custom is the ideal choice. The customization options ensure that the system fits your exact needs, and there is not a significant price difference between Standard and Custom when considering the value that comes with the flexibility of a tailored solution.

Not sure where to begin? Don't worry. We're here to help. Whether you're moving from spreadsheets to Odoo Standard or upgrading to Odoo Custom, Cudio, a trusted Odoo partner, can guide you through every step of the decision-making process. Let's ensure your investment works for you now and as your business continues to evolve

Frequently Asked Questions