Odoo ERP Review 2025: Pros, Cons, and Features

As businesses face increasing demands to stay competitive, the need for efficient and cohesive operations has never been greater. Odoo ERP helps companies to integrate their various processes, creating a smooth, centralized workflow that can drive success.

Without the proper ERP solution, businesses struggle with fragmented data, manual tasks, and a lack of real-time insights, all of which lead to wasted resources and delayed growth. These operational bottlenecks make it challenging to scale and adapt to market demands.

The Enterprise Resource Planning Software market in Malaysia is expected to witness a significant increase in revenue. This growth is anticipated to continue at an annual growth rate (CAGR 2025-2029) of 5.68%.

Explore how a well-chosen ERP solution can streamline your business operations and address your unique challenges. Continue reading to determine whether Odoo or other software alternatives are the right fit for your needs.

What is Odoo ERP?

Odoo is an open-source ERP system designed to streamline business operations across various departments, making it ideal for organizations of all sizes. With its flexible, modular design, Odoo ERP solution allows companies to choose and integrate the exact functionalities they need, from sales and CRM to manufacturing and accounting.

Founded in 2005 in Belgium as Tiny ERP, the platform has evolved to become one of the most widely used cloud ERP solutions worldwide. Renamed Odoo, it now offers a wide range of applications that can be tailored to meet the unique needs of businesses, ensuring efficient management and scalability as the business grows.

The Odoo ERP system empowers businesses to manage their resources more effectively and respond quickly to market changes. Its adaptability makes it a preferred choice for Malaysian businesses seeking an affordable yet comprehensive ERP software solution to enhance productivity and maintain a competitive edge.

Pros and Cons of Odoo ERP

While Odoo ERP offers a comprehensive solution for businesses, it is essential to consider both its strengths and limitations to determine if it aligns with your organization’s specific needs. Understanding the pros and cons can help you make an informed decision about whether Odoo is the right ERP system for your operations.

Pros

The advantages of using Odoo ERP are evident in its flexibility, integration capabilities, and ability to streamline various business functions. However, it is essential to balance these benefits with the potential challenges associated with implementation and usage, such as customization costs and the learning curve.

Below are some of the pros of using Odo,o according to Forbes and TheCFOClub:

1. Comprehensive integration: Odoo ERP integrates various business functions into one accessible platform, reducing the chaos of managing multiple disjointed systems.
2. Open-source innovation: As an open-source solution, Odoo continually evolves through the contributions of a large community, providing a customizable ERP system that adapts to the unique needs of each business.
3. Flexibility with Odoo modules: With a vast selection of applications, businesses can select only the components that suit their specific operational requirements, providing flexibility to scale as needed.
4. Streamlined inventory management: Odoo simplifies inventory tracking, reducing errors and optimizing warehouse management, making stock management more efficient.
5. Real-time sales tracking: The ERP system provides real-time sales analytics, enabling businesses to make informed decisions and track their sales processes more accurately.
6. E-commerce integration: Odoo seamlessly integrates with online storefronts, ensuring smooth synchronization between e-commerce operations and other business functions.

Cons

Despite its impressive features, the Odoo ERP may present drawbacks that pose obstacles for some businesses. Below are some of the cons of Odoo according to TheCFOClub and Forbes:

1. Limited free plan: Odoo’s free plan only allows access to one app, limiting its usability for businesses that require more comprehensive functionality.
2. Learning curve: The extensive range of features and modules can be overwhelming for first-time ERP system users, who require time to become acquainted with the platform.
3. Customization needs: While versatile, Odoo may require third-party apps for certain specific business requirements, adding potential complexity.
4. Resource-intensive: For some businesses, Odoo’s resource consumption can slow down other systems, especially in larger implementations.
5. High customization costs: Extensive customization may require a significant investment, making it potentially more costly for businesses seeking tailored solutions.

Odoo ERP provides a robust and flexible platform; however, businesses should weigh these pros and cons against their specific operational needs and available resources. For Malaysian businesses seeking an integrated ERP system, Odoo offers a robust solution, but with some challenges to consider.

Key Features of Odoo ERP

Odoo ERP is a comprehensive platform designed to streamline business operations across multiple departments. Below is a summary of Odoo ERP’s key features that make it an appealing choice for businesses of various sizes and industries.

• Finance and accounting: Odoo automates financial processes, including bank synchronization and recurring invoicing, while supporting multi-currency transactions and various payment methods.
• Sales management: The sales module enables businesses to create detailed quotes with e-signature options, improving client communication and record-keeping.
• E-commerce: Odoo’s e-commerce module seamlessly integrates online stores with inventory and sales, allowing businesses to build professional websites easily.
• Inventory and Supply Chain: Odoo’s double-entry inventory system ensures accurate stock tracking and optimization, thereby reducing shortages and improving supply chain efficiency.
• Manufacturing: Odoo streamlines manufacturing with features such as Bill of Materials (BOMs), routing, and work orders, seamlessly integrating with inventory and production planning.
• Project Management: The project management module provides task tracking, Gantt charts, and collaboration tools to keep projects on track and schedule.
• Human resources: Odoo manages HR processes from recruitment to retirement, including payroll, attendance, expenses, and leave requests.
• Customer Relationship Management (CRM): Odoo’s CRM helps businesses manage leads, track opportunities, and improve customer interactions, accelerating sales.
• Financial accounting: Odoo’s accounting software simplifies financial statement generation, asset management, and invoicing to maintain fiscal health.
• Marketing automation: Odoo automates marketing campaigns, tracks performance, and generates leads, streamlining marketing efforts.
• E-learning: Odoo’s e-learning module allows businesses to create, manage, and track internal training and educational content.

These core features make Odoo ERP a versatile and powerful tool, designed to enhance productivity and streamline business processes across various industries in Malaysia. Whether you work in finance, sales, manufacturing, or HR, the Odoo ERP system provides the necessary tools to enhance your business operations.

What is ERP Odoo Best For?

Odoo ERP is best suited for larger businesses and enterprises due to its comprehensive suite of integrated modules. This unified platform enables companies to streamline operations and enhance cross-departmental collaboration, eliminating the need for multiple disconnected systems.

For companies seeking flexibility and scalability, Odoo provides a customizable solution that can grow in tandem with your business. Its open-source framework makes it ideal for organizations seeking an ERP system that can be tailored to their specific operational needs, making it a strong option for those with complex requirements.

However, those without dedicated IT support may find Odoo overwhelming due to its extensive customization needs and the steep learning curve. In contrast, HashMicro offers a more straightforward approach, making it a great choice for businesses that need quick, reliable support without the need for deep technical knowledge.

Advantages of Odoo ERP

Leveraging Odoo ERP’s feature set brings significant advantages to businesses, particularly those seeking an integrated, customizable, and scalable solution. Below are some key advantages of Odoo ERP based on insights from the Technology Evaluation Center (TEC) and The CFO Club:

• Comprehensive CRM insights: Odoo ERP provides a clear overview of essential CRM functionalities, saving time that would otherwise be spent on extensive research. This feature enables businesses to gain valuable insights into their customer relationships, helping streamline their sales and marketing efforts.
• Transparent feature support: The system transparently displays the support levels for each feature, offering businesses a clear understanding of both Odoo’s strengths and areas that may require attention. This transparency enables more informed decisions when selecting and configuring features according to business needs.
• Integrated business platform: Odoo’s modular structure seamlessly integrates various business operations, including CRM, sales, inventory, accounting, and website development, into a single, cohesive platform. By reducing the need for multiple disconnected tools, businesses can simplify their workflows and reduce overall software expenses.
• Flexibility and customization: With its open-source framework, Odoo ERP provides high levels of customization, enabling it to adapt to specific business processes. This flexibility allows businesses to tailor the system to their particular needs, providing a truly personalized ERP solution.
• Scalability for growth: Odoo’s modular design allows businesses to start with core applications and gradually expand as their needs grow. This scalability ensures that Odoo ERP can grow alongside your business, adapting to changing demands without requiring a complete system overhaul.
• Active community support: Odoo benefits from a vibrant and active community of users and developers who contribute resources, offer support, and share valuable insights. This extensive community network provides businesses with access to forums, documentation, and partners, ensuring that help is always available when needed.

These advantages make Odoo ERP an excellent solution for Malaysian businesses seeking a flexible, cost-effective, and scalable platform to streamline their operations and support their growth. Whether you need CRM insights, seamless integration, or a customized solution, Odoo ERP offers the features and flexibility to meet your business needs.

HashMicro: A Reliable ERP Software Alternative for Your Business Needs

As an alternative to Odoo ERP, HashMicro stands out with its seamless integration and user-friendly interface, making it easier for businesses to manage operations. Its solutions are tailored to meet industry standards and comply with local regulations, ensuring businesses in Malaysia can operate effectively and in full compliance.

HashMicro’s ERP system features an intuitive interface that enables users to navigate the system with ease, thereby improving operational efficiency. With comprehensive features that can be customized to suit unique business needs, HashMicro ensures scalability for businesses as they grow or adjust, making it a valuable long-term investment.

Here are some of the key features of HashMicro that can contribute to your business success:

• Built-in BI – Pivot, KPI Scorecard, Custom BI, Dashboard Ninja: HashMicro’s ERP system features built-in business intelligence tools, including Pivot, KPI Scorecard, and Custom BI dashboards. This enables businesses to track key metrics and performance indicators efficiently, leading to improved decision-making and enhanced operational insights.
• WhatsApp Integration: The ERP integrates with WhatsApp, allowing for seamless communication with customers and teams directly within the system. This enhances real-time interaction and improves customer service by making communication faster and more convenient.
• Sheet Management: HashMicro’s ERP features a sheet management tool that enables users to organize and manage data efficiently within the platform. By consolidating all data into structured sheets, businesses can streamline operations, reduce errors, and maintain accurate records.
• Mobile Apps Available: With mobile apps available for HashMicro’s ERP, users can access business operations on the go, from anywhere. This provides greater flexibility and ensures continuous business management, even when employees are not at their desks.
• On Cloud / On Prem – Web ERP: HashMicro offers both cloud-based and on-premise ERP solutions, allowing businesses to choose the deployment option that best suits their needs. This flexibility ensures businesses can operate securely while optimizing their infrastructure for efficiency and scalability.

Dedicated to continuous innovation, HashMicro regularly updates its ERP system to stay relevant in an evolving market. It offers unlimited user access at no extra cost, supporting team expansion and better collaboration, while prioritizing customer satisfaction with responsive support to help businesses maximize their ERP investment.

Conclusion

Odoo ERP provides a comprehensive suite of features that can significantly enhance business operations, making it a solid choice for companies seeking to streamline their processes. However, its complexity and customization requirements may pose challenges for businesses.

As a reliable alternative, HashMicro stands out with its tailored ERP solutions that cater to specific business needs. With an intuitive interface and end-to-end functionalities, HashMicro ensures businesses can maximize their ERP investment while benefiting from a highly customizable and scalable system.

Choosing HashMicro means partnering with a trusted ERP solution that drives your business’s growth. You can experience its benefits firsthand by trying the free demo today!

FAQ About Odoo ERP

• What is the Odoo ERP system?

  Odoo ERP is an integrated software solution that helps businesses manage various operations, including sales, inventory, finance, and customer relationships, all on a single unified platform. Its modular design allows businesses to customize and scale the system to meet their unique needs.

• Which is better, Odoo or SAP?

  Both Odoo and SAP are powerful ERP solutions, but Odoo stands out for its flexibility, user-friendliness, and lower cost, making it ideal for small to medium-sized businesses. SAP, on the other hand, is more suited for large enterprises with complex needs and significant resources.

• Is Odoo ERP free?

  Odoo offers a free version with limited features; however, most businesses will need to subscribe to the enterprise version for access to advanced features and support. The enterprise version offers more customization options, enhanced scalability, and seamless integration for businesses of all sizes.

• Is Odoo a Chinese company?

  No, Odoo is a Belgian-based company founded in 2005. It is recognized globally for its open-source ERP solutions and has a wide customer base across various industries.