Comparison · 7 min read
Odoo or custom software: how to decide in a Swiss SME
Katia Ryze, an AI-generated character. Article prepared with AI and reviewed by the Ryze Systems teamHow much does Odoo cost? Public prices on 6 October 2026
Here is what Odoo’s pricing page shows on 6 October 2026, viewed from Switzerland. Prices are displayed in euros, per user and per month. They can change and differ from one country to another: check them before you decide.
| Plan | Annual billing | Monthly billing | What is included |
|---|---|---|---|
| One App Free | 0 | 0 | A single application, unlimited users, Odoo Online |
| Standard | €24.90 (€19.90 for the first 12 months) | €31.10 (€24.90 for the first 12 months) | All applications, Odoo Online |
| Custom | €44.90 (€35.90 for the first 12 months) | €56.90 (€44.90 for the first 12 months) | All applications, Odoo Online, Odoo.sh or on-premise, Odoo Studio, multi-company, external API |
Odoo specifies that the first-year discount applies to the users of the initial order. Two details matter for an SME. First, the external API, the one that lets you link Odoo to your other tools, is part of the Custom plan. Second, the Standard plan is intended for databases without custom modules.
What the Odoo subscription does not include
The same page lists what remains outside the subscription:
- hosting on Odoo.sh, required for custom developments;
- implementation services and access to an Odoo expert (needs analysis, data import, customisations, training);
- the maintenance of custom code;
- certain usage-based credits, for example SMS or the automatic reading of supplier invoices.
This is the point quick comparisons forget. The price per user is public and clear. The cost of implementation depends on your project and is given on request, by Odoo or by a partner. We give no figure here, because no reliable public source sets it for Switzerland. Ask for it in writing, with the detail of the days planned.
Odoo also states that its email support answers in English, French, Spanish or Dutch. If part of your team works in German or Italian, check this point with your partner.
Odoo or custom software: six criteria to decide
| Criterion | Odoo is the right choice if… | Custom software is the right choice if… |
|---|---|---|
| Your processes | they look like those of other companies in your industry | they are your advantage and you do not want to change them |
| Number of users | few people need full access | many people use it, including in the field |
| Breadth of the need | you want several standard functions at once (sales, stock, accounting) | you have one or two specific processes to handle very well |
| Adaptations | you accept the tool as it is, or nearly | you would need many custom modules |
| Ownership | renting suits you | you want the code, the data and the choice of hosting |
| In-house team | someone on your side can administer Odoo | you prefer a system that is delivered, maintained and documented |
One signal does not lie: if the list of your adaptations is longer than the list of functions you would keep as they are, you are building custom software inside Odoo. You then pay for the subscription, the developments and their maintenance with every new version.
The third route: keep your tools and build what is missing
The choice is not “everything in Odoo” or “everything custom”. A Swiss SME that keeps its accounts in Bexio or Abacus can leave them there and add a dedicated tool for customer relations, quotes or field jobs. We describe this approach in Bexio, Abacus or a custom CRM. The difference between a CRM and an ERP, and the order in which to tackle them, is explained in custom CRM and ERP for SMEs.
How to compare the two offers honestly
- Write down your five most important processes, with the number of people involved in each.
- Ask Odoo or a partner for an implementation quote for these five processes, plus the subscription for all users.
- Ask a custom software provider for the build price and the monthly cost for the same scope.
- Add up each offer over three years, then over five years.
- Add what the figures do not say: who owns the code, where the data is, what happens if you leave.
The detail of this calculation, with the break-even formula, is in custom software or off-the-shelf tool.
Frequently asked questions
How much does Odoo cost for an SME in Switzerland?
On 6 October 2026, viewed from Switzerland, Odoo’s website shows a Standard plan at 24.90 euros per user per month with annual billing, and a Custom plan at 44.90 euros. A discount applies for the first twelve months. These prices include neither implementation, nor the maintenance of custom code, nor Odoo.sh hosting.
Do you need an integrator to set up Odoo?
Not necessarily. A small team that uses the applications as they are can start on its own with Odoo Online. As soon as you want to adapt screens, connect other tools or migrate a history, it takes time and skills: yours, Odoo’s or a partner’s. Odoo itself states that implementation is not included in the subscription.
When should you choose custom development over Odoo?
When your way of working is your advantage and does not fit a standard screen, when the number of users makes per-seat billing heavy, or when you want to own the code and choose the hosting. If your processes are conventional and you accept adapting to the tool, Odoo is often the most reasonable choice.
Can you keep Bexio and add Odoo or custom software for one part only?
Yes. Nothing forces you to replace everything. Many SMEs keep their accounting where it works and add a tool for customer relations, quotes or field work. The point to check is the connection between the two: on the Odoo side, access to the external API is part of the Custom plan.
Is Odoo hosted in Switzerland?
Odoo’s pricing page does not state a hosting country for Odoo Online; it mentions daily backups on two continents. The Custom plan lets you host Odoo yourself (on-premise), so wherever you decide. Put the question to Odoo or your partner in writing before you sign.
In 60 seconds: your friction points, the recommended modules and an indicative price range.
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