Enterprise Resource Planning software has immensely benefited companies of every kind. From automating business processes to strengthening the payroll feature, it does all! The business management system has significantly improved under ERP solutions.
Its overwhelming rise has led to the mushroom growth of ERP solutions in the market. The global ERP market is expected to rise at a CAGR of 11% from 2023 to 2030!
You are at the right place if you want to improve your company’s productivity and automate your business functions with ERP. We’ve churned out a list for you.
Learn about the top 10 free and open source ERP software solutions with us! Let’s start from the basics.
What are Open Source and Free ERP Software?
Open source and free ERP software is a solution where the source code is available to the public.
The source code is available for anyone to see, edit, or improve. The resources are widely used, regularly administered, and upheld by organizations with a specific goal. The top free ERP systems include the basic functions that enable users to create reports or data visualizations and are condensed equivalents of the expert or corporate editions.
Free ERP systems are a wonderful method to acquire more than a free trial. But, they typically offer less capability than their open-source counterparts.
Now let us explain to you with the help of an example. Let us think of a business. The processes essential to running a business include inventory and order management, accounting, human resources, customer relationship management (CRM), and beyond.
At its most basic level, the best open source ERP system integrates these functions into one complete system to streamline processes and information across the organization.
The central feature of all the top free and open source ERP software for small businesses is a shared database that supports multiple functions used by different business units. This means employees in other divisions—accounting and sales—can rely on the same information for their specific needs.
What are the Advantages of Using Open Source and Free ERP Software?
Here are eight amazing advantages that your organization can instantaneously benefit from by adopting the best open source ERP software:
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Cost Savings
Free-of-cost ERP systems are accurate and automated, reducing manual administrative work in typical business organizations. They proactively manage corporate processes, eliminate delays or disruptions and prevent any wastage, leading to huge monetary savings in the long run.
Open source ERP software for manufacturing can prove to be a mammoth income or revenue generator. Since open source ERP software does not entail any financial expense for the company, it tremendously enhances business revenue and profits!
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Better Customer Service
One of the greatest advantages of free open source ERP systems is that they can boost customer satisfaction levels by tracking previous interactions and purchases and helping staff members provide superior service.
A free ERP system facilitates sales team members to manage all leads and opportunities on time, promoting customer engagement with the company and keeping your brand high on the satisfaction charts!
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Accurate Forecasts
Open Source ERP software for small businesses hosts sophisticated tools that allow users to make accurate budgets or forecasts to help make better business decisions.
It augments realistic estimates and can share information across all organizational stakeholders, such as clients, consumers, staff members, and executives. Advanced filters and analytical reporting solutions aid in preparing detailed information, thus promoting actionable insights for managers.
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Data Security
The safety of crucial business information is necessary for the current digital era! ERP software systems strengthen data security and protection by having firewalls, password protection, and stringent user access control.
Digital transformation in ERP locks away sensitive information and limits access to unauthorized parties, ensuring there is no chance of fraudulent activity or data misappropriation.
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Regulatory Compliance
Many modern open source ERP software platforms have built-in features that provide taxation or statutory compliances, reducing the paperwork and workload of managers. Open source ERP software for small businesses ensures that companies adhere to subscribed protocols such as financial accounting procedures, taxation rules, and data security measures.
Investing in free ERP software for manufacturing companies is a smart move as it is a comprehensive way to ensure that your company meets compliance with laws and legal regulations.
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Data Control and Access
Open source ERP software for manufacturing companies facilitate the unified maintenance of a repository of business data, thus allowing team members to access important information at any place or time. Managers can view standardized data and visual dashboards to make sure that information can be seen at a glance so that proactive corporate conclusions can be taken.
So get an intelligent ERP system to witness a dramatic increase in your organization’s overall profitability!
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Enhanced Productivity
Open Source ERP software for small business packages leads to a huge growth in labor productivity through better collaboration and employee engagement at the workplace. These solutions rationalize business processes, and automated technology boosts employees’ efficiency or output to generate higher revenue. Integration of all verticals, such as sales, marketing, finance, and inventory, leads to an improvement in all key performance indicators at a rapid pace!
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Easy Scalability
One of the best aspects of free ERP for small businesses is that they are scalable and customizable – your organization can easily purchase more modules to cope with the growing demands of business operations. ERP software allows for adding new users and integrating customized applications at any point – eliminating the latest for a complete overhaul of corporate software.
What are the Things to Consider When Evaluating Free ERP Software?
The best ERP solution is a one-stop shop for optimizing all management processes. If you want to be sure that your company has the finest option for its requirements, you need to take care of these pointers.
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Evaluate System Needs
First, you must decide your company’s needs, predicting the current and future situation.
Companies must comprehend their objectives and their obstacles to attain them. Collaborating with the stakeholders about their mission and goals is the best way to learn about your company’s objectives. You can also talk to your entire staff about their challenges in carrying out their daily tasks.
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Learn about the Budget
A key factor in your company’s success, and one of its most precious assets is the finances. ERP software is a costly, long-term investment that significantly boosts your finances.
As a result, organizations need to be aware of their financial situation before choosing ERP technologies. Ensure your purchase has all the company’s required features while staying within the stated budget.
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Deployment Needs
One of the most important factors to consider for businesses when choosing the appropriate tools is deployment requirements. Depending on your needs, you can select between traditional ERP software and cloud-based ERP technologies for your company.
Your teams can access the system from any location and complete the duties on the move with an online ERP solution. With conventional ERP systems, your staff can access the tools at specific places, servers, or plans.
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Develop a Project Roadmap
A clear roadmap can assist partners in comprehending the expenses involved, the anticipated timing of the deployment, and user expectations for realizing the timing of benefits and ROI.
To guarantee an uninterrupted transition, it will be necessary to anticipate and record several key elements, including the steps involved in the evolution and the procedures and associated functions that the intended changes will impact.
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Existing Integration
When choosing the best open source ERP software, you must consider flawless integration. You will have to manually transfer, move and accumulate data on the system if your ERP does not integrate with other software.
The added workload and potential for error will reduce your productivity in the long run. Thus, companies must choose the best open source ERP system that enables easy integration with various third-party solutions.
Top 10 Free and Open Source ERP Software
1. Vormittag
VAI, aka Vormittag Associates Inc’s ERP solution, S2K Enterprise, is especially suited for manufacturing, warehousing, and supply chain organizations. It enables these businesses to anticipate their customer’s needs and drive toward the appropriate solutions.
With advanced integrations, real-time workflow alerts, KPI (Key Performance Indicator) delivery, easy access, and automation of processes, S2K allows small and medium-sized businesses to streamline their operations and catch up to large enterprises in terms of speed and quality.
Features
- The product is a cloud based ERP system and, thus, can be accessed from any device
- Offers a mobile solution for the sales teams, giving them immediate access to required information
- The use of business intelligence helps identify trends that lead to business opportunities
Pros
- Easy customization
- Easy-to-use platform
- Excellent real-time inventory tracking
- Intuitive UI
Cons
- Average customer service
- Limited customization options
- Website design needs improvement
Pricing
Please connect with the vendor for pricing details.
2. xTuple
xTuple is an open-source ERP software. It helps companies of all sizes successfully implement powerful, easy-to-use, open-source Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software to grow their business profitably.
The software delivers enterprise-class technology products and services at an affordable cost. Undoubtedly, it is one of the lowest total costs of ownership of any ERP system on the market.
Features
- It can be deployed either in the cloud or on-premise, as per your choice
- Can run on both mobile and desktop. It supports Linux, MAC, Windows, and mobile operating systems
- ERP with inventory management and supply chain functions, including inventory control, manufacturing, order management, and more
Pros
- Easy to use
- Standard costing
- Awesome e-commerce integration
- Custom solutions available
Cons
- Limited user license
- Platform specific
- Average report editor
Pricing
The pricing starts at $175/month. It is a subscription-based model.
3. ERPNext
ERPNext is a free and open-source ERP suitable for businesses from small to medium-sized to enterprise businesses. Its user-friendly and intuitive interface makes it easy to access all the features quickly.
It includes features that are very handy for maintaining customer relations, such as order management, inventory control, and more.
Features
- Supports multi-currency for companies working across the globe
- Gives you the ability to create a website with your product catalog
- Powerful and flexible; it can be deployed both in the cloud or on-premise
Pros
- Simple interface
- Easy to use
- Available API
- Customizable features
Cons
- Technical documentation
- Limited features
- Not flexible enough
Pricing
The pricing starts from $10. It has a free plan and offers a free trial.
4. webERP
webERP is a complete web-based open source ERP system that requires only a web browser and pdf reader. Its features suit many businesses, particularly those in the wholesale, distribution, and manufacturing sectors. Combined with a third-party interactive desktop point-of-sale software, it can also form the hub of a dispersed multi-branch retailing management system.
Furthermore, a fully integrated webSHOP is available as a third-party add-on. webERP free ERP for small businesses has all the PHP code written in an accessible way for you to add your features as needed.
Features
- Compatible with all web-enabled devices and web browsers with a minimum requirement of Javascript
- Supports multiple languages and translation features to help clients comprehend different documents
- The system can be easily accessed even by users who are unfamiliar with PHP coding
Pros
- User-friendly
- Easy navigation
- Customization available
- Well integrated features
Cons
- Limited customization options
- Average customer support
- Regular hosting fees
Pricing
The pricing of webERP is $180 per license.
5. Dolibarr
Dolibarr is a free, open source ERP software for small companies, foundations, and freelancers. One can install and use it as a standalone application or online on a mutualized or dedicated server to use it from anywhere.
Dolibarr is also available on ready-to-use cloud services. Download open source ERP software for manufacturing companies.
Features
- Easily upgrade to the latest version anytime you want without the fear of losing data
- Customize the ERP software to suit your business needs
- The system is simple-to-use, install, and modify it
Pros
- Vibrant user community
- Easy to use
- Value for money
- Intuitive interface
Cons
- Bugs in accounting
- Average reporting tool
- Limited functions
Pricing
- The pricing starts at €9/month with a SaaS provider. It is free if installed on the premises.
6. JFire
JFire is a comprehensive, powerful, free, and open-source ERP solution with great flexibility. The system has many ready-to-use features for trading and billing, business analysis, issue tracking, and customer relationship management (CRM).
It has a robust and flexible framework, facilitating the implementation of sector or company-specific applications. Download open-source ERP software for a wide range of businesses.
Features
- Highly customizable and uses JDO, Eclipse RCP, and Java EE
- Generates reports which can be edited if required
- Offers easy integration with third-party applications such as third-party payments apps
Pros
- Low customization efforts
- Multiple modules
- Flexible framework
- Easy to implement
Cons
- Slow loading time
- Average customer service
- Technical issues
Pricing
Please connect with the vendor for pricing.
7. Compiere
Compiere is the leading cloud-based, open-source ERP software to streamline organization management. It provides businesses, government agencies, and non-profit organizations easy, flexible, low-cost access to rich functionality for managing all financial, distribution, sales, and service processes.
With this ERP, customers can easily and affordably customize ERP solutions to fit their business requirements with no or minimal programming.
Features
- Best suited for companies in manufacturing, distribution, retail, healthcare, pharmaceutical, government, and non-government sector
- Supports multiple languages and multi-currencies to help businesses across the globe
- The system is compatible with the taxation policies of different countries
Pros
- Flexible business operations
- Customization available
- In-built tool for workflow automation
- Easy to use
Cons
- Not user-friendly
- Difficult to customize
- No live inventory tracking
Pricing
The pricing starts at $50/month.
8. ERP5
ERP5 is a complete open source ERP solution in various fields like accounting, customer relationship management, trade, warehouse management, shipping, billing and invoicing, human resource management, product design, production, and project management.
ERP5 business processes are implemented based on Zope transactional workflows. All resources in ERP5 can be varied in any number of dimensions, providing built-in configuration for products and reduced design cost for the bill of materials (BOM) and bill of operations (BOO), as well as structured rule-based approaches to complex pricing.
Features
- Easily generate reports in PDF format with an unrestricted layout
- Has an easy-to-use interface and can be accessed from mobile devices too
- Offers multiple business templates for easy and fast functioning
Pros
- Flexible
- Easy accessibility
- Easy to use
- Easy synchronization with data
Cons
- Technical issues
- Bugs
- Slow loading time
Pricing
Please connect with the vendor for pricing. It is a subscription-based model.
9. OpenPro
OpenPro provides a complete web-based SQL server, an open source ERP system. It has three versions: Easy ERP for small manufacturers with basic needs, OpenPro ERP for companies with over 10 users, and Enterprise ERP for small and large-sized organizations.
Its manufacturing software system ties the front and back offices, integrating over 45 applications for production, planning, engineering, finance, sales, supply chain management, and service. The extended Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) suite offers seamless interfaces to enterprise performance management (business intelligence) tools and e-business technologies.
Features
- Flexible enough to run on any operating system
- Has an easy-to-use and intuitive interface to carry out tasks easily
- Allows importing of data from apps like Quickbooks, PeopleSoft, Oracle, MAS, and more
Pros
- Easy to use
- Fast processing of transactions
- Excellent payroll system
- Multiple features
Cons
- Issues with integration
- Issues with workflow system
- Inaccurate entries at times
Pricing
Please connect with the vendor for pricing.
10. Odoo ERP
Odoo is an open source ERP software that can be fully customized and is jam-packed with numerous business apps. A majority of business demands, including CRM, Sales, Project, Manufacturing, Inventory, and Accounting, can be satisfied by Odoo’s user-friendly database. It is a comprehensive software program that accommodates all business requirements, regardless of size and budget.
By eliminating manual processes, organizations can become more productive and save numerous hours of labor with Odoo’s seamless features. Users can automate operations that earlier required manual inputs into multiple applications.
Features
- Offers seamless payment processing
- Provides user, role, and access management
- In-built modules like sales accounting, CRM, sales, payroll, etc.
Pros
- Tricky configuration
- Average user interface
- Takes a long time to customize modules
Pricing
- The pricing starts at $24/month. It has multiple hosting options.
It is a huge decision to discard traditional business applications and take a leap forward with ERP software systems – make sure to buy in top leadership support and set up a seamless transition towards implementing ERP processes in your small business or startup.
Final Thoughts
ERP software can help you improve your business productivity. And what’s better than open source and free ERP software! We have churned out the top free and open source ERP software and pointed out its advantages. We’ve also listed your considerations while choosing the best free open source ERP software.
We hope you found the above information useful. Now select the best free ERP software according to your needs!
Priya is a content writer who writes for passion and profession. She loves weaving thoughts into words. Her English literature and digital marketing background help her write engaging, creative and technical content. She bagged a gold medal by securing the first position during her Master’s in English Literature. She has written for three anthologies. Apart from writing, she is a keen reader and a k-drama lover.
