Odoo vs Holded: which ERP should an SME choose?
Odoo and Holded come up in almost every conversation about ERPs for small businesses in Spain. Both cover the basics (invoices, accounting, stock, customers), but they are not designed for the same kind of company.
As independent implementers we work with both, so there is no favourite here: there is an ERP that fits each case better. These are the differences that really matter.
Philosophy: modular system vs ready-to-use tool
Odoo is a modular ERP: you start with the modules you need (sales, inventory, accounting, manufacturing, projects, POS, website…) and add others as the company grows. It has an open-source edition (Community) and a licensed edition (Enterprise), and it can be adapted through configuration and custom development.
Holded is Spanish cloud business software designed to be used almost from day one: invoicing, accounting, inventory, CRM, projects and team in a simple interface, on a monthly subscription with nothing to install.
Features: breadth vs simplicity
If your company manufactures, runs several warehouses with replenishment rules or needs processes with particular requirements, Odoo covers far more ground. It is the choice when the ERP has to be the centre of the whole operation.
Holded shines at the administrative side of an SME or freelancer: invoices, expenses, accounting and taxes geared to Spanish tax rules, with access for your accountant. If you want to tidy up the admin without complications, it is usually enough.
Cost: licences, implementation and upkeep
Holded is paid by subscription depending on the plan, and implementation is usually short: setting up the account, migrating data, connecting the store or bank and training the team. As a reference, a Holded rollout with us starts from €390 (plus VAT where applicable).
With Odoo the cost depends on the edition (licence-free Community or Enterprise with a per-user licence), the hosting and, above all, the scope of the implementation: how many modules, how much migration and how much customisation. A basic implementation starts from €1,490 (plus VAT where applicable). Either way, a real quote is only possible once we know the project in detail.
Integrations with your online store and tools
Both connect to the rest of your business. Holded has integrations with common platforms and a public API; Odoo has its own and third-party connectors, plus its API.
When the standard integration does not cover what you need (for example special stock rules or an external CRM), the answer is a custom connection using the ERP's API and n8n workflows.
So which one?
A practical rule of thumb:
- ✓Choose Holded if you are an SME or freelancer in Spain, your priority is invoicing and accounting with your accountant, and you do not want to maintain anything.
- ✓Choose Odoo if you have several departments to coordinate, particular processes or clear plans to grow, and want one system that covers it all.
- ✓If in doubt, analyse your processes before the tools: the choice becomes obvious once you know what you need to solve.
Questions about odoo vs Holded: which ERP should an SME choose?
Yes. It is a common path for growing companies. The key is keeping data tidy from the start so the migration is simple.
Holded, by design: fewer features and a very direct interface. Odoo is more powerful but needs a good implementation and training to get the most out of it.
No. We are independent consultants and implementers, which lets us recommend the best fit without being tied to any vendor.
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