EaseDesk and Odoo: which fits your business
Choose Odoo if you want an open-source ERP with apps for almost every department, customised to your processes, usually with a partner. Choose EaseDesk if you are an Indian SME that wants GST billing, collections, stock, manufacturing and accounts ready on day one, with nothing to configure.
EaseDesk fits you if
- You want Indian GST right from the first invoice, with no localisation to install, configure or connect.
- You want to start this week by signing up online, without an implementation project or a partner.
- Collecting dues, e-way bills, GST returns and clean books for your CA are what you need most.
- You want one plan with every feature, a published price per user, and your CA's login free.
Odoo fits you if
- You want one suite that also runs your website, online shop, HR, payroll, helpdesk and projects.
- You want the software shaped around your own processes, with your own screens, fields and automations.
- You have, or will hire, a partner or developers to implement and maintain it.
- You want open-source software, or to host it on your own servers.
- You need production planning with MRP, quality checks and maintenance.
| What you need | EaseDesk | Odoo |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Online business software made for Indian SMEs. One system, one plan. | An open-source ERP and CRM, described as a suite of business apps that cover all a company's needs. |
| Getting started | Sign up online, add your GSTIN and start billing. Import customers, vendors, items and balances from Excel. | A free trial is offered. For going live, Odoo lists success packs for smaller companies and a partner network for larger ones. |
| Where it runs | Online, in the browser on computer and phone. Nothing to install or host. | Odoo Online, or on Odoo.sh or your own servers on its Custom plan. The Community edition is free and open source. |
| GST, e-Invoice and e-Way Bill | Built in. Correct CGST, SGST and IGST from the place of supply, with e-invoice and e-way bill upload files prepared from the invoice and the IRN and signed QR code printed on it. | Its Indian localisation documents e-invoice and e-way bill generation, set up with API credentials from the NIC portals. |
| GST returns and 2B reconciliation | GSTR-1 file, GSTR-3B, GSTR-2B reconciliation and GSTR-9 data from your records. | Its Indian localisation documents GSTR-1 filing, GSTR-2B reconciliation and a GSTR-3B report. |
| Stock and manufacturing | Several warehouses, batch and expiry, serial numbers, bills of materials, production orders, job work with ITC-04 and product costing. | Inventory, Manufacturing, PLM, Quality and Maintenance are listed apps. |
| Collections | Automatic reminders in your own words, customer statements, and a UPI QR code and payment link on every invoice. | Check their site for payment follow-ups and Indian payment options. |
| Breadth beyond the books | Opportunities, contracts and tasks today. Payroll, HR and projects are coming soon. | Website, eCommerce, HR, payroll, recruitment, marketing, helpdesk, projects, field service and more are listed apps. |
| Customisation | Your own fields on any record, your own roles, number series and reminder wording. No code. | Odoo Studio, multi-company and the external API are listed for its Custom plan; the source code is open. |
| Price | ₹490 a month + GST for the first user, billed yearly; ₹290 a month for each additional user. | Priced per user per month, with a plan that gives one app free. See Odoo's pricing page, and allow for implementation. |
How they differ
Odoo describes itself as an open-source ERP and CRM: a suite of business apps that cover all a company’s needs. Its site lists apps from accounting, inventory and manufacturing to website, eCommerce, HR, payroll, marketing, helpdesk and field service, with a free open-source Community edition and a paid Enterprise edition. It is used in many countries, and its Indian localisation documents e-invoice and e-way bill generation and GST returns.
EaseDesk does fewer things, for one kind of business: the Indian SME. GST is not a localisation you add. It is how every invoice, purchase bill, credit note and return in the product works from the first day. You sign up, add your GSTIN and start billing, and the same system carries you through collections, purchases, stock, production and the books.
The practical differences you will notice:
- Time to first invoice. In EaseDesk, the same day. With an ERP suite, plan for choosing apps, configuring the Indian localisation, connecting the government portals and, for most businesses, an implementation.
- Fit to your process. Odoo can be shaped to almost any process, by configuration, Odoo Studio or code. EaseDesk gives you a way of working that suits most Indian traders, distributors, manufacturers and service firms, with your own fields, roles and number series.
- Breadth. Odoo covers departments EaseDesk does not, such as eCommerce, HR, recruitment and helpdesk. In EaseDesk, payroll, HR and projects are coming soon.
- Who looks after it. EaseDesk is run for you, with encrypted backups every night. A self-hosted or customised ERP needs someone to maintain it through each upgrade.
Moving from one to the other
From Odoo to EaseDesk. Export your customer, vendor and item lists to Excel and import them into EaseDesk with opening balances and opening stock. Choose a clean switch date after a GST return is filed, and keep your Odoo database available for history.
From EaseDesk to Odoo. Any list or report in EaseDesk exports to Excel at any time, even if your plan has lapsed. If you outgrow EaseDesk and need a suite for every department, your data comes with you.
What each costs to run
EaseDesk: ₹490 a month + GST for the first user, billed yearly (₹5,880 a year), and ₹290 a month + GST for each additional user. Every feature is in the one plan, your CA’s login is free, and there is no implementation fee. You can try it free for 14 days with up to 5 users, without a card.
Odoo: priced per user per month on its paid plans, with one app free on Odoo Online and a free open-source Community edition. See Odoo’s pricing page, and add the cost of implementation, any customisation, and hosting if you run it yourself.
Which to choose
If you want one platform for every department, shaped to your own processes, and you have the people or the partner to implement it, Odoo is a strong choice. If you want your billing, dues, stock and GST under control this month, without a project, start a free trial of EaseDesk and put a few real invoices through it. See also how EaseDesk compares with Zoho Books and SAP Business One.
Questions
Is EaseDesk an alternative to Odoo for an Indian SME?
Yes, if what you need is GST billing, collections, purchases, stock, simple manufacturing and accounts working without a project. Odoo is the better choice if you want one suite for every department, customised to your processes, and you have a partner or developers to run it.
Is Odoo free?
Odoo publishes a free, open-source Community edition and a plan with one app free on Odoo Online. Its paid plans are priced per user per month. Hosting, implementation and customisation are separate costs to plan for. See Odoo's pricing page.
Does EaseDesk need an implementation partner?
No. You sign up online, add your GSTIN and bill the same day. Customers, vendors, items and opening balances are imported from Excel, and help is available by phone, WhatsApp and email.
Can I move from Odoo to EaseDesk?
Yes. Export your customers, vendors and items to Excel and import them into EaseDesk with opening balances and opening stock. Switch at the start of a month or quarter, after that period's GST return is filed.
About Odoo: based on what it publishes, checked . Plans and features change; check Odoo's own site before you decide.