Odoo Enterprise vs. SAP Business ByDesign
SAP Business ByDesign is a mature cloud ERP for upper mid-market companies and group subsidiaries, strong at multi-entity, project/PSA and SCM, but it is no longer actively developed, while Odoo Enterprise is cheaper, more DACH-ready, broader and future-proof: ByD fits an existing SAP landscape, Odoo new projects.
Business ByDesign is a mature SAP cloud ERP for the upper mid-market and group subsidiaries. Decisive for new projects: SAP no longer actively develops it and is effectively taking it off the market (successor S/4HANA Cloud/GROW). Odoo is cheaper, more DACH-ready, broader and future-proof.
Published by WISSEN BERATUNG · your Odoo Learning Partner · as of July 2026
Odoo Enterprise
Full, modular mid-market ERP · front & back office integrated · ready-made DACH accounting/DATEV · transparent per-user pricing · open & customisable.
SAP Business ByDesign
SAP cloud ERP for the upper mid-market & group subsidiaries (two-tier) · strong at multi-entity, project/PSA & SCM · end-of-life product (new business being phased out).
Module-by-module comparison
✔ full / strong · ◐ limited / basic · — not available / out of scope
1 · Finance & accounting
Solid finance with DATEV export; the group/multi-entity capability is an SAP strength.
| Feature / module | Odoo Enterprise | SAP Business ByDesign |
|---|---|---|
| Accounting, general ledger | full / strong | full / strong |
| German tax / DATEV ByD: DATEV export available, less deep than DACH specialist solutions. | full / strong | limited / basic |
| Multi-company / consolidation ByD: two-tier/group scenarios. | limited / basic | full / strong |
| Bank reconciliation & SEPA | full / strong | full / strong |
2 · Sales & CRM
CRM integrated; marketing/front office are an Odoo domain.
| Feature / module | Odoo Enterprise | SAP Business ByDesign |
|---|---|---|
| Quotes, orders, price lists | full / strong | full / strong |
| CRM, leads, opportunities | full / strong | full / strong |
| Marketing automation | full / strong | not available |
3 · Purchasing, inventory & manufacturing
Procurement/SCM strong; manufacturing rather standard.
| Feature / module | Odoo Enterprise | SAP Business ByDesign |
|---|---|---|
| Purchasing, inventory & SCM | full / strong | full / strong |
| Manufacturing / MRP ByD: standard manufacturing, no fine-scheduling depth. | full / strong | full / strong |
| Barcode / mobile warehouse processes | full / strong | limited / basic |
Unlock all 7 categories + PDF
Above is the starting point. The full report contains 12 further rated points across 4 categories (incl. E-commerce, website & marketing, Projects, service & HR, Reporting, customisation & future, Operations & cost) plus the decision guide, as a PDF and interactive table. Free in exchange for your contact details, so we can send you the report matched to your situation.
Odoo Enterprise is the right fit when …
- a future-proof, affordable mid-market ERP is sought,
- ready-made DACH accounting/DATEV and an integrated front office (website, shop, marketing) matter,
- open source, flexibility and transparent costs are important,
- there is no SAP group tie-in.
SAP Business ByDesign is the right fit when …
- an SAP group subsidiary is to be connected in a two-tier scenario,
- multi-entity/consolidation and deep project/service delivery (PSA) are the priority,
- an existing SAP landscape dictates the choice,
- (given the phase-out of ByD) a short-term transitional solution is acceptable.
Frequently asked questions: Odoo Enterprise vs. SAP Business ByDesign
Is SAP Business ByDesign still worth it for new projects?
For new projects, ByD is an investment risk. SAP no longer actively develops the product and is effectively taking it off the market for new customers; the successor is S/4HANA Cloud/GROW. Native AI is missing, and active development is no longer given.
What sets Odoo and ByD apart in the front office?
ByD has a clear gap here: a website builder, online shop and email and social marketing are not part of the system. Odoo brings these front-office features natively and integrated. Both cover CRM and quotes.
Where is ByD stronger than Odoo?
ByD scores at multi-company and consolidation in two-tier and group scenarios and at project and service delivery (PSA), which is a core strength. In these areas the comparison rates ByD full and Odoo only partial.
How do the costs of Odoo and ByD differ?
ByD works with per-user-type pricing of 18, 99 and 179 euros per month and is considered oversized and more expensive for smaller SMEs. Odoo offers transparent, lower per-user pricing. Both run as cloud SaaS.
Comparing more than two systems?
This comparison puts Odoo against one competitor. If several systems are still open, a structured selection is the better route: requirements first, weighted into must, should and could, then a comparison that justifies every rating. We disclose there where we earn from a system ourselves.
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