Odoo vs Exact.
Where each one wins.
Exact is the natural choice if accounting is your starting point and you want a tightly-localized Dutch financial system. Odoo wins when you outgrow accounting-first thinking: when CRM, projects, manufacturing or e-commerce need to live in the same system as finance. Many Dutch SMBs eventually migrate from Exact to Odoo for exactly that reason; the inverse is rare.
At a glance
| Criterion | Odoo | Exact |
|---|---|---|
| Module breadth | 80+ built-in apps | Accounting + light ERP |
| Best entry point | Any process domain | Accounting / bookkeeping |
| Customization | Open-source, deep custom OK | Closed, limited extension |
| Implementation time | 3–9 months | 1–4 months (accounting only) |
| Dutch accounting compliance | Strong via NL partner package | Native, gold standard |
| Manufacturing / E-commerce | Strong native | Limited / via integrations |
| Pricing model | Per user, all modules included | Per user, tier-based |
| Open API | Full | Available, less open |
Five things people actually decide on
Starting domain
Odoo is designed to be your ONE system from day one, even if you start with 2-3 modules. The accounting module is solid (and easily compliant with NL standards via partner packs), but you're not paying for an accounting system you'll outgrow.
Exact is best-known as accounting software. ERP capabilities have been layered on but it shows: many Exact customers run separate CRM, separate e-commerce, separate project tools. The system was built around the books.
Accounting-only or accounting-first? Exact is great. Multi-domain from day one? Odoo.
Customization
Open-source codebase, Python modules, full API. We can build the integration or custom workflow you need, you keep the code. When your process is genuinely non-standard, this matters.
Closed platform. Configurable but not deeply extensible. If your process needs to bend the system, you bend the process instead.
Custom process? Odoo. Standard process? Exact gives you fewer moving parts.
Pricing
Per-user, all-modules-included. Standard plan from ~€20/user/month (SaaS); Custom plan ~€35/user/month for Odoo.sh/self-hosted with custom code. No per-module add-on fees.
Tier-based per-user. The accounting tier is competitive for small bookkeeping needs; full ERP tiers are higher.
Small accounting need? Exact's entry tier is cheap. Multi-module ERP? Odoo is usually cheaper at equivalent scope.
Switching cost
Open-source means data portability and partner choice. If you're unhappy with us, another partner can pick up your project. Your code stays yours.
Tightly coupled to the vendor. Switching to a different system later means re-implementation and data migration; common but painful.
Want optionality? Odoo. Want to commit to one vendor for the long haul? Exact.
Manufacturing, e-commerce, projects
First-class modules. BOMs, MRP, work orders, online webshop, project profitability tracking: all native, all sharing the database.
These domains are addressed via integrations or thinner modules. Functional but not the strongest fit.
You make things, sell online, or run project-based work? Odoo is the better fit.
Pick the one that fits.
Pick Odoo if…
- Your business spans more than accounting: sales, ops, projects, manufacturing, e-commerce.
- You expect to grow and want a system that grows modularly.
- Custom workflows or integrations matter for your process.
- You want to keep options open for partner-switching later.
Pick Exact if…
- Your need is primarily accounting / bookkeeping and you want best-in-class Dutch tax compliance.
- Your scope is unlikely to expand much beyond finance.
- You prefer a closed, lower-decision-fatigue platform.
- You're already on Exact and the cost-to-switch outweighs the benefits.
Looking for an alternative to Exact?
If you are outgrowing Exact - Online or Globe - Odoo is the usual next step for businesses that want accounting connected to CRM, inventory, manufacturing, projects and e-commerce on one platform, instead of accounting with everything bolted around it. On Globe Next? That version is end-of-life since its last service pack in March 2026, so you are migrating either way - read Exact Globe Next is end-of-life: what now?. Start a free scan and we will map what a move off Exact looks like for your processes.
Odoo vs Exact: frequently asked questions.
What is the best alternative to Exact?
What is the difference between Odoo and Exact Online?
Does Odoo have the same Dutch accounting features as Exact?
How does Odoo pricing compare to Exact Online?
When do you pick Exact and when Odoo?
Curious what your numbers actually look like?
Run our ROI calculator below for an indicative range. Or skip ahead to a 30-min scan. We'll give you a concrete view of where Odoo fits your processes (and where Exact still does the job).
Calculate your Odoo ROI.
Four inputs, three numbers. Not a quote, an honest starting point. Want the department-by-department breakdown? Click through to the full calculator below.
Curious about realistic hours, cost and timelines? See the Odoo implementation benchmark →