The verdict in three sentences
For a Dublin mid-market firm, Odoo is unbeatable when your processes match the ERP standard and you have few users; custom becomes worthwhile when your domain is specific, your team large and data ownership critical. Over 3 years, the break-even point often sits around 30 to 40 months depending on user count. The real question is not the sticker price but technical debt and reversibility at 5 years.
The real 3-year cost
Odoo shows an attractive per-user price, but integration and custom modules inflate the bill. Custom concentrates cost upfront, then stabilises on maintenance.
| Item | Odoo Enterprise | Custom platform |
|---|---|---|
| Licence | 24.90 - 37.40 EUR/user/month | 0 (you own it) |
| Setup / build | 15,000 - 60,000 EUR (integrator) | 60,000 - 140,000 EUR |
| Specific customisation | 8,000 - 40,000 EUR (modules) | included in build |
| Maintenance | ~15-20% of setup/year | 1,200 - 3,000 EUR/month |
| Hosting (EU) | included SaaS or 100-400 EUR/month | 150 - 800 EUR/month |
| Reversibility / data export | medium (Odoo format) | total (your database) |
For 25 users over 3 years, Odoo Enterprise is roughly 25 x 31 EUR x 36 months = 27,900 EUR in licences, plus 30,000 EUR integration and ~13,500 EUR maintenance, about 70,000 EUR. Custom at 95,000 EUR + 36 x 1,800 EUR maintenance = about 160,000 EUR. Odoo clearly wins at 25 users.
When custom regains the advantage
The maths flips with user count and specificity. Beyond 60-80 users, Odoo licences get heavy and custom amortises better.
| User count | Odoo 3 yrs (estimate) | Custom 3 yrs | Advantage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 users | ~50,000 EUR | ~150,000 EUR | Odoo |
| 25 users | ~70,000 EUR | ~160,000 EUR | Odoo |
| 50 users | ~110,000 EUR | ~170,000 EUR | Odoo (tight) |
| 80 users | ~160,000 EUR | ~180,000 EUR | Neutral |
| 120 users | ~235,000 EUR | ~195,000 EUR | Custom |
| 200 users | ~370,000 EUR | ~215,000 EUR | Custom |
Domain specificity changes everything: if 40% of your processes do not exist in Odoo, custom modules blow up the bill and create upgrade debt at each annual version. Custom then has no hidden surcharge.
Mini case study
Sinead, MD of a food-processing firm in Dublin (70 staff, 45 software users), is torn. Her lot-by-lot traceability processes are highly specific. Odoo quote: 45 users x 31 EUR x 36 months = 50,220 EUR licences + 42,000 EUR custom traceability modules + 16,000 EUR maintenance = 108,000 EUR over 3 years, with debt at every version upgrade. Custom quote: 98,000 EUR build + 36 x 1,600 EUR = 57,600 EUR maintenance = 155,600 EUR. Odoo is cheaper over 3 years, but Sinead picks custom: total reversibility and no re-customisation per version give her a lower TCO from year 4 (estimate).
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FAQ
From how many users does custom become worthwhile?
Typically around 80 to 120 users over 3 years, when cumulative Odoo licences exceed the build. Below that, Odoo almost always wins.
Can Odoo handle very specific processes?
Yes via custom modules, but each specificity (8,000 to 40,000 EUR) creates debt: it must be re-tested at every annual Odoo version.
Who owns the data?
With custom, you own the Postgres database and the code. With Odoo, export is possible but in Odoo format, complicating a later migration.
What is the setup timeline?
Odoo: 2 to 4 months with an integrator. Custom: 4 to 7 months. Odoo starts faster but is less adjustable later.
Can we start on Odoo then move to custom?
Yes, a common strategy: validate processes on Odoo, then rebuild the 2-3 strategic modules in custom once the domain is stable.
Let's scope your project. Tell us your user count, your 3 most specific processes and your target budget (build 60-140k EUR or licence). We return a costed 3-year TCO comparison. Detailed quote within 48 h. WhatsApp +221 77 596 93 33.
Mohamed Bah
Fondateur, Kolonell
Passionate about digital and entrepreneurship in Africa, Mohamed has been helping Sénégalese businesses with their digital transformation since 2020. Founder of Kolonell, he believes every SME deserves a professional and accessible online présence.
