The verdict in three sentences
For a London textile maker selling both to consumers and to hotels and interior designers, Shopify is the better choice when the consumer store is the priority and production stays in an existing system. Odoo ecommerce pays off once you want stock, manufacturing orders, trade quotes and invoicing in one place, because it replaces several tools. Over three years both options typically land between 22,000 and 70,000 GBP as a 2026 estimate: the real gap is what each platform saves you elsewhere.
Three year cost, line by line
Figures are 2026 market ballparks for a business of 30 to 70 staff, 250 products with variants (sizes, colourways) and around ten internal users.
| 3 year line | Shopify | Odoo ecommerce |
|---|---|---|
| Implementation by a partner | 12,000 to 35,000 GBP | 18,000 to 45,000 GBP |
| Plan or licences | Monthly plan, public price varies by tier: roughly 1,000 to 13,000 GBP over 3 years | Per user monthly licence, roughly 8,000 to 13,000 GBP for 10 users over 3 years |
| Apps or extra modules | 80 to 350 GBP a month, so 2,900 to 12,600 GBP | Mostly included, a few third party modules |
| Connector to production or ERP | 2,500 to 9,000 GBP plus subscription | Not needed if production runs in Odoo |
| Hosting and maintenance | Included in plan, changes billed separately | 130 to 350 GBP a month depending on hosting |
| Indicative 3 year total | 22,000 to 60,000 GBP | 30,000 to 70,000 GBP |
The raw number often favours Shopify. But if you already pay for an order management or production system that Odoo would replace, deduct it from the Odoo column.
Speed, lock in and scalability
| Criterion | Shopify | Odoo ecommerce |
|---|---|---|
| Time to launch | 6 to 12 weeks | 3 to 6 months with ERP scope |
| Consumer sales | Excellent: themes, checkout, marketing apps | Adequate, needs more design work |
| Trade sales to hotels and designers | B2B features depending on plan, quotes via apps | Quotes, price lists, payment terms native |
| Stock and production | Sales stock; production elsewhere | Stock, purchasing, manufacturing and bills of materials native |
| Vendor lock in | Low for the store, high for apps | Medium: the partner knows your configuration |
| Reversibility | Products and customers export easily | Open community edition, exportable data |
| Scalability | Very strong on sales | Very strong on operations, medium on storefront |
Recommendation by profile. Under 20 % of revenue from trade and production already well tooled: Shopify, with a connector to your back office. Over 30 % of revenue from hotels, designers or stockists and stock accuracy problems: Odoo, keeping the consumer store on Odoo or on Shopify connected to Odoo if brand presentation is decisive. Either way, VAT must be handled cleanly: consumer prices shown VAT inclusive at the standard rate set by HMRC, trade prices shown net, and correct treatment of any EU shipments since Brexit.
Mini case study
Illustrative example: Priya, managing director of a London textile maker, makes 35 % of sales to hotels and designers and already pays 350 GBP a month for an order management tool. Shopify option: 18,000 GBP implementation, plan and apps at 260 GBP a month (9,360 GBP), connector at 130 GBP a month (4,680 GBP), existing tool kept (12,600 GBP): 44,640 GBP over three years. Odoo option: 30,000 GBP implementation, 8 users at about 28 GBP a month (8,064 GBP), hosting and maintenance at 180 GBP a month (6,480 GBP), existing tool retired: 44,544 GBP. With costs almost equal, Priya picks Odoo to end double entry between trade orders and production, which her team estimates at 10 hours a week.
FAQ
Need a professional website?
Kolonell builds websites that attract clients, optimized for the Sénégalese market. Free quote in 2 minutes.
Can Odoo replace Shopify for the consumer store?
Yes, but it takes more design effort: budget 4,000 to 13,000 GBP as a 2026 ballpark for a polished storefront. Many brands keep Shopify in front and Odoo behind.
What do Odoo licences cost for 10 users?
As a 2026 estimate, roughly 22 to 35 GBP per user per month, so 220 to 350 GBP a month for 10 users. The public price varies by edition and hosting choice.
Does Shopify handle trade customers?
Yes, with B2B features available on eligible plans: price lists, payment terms and company accounts. Complex quotes often need an extra app.
How long does an Odoo project take?
Plan 3 to 6 months if production and stock are in scope, including 4 to 8 weeks of data migration and training.
Can we start on Shopify and add Odoo later?
Yes: connect Shopify to Odoo through a 2,500 to 9,000 GBP connector rather than migrating everything at once.
Let's scope your project. Tell us your share of trade sales, product count and current tools, and we will price the most cost effective Shopify, Odoo or hybrid setup over three years. 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.
