Fishbowl Inventory vs. Odoo

Written by

David Budiac

Last updated on

September 20th, 2023

Fishbowl Inventory

Odoo

Fishbowl Inventory is an out-of-the-box software which caters to a lot of different industries in need of inventory management tools.

Best For:

Fishbowl is best for QuickBooks users that need advanced inventory management or a light MRP system. Typically best for small to medium sized businesses. Median business user has 30 employees.

Odoo is an open-source ERP software that integrates CRM, manufacturing, eCommerce, and more. Odoo’s accounting module offers functionality in accounts payables and receivables, bank synchronization, and reporting. You can extend the accounting app’s functionality with the tax report module.

Best For:

Odoo is best for small companies (1-10 employees) and mid-sized businesses (50-200 employees). It’s best for organizations that have outgrown their simple accounting and inventory software.

8.9

Our Rating

based on our expert editorial analysis

6.7

USER RATING

based on 25 user reviews

Our Verdict:

If you’re a small or midsize business on the hunt for a powerful and scalable inventory management software that won’t break the bank, Fishbowl is the way to go. We found it perfect for manufacturers with FDA or USDA audit requirements for traceability.

However, if you’re looking for a simple inventory management system to handle just a few assets, Fishbowl might be a bit too robust for your needs. And its seamless integration with QuickBooks means if you already have a full ERP solution in place, some features might end up being redundant.

Pros:

Competitive pricing; does not require a subscription
Integrates with QuickBooks
Can function as a light MRP system

Cons:

Somewhat steep learning curve
Transactions do not post to QuickBooks in realtime; manual or scheduled sync only
Customizations can lead to difficult support scenarios
Does not store quotes

8.7

Our Rating

based on our expert editorial analysis

8.8

USER RATING

based on 21 user reviews

Our Verdict:

We like Odoo for its effectiveness as a light ERP, offering modularity, simple integration, and ease of use. As companies scale up, they can add modules piecemeal as needed. Odoo offers inventory management functionalities at a lower price point than many cloud-based ERPs.

On the other hand, you’ll need technical expertise or a dedicated support team to deploy the software, integrate third-party apps, or customize the source code to fit your company’s workflows.

Pros:

Community version is free
Heavy customization options
Double entry inventory system
Full suite of business applications
Traceability reports from customer to supplier

Cons:

May have to build specific modules yourself
No centralized support
Upgrades not free
Cluttered mobile app

Price Range
$ $ $ $ $
$ $ $ $ $
Starting Price $4,395 (perpetual license)
Client OS Windows, macOS

Price Range
$ $ $ $ $
$ $ $ $ $
Starting Price Free
Client OS Web

Our editorial review staff has hands-on experience with both Fishbowl Inventory and Odoo. Having tested and reviewed these two products extensively, we’re confident in our ability to provide an informed, direct comparison.

Fishbowl Inventory Overview

Fishbowl Inventory is an ideal solution for small to medium-sized businesses. It’s particularly well-suited to QuickBooks users looking for advanced inventory management or a light Material Requirements Planning (MRP) system. It’s a fantastic choice for those in the manufacturing industry who need to meet FDA or USDA audit requirements for traceability.

While Fishbowl Inventory offers competitive pricing and does not require a subscription, it does have a somewhat steep learning curve. It’s also worth noting that transactions do not post to QuickBooks in real-time, and customizations can potentially lead to more complex support scenarios.

Odoo Overview

Odoo is a versatile, open-source ERP software, best suited for small (1-10 employees) and mid-sized businesses (50-200 employees). Odoo allows businesses to grow, adding modules as needed, making it a great choice for organizations that have outgrown their basic accounting and inventory software.

Odoo offers a lot of customization options and a double entry inventory system. However, technical expertise is required to deploy the software, integrate third-party apps, or customize the source code. It’s also worth noting that upgrades are not free, and the mobile app can feel cluttered.

Fishbowl Inventory vs. Odoo: Which is the Best?

For most businesses, we recommend Fishbowl Inventory. It’s a powerful, scalable inventory management software that won’t break the bank. The seamless integration with QuickBooks simplifies processes and reduces redundancy, making it a practical choice for most small to mid-sized businesses.

Fishbowl Inventory is the better option for businesses needing a light MRP system and having specific traceability requirements, like those in the manufacturing industry. On the other hand, Odoo’s strength lies in its modularity and customization options. It’s a great option for growing businesses that need to add modules as their needs evolve.

If you’re still unsure, we encourage you to check out our comprehensive best ERP software to find the best fit for your business.

Fishbowl Inventory

★★★★★

(25)

Fishbowl Inventory is an out-of-the-box software which caters to a lot of different industries in need of inventory management tools.

Price Range

$ $ $ $ $

Starting Price

$4,395 (perpetual license)

Client OS

Windows, macOS

Deployment

Cloud or On-Premises