Odoo.sh, on-premise, or Odoo Online. Which way to run Odoo fits your business?
A plain comparison of the three ways to host Odoo, with the costs and the trade-offs, from a certified Odoo partner.
The short answer
Odoo runs three ways. Odoo Online is the simplest and is fully managed by Odoo, with limited room for custom code. Odoo.sh is a managed cloud platform that supports custom modules, a staging environment, and a live environment, with daily backups. On-premise means you run Odoo on your own servers, with full control and full responsibility. Most companies that need custom modules and managed hosting choose Odoo.sh.
Side by side
| What matters | Odoo Online | Odoo.sh (Cloud) | On-Premise |
|---|---|---|---|
| Who runs the servers | Odoo | Odoo, managed platform | Your team |
| Custom code and modules | Native apps only | Yes, full custom code | Yes, full custom code |
| Separate staging | No | Yes | If you build it |
| Backups | Managed by Odoo | Daily, automatic | Your responsibility |
| Updates | Automatic | You control timing | You run them |
| Cost shape | Per user, fixed | Per user plus hosting | Per user plus your servers |
| Best for | Small teams, fast start | Custom builds, managed hosting | Strict data control |
How each option works
Odoo.sh (Cloud)
Build, staging, and production environments that mirror each other. Deploy from Git, test on a copy of live data, then promote to live. SSH access, daily backups across multiple servers, and monitoring included.
On-Premise Odoo
Odoo on servers you own or rent. Full control over data location, security, and the update schedule. You take on backups, uptime, and the DevOps work that a managed platform handles.
Odoo Online
The fastest way to start. Odoo hosts and maintains everything and you use the native apps as they ship. Custom code is not supported, so it suits standard processes.
Cost shape, in GBP
The licence sits on top of the hosting choice. The Standard plan is about £18 per user per month on annual billing and runs on Odoo Online. The Custom plan, about £26.80 per user per month, is the one you need for Odoo.sh and on-premise. Odoo.sh hosting is billed by worker, storage, and any staging you add. On-premise has no Odoo hosting fee, but you pay for your own servers, backups, and admin time. We give you a single, fixed quote that covers the licence, the build, and the hosting you pick.
Frequently asked questions
What is Odoo.sh?
Odoo.sh is Odoo's managed cloud platform. It runs your Odoo with separate build, staging, and live environments, supports custom code from Git, and includes daily backups and monitoring.
Is Odoo.sh better than on-premise?
For most companies, yes, because Odoo.sh gives you custom code and managed hosting without running your own servers. On-premise wins when you need full data control or have strict residency rules.
Can I move from Odoo Online to Odoo.sh later?
Yes. Many companies start on Odoo Online and move to Odoo.sh once they need custom modules or a staging environment. We handle the move.
Does on-premise Odoo update automatically?
No. On-premise updates run on your schedule and are your responsibility. Odoo.sh and Odoo Online handle updates for you.
Which Odoo hosting is cheapest?
Odoo Online has the lowest total cost for standard use, since there is no separate hosting bill. Odoo.sh adds a hosting fee but supports custom code. On-premise can cost more once you count servers, backups, and admin time.
Not sure which way to run Odoo?
Book a short discovery call. We will look at your data rules and custom needs, then recommend the hosting that fits.