ERP5 vs Exact Online

ERP5 is a free, open-source business platform covering CRM, production management, supply chain, product design, accounting, human resources and e-commerce. Its listed modules include finance, inventory, order management and manufacturing, with support for multiple entities. The system can be used and configured in a web browser, and the maker says all browsers are supported. Organizations can also run a preconfigured ERP5 virtual machine on their own server. That VM package is not recommended for large production environments with many users or for development; the maker recommends SlapOS for production deployments and complex integrations. ERP5 is written mostly in Python and uses the NEO transactional NoSQL database alongside a relational SQL database, with MariaDB preferred. It provides a HATEOAS JSON API and an MCP implementation that can expose read-only or read-write services. ERP5 uses role-based permissions configured by module and document. The maker says it is intended for organizations prepared to supervise deployment or learn the platform in depth. ERP5 is free to download and use under GPL v2.

Exact Online is a cloud-delivered package for accounting and business operations, with accounting and CRM included across its products. Online accounting provides bank feeds and invoicing, while Time & Billing includes time tracking, invoicing, and CRM. Industry solutions are available for manufacturing, wholesale, and professional services. Wholesale offerings list order, relation, and stock management; a listed manufacturing plan includes calculation, planning, and production. The service also includes inventory and order management, and users can work together online. The accountancy solution supports administration management with clients. Exact says around 675,000 companies use Exact Online and that 2,000 specialists are ready to help. Packages are priced monthly and exclude VAT; payments, including extensions, are made by direct debit. The pricing note says From £25/mo, while the listed Accountancy Professional plan costs £91 a month. There is no free plan, and the free trial's duration and feature limits are unstated.