Understanding Odoo 18 Hosting Options: Online, Odoo.sh, and On-Premise
Subtitle: Choose the best hosting method for your business success.
Table of Contents
Odoo Online: The Easiest Way to Start
Imagine getting your business management system up and running in just a few clicks — that's the magic of Odoo Online.
Odoo Online is Odoo's cloud-based, fully managed service. You don't need to worry about servers, updates, backups, or technical setups. It's hosted directly by Odoo on their servers and maintained by their team.
Pros of Odoo Online:
- Zero technical effort: No servers, no configuration.
- Automatic updates: Always running the latest Odoo version.
- Highly secure: Hosted on trusted Odoo-managed infrastructure.
- Fast to deploy: Start using Odoo within minutes.
Cons of Odoo Online:
- Limited customization: No access to install custom modules unless you upgrade to Odoo.sh or On-Premise.
- Less control: You rely on Odoo's servers and schedule.
Best for:
Small businesses, startups, and companies who want a quick, low-maintenance ERP solution without technical headaches.
Odoo.sh: Best of Both Worlds
If you want a little more flexibility, then Odoo.sh might be your perfect middle ground.
Odoo.sh is Odoo's own managed platform-as-a-service (PaaS). It gives you much more freedom to customize and extend your Odoo environment while still handling hosting, updates, and scaling for you.
Pros of Odoo.sh:
- Custom apps allowed: You can install custom modules from your GitHub repository.
- Managed infrastructure: Backups, uptime, scaling — all handled for you.
- Development tools: Built-in staging environments, testing branches, and GitHub integration.
- Flexible: Greater technical freedom without running your own server.
Cons of Odoo.sh:
- Requires some technical skills: GitHub knowledge is helpful.
- Monthly hosting cost: It's more expensive than Odoo Online.
Best for:
Growing businesses and enterprises who want to customize Odoo while enjoying managed hosting convenience.
On-Premise Hosting: Full Control and Freedom
Want to own everything? Then On-Premise is your go-to choice.
With On-Premise hosting, you host Odoo 18 yourself — either on your own physical servers or on cloud platforms like AWS, Google Cloud, or DigitalOcean.
Pros of On-Premise:
- Unlimited customization: Modify the source code and install any modules you want.
- Full control: Manage everything your way — security, updates, backups, configurations.
- No dependency: You're not tied to Odoo's infrastructure or policies.
Cons of On-Premise:
- High technical effort: You need IT resources to maintain servers, updates, and security.
- Initial setup cost: Servers, firewalls, backups — they can get expensive.
Best for:
Large companies with strong IT teams who need maximum customization and control over their systems.
Comparison: Which One Should You Choose?
| Feature | Odoo Online | Odoo.sh | On-Premise |
|---|---|---|---|
| Technical Complexity | Very Low | Medium | High |
| Customization Level | Low | High | Unlimited |
| Maintenance | Handled by Odoo | Handled by Odoo | Handled by you |
| Cost | Lower | Medium | Variable (based on servers) |
| Ideal For | Startups, SMEs | Growing Companies | Large Enterprises |
Still not sure? Here's a simple tip:
- If you want "plug-and-play" → Go for Odoo Online.
- If you want flexibility but no server headaches → Choose Odoo.sh.
- If you need 100% control → Host On-Premise.
Conclusion
Choosing the right hosting option for Odoo 18 can significantly impact your project's success. Whether you go for Odoo Online, Odoo.sh, or On-Premise, make sure it matches your business needs, growth plans, and IT capabilities.
