How Much Does Odoo Studio Cost in Odoo 20?

One of the best features of Odoo is its flexibility and ability to customize applications according to business needs. In other words, businesses can adjust the software to fit their particular requirements but not necessarily implement everything from scratch. One such instrument is Odoo Studio.

Odoo Studio is a low-code tool that enables admins to customize current apps, add new fields, change view layouts, set up automations, customize PDF reports, and even develop some basic applications without being a professional programmer.

But there is one recurring question that pops up when a business is trying Odoo:

Is Odoo Studio free to use, or does it require a separate subscription?

That all depends on whether you use the Odoo Community, Enterprise, or Online edition, as well as your pricing plan. Even though Studio comes with Odoo Enterprise within eligible plans, it is not included in Odoo Community out-of-the-box. Access to Odoo Studio is usually provided within the Custom pricing plan on Odoo Online, with one exception: the One App Free plan.

This blog will discuss Odoo Studio licensing, Odoo 20 pricing plans, what can be built by administrators without developers, and when custom development would be a better choice.

1. What Is Odoo Studio?

The Odoo Studio is a graphical customization option in Odoo Enterprise. With Odoo Studio, people with the right administrative privileges are able to customize the Odoo applications using the graphical interface of the software.

Instead of coding in Python and XML for every little change that needs to be made, administrators can make use of drag-and-drop and configuration options to make changes in existing business applications.

For example, take the case of a company that makes use of Odoo Sales and wants a new field called Customer Reference Number on the sales order form.

Without using Odoo Studio, a developer would need to write code and then inherit the XML view and install the custom module.

But with Odoo Studio, an administrator can just make the required addition.

Some of the key features include the following:

• Adding new fields in the existing models.
• Modification of form, list, kanban, and search views.
• Creation of new models and simple applications.
• Automation rule configuration.
• Customization of PDF reports.
• Approval rule configuration.
• Security rule configuration.
• Webhooks for external communication.

This feature is especially useful for businesses where functional changes have to be made without any developer intervention every time.

2. Is Odoo Studio Free in Odoo 20?

However, Odoo Studio cannot be considered a free stand-alone application that may be installed in any Odoo database.

The Web_studio module is licensed under Odoo Enterprise and has its proprietary license OEEL-1 (Odoo Enterprise Edition License v1.0).

It is not part of Odoo Community Edition.

For the Odoo Enterprise users, there is an availability of Studio based on their subscription plan and the way they host Odoo databases.

There is a key difference between the Standard and Custom subscription plans:

• Standard plan does not include Odoo Studio.
• Custom plan includes Odoo Studio.
• One App Free plan allows choosing Studio as a single application for the free plan.

Consequently, companies working in the context of the Standard plan need to know the details of their subscription before the installation of Studio.

According to Odoo documentation, the installation of Studio in the database with the Standard plan automatically upgrades the plan to Custom.

For annual and multi-year contracts, the upsell order will be created, which should be fulfilled within 30 days. For monthly contracts, the subscription will automatically change to Custom, with the rate applied in the following invoice.

3. Odoo 20 Pricing Plans Explained

Odoo offers various subscription packages based on the applications, customizations required, and hosting required by the company.

Knowledge of these subscription packages is essential before determining if Studio is worth subscribing at an extra cost.

One App Free Subscription Package

The One App Free subscription package permits companies to run one Odoo application with unlimited users using Odoo Online.

This package works well for those companies that need to get started with one application without paying for the subscription to the software.

A key point here is that Odoo Studio can be used as the single Odoo application through this subscription package. However, if other applications are installed, then this will require a paid subscription package.

Standard Plan

With the Standard package, you have access to all the standard applications in Odoo under one subscription.

It is mainly targeted towards those organizations that wish to utilize the standard features offered by Odoo and do not require any customized modules or customization through Studio.

Characteristics:

• Access to all standard Odoo applications.
• Odoo Online Hosting.
• Odoo standard features.
• Odoo Studio is not included with the Standard package.
• No installation of custom modules in Odoo Online.

Custom Plan

Custom Plan is intended for companies that need more flexibility and customization possibilities.

The plan includes:

• All standard applications of Odoo.
• Odoo Studio.
• Multi-company possibilities.
• Access to the external API.
• Hosting either on Odoo Online, Odoo.sh, or on-premises.
• Custom development possibility.

Companies that need Studio, external API integration, or custom modules are advised to consider this plan.

A critical thing about Odoo.sh hosting is that its price will not be included in the Custom subscription fee.

Odoo 20 Plan Comparison

Note: Subscription rates differ according to location, payment schedule, number of users, and available discount offers. To find the applicable quotation for your area, please visit our pricing page.

4. What Can an Administrator Build Using Odoo Studio Without Developers?

The first benefit of Studio is the increased control of application customization available to functional administrators.

There is no need for an administrator to know anything about Python or XML to carry out numerous changes.

Here are some practical examples.

A. Custom Fields Addition

It is possible to add more information to the current business records.

For example, in the Sales application, the following custom fields can be used by a business:

• Reference number.
• Sales region.
• Priority of delivery.
• Status of approval.
• Special instructions.

B. Modify Existing Views

The studio gives administrators the ability to rearrange application screens.

Some of the things that can be done include:

• Adding fields to forms.
• Removing fields from views.
• Changing field placement.
• Adding columns to list views.
• Configuring search filters.
• Modifying Kanban views.

It comes in handy when various departments need extra information or different screen layouts.

C. Create Simple Applications

Additionally, Studio lets the admin create models and simple applications.

For instance, a corporation could require a simple equipment registry for tracking:

• Name of Equipment.
• Serial Number.
• Employee Name.
• Date of Purchase.
• Condition of Equipment.
• Status of Maintenance.

A model can be created along with the required attributes and views without creating a full-fledged custom application module.

D. Configure Automation Rules

Automated rules enable organizations to initiate certain actions automatically when certain conditions are met or events occur.

Examples:

• Generate an activity on the occurrence of a certain stage of the sales order.
• Notify the manager when there is an approval process.
• Change the value of the field if the record satisfies some conditions.
• Send a notification if the deadline arrives.

There is a Studio that can be used to create automated rules visually.

Sometimes complex business logic requires development.

E. Customize PDF Reports

In many cases, businesses require customizations to standard reports, including quotations, invoices, and purchase orders.

Through Studio, administrators can perform the following report layout customizations:

• Add extra fields.
• Reorder the report information.
• Edit headings and labels.
• Add business-specific data.
• Alter report layouts.

F. Configure Approval Rules

Companies can also define approval criteria for particular activities.

For instance, a purchase order exceeding a certain limit might require the approval of the manager prior to being confirmed.

This way, companies would be able to set up their approval processes without creating a separate approval software application.

5. Odoo Studio vs Custom Development: Which Is More Cost-Effective?

Though Studio cuts down the requirement for developers in many cases, it does not rule out the requirement for custom development.

This totally depends on the complexity of the business requirement.

Let’s take the example of a firm that needs an approval process for purchase orders.

If the requirement is for a straightforward approval process depending on the purchase order value, then perhaps Studio would suffice.

But in case the approval process is dependent on several factors like departments, vendor types, classification of products, budget availability, and authorization from outside, a custom module would suit better.

Cost Comparison

When Is Studio More Cost-Effective?

A Studio application is suitable for use where:

• Additional fields need to be added to existing applications.
• Forms and list views need to be reordered.
• Simple automation rules need to be created.
• Standard PDF reports need to be customized.
• Basic approval processes need to be configured.
• The business has no complex technical requirements.

When Is Custom Development a Better Choice?

Custom development is recommended where:

• You require complicated mathematical computations.
• You require extensive customizations of Odoo modules.
• You require advanced POS or Inventory Customizations.
• You require custom JS or OWL development.
• You require complicated integration with other applications.
• You require advanced reporting or unique workflows.

6. Can You Customize Odoo Community Without Studio?

Yes. Odoo Community doesn’t have Odoo Studio, yet that doesn’t mean you cannot customize it.

Odoo Community is a free open source version that permits the extension of the software with help from the Odoo development framework.

Here are various ways of customizing Community without Studio.

A. Activate Developer Mode

Developer mode gives you access to more technical information and settings in Odoo.

This mode can be used by developers and administrators to inspect:

• Models and fields.
• Views and view inheritance.
• Menu items.
• Actions and filters.
• Technical settings.
• Automated and server actions (wherever applicable).

Developer mode helps you learn more about the architecture of Odoo and make technical configurations.

Yet, developer mode isn’t a drag-and-drop customization mode like Studio.

B. Develop Custom Modules

Custom modules constitute the major method of Odoo Community extension.

The developer can use Python, XML, JavaScript, OWL, and CSS to extend the software with new features.

For instance, an organization might need:

• Extra fields and validation.
• Custom sales and purchasing processes.
• Complex inventory management.
• Specific accounting procedures.
• Custom reporting.
• Point of Sale improvements.
• Integration with external APIs.

All the above needs can be covered by custom modules.

C. Use Existing Community Modules

Community-developed modules are also available through Odoo ecosystem sources like the Odoo Apps Store and the Odoo Community Association (OCA).

A company can review the modules before creating the features on its own.

Compatibility, licensing, security, maintenance, and versioning of the module need to be confirmed before installing it.

Community vs Enterprise Studio Availability

Community gives greater flexibility to businesses having technical capabilities, while Enterprise Studio makes it easier for function administrators to customize.

7. Things to Consider Before Purchasing Odoo Studio

There are a few considerations that should be made before choosing the Custom plan, particularly for the Studio.

1. Determine your customization needs

Make a list of fields, views, reports, automations, and approvals that you require. Decide if these needs can be satisfied with basic Odoo features.

2. Determine the user count

Odoo subscription plans are usually calculated per paying user. The gap between the two plans becomes relevant with larger numbers of users.

3. Think about future requirements

If you need several companies, API integrations, or custom module development, then there will be more value from the Custom plan rather than from Studio.

4. Consider your technical capabilities

If your company has its own Odoo development team, it might be more appropriate to develop custom modules.

If you have functional administrators who need to make many minor changes independently, then Studio might be more convenient.

5. Long-term maintenance consideration

When considering customization, think not only about implementation cost but also about upgrade capability, maintenance, and future needs.

Odoo Studio is a very potent low-code customization application that helps companies to customize Odoo applications without needing developers for each minor modification.

However, it must be noted that Studio is an Enterprise Feature and normally comes under the Custom pricing plan, while the One App Free Plan is an exception.

For companies using Odoo Community, it may be possible to do similar customization using developer mode, available community modules, and custom development.

It becomes necessary to select either of the options based on the level of complexity of the need, subscription cost, available technical skills, and maintenance needs.

Thus, Odoo Studio becomes very useful in cases where companies need functional flexibility and quick customization, whereas custom development is very useful in handling complex needs.

To read more about How to Upgrade to Odoo 20 Without Losing Studio Customizations, refer to our blog How to Upgrade to Odoo 20 Without Losing Studio Customizations.