I've recently subscribed to the Odoo 19 Custom plan, and after almost a year of implementing odoo, I'm learning about sneaky "Maintenance Fees" they want to charge for custom code. I haven't been charged yet, which is odd, but I also do NOT want to get a magical surprise bill. As a small business that needs highly customizable software I chose Odoo for it's open sourceness and Customizability. I'm now learning they want $18/month for every 100 lines of code. But they don't tell you much about it, they also don't disclose this after developing something with thousands of lines of code - something I've spent hundreds of hours developing - and then learning later they'll want $500/month extra for all my hard work. And I'm not even done yet. Which is waaaay outside my budget, and not something I agreed to, and completely defeats the purpose of having software that is customizable. I've heard about Odoo community, but I need the mobile experience and proper accounting. I'm bummed about the possibility of needing to completely restart a years worth of work.
I realize I'm another one of "those people" that get into Odoo without a partner - but I don't find Odoo too complicated or difficult to customize, and don't have money floating around to pay a Partner. So I opted to not get a partner. It's the lack of transparency from Odoo that upsets me and these extra fees are extremely limiting - there's literally no point in going with Odoo if you get charged for every little customization. With the rise of app building and AI tech Odoo needs to seriously consider how it will retain their customers.
I'm wondering if anyone has gone through this experience and found an alternative route in which you can customize odoo without needing to be a multi-millionaire to afford over priced maintenance fees. Any advice is appreciated!
Thanks in advance, and sorry if that sounded like a rant.
I've not gone through this experience and also find the terms confusing. But here is what I understand for sure :
Odoo Online (SaaS) is a closed environment. It's optimized for zero-maintenance upgrades, which is why Odoo wants oversight of any custom code running in it. They're the ones handling upgrades and can't guarantee stability if your code breaks post-upgrade and they don't know about it.
If you want real freedom with custom code, your actual options are:
Before doing anything drastic: check your actual signed contract/subscription terms. If there's no explicit line subscribing to Covered Extra Module maintenance, contact Odoo support and ask them to confirm in writing that you won't be billed for LoC. Get it in writing.
If they insist on charging you, that's when Odoo.sh becomes your cleanest exit (You can migrate to Odoo.sh without restarting everything). And honestly, for someone comfortable writing thousands of lines of custom Odoo code, Odoo.sh is where you should be anyway.
In my Odoo Online database on the Standard plan, I have the option to import data modules without being prompted to upgrade my plan. Am I correct in understanding that I can upload “data modules” or “importable modules” into my Odoo Online database on the Standard plan without needing to upgrade or pay maintenance fees, as long as I opt out of maintenance for Covered Extra Modules?
Looking forward to your thoughts!
You can check your database to see where LOC charges have been triggered - https://www.odoo.com/forum/help-1/how-to-calculate-or-check-custom-lines-of-code-loc-that-will-be-charged-for-studio-or-custom-modules-in-odoo-online-281746
Odoo.sh does not change the policy - any customizations implemented by Odoo require maintenance - any customizations implemented by an Odoo Partner or by you the Customer should have maintenance but we don't require it (since you won't be holding Odoo responsible for maintenance / upgrades / support).