Choosing an ERP is one of the most important technology decisions for any Chilean company: it shapes how you invoice through the SII (Chile's tax authority), how you control inventory, how you close the books and, ultimately, how fast the business can grow. Two names come up again and again in that conversation: Odoo and Softland.
In this Odoo vs Softland comparison, we take an objective look at how they are alike, how they differ and when each one makes sense. The goal is not to declare an absolute winner—there isn't one—but to give you clear criteria for deciding which is the best ERP for companies in Chile for your situation.
Odoo and Softland: two different ERP philosophies
Before getting into the criteria, it's worth understanding where each platform comes from, because that explains almost all of their differences.
- Softland is an ERP with a strong historical presence in Chile and Latin America, aimed mainly at midsize and large companies. Its focus is on covering areas such as sales, distribution, inventory, production, accounting and treasury with a solution built around local regulations. It offers on-premise (local installation), on-premise rental and cloud subscription options.
- Odoo is a modular ERP of European origin, with an open-source Community edition and a commercial Enterprise edition. Its defining feature is modularity: you start with what you need today and activate new applications as you grow. If you want to understand the platform in depth, read our guide What is Odoo?.
In short: Softland is a robust, established suite in the local market; Odoo is a flexible, open and highly customizable ecosystem. That contrast is the basis for the entire comparison.
Comparison table: Odoo vs Softland
The table below summarizes the key criteria for a company in Chile. License prices should be taken as a reference only, since in both cases they depend on users, modules and the type of plan contracted.
| Criterion | Odoo | Softland |
|---|---|---|
| Price / licensing | Community edition with no license cost; Enterprise priced per user (all apps included in a single plan), roughly from ~EUR 12 to ~EUR 22/user/month depending on the plan | Custom quote based on country, modules and number of users; no fixed published prices. Subscription and per-module models |
| Modules / functionality | Very broad and modular: Accounting, CRM, Sales, Inventory, Manufacturing, HR, POS, eCommerce, Projects, Marketing, Studio and many more | Solid suite covering sales, distribution, inventory, production, accounting, treasury, HR and invoicing |
| Scalability | High: from freelancers to large enterprises; you activate modules as you grow | High for midsize and large companies; geared to that segment |
| Cloud | Odoo Online, Odoo.sh or your own server (great deployment flexibility) | Cloud, on-premise and on-premise rental |
| Customization | Very high: open source, Studio and custom development | Customization available through partners; less open than Odoo |
| Local support in Chile | Through certified partners such as KPB (Odoo Gold Partner) | Direct support and an established local network in Chile |
| SII electronic invoicing | Yes, with integrations and SII Chile certification through the partner | Yes, with its own SII certification team integrated into the ERP |
| Learning curve | Modern, intuitive interface; friendlier for younger teams | Functional, with a learning curve geared to traditional ERP users |
Pricing and licensing: where is the real difference?
When it comes to ERP pricing and licensing models, the two platforms work differently:
- Odoo has a transparent model: the Community edition has no license cost (though hosting, implementation and support still cost money), and the Enterprise edition is charged per user with access to every application in a single plan, instead of charging module by module.
- Softland works with custom quotes: the price depends on the country, the modules contracted and the number of users, with flexible arrangements that can be scaled up or down.
The practical lesson: don't compare only the "list price." The total cost of ownership (TCO) includes implementation, integrations, support and ongoing enhancements. That's why many companies looking for a Softland alternative value the predictability of Odoo's per-user model and the open-source option for keeping license costs in check.
Modules and functionality for Chilean companies
Both cover the core processes of a midsize company. The difference lies in scope and in how they grow:
- Softland delivers a very solid suite at its core: distribution, inventory, production, accounting and treasury, well adapted to local operations.
- Odoo adds to that core a wider range of native, integrated applications: CRM, eCommerce, Point of Sale, Marketing, Projects, Subscriptions, Help Desk and Studio, all connected in a single database.
If your company needs to connect sales, marketing, e-commerce and operations in a single system, Odoo's modular breadth usually tips the balance. Learn how we approach it in our Odoo implementation service.
Cloud, scalability and customization
In terms of cloud options, both offer serious alternatives: Softland provides cloud, on-premise and on-premise rental; Odoo offers Odoo Online (SaaS), Odoo.sh (managed platform) or your own server. Deployment flexibility is comparable, with a slight edge for Odoo in the variety of options.
Where Odoo clearly stands out is ERP customization: because it is open source and includes Studio, it lets you adjust fields, views, reports, automations and custom developments with less dependence on a single vendor. Softland can also be customized, but its less open nature means that deep adaptations depend more on the vendor or its network.
In scalability, Softland is very well positioned for midsize and large companies, while Odoo scales from a small business to large corporations, activating modules as the business grows.
SII electronic invoicing and local support in Chile
This is a critical point for any ERP for companies in Chile, and both deliver:
- Softland has its own SII certification team and issues electronic tax documents, known in Chile as DTE (taxable and tax-exempt invoices, credit and debit notes, dispatch guides, among others), integrated into the ERP.
- Odoo supports SII electronic invoicing through integrations and certification carried out by its partner. At KPB, we also connect Odoo to the Chilean ecosystem: Transbank (Chile's main card-payment network), Getnet, Mercado Pago, Fintoc, Shopify, WooCommerce, Buk and more.
In local support, Softland has an established network and direct support in Chile. Odoo, on the other hand, relies on certified partners: this is where the advantage of working with an Odoo Gold Partner like KPB comes in—ranked in the top 5% worldwide, with offices in Chile and a presence in 6 Latin American countries. That means close, hands-on support, in Spanish and with knowledge of local regulations.
Beyond the ERP: data for decision-making
Implementing an ERP is the first step; the real leap happens when that information is turned into decisions. Whether you go with Odoo or Softland, it's worth thinking about a business intelligence layer that connects and visualizes your data.
With Podiux, our Business Intelligence ecosystem, we add reporting, automatic alerts and automation on top of your ERP, helping digitized companies grow faster. If this approach interests you, you can also browse the other ERP comparisons and practical guides we publish for the Chilean market.
Which one should you choose? An honest recommendation
- Choose Softland if you value a vendor with a long local track record, established direct support and a proven suite for midsize and large companies focused on distribution, inventory and production.
- Choose Odoo if you're looking for maximum flexibility, a per-user licensing model with every app included, extensive customization, a modern interface and an ecosystem that scales from SMB to enterprise.
For many companies evaluating a Softland alternative, Odoo combines competitive cost, modularity and technological openness. But the best decision always depends on your size, budget, processes and growth plans.
Let's talk about your case
There is no perfect ERP, only the right ERP for your company. At KPB Solutions, we implement, optimize and support Odoo projects in Chile and Latin America, with a focus on real results.
Book a meeting with our team and we'll help you compare Odoo vs Softland as applied to your operation, with no obligation.
