ERPNext2 min read
ERPNext Upgrade Guide: Moving Between Major Versions Safely
How to upgrade ERPNext between major versions: inventory apps, handle features moved to separate apps, test on staging and run the production upgrade.
ERP platform · ERPNext
ERPNext services for businesses that want an open ERP they fully own
ERPNext is a fully open-source ERP built on the Frappe framework. Accounting, buying, selling, stock, manufacturing, projects, assets, quality and support run on one database, and with Frappe HR alongside it, payroll and people operations too. There is no per-user licence, no paid edition and no feature held back behind a subscription.
Overview
The short version
We implement, extend, connect and support ERPNext for small and mid-sized companies — manufacturers, distributors, traders and service businesses moving off Tally, QuickBooks, spreadsheets or an older ERP. Most of our clients choose ERPNext because they want to own the system outright and avoid licence costs that grow with headcount.
We are an independent services firm. We will help you decide between Frappe Cloud and self-hosting, between configuration and custom apps, and — when it is the honest answer — between ERPNext and Odoo or another platform.
ERP Builders is an independent ERPNext services company and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Frappe Technologies. “ERPNext” and “Frappe” are trademarks of Frappe Technologies Pvt. Ltd.
01
What ERPNext does well, and where it needs care
ERPNext's strength is a complete, coherent core with nothing paywalled. Double-entry accounting, multi-company and multi-currency, perpetual inventory, batch and serial tracking, BOM-based manufacturing and project costing are all in the standard product. The Frappe framework underneath makes most customisation a matter of configuration rather than code.
Its weak spots are predictable too. The user interface is functional rather than polished, the third-party app ecosystem is smaller than Odoo's, and some areas — advanced warehouse management, complex production scheduling, statutory reporting outside a handful of countries — need extension or careful scoping. Because customisation is so easy, it is also easy to accumulate scripts and custom fields that nobody has documented.
No licence cost
ERPNext is GPLv3 open source. You pay for implementation, hosting and support — not for each additional user.
Low-code by design
Custom fields, forms, workflows, print formats and reports are configured in the browser, and every one of them is still upgrade-safe.
Real framework underneath
When configuration runs out, Frappe custom apps in Python and JavaScript extend the system cleanly through hooks and DocTypes.
Strong in India and growing elsewhere
The India Compliance app handles GST, e-invoicing and e-way bills; other regions rely on chart-of-accounts templates and tax configuration.
02
Hosting options
Frappe Cloud is the managed hosting service run by Frappe, the company behind ERPNext. It handles servers, backups and upgrades, and supports custom apps deployed from a Git repository. Self-hosting on AWS, Azure, Google Cloud, a VPS or your own servers gives full control over infrastructure and data residency, at the price of owning patching, backups and performance.
Either way we set up separate staging and production sites, verify that backups actually restore, and keep custom code in Git so upgrades are a planned exercise rather than a surprise.
Frappe Cloud
Managed ERPNext with automated backups and updates. Custom apps supported on private benches.
Self-hosted
Bench-based deployment on Linux with MariaDB, Redis and Nginx. Full control over versions, integrations and data location.
On-premise
For businesses with connectivity, regulatory or policy reasons to keep the system inside their own network.
03
ERPNext or Odoo
We deliver both, which lets us be candid. ERPNext usually wins when licence cost matters, the core modules cover your scope, and you want a fully open stack. Odoo usually wins when you need a broad catalogue of polished peripheral apps — eCommerce, marketing, field service, rental — or a larger partner market in your region.
The deciding factors are rarely features on a checklist. They are your team's tolerance for a less polished interface, the depth of manufacturing or warehouse logic you need, local statutory reporting, and who will maintain the system after go-live.
Process
How we deliver it
- 01
Fit assessment
We walk your core processes through standard ERPNext and mark each gap as configure, customise, build a custom app, integrate or defer.
- 02
Phased plan
A first phase that delivers working value — usually accounting, buying, selling and stock — with manufacturing, HR and payroll scheduled rather than crammed in.
- 03
Build and migrate
Configuration, custom apps where justified, and scripted data imports rehearsed at least twice before cutover.
- 04
Go-live and support
Cutover, hypercare through the first period close, then a support arrangement sized to your team.
Related
Related Odoo services and topics
Odoo pages
Integrations
Insights
Related reading
ERPNext3 min read
ERPNext Manufacturing Guide: BOMs, Work Orders, Job Cards and Planning
How ERPNext manufacturing works: BOMs, workstations, production plans, work orders, job cards, backflushing, subcontracting, quality and costing.
ERPNext3 min read
Migrating from Tally to ERPNext: A Step-by-Step Guide
How to move from Tally to ERPNext: mapping ledgers, GST details, stock items and godowns, loading opening balances, picking a cutover date and reconciling.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Is ERPNext really free?
The software is free and open source under GPLv3, with no per-user licence. You still pay for hosting, implementation, any custom development and ongoing support. For most SMBs the total cost of ownership is lower than licensed ERPs, but it is not zero.
Is ERP Builders an official Frappe partner?
No. We are an independent ERPNext services company. We do not resell hosting plans on commission, and our recommendations — including whether ERPNext is the right platform at all — are not tied to vendor incentives.
How many users can ERPNext handle?
ERPNext runs comfortably from a handful of users to a few hundred concurrent users when MariaDB, the web and background workers, and any custom code are tuned. Transaction volume and inefficient reports or scripts matter more than user count.
Do you also work with Frappe HR, Frappe CRM and Helpdesk?
Yes. Frappe HR (payroll, attendance, leave, expense claims) is part of most of our ERPNext projects, and we configure Frappe CRM and Helpdesk where they fit better than the CRM and support features inside ERPNext itself.
Comparisons
Weighing Odoo against alternatives?
Odoo vs SAPIntegrated, extensible suite for SMB and mid-market versus the deepest enterprise ERP ecosystem on the market.Odoo vs Dynamics 365An all-in-one suite versus Microsoft's ERP ecosystem with deep Office, Teams and Power Platform integration.Odoo vs NetSuiteFlexible, lower-cost suite versus a mature cloud-only ERP with strong financials and multi-entity support.
Next step
Considering ERPNext for your business?
We will assess the fit honestly — module by module — before you commit to anything.