At a recent Odoo Business Show, a business owner based in the UK came up to us and asked:
"Can I build my whole shop on Odoo?"
He had been a long time Odoo user since Odoo Version 9 and wanted to make the switch to Odoo’s own webshop app. However he felt frustrated because whenever he brought it up with Odoo partners they would advise against it.
This hesitation often came up in contrast to more established storefront systems in the UKI region, like Shopware.
And it’s true: Shopware has become one of the major players to build professional storefronts, while Odoo is still gaining ground in that space.
Our verdict? It depends.
This guide helps you understand when Odoo eCommerce makes sense, when to stick with Shopware, and how integration can give you the best of both worlds.
Odoo eCommerce integrates into a full business system
Odoo eCommerce is tightly integrated into the Odoo system.
It’s a shop builder. But it’s one part of a larger suite that covers everything from inventory and purchase to accounting and helpdesk.
This makes it attractive for companies who already run their business on Odoo or want a centralised system without external dependencies.
Quick facts
- Current version: Odoo 18
- Hosting options: Odoo.sh (cloud), on-premises
- License: Commercial (open-source)
- Pricing: From 29.90€/user/month (approximately £26/user/month)
Best for you if
You already use or plan to use Odoo as an ERP.
You want a fully integrated backend without external connectors.
You sell B2B, hybrid, or made-to-order products.
You sell B2C but with a low volume (e.g.: Big ticket items)
You prioritise operational control across sales, stock, and support.
Not ideal if
Your store relies on cutting-edge frontend design or niche themes.
You don’t use Odoo elsewhere in your business.
You need large-scale B2C traffic capacity.
You depend on plugins for marketing, promotions, or checkout UX.
Shopware is built for frontend performance and growth
Shopware is a powerful eCommerce platform designed for scalable selling.
It offers a robust feature set for merchants focused on growth, storytelling, and customer experience.
It supports both B2C and B2B through its enterprise features but its core strength lies in flexible frontend logic, API access, and a rich ecosystem of plugins and integrations.
Quick facts
- Current version: Shopware 6
- Hosting: Cloud, self-hosted, or headless
- License: Commercial & open-source editions
- Pricing: From 600€/month (approximately £524) on the Rise plan, free Community Edition also available
Best for you if
You want fast launch times with strong frontend tools.
You prioritise design, UX, and conversion features.
You operate a high-volume B2C shop and use third-party tools.
Not ideal if
You need deeply connected backend operations without middleware.
You run a business with complex manufacturing or inventory logic.
You’re aiming to consolidate systems instead of managing multiple stacks.
You want to avoid plugin maintenance or multi-vendor dependencies.
Odoo eCommerce vs Shopware at a glance
Odoo and Shopware represent two different approaches to eCommerce:
Feature / Capability | Odoo eCommerce | Shopware |
Platform model | Part of an all-in-one business suite | Standalone eCommerce platform |
Backend integration | Native with ERP, CRM, inventory | External integration required |
Frontend flexibility | Basic page builder | Headless-ready, visual CMS, themes |
Transaction capacity | Moderate (backend-first) | Scales to high-volume storefronts |
B2B/B2C capabilities | Built-in B2B, hybrid-ready | B2C native, B2B via plugins |
Customisation | Open-source, fully adaptable | Modular via plugins and API |
Pricing model | From 29.90€/user/month (approximately £26/user/month) | From 600€/month on the Rise plan (approximately £524) |
Ideal use case | Businesses running on Odoo ERP | Growth-focused shops with frontend needs |
Bottom line: when to use Odoo and when to use Shopware
If your priorities are a custom backend, complex product logic, make-to-order workflows, and long-term system control, Odoo eCommerce can absolutely be the right choice.
Especially if you already use Odoo and want to avoid building extra integrations.
But if what you need is frontend flexibility, high-volume performance, and marketing-ready features, Shopware is still the stronger option.
That’s exactly what came up with the business owner we spoke to at an Odoo Business Show: B2B flows, multi-layer configurators, and strict control requirements made Odoo the natural fit for his operations.
He also made it clear he didn’t want to depend on yet another external vendor, which only reinforced the case for keeping the backend in Odoo. But for the storefront, Shopware was still the better fit.
In cases like this, the smartest solution isn’t picking either Odoo eCommerce or Shopware but combining both.
Get the best of both worlds with an Odoo Shopware integration
If you're already running Shopware or want its frontend power but still want full backend control with Odoo, there's good news: you can combine both.
An Odoo Shopware integration lets you:
- Use Shopware for the customer-facing shop.
- Manage products, stock, orders, and fulfilment in Odoo.
- Sync data in real-time to avoid duplicate logic.
How it works:
- Product catalogues and stock levels are pushed from Odoo to Shopware.
- Orders placed in Shopware are automatically pulled into Odoo.
- Customer data, invoices, and delivery status are handled in Odoo.
- You maintain Shopware’s storefront and design without losing operational efficiency.
- Odoo becomes your single source of truth, from products to taxes, pricing and stock.
This setup is ideal if:
- You're scaling B2C and need Shopware’s frontend strengths.
- You’ve outgrown siloed systems or spreadsheets.
- You want to unify inventory, fulfilment, and accounting under Odoo.
It offers the best of both worlds, especially for companies not ready to abandon their Shopware presence, but eager to clean up the backend chaos with Odoo.
Odoo and Shopware are growing toward each other
Odoo is getting better at eCommerce with every version. This can be seen in improved website tools, faster page performance, and better design control.
Meanwhile, Shopware is expanding its backend logic with Flow Builder, Rule Builder, and more powerful B2B features. The lines between storefront and business system are starting to blur.
Still, neither system will do it all alone, at least not yet.
The trend we see most? Businesses start by integrating then decide what to consolidate later, once they know what works.
If that means gradually moving toward full Odoo, sticking with Shopware long-term, or running a stable hybrid setup? The key is architecture.
Not sure which way to go?
We’re an Odoo Gold Partner with experience integrating Shopware and other platforms into tailored business setups.
If you’re unsure whether to go full Odoo, integrate Shopware, or refine your current setup, we’re happy to help.