Odoo’s core business apps have developed steadily over the last four versions.
Odoo 16 gave users a performance clean-up, Odoo 17 a full-on UI overhaul and structural improvements, Odoo 18 expanded intelligence and automation.
The upcoming Odoo 19 will build on years of progress, showing that the platform has moved from fast, to integrated, to AI-driven.
We’ll be diving into the core Odoo apps to see how much they’ve evolved, from the last supported version 16 to the next anticipated Odoo 19 release.
Odoo’s growth can be traced app by app across product cycles
Every major Odoo version builds on the last.
Odoo’s product roadmap reflects three recurring goals: simplify user experience, increase cross-app connectivity, and automate work.
Each release contributed to the structure that we will see with the release of Odoo 19 in September.
Version | Release date | Key themes |
16 | October 2022 | Speed, backend refactor, UI consistency |
17 | November 2023 | App redesigns, planning features, cross-app visibility |
18 | October 2024 | Workflow maturity, mobile-first tools |
19 | September 2025 | AI integration, marketing revamp, automation |
CRM and Sales
CRM in Odoo used to function as a standalone tool. Of course Sales always worked alongside it, but the flow between leads, opportunities and follow-ups was still quite disconnected.
Over the last few Odoo versions, that gap has closed. What started as two apps now operates more like one single sales environment.
This means clear structure, handover logic, and visible steps that reflect how teams can effectively move deals forward.
Odoo 16
- Fast pipeline navigation with optimised quotation flow.
- Templates existed, but lacked modular design.
- Signatures and documents remained in separate apps.
Odoo 17
- Added reusable quotation blocks for consistency.
- Redesigned signature workflows for clarity.
- Embedded sales activities into CRM Kanban.
Odoo 18
- Introduced combo products and AI-powered deal suggestions.
- Improved sightlines on pipeline and customer history.
- Catalogue & quotation templates.
Odoo 19
- Anticipates deeper integration of CRM, quotations, documents, and Sign.
- Focuses on guided approvals and repeatable workflows.
- Introduces AI-powered server actions and in-app AI agents for CRM and sales assistance (e.g., context-aware suggestions, automated reminders)
CRM pipeline in Odoo 16
CRM pipeline in Odoo 18.4 (the latest version)
Accounting and Finance
Odoo’s accounting app has grown into a backbone for integrated financial operations.
It handles more local rules out of the box with over 100 localisation packages, reduces clicks for daily actions, and brings in automation where accountants need it most.
Odoo Accounting has evolved past recording transactions and now supports the full workflow of company finances.
It now covers everything from expenses and payments to audits and compliance, with strong AI capabilities.
Odoo 16
- Enhanced reconciliation speed and invoice export consistency.
- VAT setup stayed largely manual across regions.
Odoo 17
- Simplified chart-of-accounts setup.
- Added localisation templates and improved filtering.
- Consolidation breakdowns.
Odoo 18
- Rolled out AI-assisted reconciliation and expense automation.
- Delivered real-time financial dashboards.
Odoo 19
- Introduces audit-ready workflows and compliance defaults.
- Pre-configures mid-market financial settings.
- Adds AI-generated server actions, support chatbots in finance views, and OCR enhancements for Piloting invoice & expense processing.
Accounting reconciliation in Odoo 16
Accounting reconciliation Odoo 18.4 (the latest version)
Website and eCommerce
Odoo’s Website and Webshop app used to be completely separated in version 16. That line has faded.
A single builder now handles pages, products, and themes without any blockers in between.
With each release, the tools behind SEO, product logic, and customer checkout have merged into one system. It’s no longer a CMS plus an online shop, it’s all on one front.
Odoo 16
- Website and Shop required separate styling and configuration.
- Customisation needed developer input for adjustments.
Odoo 17
- Added front-end features like product filters and variant matrices.
- Simplified the checkout and delivery flow.
Odoo 18
- Introduced unified builder across web and shop.
- Added AI-generated content blocks and centralised SEO settings.
Odoo 19
- Supports multi-language and multi-brand setup from a single builder.
- Makes site and shop management seamless and centrally controlled.
- Adds AI-driven SEO checks, dynamic snippets generated via natural language prompts, and website AI assistants for content generation and recommendations.
Website product page SEO optimisation in Odoo 16
Website product page SEO optimisation in Odoo 18.4 (the latest version)
Inventory and Manufacturing
The key developments in recent Odoo versions were not features, but planning logic and user needs.
Odoo’s Inventory and MRP apps now support tracking, forecasting, and production decisions based on what’s happening in warehouses in real time. Barcode scanning works on mobile and offline. Alerts are shown where action is needed.
Odoo 16
- Featured barcode scanning and routing rules.
- Lacked mobile-friendly interfaces and visual tracking.
Odoo 17
- Enabled route tracking from product forms.
- Added work-order views and equipment planning.
Odoo 18
- Delivered a mobile-first barcode app.
- Introduced demand forecasting and batch tracking.
Odoo 19
- Previews show dashboards with replenishment alerts.
- Includes real-time monitoring of production flows.
- Adds AI-based demand forecasting triggers and mobile QR scanning with AI text summarisation.
Barcode scanning in Odoo 16
Barcode scanning in Odoo 18.4 (the latest version)
Human Resources
Odoo’s HR apps were once a set of separate apps. Today, they act like one tool as a specialised app suite within Odoo.
Contracts connect to planning and onboarding. Employee profiles link to feedback and skills. Time off and approvals happen in the same place.
Each update continues to close the gap between what companies already track about people and flows that support these policies and processes.
Odoo 16
- Included basic leave, contracts, and appraisals.
- Onboarding remained manual and disconnected.
Odoo 17
- Integrated planning with recruitment and time-off tracking.
- Simplified timesheet approval.
Odoo 18
- Added AI-generated job descriptions.
- Introduced onboarding task templates and appraisal cycles.
Odoo 19
- Will unify hiring, onboarding, leave, and reviews.
- Connects HR functions into a single employee dashboard.
- Adds AI assistants for onboarding progress, performance review summaries and employee task reminders.
Employee profile in Odoo 16
Employee profile in Odoo 18.4 (the latest version)
Project and service delivery
Project and Timesheets used to be mostly admin-oriented. They’ve since grown into central tools for client delivery and team coordination.
As Odoo versions evolved, these apps now reflect service delivery from start to invoice. Teams can plan, track, and report in real time, with profitability and resourcing visible from inside the task views.
Odoo has pushed project logic toward delivery logic, especially for businesses that bill by time.
Odoo 16
- Offered basic task and stage tracking.
- Lacked interconnection to timesheets and billing.
Odoo 17
- Launched editable Gantt charts with resource planning.
- Delivered field service mobile support.
Odoo 18
- Introduced timesheet approvals and profit tracking.
- Enabled team and client document linking.
Odoo 19
- Will support foldable Gantt and service calendar views.
- Expected to integrate tasks, planning, and mobile service delivery.
- Adds AI-driven project assistant, smart Gantt scheduling recommendations, and context-aware chat assistance within tasks.
Timesheets in Odoo 16
Timesheets in Odoo 18.4 (the latest version)
Odoo’s next evolution goal is set towards AI
Odoo is evolving from being a fully integrated ERP system into one that’s also powered by AI.
Over the past versions, automation has quietly made its way into nearly every core Odoo app. Apps across the board have integrated various AI-powered features like automation rules, chatbots and OCR invoicing. The dedicated AI app to be introduced in Odoo 19 is just the next step in this steady shift.
Odoo’s Founder and CEO Fabien Pinckaers recently summed this up:
What’s amazing is what is extremely complex for different software vendors, they have to integrate AI in every application.
For us, because of the way Odoo is built - the modularity of Odoo and the way we are organised - these AI capabilities will work directly across all business apps. And they will be fully integrated with each other. So it’s going to be extremely powerful.
Odoo Founder & CEO Fabien Pinckaers at Odoo Experience 2024
This direction is already visible across modules, and the AI app is just the beginning.
Smart suggestions, intelligent agents, and server actions are expanding across the platform. Odoo adapts in real time, learns from usage, and provides context-aware support.
Odoo 19 is set to double down on this, not by adding new tools but by making every existing one more intelligent.
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Odoo 19 builds on years of structural progress to bring AI and integrated workflows to every core app.
If you're preparing for an upgrade or shaping your system around CRM, Accounting, HR, or Project Delivery, our Odoo experts can help you navigate the best options for your business.