Odoo alternative
A simpler alternative to Odoo
Odoo is powerful, but for many small businesses it is too much: dozens of modules, configuration overhead, and often a partner-led implementation. Backbone (formerly Billy) does the opposite — time tracking, invoices, dunning, receipts and bank statements in one calm interface, plus an AI assistant that does the work on request.
If your core job is billing your work, issuing compliant invoices and getting paid, with Odoo you pay for complexity you do not use. Backbone focuses on exactly that core.
Why small businesses switch from Odoo to Backbone
Odoo is built as a company-wide ERP. Backbone is built for freelancers and small teams who want an invoice out the door today — not after a setup project.
- Up and running fast — no implementation projects or consultant fees
- AI assistant drafts invoices from one sentence, even straight from Claude or ChatGPT; sending waits for your OK
- Dunning with statutory interest for Germany and Austria, scheduled automatically from Studio
- Mandatory-details check while you write (§14 UStG / §11 öUStG, §19, §13b), ZUGFeRD e-invoices
- One clear interface instead of dozens of modules
Backbone vs. Odoo at a glance
| Backbone | Odoo | |
|---|---|---|
| AI & automation | ||
| Create an invoice from an AI prompt | Yesassistant Billy, also in Claude/ChatGPT | No |
| Automatic dunning | Yeswith interest + €40 fee; scheduled from Studio | Partiallyfollow-up rules you configure yourself |
| AI receipt capture (OCR) | Yesreads receipts, matches payments | Yes |
| Design & setup effort | ||
| Ready-made invoice designs | Partially2 templates: Basic, Minimal | Partiallyconfigurable layouts |
| Ready to use in minutes | Yesno setup project | Noconfiguration, often partner-led |
| Invoicing workflow | ||
| Recurring invoices | Yesevery plan | Yes |
| E-invoicing (XRechnung/ZUGFeRD) | PartiallyZUGFeRD; XRechnung coming soon | Yes |
| Scope & price | ||
| Austria (§11 öUStG) | Yessame interface | Yeslocalization |
| Bookkeeping (EÜR / VAT filing) | Noexport for your tax advisor | Yesaccounting module |
| ERP scope (inventory, manufacturing, CRM) | Nodeliberately focused | Yescore strength |
| Entry price (net/month) | €19 incl. VAT (Solo, 1 person); teams: Studio €29, Agency €49 | "One App Free"; then per user/month, varying by country |
Odoo pricing and feature claims per the vendor, verified on July 31, 2026, prices net. Backbone details per back-bone.io as of October 9, 2026; Backbone prices incl. VAT. Subject to change.
Backbone in detail
When Odoo is the better choice
To be fair: Odoo covers far more than Backbone — accounting, manufacturing, inventory, HR, deep customization. If you need a full ERP, Odoo is a strong choice; "One App Free" is attractive for tinkerers, and Odoo does XRechnung today. If you want a focused, simple back office, Backbone is built for it.
See all Odoo alternatives