As businesses continue their transition to the cloud, many small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are reevaluating how they manage core operations like customer relationship management (CRM), invoicing, inventory, and accounting. Dolibarr, the open-source ERP/CRM, has become a popular choice among SMEs due to its modular design, ease of use, and active community. But how does Dolibarr perform when used in Software as a Service (SaaS) mode via a cloud-based hosting solution like DoliCloud?

In this in-depth article, we will explore Dolibarr in SaaS mode through DoliCloud, examining its advantages and limitations for SMEs. This guide will help business owners and IT managers understand whether this model aligns with their operational needs, budget, and growth plans.

Table of Contents

1. Understanding Dolibarr: A Brief Overview

2. What is DoliCloud?

3. Why SMEs Are Moving to SaaS

4. The Core Features of Dolibarr in SaaS Mode

5. Advantages of Using DoliCloud

6. Limitations and Disadvantages of DoliCloud

7. Pricing and Cost Considerations

8. Security, Compliance, and Data Ownership

9. Performance and Reliability

10. Integration with Other Tools

11. Support and Community Involvement

12. Comparing On-Premise vs. SaaS Dolibarr

13. Ideal Use Cases for DoliCloud

14. Real-World Business Scenarios

15. Final Recommendation

1. Understanding Dolibarr: A Brief Overview

Dolibarr ERP/CRM is an open-source software solution designed to manage a wide range of business operations. It includes modules for sales, invoicing, inventory, accounting, projects, human resources, and more. One of its main appeals is the modular structure, which allows businesses to activate only the features they need.

Dolibarr is built with simplicity and user-friendliness in mind, making it ideal for non-technical business owners who want to digitize their operations without investing in complex enterprise systems. Its open-source nature allows for customizations, extensions, and integration with other tools.

2. What is DoliCloud?

DoliCloud is a SaaS platform that hosts Dolibarr for users who prefer not to handle installation, server maintenance, updates, and security. Managed by one of the Dolibarr project's core contributors, DoliCloud offers an officially endorsed cloud service where users can get Dolibarr up and running within minutes.

Users pay a monthly or annual fee to access Dolibarr through a web browser. The hosting environment is optimized for performance and includes backup, automatic updates, and technical support.

3. Why SMEs Are Moving to SaaS

The SaaS model has gained massive traction among SMEs for the following reasons:

• Lower upfront costs

• No need for IT infrastructure

• Automatic updates and backups

• Scalability and flexibility

• Accessibility from anywhere

For SMEs with limited budgets or technical resources, SaaS presents an opportunity to use powerful tools without the overhead of managing servers.

4. The Core Features of Dolibarr in SaaS Mode

When accessed via DoliCloud, Dolibarr includes:

• CRM (customer management, lead tracking)

• Invoicing and payments

• Inventory and product management

• Accounting and financial reports

• Project and task tracking

• Document management

• HR features (leave, recruitment)

• POS system for retail

• E-commerce integrations

The interface remains the same as with self-hosted Dolibarr, with some minor enhancements for cloud performance and accessibility.

5. Advantages of Using DoliCloud

1. No Installation or Maintenance

You don’t need to worry about setting up servers, databases, or updating the system. DoliCloud takes care of it.

2. Rapid Deployment

You can have a working Dolibarr instance in minutes. No need to go through complex installation processes.

3. Scalability

As your business grows, your cloud infrastructure scales with it. DoliCloud allows you to upgrade plans and storage easily.

4. Accessibility

Being cloud-based, your ERP is accessible from anywhere with internet access. This supports remote work and mobile access.

5. Automatic Backups and Updates

Data backups and software updates are handled automatically, ensuring security and feature freshness without effort.

6. Technical Support

DoliCloud includes technical support via ticketing system, provided by Dolibarr experts.

7. Cost Predictability

A fixed monthly or annual subscription simplifies budgeting. There are no unexpected IT support costs.

8. Eco-Friendly

Cloud hosting typically has a smaller carbon footprint than on-premise solutions due to optimized resource use.

6. Limitations and Disadvantages of DoliCloud

1. Limited Customization

While Dolibarr is highly customizable in self-hosted environments, DoliCloud restricts some server-level modifications for security and stability reasons.

2. Module Restrictions

Not all external modules or custom plugins are allowed. You may need to request permission or switch to an enterprise plan.

3. Data Storage Limits

Each plan includes a certain amount of storage. Additional storage may incur extra fees.

4. Dependency on Internet

Since it’s cloud-based, no internet means no access. Offline work is not possible.

5. Less Control Over Environment

You can't choose your own server stack, PHP version, or database engine. You're bound to DoliCloud's infrastructure.

6. Data Location

Depending on your region, storing sensitive business data on servers in another country might pose compliance issues.

7. Pricing and Cost Considerations

DoliCloud offers several pricing plans based on user count, storage, and feature access. As of 2025:

• Basic Plan: Suitable for freelancers or small teams, starting around €10/month

• Standard Plan: For small businesses, includes more modules and support

• Enterprise Plan: Includes priority support, extended module compatibility, more storage

Compared to hiring IT staff or managing your own server, the SaaS model is cost-effective. However, if your business relies heavily on custom modules, pricing can rise.

8. Security, Compliance, and Data Ownership

Security Features

• HTTPS encryption

• Regular backups

• Access control via user roles

• Protection against brute-force attacks

Compliance

Check whether DoliCloud complies with:

• GDPR (for European customers)

• Local data storage laws

Data Ownership

You retain full ownership of your data. You can export your database and files at any time.

9. Performance and Reliability

DoliCloud’s infrastructure is optimized for performance:

• SSD-based storage

• Load-balanced servers

• 99.9% uptime commitment

The service is fast even under high usage, with page load times typically under 1 second.

10. Integration with Other Tools

Dolibarr in SaaS mode can be integrated with:

• Gmail and Google Workspace

• Office 365

• Stripe and PayPal for payment

• WooCommerce or PrestaShop for e-commerce

• Zapier or Make.com for automation

Note: Some integrations may require Enterprise plans or external plugins.

11. Support and Community Involvement

DoliCloud users benefit from:

• Official support via ticket system

• Access to documentation and tutorials

• Community forums for help and advice

However, some advanced community resources (e.g., GitHub, Dolistore) are more relevant for self-hosted users.

12. Comparing On-Premise vs. SaaS Dolibarr

13. Ideal Use Cases for DoliCloud

• Freelancers or consultants needing a quick CRM solution

• Small businesses without an IT team

• Startups looking to scale fast

• Companies with distributed teams needing cloud access

• NGOs or associations managing members and donations

14. Real-World Business Scenarios

Scenario 1: A Creative Agency

A 10-person design agency uses DoliCloud for project tracking, time logging, and invoicing. Cloud access helps their remote designers stay aligned.

Scenario 2: An Online Retailer

An e-commerce brand integrates DoliCloud with WooCommerce and Stripe to handle inventory, invoicing, and payments in one place.

Scenario 3: A Local Nonprofit

A regional nonprofit manages member data, donation receipts, and event planning using DoliCloud, saving time and reducing errors.

15. Final Recommendation

DoliCloud provides a practical and efficient way for SMEs to use Dolibarr ERP/CRM without the technical burden of self-hosting. It simplifies deployment, reduces costs, and improves accessibility—making it ideal for businesses seeking agility and simplicity.

However, for companies requiring deep customization, integration with niche tools, or full control over server configurations, the on-premise version of Dolibarr may still be the better fit.

Final Tip: Start with DoliCloud to explore Dolibarr’s potential, then migrate to self-hosted if your business outgrows SaaS limitations.