The launch of the latest Odoo 19 version is quickly approaching, and while many Odoo users are already considering their next upgrade, there are still some who might be hesitant.
Odoo upgrades are often dreaded by users for fear of downtime, high costs, and technical effort, or even a broken system.
Still, upgrading your Odoo consistently is crucial for your system's security and long-term stability.
Odoo’s recent change in upgrade support policy makes it even more important to plan your system upgrades ahead of time.
The company now offers support for all versions indefinitely, but continued coverage of older releases comes at an extra cost. Users on version 16 or older will have to pay an additional 25% on top of their licence fee to keep their system supported.
But fret not: if it’s done properly, an upgrade will actually improve your day-to-day work in Odoo tremendously and help you accelerate your business growth.
Find out below how to upgrade Odoo successfully without headaches or heart attacks!
Why should you upgrade your Odoo?
A solid, regular upgrade plan will keep your system secure, compatible, and more maintainable in the long run.
Essentially, the sooner you upgrade, the smoother your Odoo will work.
Consistent upgrades to the latest Odoo version ensure that:
- You have access to all the latest features
- Your system runs fast and seamlessly
- You don’t deal with compatibility issues from older modules and third-party integrations
- You avoid the extra costs of running legacy versions
- You don’t have any obsolete custom code or the extra effort to maintain unsupported versions.
When should you upgrade your Odoo?
Odoo releases new versions of the software every year, which indicates how often users should be upgrading.
More so, in between the main versions, Odoo rolls out minor releases.
These smaller releases keep the system running smoothly while introducing smaller quality-of-life upgrades that already set the stage for future versions.
Odoo has designed the process to make it as simple as possible. If users keep up, upgrading from version 18 to version 19 will be a breeze.
Odoo upgrade support policy update
Odoo has recently updated its upgrade support model.
Previously, only the three most recent releases were supported. For example, with the launch of version 19, support for version 16 would have ended.
Going forward, all releases will remain supported indefinitely.
However, starting in March 2026, customers running version 16 or earlier will be subject to a 25% legacy support surcharge.
To avoid higher costs and ensure your system remains fully optimised, we recommend staying up to date with Odoo’s annual releases.
What does an Odoo upgrade process look like?
In general, there are two ways to approach an upgrade: using Odoo’s upgrade platform or working with an Odoo partner.
The Odoo platform provides a straightforward, technical path to move your database to the new version.
How the Odoo upgrade process works
Upload your database
Send your database to Odoo through the upload form or command line.
Receive a test system
Odoo returns an upgraded test version for you to review.
Report and fix issues
Any technical errors you find can be reported to Odoo for correction.
Request production upgrade
Once testing is complete, you request the final upgraded database.
Go live
Restore the upgraded database in production and switch over.
A partner, on the other hand, provides preparation, validation, and support to ensure your upgrade runs smoothly in practice.
The basic steps are similar, but the experience differs depending on whether you upgrade directly with Odoo or work with a partner:
Odoo upgrade platform | Odoo upgrade with a partner | |
Database upload | You prepare and upload your database | Partner reviews database, custom code, and integrations before upload |
Test system | You restore and check the upgraded database yourself | Partner helps validate workflows, reports, and apps |
Error correction | Odoo fixes technical upgrade errors only | Partner fixes functional issues, custom code, and integrations |
Go-live | You request the production upgrade and restore the database | Partner manages cut-over plan, backups, and downtime protection |
Post-upgrade support | Limited to upgrade-related errors | Ongoing hypercare, workflow guidance, and monitoring |
Best practices for your Odoo upgrade
Odoo may be extending support to legacy versions, but upgrades are indispensable for users who want to make the most of their system.
Still, there are some key considerations to have when jumping from a legacy version to the latest release.
Take your upgrade step-by-step
If you want to upgrade from v16 to v19, an immediate upgrade might cause unnecessary risk. Instead, take a stepping stone approach.
Upgrade one version at a time. This way, you can install the latest Odoo update with confidence that all features work properly, testing has been done, and your business operations remain stable.
Beware of custom code
One of the main challenges of an Odoo upgrade is how much custom code a system holds, which and how many integrations it’s running, and the quality of the customisations.
In the worst case scenario, an upgrade could drag on for weeks, compared to just a few days in a fully standard Odoo.
To avoid this, consider your Odoo upgrade as a chance to clean up old code, check all your integrations, and scrap all obsolete customisations that might already be weighing your system.
Choose the right partner for your Odoo upgrade
While it’s technically feasible to conduct an Odoo upgrade in-house, the risk of a botched system increases exponentially when you don’t have the right resources.
Choosing an Odoo Partner that can support you in this project is crucial to prevent your system from crashing and blocking your operations.
Upgrade Odoo securely with our fixed-price packages
We offer fixed-price Odoo upgrades, so Odoo users know exactly what their upgrade will look like, how much they will pay, and how long it will take.
Before the upgrade process, we provide a free audit of your Odoo code base to ensure a smooth transition to the latest version and estimate costs. It will cover:
- Module compatibility
- Integration updates and customisation needs
- Performance and functionality improvement opportunities.
After that, the teams test & validate business-critical workflows, we upgrade production, and provide hypercare support post go-live.
Odoo upgrade FAFs - Frequently Arising Fears
As Odoo partners, we often hear the same fears from companies preparing for an upgrade. In reality, most of these worries are based on misconceptions rather than actual risks.
“My system will be wiped when I upgrade”
An Odoo upgrade does not erase your system; it just migrates your entire existing database and code to a newer version.
"I will lose all my data during an upgrade”
None of your data will be lost; if the upgrade is done correctly with enough testing, all your data will be safely transferred.
"The upgrade will cause downtime for my business”
With careful planning, downtime will be minimal. Most of the work (database migration, code adjustments, testing) happens in a staging environment before the switchover.
The actual cutover can often be scheduled outside working hours to avoid disruption.
"Upgrading my Odoo will cost a lot of money”
Your costs will be lower if you upgrade your Odoo every year than if you delay updating. By putting it off, you’re creating added technical complications as you’ll have to jump between various versions.
On top of that, legacy versions cost more to maintain, support, and migrate from.
“My custom modules and integrations will stop working after the upgrade”
Custom code, third-party modules, and system integrations will likely need adjustments when moving to a new Odoo version. This is expected, and usually, it is where the most work is needed.
As part of the upgrade, the code of each module and customisation should be reviewed, cleaned, and tested in a staging environment.
This will ensure that your processes continue running without disruption after migration, from custom workflows to integrations or Odoo modules.
Ready to upgrade your Odoo?
You don’t need to wait for Odoo 19. Reach out to our experts and plan your Odoo upgrade strategy now.