Blik vs Odoo HR: An Honest Comparison

Both platforms are open source. But one forces you to buy an entire ERP just to do HR, comes "full of bugs," has a "steep learning curve," and offers "zero accountability." The other does one thing brilliantly: 360° feedback. No bloat, no bugs, no technical debt.

At a Glance

The critical differences between Blik and Odoo HR

Feature Blik Odoo HR
System Scope 360° feedback only
Does one thing brilliantly
Full ERP suite
Buy 50 modules to use HR
Setup Complexity 5 minutes (docker compose up)
Ready immediately
"Requires technical knowledge"
Hours to days configuration
Software Quality Purpose-built, tested
Focused codebase
"Full of bugs"
"Even the standard HR module"
Learning Curve < 1 hour onboarding
Intuitive single-purpose tool
"Steep learning curve"
"Many options" creates confusion
Version Upgrades Smooth updates
Minimal breaking changes
"Customizations break on upgrade"
"Additional effort" required
Customer Support Direct support
Responsive team
"Zero accountability"
"Ignored our complaints"
Integration Complexity REST API, clean
Works with existing tools
"Integration issues"
"Requires additional development"
Performance Lightweight, fast
< 1GB RAM typical
"Performance slowdowns"
"Large data volumes" cause issues
Error Messages Clear, actionable
User-friendly feedback
"Confusing Python errors"
Technical messages for users
Open Source Model AGPLv3, fully open
All features included
LGPLv3 + Proprietary
Enterprise features paywalled

The Complexity Problem

Odoo's all-in-one approach creates systemic problems: bugs accumulate, upgrades break customizations, and Python errors confuse end users.

Real Odoo User Experiences

"Even the standard HR module was full of bugs."

— Verified User

"Lack of expertise, zero accountability, and no customer support. Every promised deadline was missed, and they completely ignored our complaints."

— User Review

"When we want to upgrade Odoo to a new version, previous customizations may not be compatible, causing additional effort."

— Enterprise User

Blik: Focused Excellence

  • Single purpose: 360° feedback only
  • Clean codebase: No legacy baggage
  • Tested thoroughly: Purpose-built quality
  • Fast performance: Lightweight by design
  • Simple updates: No breaking customizations

Blik: Easy to Use

  • 5-minute setup: Docker compose up
  • Quick onboarding: < 1 hour training
  • Clear interface: No confusion
  • Helpful errors: User-friendly messages
  • Direct support: Responsive team

One tool, one purpose, done right.

Odoo: ERP Complexity

  • Full of bugs: "Even the standard HR module"
  • Steep learning curve: "Many options" overwhelm
  • Complex setup: "Requires technical knowledge"
  • Upgrade pain: "Customizations break"
  • Performance issues: "Slowdowns with large data"
  • Python errors: "Confusing" for end users

"Zero accountability, no customer support"

The Scope Trade-off

If you need a full ERP—sales, inventory, accounting, HR, manufacturing—then Odoo makes sense. It's an integrated ecosystem. But if you just need performance reviews, you're signing up for enormous complexity you don't need. Blik does 360° feedback brilliantly without dragging in 50 modules, version upgrade headaches, and confusing Python error messages.

Feature-by-Feature Comparison

360° Feedback & Anonymity

Blik

  • Native core feature
  • Cryptographically anonymous
  • Multi-rater (peer, manager, self)
  • 4 research-backed questionnaires

Odoo HR

  • Enterprise-only add-on
  • Named reviews only
  • Manager-focused appraisals
  • Basic templates

Performance Analytics

Blik

  • Dreyfus skill-level mapping
  • Perception gap detection
  • Automated insights
  • People analytics dashboard

Odoo HR

  • Basic KPI dashboards
  • Manual setup required
  • No automated insights
  • Generic business intelligence

Setup & Maintenance

Blik

  • 5-minute Docker setup
  • Simple environment variables
  • Automated updates
  • Minimal resource usage (< 1GB)

Odoo HR

  • "Requires technical knowledge"
  • Complex module dependencies
  • "Customizations break on upgrade"
  • Heavy resource usage (2GB+ typical)

Source: User reviews

User Experience & Training

Blik

  • < 1 hour onboarding
  • Clean, focused interface
  • Clear error messages
  • Single-purpose simplicity

Odoo HR

  • "Steep learning curve"
  • "Many options" create confusion
  • "Confusing Python error messages"
  • Days to weeks training

Source: User reviews

API & Integration

Blik

  • REST API with full CRUD
  • Webhook events
  • Bearer token auth
  • Interactive OpenAPI docs
  • Works with existing HR tools
View API Docs

Odoo HR

  • "Integration issues with other systems"
  • "Sometimes requires additional development"
  • Self-contained ecosystem preference
  • Complex if not using Odoo stack

Source: User reviews

Customer Support

Blik

  • Direct email support
  • Responsive team
  • Open source community
  • No vendor dependency

Odoo HR

  • "Zero accountability"
  • "Completely ignored our complaints"
  • "Every promised deadline was missed"
  • "Lack of expertise"

Source: User reviews

Cost Comparison

Annual Cost (50 employees)

Blik (Managed)

€588/year

All features, unlimited users

Blik (Self-Hosted)

$0/year

Free forever, AGPLv3

Odoo Community

Free*

*But no 360° feedback included

Odoo Enterprise

$1,200+/year

Per-user licensing, add-ons extra

The Hidden Costs of Odoo

  • Setup time: Hours to days vs. 5 minutes
  • Training costs: Days-to-weeks onboarding vs. < 1 hour
  • Customization risk: "Breaks on upgrade" creates ongoing costs
  • Technical support: Often requires consultants
  • Performance overhead: Heavy resource requirements
  • Integration development: "Requires additional development"

Which Platform Is Right for You?

Choose Blik If You:

  • Want 360° feedback done right
  • Need cryptographic anonymity
  • Value quick setup (5 minutes)
  • Prefer focused tools over ERP bloat
  • Want no bugs, no complexity
  • Already have other systems (HRIS, payroll, etc.)
  • Need psychological insights (Dreyfus, perception gaps)
  • Have 30-500 employees
Try Blik

Choose Odoo If You:

  • Need a complete ERP system
  • Want sales, inventory, accounting integrated
  • Can accept steep learning curve
  • Have technical resources for setup
  • Are willing to pay for Enterprise features
  • Can tolerate "full of bugs" experience
  • Accept "customizations break on upgrade"
  • Don't need true 360° anonymous feedback
Visit Odoo

Not Sure Yet?

Blik is open source (AGPLv3). Deploy it yourself for free and never drag in 50 ERP modules you don't need, or use our managed hosting for €49/month. No credit card required to explore.

View on GitHub Learn More About Blik

No ERP Bloat. No Bugs. Just Brilliant Feedback.

Don't buy an entire ERP just to do performance reviews. Blik does one thing brilliantly: 360° feedback with cryptographic anonymity, automated insights, and zero complexity. Join organizations who value focused tools over bloated systems.

Get Started with Blik

€49/month managed hosting • Open source available on GitHub