15 Best Open Source PLM Software Solutions for 2024

Manufacturers rely on digital tools to turn ideas into products that customers can use for specific purposes. PLM software is used by manufacturers to manage the entire lifecycle of a product, from inception, engineering, design and manufacturing, and eventually to service and disposal. While most major PLM platforms are proprietary, there are also open source PLM software solutions that assist enterprises in managing the product lifespan.

This article presents a list of the best open source PLM software solutions that deliver speed, flexibility, and agility to manufacturers. We highlight the unique functionalities of each software, as well as the specific features that make them stand out from other PLM tools. Where available, pricing plans are also provided. The information included in this guide is for your reference so you can confidently choose the best platform for your operations.

Digital technologies have been changing the PLM landscape, as evidenced by the latest technology statistics. Supply chain challenges and the growing cost of energy, for instance, are requiring manufacturers to take a long hard look at their current PLM platforms. Business systems and processes are being assessed on how they deliver value to the organization. Globally, companies are united in recognizing that there is a need for a new PLM strategy.

Product life management software connects business processes to decision-making data. Aside from enhancing operational efficiency, this facilitates better decision-making. One significant technological advancement in the field of PLM is the digital twin, which combines and builds upon existing engineering data. At the core of this technology is connectivity, or the ability of various tools and platforms to communicate and establish solid linkages.

The digitalization of products by Industry 4.0 reduces production costs while improving product quality ad scalability. PLM software accelerates product introduction by streamlining approval and review time, which not only benefits manufacturers but also customers. Companies that use PLM systems spend 7% less time on nonproductive data management tasks and reduce product development costs by 16%.

How can open source PLM software benefit small businesses?

Open source PLM software can offer significant advantages for small businesses looking to manage product lifecycles effectively without incurring the high costs typically associated with proprietary software. By leveraging open-source solutions, small businesses can access essential PLM tools tailored to their unique needs while staying within budget.

• Cost-Effective Entry into PLM: Open-source PLM solutions often require little to no initial investment, allowing small businesses to begin with core functionalities and expand as needed. Unlike proprietary software, open-source platforms typically have low licensing fees or are entirely free, making them budget-friendly.
• Flexibility and Customization: Open-source software is highly customizable, allowing small businesses to adjust features and interfaces to match their specific product management needs. This flexibility can be especially beneficial for small enterprises with unique product workflows or niche requirements.
• Community Support and Continuous Improvement: Many open-source PLM platforms are supported by active communities that contribute to updates, troubleshooting, and new feature development. Small businesses benefit from community insights and resources that help resolve issues and improve functionality.
• Integration with Existing Systems: Open-source PLM solutions can integrate seamlessly with existing enterprise systems, including CRM, ERP, and accounting software, ensuring smooth data flow and reducing the need for separate data management tools.
• Scalable Solutions: As a small business grows, open-source PLM solutions can scale accordingly, adding features or integrations as operations expand. This scalability allows small businesses to start with the essentials and incrementally build more complex workflows.
• Enhanced Data Security: Many open-source PLM tools prioritize security, offering users control over data storage, sharing, and access permissions. This can be advantageous for small businesses seeking to protect intellectual property and ensure data confidentiality.
• Reduced Vendor Dependency: Open-source solutions reduce dependency on vendors for software support and updates. Small businesses can access the code directly, allowing in-house teams to address issues or work with community resources for solutions.

The following list of the best open source PLM will provide you with possible alternatives to your current proprietary PLM software. Discover the advantages of using an accessible platform that allows you to employ multiple ways in solving system problems.

Leading Open Source PLM Software Solutions

1. Odoo

Odoo PLM is an open source product lifecycle management software designed specifically for managing Bill of Material (BoM) changes and monitoring product lifecycles using Engineering Change Orders (ECO). The Odoo PLM module addresses the particular challenge of organizing product manufacturing data. Using this PLM platform, you can share data across departments.

Odoo PLM is useful for analyzing costing and workload planning, which results in sustained product quality. The real-time discussions and simple approval workflows on product details and bill of materials (BOM) facilitate the efficient conduct of engineering improvements. Third-party developers can create their own apps, and all apps in the Community library integrate with Office 365, Woo Commerce, and Magento.

Price Range: Free

What is unique about Odoo?

1. Integrated document management. For managing drawings, worksheets, and quality documents, the work center control panel passes information to manufacturing using triggered alerts. Easily manage multiple document versions with a smart versioning feature.
2. Real-time management of changes. The enterprise social network facilitates efficient communication across teams. Approvals, discussions, and documents are centralized.
3. Manage multiple document versions. The smart versioning feature tracks changes across multiple versions. You can work on several versions of BoM in parallel and apply only the differences.

2. Aras Innovator

Aras Innovator is a complete end-to-end platform for product lifecycle management. It offers an adaptable platform for managing products and launching product campaigns. It allows users to customize and build applications based on business requirements. From customer requirements, engineering, manufacturing and operations, Aras Innovator provides an easy, low-code approach to PLM.

You can quickly build new applications and make unlimited customizations to meet your specific business processes. At any stage of the product lifecycle, you can deploy Aras Innovator to either replace or overlay existing technology. This software solution can be deployed on-premise, via cloud, or hybrid.

Price Range: The vendor provides a quote upon request.

What is unique about Aras Innovator?

1. Resilient platform. Unlike other platforms that lock users in a specific technology, Aras Innovator is designed to adapt to your evolving business requirements. You can easily do an upgrade anytime without altering previous customizations.
2. Full product lifecycle traceability. The digital thread feature facilitates the tracking of all digital assets from concept through design, manufacturing, quality, and service. This consistent and complete documentation process delivers insights that can help in product improvement and shorter time to market.
3. Accelerate digital transformation. Aras innovator helps teams in connecting and capturing data across the enterprise ecosystem. In this way, they are able to build resiliency and agility into the product lifecycle.

3. Siemens Teamcenter PLM

Siemens Teamcenter PLM is an adaptable and flexible product lifecycle management system that includes a digital thread and connects teams across functional silos. The Teamcenter portfolio spans the entire product lifecycle and provides tools that address the challenges encountered by teams when developing products, making it among the top alternatives to proprietary solutions like SAP PLM.

With its unmatched set of apps, Siemens Teamcenter facilitates effective collaborations with its easy and intuitive interface. It helps you innovate faster, whether you choose to deploy on-premise, on-cloud, or through SaaS. Siemens Teamcenter gives your company full control of product data and processes, including BOM management, document management, and change management.

Price Range: Pricing is provided upon request from the vendor.

What is unique about Siemens Teamcenter PLM?

1. Adaptable PLM foundation. This feature gives teams the capability to respond quickly to any market or business disruptions. By adapting PLM to your unique workflow, you can achieve fast time-to-value, lower cost of ownership, and also extend your platform with integrations.
2. Model-based systems engineering. This feature facilitates multi-domain product development, which integrates mechanical, electrical, and software, along with reliability, cost, and manufacturability. It holds the entire cross-product lifecycle together and ensures clear instructions downstream, and at every stage of the product lifecycle.
3. Mechanical design management. Siemens Teamcenter PLM organizes all CAD data in a central environment. Find parts and assemblies easily, and incorporate them into other product designs.

4. PTC Windchill PLM

PTC Windchill is an open source PLM software solution that enables manufacturers to collaborate and share data in real-time. It has an open architecture that allows easy integration with other enterprise systems. For geographically-distributed and multi-disciplinary teams, PTC Windchill provides secure and easy data access.

Through data-driven manufacturing, PTC Windchill PLM promotes quality-focused processes with dynamic data visualization. This is complemented by the product-driven digital thread that simplifies processes through accurate and consistent capture of all data. For cross-discipline configuration and management, PTC Windchill PLM provides a high degree of interoperability and optimization.

Price Range: Pricing for this open source PLM platform is quote-based.

What is unique about PTC Windchill PLM?

1. Manage data at scale. The modern architecture of PTC Windchill allows you to manage data at scale. The web architecture is designed for multi-system use.
2. Secure environment. Collaborate securely across internal and external teams. PTC Windchill is equipped with IP-based and platform-based protections.
3. Upgrade without disruptions. The streamlined upgrades of PTC Windchill work in the background by upgrading data in place. This reduces user disruption through time-saving automation.

5. OpenBOM

OpenBOM is a network-based platform that manages product data throughout the entire product lifespan. It is a global collaborative platform for production planning that links manufacturers to their contractors, suppliers, and customers. OpenBOM brings all information to a single platform and integrates with your existing tools.

OpenBOM supports procurement, RFQ processes, and contract manufacturing by providing fully integrated production planning and purchasing management. It supports a wide range of integrations,including PDM, PLM, and CAD, along with cloud file storage systems. You can also build your own integrations using OpenBOM Public REST API.

Price Range: Pricing for OpenBOM starts at $55/month/user with unlimited data storage and unlimited file attachments. A free plan is available for one user, plus you can also avail of a 14-day free trial.

What is unique about OpenBOM?

1. Powerful cloud-based platform. This multi-tenant platform has a flexible and adaptable architecture. It readily integrates with the apps and tools that you use for product lifecycle management and helps you bring all information together in a central platform.
2. Simultaneous data sharing and editing. OpenBOM allows co-located, fully remote, or distributed teams to conduct both real-time and asynchronous collaboration. Work within the team or across multiple companies as you share and edit data simultaneously.
3. Flexible data model. Build any data structure using fully customizable and predefined attributes. The data objects of OpenBOM are flexible and generic and can hold different information sets.

6. OpenPLM

OpenPLM is a product-oriented PLM open source software that unifies all development activities and organizes data around each product. With its user-friendly interface, OpenPLM helps all the teams involved in product development in managing technical data, including CAD, ECAD, short code, FEA, and BOM.

This platform offers tools for parts management and document management. You can select the type of data that will be displayed as you browse the OpenPLM platform, and even choose how data is sorted using filters. OpenPLM is highly customizable and uses proven open source software such as Apache and PostgreSQL.

Price Range: Free

What is unique about OpenPLM?

1. Highly customizable. All types under Part and Document categories can be adapted based on the specific requirements of development teams. Even the attributes of each type can be modified.
2. Efficient parts management. OpenPLM helps you organize products by linking parts and the corresponding documentation for each part. It also facilitates the automatic generation of parts structure based on ISO 10303 Standard for the Exchange of Product Model Data (STEP) standards.
3. Seamless document management. Safeguard document history and modify document attributes and rights delegation. Create documents using forms or CSV files.

7. DocDokuPLM

DocDokuPLM is an open source product lifecycle management solution that offers collaborative tools for document management, process management, and data visualization. It also covers managing product structure and configuration. DocDokuPLM allows you to use your browser to explore your product structures together with your colleagues for real-time collaboration.

This open source platform for the management of product lifecycle has a programmable web socket backbone that supports the user-to-user communication architecture. Users are also provided with collaborative features such as additional information about every collaborator, including how to reach out through email, chat, or video conference.

Price Range: Free

What is unique about DocDokuPLM?

1. Built for collaboration. This platform offers collaborative features that let users share product information and work on projects online. The data visualization feature is used for easier exploration of product structures.
2. Digital mock-up review. You can set up working sessions and let every collaborator manipulate the product representation. This is made possible by the user-to-user communication architecture.
3. Multiple integration options. This platform uses a comprehensive set of command line interfaces (CLI), which effectively facilitates data loading. It also regularly checks information and status of auto-scaling infrastructure

8. beCPG

beCPG is a comprehensive and accessible PLM software open source solution designed for the food and beverage, cosmetics, and personal care industries. It provides quick and easy access to data, and at the same time simplifies tasks during product development.

beCPG is built on robust and interoperable open source technologies that integrate seamlessly with your existing system. This modern platform is based on Alfresco, which is a complete open source alternative for enterprise content management. beCPG automates the repetitive tasks involved in the management of the product lifecycle to increase efficiency.

Price Range: This vendor provides pricing upon request. It also offers a free trial for 30 days.

What is unique about beCPG?

1. Configurable PLM. This open source software is highly customizable, and can also be used out of the box. It can adapt to your unique business processes in cosmetics, CPG, and the food and beverage industry.
2. Simplifies product development. Easily conduct inter-department collaboration and provide access to data. beCPG improves efficiency, which in turn decreases the costs associated with product lifecycle management.
3. End-to-end platform. beCPG new product development (NPD) app covers the introduction of a new product to market, renewing an existing product, or bringing a new product to market. Manage projects and workflows including budget.

9. Flagsmith

Flagsmith is an all-in-one platform for the development, implementation, and management of feature flags. It promotes efficiency by using feature flags to safely release features and conduct A/B testing to test new features. Flagsmith makes it easy to deploy new features through remote configuration.

Customize the values of your features with Flagsmith and deploy visual and functional changes to your users without pushing out any updates or changing any code. Decouple feature deployment and release using Flagsmith feature flags and release features at your own pace.

Price Range: Pricing for the Standard Plan is $45/month for a maximum of three users. A freemium plan is also available for 1 team member.

What is unique about Flagsmith?

1. Allows for remote configuration. This flexible feature of Flagsmith makes it easier to test and deploy new features. All flags are capable of being configured remotely, which means that you can customize values for your features, as well as deploy functional and visual changes.
2. Flag analytics. Understand how your features are performing by using the Flagsmith flag analytics tool. Manage and monitor the performance of your feature flags across web, mobile, and server-side applications.
3. Secure environment. All the changes made are recorded in the audit log. Information on who made the changes, and when, are documented for efficient tracking.

10. Unleash

Unleash is a feature management platform that lets developers drive innovation with simplicity, privacy, and flexibility. It lets teams focus on building, testing, and releasing better software by automating processes and eliminating stressful tasks by mitigating risks. As a result, developers are more secure and self-assured in performing their tasks.

The Unleash platform runs canary tests and progressively delivers features. Every rollout is gradually released to populations for initial testing. In doing so, potential problems are identified early on and teams are able to avoid unforeseen issues. New feature rollout using Unleash can be based on tenant ID, geographical region, operating system, or any attribute.

Price Range: Pricing for Unleash Pro starts at $80/month, while the basic feature management solution hosted by the user is free. Unleash also offers a 14-day free trial.

What is unique about Unleash?

1. Safer feature release. Build, test, and release better software by mitigating risk. Unleash helps developers in managing software development.
2. Targeted release. You can decide which users will get to use your new features first. Choose any sub-segment and eliminate deployment pain by updating segments dynamically.
3. Gradual rollout. Confidently test and try out new features. Conduct safer rollouts by enabling new features to target populations and identify potential issues.

11. Quip

Quip is a unified online workspace and collaboration tool inside Salesforce. It combines documents, spreadsheets, and chat into one place to enable teams to have a single thread of work communication. Within one platform, Quip streamlines workflows by enabling team chat in every document and spreadsheet.

Quip secures productivity within the product lifecycle management process by delivering modern collaboration across any device in a secure platform. Team chat rooms and messaging tools break down information silos and ensure the continuous flow of information across the enterprise.

Price Range: Billed annually, pricing starts at $10/user/month for the Quip Starter plan.

What is unique about Quip?

1. Supports real-time collaboration. This platform allows for the simultaneous editing of mobile cloud documents, slides, and spreadsheets. Real-time chat functionality is also integrated into the Quip app.
2. Scalable platform. Quip offers unlimited documents, folders, and messages. These are stored securely and can be accessed anytime by your teams.
3. Provides access control. Protect your company’s intellectual property by setting specific security controls and granular sharing permissions. Quip also includes a robust API that can help you customize access based on your unique workflows.

12. Apache OFBiz

Apache OFBiz is a suite of business applications that provides enterprises with tools that integrate and automate business processes. This developer-friendly platform uses a common architecture that allows developers to quickly extend and enhance the framework with custom features.

The powerful Java Web framework of Apache OFBiz includes a service engine, an entity engine, and a widget-based UI that facilitates the quick development and prototyping of web applications. This reliable and scalable enterprise solution helps in product lifecycle management by providing a fully customizable platform.

Price Range: Free

What is unique about Apache OFBiz?

1. Core out-of-the-box modules. The core modules include tools for manufacturing and MRP, warehousing and inventory, CRM, ecommerce, order management, and accounting.
2. Product management. This platform offers tools for managing unlimited categories and handling a range of products. Raw material procurement, bill of materials, job shop, manufacturing routing, and tasks, are among the manufacturing module tools.
3. Ready-to-use software. The flexibility of this platform allows companies to embed industry-specific features into the PLM platform. The architecture is modular and can be configured based on your unique product lifecycle management processes.

13. Oracle Agile PLM

Oracle Agile PLM is an open source product lifecycle management platform that helps in the rapid design and launch of new products by providing a suite of solutions for agile product collaboration, recipe and material workspace, quality management, and product governance and compliance. It also covers product cost management and portfolio management.

By structuring and standardizing data and processes involved in the innovation, development, and commercialization of products and services, Oracle Agile PLM accelerates innovation and new product introduction. The tools of this PLM platform ensure that the product design meets all the requirements identified by the product development teams.

Price Range: Pricing packages are provided upon request from the vendor.

What is unique about Oracle Agile PLM?

1. Enterprise-class capabilities. This software empowers smarter innovation by streamlining and optimizing processes. Workflow is optimized with embedded analytics and connected IoT.
2. Efficient product development. Oracle Agile PLM accelerates the process of product development through the management of approved manufacturer list (AML), bill of materials (BoM), and supplier collaboration. At the same time, the platform ensures that the design meets all the requirements specified for the product.
3. Establish product master data. Facilitate rapid commercialization by establishing master product data for manufacturing. You can also publish this data for globalized manufacturing and omnichannel commerce.

14. Arena PLM

Arena PLM software is a powerful tool that brings together people, product information, and processes in a central platform to fast-track product design and development. It empowers companies to release products faster by automating design reviews, facilitating real-time collaboration, and ensuring regulatory compliance.

The PLM and quality management systems of Arena PLM help product and engineering teams integrate software, electrical and mechanical components to create sophisticated products. It ensures interoperability and design manufacturability so teams can deliver products that deliver more value at the right cost.

Price Range: Arena PLM Launch and Arena PLM Scale pricing is available upon request from the vendor.

What is unique about Arena PLM?

1. Product data control. All products have their own unique set of records, including BOMs, AML, SOPs, documentation, and packaging. This single, unified data repository of complete product records ensures visibility and traceability.
2. Document management. Keep tabs on all engineering processes, change processes, and compliance management. Arena PLM makes it easy for you to trace engineering changes across the various teams involved in PLM.
3. Issue management. For all aspects of product lifecycle management—software, hardware, electrical, and firmware —you can perform end-to-end defect and issue management. Check all these data against quality process actions and product records.

15. WFX Web PLM

WFX Web PLM is an end-to-end product lifecycle management software solution built for fashion teams. It is a digital platform that manages digital assets by providing a centralized and searchable product data repository. From concept to production, WFX Web PLM covers the entire product lifecycle.

This platform, which comes with a mobile app and production analytics tool provides a full view of product data across all functional departments. The user interface of WFX is designed by leading UI and UX experts to cater to the specific requirements of the modern business user and is built on the latest technology for unmatched performance.

Price Range: The pricing for WFX is quote-based. You may contact the vendor to request a quote.

What is unique about WFX Web PLM?

1. Centralized digital documents. All digital documents, including Adobe Illustrator files can be accessed as teams collaborate. You can build and manage a library of prints, images, artwork, and graphics for future use.
2. Accessible product data. Product information is easy to search in Techpacks. Check for product and material attributes, bill of materials (BOM), images, graded measurements, and other information in one click.
3. Built on the latest technology. The WFX Web PLM platform allows you to fast-track product development. Instant access to product information enables teams to collaborate and work faster.

Choosing Open Source PLM Software

Having a PLM is essential, especially for managing complex products. It delivers a competitive advantage, and when utilized properly, it has the ability to boost your overall business revenue and performance. Plus, SaaS statistics have shown time and time again how important software solutions are in helping businesses stay on top of the competition. However, as there is no one-size solution, it may be time to consider more flexible options. This is where open source PLM platforms come in handy.

Open source software is a good investment as it allows you to start small and migrate to commercially supported solutions. It is generally more cost-effective, and it gives you the ability to get started quickly and inexpensively.

The best open source PLM based on our review is Odoo as it allows enterprises to build systems right away, and add more modules as needed. With its accessible source code, Odoo is one of the most flexible PLM platforms that any type of company in any industry can use. The first module that you choose is free, and you can build an end-to-end platform by adding more modules for a minimal fee.

Key Insights

• Odoo: Best open source PLM software due to its real-time document management, traceability of product changes, and integration with third-party apps.
• Aras Innovator: Known for its adaptable platform, full product lifecycle traceability, and support for digital transformation.
• Siemens Teamcenter PLM: Features an adaptable PLM foundation, model-based systems engineering, and comprehensive mechanical design management.
• PTC Windchill PLM: Offers data management at scale, secure collaboration, and non-disruptive upgrades.
• OpenBOM: Network-based platform for product data management with robust integrations and real-time collaboration.
• OpenPLM: Highly customizable with efficient parts and document management, ideal for unifying development activities.
• DocDokuPLM: Collaboration-centric with digital mock-up review and multiple integration options.
• beCPG: Tailored for the food, beverage, cosmetics, and personal care industries, providing configurable PLM and end-to-end platform capabilities.
• Flagsmith: Focuses on feature flag management, remote configuration, and secure environment for feature deployment.
• Unleash: Facilitates safer feature releases, targeted deployment, and gradual rollouts for new features.
• Quip: Integrated with Salesforce, supports real-time collaboration, scalable platform, and secure access control.
• Apache OFBiz: Developer-friendly with core out-of-the-box modules for various business processes.
• Oracle Agile PLM: Provides enterprise-class capabilities, efficient product development, and rapid commercialization support.
• Arena PLM: Centralizes product data control, document management, and issue management across the product lifecycle.
• WFX Web PLM: Designed for fashion teams, offers centralized digital documents, accessible product data, and advanced technology for fast-tracking development.

FAQ

1. What is PLM software? PLM (Product Lifecycle Management) software is a tool used by manufacturers to manage the entire lifecycle of a product, from inception through design, engineering, manufacturing, and disposal. It enhances operational efficiency and facilitates better decision-making by connecting business processes to decision-making data.
2. Why choose open source PLM software? Open source PLM software is generally more cost-effective and flexible compared to proprietary solutions. It allows businesses to start small, scale as needed, and customize the platform to fit specific needs without significant upfront costs.
3. What makes Odoo the best open source PLM software? Odoo is considered the best due to its real-time document management capabilities, efficient communication across teams, smart versioning for handling multiple document versions, and seamless integration with third-party applications.
4. Can open source PLM software integrate with existing enterprise systems? Yes, many open source PLM solutions like Aras Innovator, PTC Windchill, and OpenBOM are designed to integrate with existing enterprise systems, ensuring that all product data and processes are connected and easily accessible.
5. What industries benefit most from beCPG PLM software? beCPG is tailored for the food and beverage, cosmetics, and personal care industries, providing tools to manage product development, streamline inter-department collaboration, and reduce costs associated with the product lifecycle.
6. How does Siemens Teamcenter PLM support product development? Siemens Teamcenter PLM supports product development through its adaptable PLM foundation, model-based systems engineering for multi-domain product development, and centralized management of CAD data for easy access and reuse in product designs.
7. What unique features does DocDokuPLM offer for collaboration? DocDokuPLM offers collaborative features like real-time document sharing, digital mock-up reviews, and a user-to-user communication architecture that supports efficient team collaboration and project management.
8. Is there a free open source PLM software? Yes, several open source PLM software solutions like Odoo, OpenPLM, and Apache OFBiz offer free versions that provide essential PLM functionalities without any cost.

By Louie Andre

B2B & SaaS market analyst and senior writer for FinancesOnline. He is most interested in project management solutions, believing all businesses are a work in progress. From pitch deck to exit strategy, he is no stranger to project business hiccups and essentials. He has been involved in a few internet startups including a digital route planner for a triple A affiliate. His advice to vendors and users alike? "Think of benefits, not features."