Open Mercato — who it's for, when NOT to use it, and how it differs from other ERPs
An open-source framework for building CRM/ERP systems and operational panels. 80% of the system is ready from day one — we add the 20% that gives you your edge. We tell you honestly who benefits and when you're better off choosing something else.
What is Open Mercato?
Open Mercato is an open-source framework for building CRMs, ERPs, customer portals, and operational applications. Instead of starting from an empty folder, you get ready-made foundations: authentication, roles and permissions, multi-tenancy, catalog, orders, workflow, audit, and a built-in AI assistant. You extend it through overlays, not forks — so core updates don't break your changes.
More from us: What is Open Mercato · What is multi-tenancy · Case study: sewing workshop
Who is Open Mercato for?
We don't sell a template. We tailor the system to how your company and industry actually work.
Wholesale and B2B distribution
A B2B ordering portal, per-customer custom pricing, and automatic transfer of orders and invoices into your accounting.
Manufacturing and workshops
Production orders, schedules, “what stage is this order at” statuses, and stock levels all in one place.
B2B e-commerce and omnichannel
A product configurator, customer self-service, and integration with Allegro, BaseLinker, and your store — one operational panel.
SMBs and family businesses
Moving out of Excel and knowledge kept “in people's heads” into a real system — without your own IT department and without per-user fees.
Companies that want ownership and control
Your code and data stay with you, MIT license, no vendor lock-in. For those escaping rental models and the low-code ceiling.
Teams betting on AI
AI wired into your company's data from day one — an assistant, reports, agents, and Hermes on Telegram, not a chatbot bolted on the side.
Open Mercato is a fit when:
- You have unusual processes that off-the-shelf SaaS won't bend to.
- The per-user model hurts — you pay per head, not for value.
- You want ownership of your code and data, and the freedom to develop it with anyone.
- You need AI that genuinely operates on company data, not a window to chat with.
- You have an implementation partner (e.g. flowbiz) to build and maintain it.
When NOT to choose Open Mercato?
We say it plainly — because a good fit matters more than a sale. In these situations we honestly advise against Open Mercato:
A standard process that off-the-shelf SaaS covers
If your workflow is typical, subscription SaaS is often cheaper and available instantly — with no implementation.
A very small team or no budget for implementation
With 1–2 people and zero upfront budget, a monthly subscription for a ready-made tool is a lower barrier to entry.
You need “boxed”, certified accounting from scratch
Comarch and Optima offer ready-made, certified accounting and payroll modules with fiscal support from day zero. We more often integrate with them than replace them.
You don't want anyone maintaining the system
Open source is your property, but it needs care (updates, hosting). If you don't want a partner or anyone technical — SaaS takes that off your plate.
You need it live “yesterday”, with no configuration
Sign up and go in 10 minutes? That's the domain of off-the-shelf SaaS. A system tailored to your process takes weeks, not minutes.
Not sure which side you're on? Book a free consultation — we'll tell you honestly.
Open Mercato vs. other approaches to ERP/CRM
No solution wins at everything. Here's an honest comparison across the dimensions that matter most.
| Open Mercato (with flowbiz) | Off-the-shelf SaaS (e.g. Salesforce) | Boxed ERP (e.g. Comarch) | Low-code (e.g. Retool) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ownership of code and data | Yours (MIT) | The vendor's | The vendor's | The platform's |
| Per-user fees | No | Yes | Usually yes | Usually yes |
| Process fit | Full — built for you | Limited by configuration | Limited | Broad, but within platform limits |
| AI built into your data | From day 1 + Hermes | Add-ons/modules | Limited | Depends on integration |
| Vendor lock-in | None | High | High | Platform-level |
| Time to launch | Weeks (implementation) | Days–weeks | Weeks–months | Days |
| Cost model | Implementation + support | Per-user subscription | Licenses + implementation | Subscription + limits |
| Hosting / GDPR | EU / on your side | Depends on the vendor | Depends on the edition | Depends on the platform |
| Develop it with anyone | Yes | No | Limited | Limited |
Product names are used for illustration only, as representatives of their category. The real fit depends on your processes.
How much does Open Mercato cost? (TCO)
The key difference is the cost model. With off-the-shelf SaaS you pay per user, every month, forever — with 20 people, licenses can exceed PLN 30,000 a year. With Open Mercato you pay for the implementation (one-off) and optional support — not per head.
The effect: the bigger the team and the longer the horizon, the more favorable Open Mercato's TCO becomes. On top of that, the code is yours — you don't lose it when you change providers.
See packages and price rangesCost model
For the implementation + optional support. No per-user fees, no rental.
A subscription per user, growing with your team — forever.
Migration: from Excel, Subiekt, and Optima
Data migration is part of every implementation. We move data from Excel, Subiekt, Optima, Salesforce, HubSpot — essentially anything you can export it from. Before the migration we show you a sample to check, and your old system keeps running until the switch — with no downtime and no leap in the dark.
- A data sample to verify before the full migration
- The old system runs in parallel until launch day
- Field mapping and data cleanup along the way
- Integrations with accounting, warehouse, Allegro, and BaseLinker
Open Mercato + AI: this is not a chatbot
AI is wired into your company's data from day one — an assistant, report generation, data classification. On this foundation we build AI agents and Hermes — the “company brain” on Telegram that knows your processes and takes action after your OK.
AI assistant from day 1
Questions in natural language, reports, and summaries straight from your system's data.
AI agents
Digital employees wired into your processes — quotes, statuses, reminders; you approve the decisions.
Hermes on Telegram
You chat as with a person; Open Mercato works underneath as the engine.
See Hermes in action on the home page.
Security, GDPR, and open code
MIT license — your code
Full access to the code. You can host it yourself, commission an audit, or develop it with anyone.
No vendor lock-in
When we part ways — everything that works stays with you. You pay for the implementation, not rental.
EU hosting, GDPR compliance
Data encrypted in transit and at rest, hosting in the EU, no hidden transfers outside the EU.
Your own security audit
You have the code, so you can commission an independent audit — nothing is a closed black box.
Source code and MIT license: github.com/open-mercato/open-mercato · openmercato.com
Frequently asked questions about Open Mercato
Is Open Mercato free?+
The framework itself is open-source under the MIT license — no license fees and no per-user fees. You pay for the implementation (configuration, integrations, migration, training) and optional support, not for rental.
Will it replace Comarch or Optima?+
Not always — and not by force. Certified accounting is often cheaper to integrate than to replace. Open Mercato shines in the operational layer: orders, CRM, manufacturing, B2B portals, AI — and it connects to your accounting.
Do I need my own developers?+
No. We handle the whole thing end to end: configuration, integrations, hosting, and training. If you have an IT person — we're happy to collaborate and share knowledge, because the code is yours.
Is the data secure and GDPR-compliant?+
Yes. EU hosting, data encryption, full GDPR compliance. You have access to the code, so you can commission your own security audit.
How long does implementation take?+
A simple system for a small team is usually 4–8 weeks; a full implementation with integrations takes up to about 14 weeks. We start with an affordable diagnostic workshop and a fixed-price quote.
Will you integrate my current tools?+
Yes — Allegro, BaseLinker, accounting, warehouse, store, and more. We replace only what genuinely slows you down; the rest we connect. We match the solution to the problem, not the other way around.
Let's check whether Open Mercato is right for you
15 minutes of honest conversation — we'll tell you if it's worth it, and if not, we'll point you to a better path. No fluff.