Free PLM Software
A PLM (Product Lifecycle Management) software solution centralizes all the data and processes related to a product: design, BOMs, changes, quality, maintenance.For an industrial company, having a single source of truth helps improve collaboration, reduce errors, and shorten the time-to-market (the time between product design and market launch).
Yet in many cases, implementing a PLM solution is costly and complex.The rise of free, open-source or freemium offerings is changing the game: launching a pilot project becomes possible without a large upfront investment.
But then, what are these free PLM software solutions? Let’s find out.
Why consider free PLM software?
Choosing a free PLM is obviously tempting. The cost savings are particularly appealing to SME R&D teams or early-stage startups, which often lack the budget for a premium solution.
A free PLM software allows these teams to test the approach, structure their data, and demonstrate value before committing larger resources as the business grows.
Odoo – An open-source PLM module within the Odoo ecosystem
Odoo is known as a modular open-source ERP suite. Its PLM module, included in the Community Edition, enables version control, multi-level BOMs, and engineering change requests.
Odoo is therefore a complete PLM alternative in its free version. However, to access the rest of the Odoo suite, a paid subscription is required.It’s worth noting that integration with purchasing, maintenance, and quality modules ensures robust digital continuity.
Its Python-based code is accessible and customizable, and hosting can be done on private cloud or on-premise.
In practice, an SME can launch a PLM pilot by reusing its existing Odoo infrastructure—with no additional license costs.
OpenBOM – Free BOM management for non-commercial projects
OpenBOM is a cloud-based platform focused on bill of materials and technical data sharing across the supply chain.
The publisher offers two free options: a 14-day full-featured trial, and a Non-Commercial license for personal, academic, or hobby projects.
This unlimited license for non-business use provides a great environment to learn, structure complex BOMs, and test the API.
However, as soon as the use becomes commercial, a paid subscription is required to go further.
Limitations of free PLM offerings
Accessibility doesn’t always mean completeness.
Key features needed for large-scale deployment are typically locked behind premium versions.
That’s not surprising—while free PLM tools may seem ideal for many professionals, integrating such systems into the core infrastructure of an industrial company requires customization.Scalability can also be a concern when datasets grow beyond tens of thousands of references.
Lastly, most free PLM tools don’t come with support, meaning your team bears full responsibility for bug fixes and technical issues.So yes, free PLM software exists, but with clear limitations.
This is where modern and more accessible PLM platforms come in—like Aletiq.
Designed natively for the cloud, Aletiq combines an intuitive interface with the functional depth required for industrial deployment.Before choosing a solution, you’ll need to clarify your company's goals:
Is it a simple proof of concept, or are you aiming for full lifecycle coverage?
Does your team have the internal skills to maintain open-source code?
Does your sector require quality certifications?
How much data volume will you handle in three years?
Will your PLM need to integrate with ERP, MES, and multiple CAD tools?
Answering these questions will guide your decision: start with a free solution, or move directly to a paid tool tailored to your needs.
While free PLM tools can be a great first step to structure your product data and prove the value of a shared reference system, a professional PLM will help you take it to the next level.
Considering a paid solution? Check out our article on the top PLM software vendors.
