How to Install Odoo 18

Odoo 18 is the previous stable release, still widely used in production environments. It requires Python 3.11 or 3.12, PostgreSQL 14+, and runs well on Ubuntu 22.04 or 24.04. While Odoo 19 is the latest release, many businesses continue deploying Odoo 18 for its maturity and extensive community module support. This guide covers both Docker and native installation methods.

System Requirements

Install with Docker

Docker is the fastest method. Create a docker-compose.yml:

version: '3.8'
services:
  db:
image: postgres:15
environment:
  POSTGRES_USER: odoo
  POSTGRES_PASSWORD: odoo_secret
volumes:
  - pg-data:/var/lib/postgresql/data
  odoo:
image: odoo:18
depends_on:
  - db
ports:
  - "8069:8069"
environment:
  HOST: db
  USER: odoo
  PASSWORD: odoo_secret
volumes:
  - odoo-data:/var/lib/odoo
  - ./addons:/mnt/extra-addons
volumes:
  pg-data:
  odoo-data:

docker compose up -d

Install from Source

sudo apt update && sudo apt install -y python3.11 python3.11-venv python3.11-dev \
  libxml2-dev libxslt1-dev zlib1g-dev libsasl2-dev libldap2-dev build-essential \
  libpq-dev libjpeg8-dev node-less npm git postgresql

git clone --depth 1 --branch 18.0 https://github.com/odoo/odoo.git /opt/odoo18
cd /opt/odoo18
python3.11 -m venv venv
source venv/bin/activate
pip install -r requirements.txt

Key Differences from Odoo 19

• Odoo 18 uses the older Owl 2.x frontend framework — Odoo 19 upgraded to Owl 3.x with improved reactivity
• The Knowledge base module received major improvements in Odoo 19
• Odoo 19 introduced a redesigned spreadsheet engine integrated throughout the platform
• Website builder received significant UI improvements in Odoo 19

If you are starting a new project, consider installing Odoo 19 instead to benefit from the latest features and longer support window.

Deploy with DeployMonkey

DeployMonkey supports Odoo 14 through 19. Select Odoo 18 when creating your instance and the platform handles Docker, Nginx, SSL, and automated S3 backups. This is the fastest way to get a production Odoo 18 instance running on your own server.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Odoo 18 still supported?

Yes, Odoo 18 receives security patches and bug fixes from Odoo SA. Community modules from OCA are also actively maintained for version 18.

Should I install Odoo 18 or 19?

For new projects, Odoo 19 is recommended. For existing Odoo 18 deployments, stay on 18 unless you have a specific reason to upgrade. See our upgrade guide.

Can I migrate from Odoo 18 to 19 later?

Yes. Migration requires a database upgrade using Odoo's migration tools or the OCA openupgrade project. Plan for testing in a staging environment first.