Migrating from Ciel to Dolibarr
From a legacy small business desktop software to a modern and extensible web ERP. We support very small companies that want to modernize their management without losing their history.
Why consider leaving Ciel?
Ciel (now part of the Sage group) has been widely deployed in French small businesses since the 1990s. Simple and inexpensive, it reaches its limits as soon as a company wants to share its tool between several workstations, access its data remotely, or connect its management to other tools.
Single-user by default, multi-user paid and complex
Ciel is historically a single-user desktop software. Multi-user requires a specific license, network configuration and concurrent access constraints that are not natural for a small team that simply wants to work together.
No web access
Ciel is installed on one or more Windows PCs. Consulting quotes, validating an invoice or tracking a customer from outside the office (remote work, travel, smartphone) is not native. It requires remote desktop solutions that are not ergonomic.
Silos between Ciel Accounting, Ciel Sales and other products
Like EBP, Ciel comes in several software products (Accounting, Sales Management, Payroll) that are historically separate. Bridges exist but double entry or manual exports are still frequent.
No open API
Connecting Ciel to an e-commerce site, a POS or an external CRM is difficult. There is no public REST API and exchanges go through manual flat-file imports and exports, a source of errors.
Limited evolutions
The Ciel product does not evolve as fast as modern alternatives. Some expected features (e-invoicing, electronic signature on quotes, customer portal) are unavailable or reserved for higher editions.
What you gain by moving to Dolibarr
For a small business that has been using Ciel for years, moving to Dolibarr represents a generational leap: from an installed software to a unified and evolutive web ERP.
Native multi-user
Dolibarr is designed from the start to be used by several people simultaneously, with fine-grained per-user rights. Adding a new collaborator takes two minutes.
Access from anywhere
As long as you have an internet connection, you access your ERP from the office, home, a customer site or from a smartphone. The interface is responsive and mobile-friendly.
All in a single tool
Quotes, invoices, payments, inventory, accounting, CRM, projects: everything in the same database. No more transfers between Ciel Accounting and Ciel Sales, no more re-entering.
Integrated e-invoicing
Dolibarr has the modules to generate Factur-X invoices and transmit them via Chorus Pro. As France progressively imposes e-invoicing on SMEs, this is a future-proof guarantee.
Scales with your growth
If your small business grows into a full SME, Dolibarr follows. Industry modules (multi-warehouse inventory, analytical accounting, projects, time tracking) activate as needed, without changing tools.
Ciel vs Dolibarr: fact-based comparison
Comparison based on publicly available information as of April 10, 2026. Features vary by Ciel edition (Accounting, Simple Sales Management, Premium).
| Feature | Ciel | Dolibarr |
|---|---|---|
| License type | Proprietary | Open source (GPLv3+) |
| Deployment | Installed on Windows | Self-hosted or cloud web |
| Multi-user | Specific multi-station edition | Native, unlimited |
| Mobile / web access | No (remote desktop) | Yes (native responsive) |
| Architecture | Separate products (Accounting, Sales) | Unified ERP |
| E-invoicing | Varies by version | Factur-X + Chorus Pro module |
| REST API | No | Yes, complete |
| Entry cost | Low license + options | Hosting + integration |
| CRM | Limited | Native |
| Inventory | Basic | Advanced (multi-warehouse possible) |
| Future evolutions | Depends on vendor | Community + independent integrators |
| Backup | Local file to manage | Automatable SQL dump |
How your migration from Ciel works
Migrating from Ciel is often an opportunity for a small business to rethink its processes. We take the time to support this change with a methodology suited to small structures.
1. Audit of your Ciel installation
3 to 5 daysWe identify which Ciel modules are used, which data files exist, how the current backup works, and which business processes are truly critical. For a small business, this phase is short (a few days).
2. Dolibarr setup
3 to 5 daysInstallation of a Dolibarr instance, preferably on Dolicraft managed hosting to simplify life for the small business. Configuration of the necessary modules (sales, accounting, basic CRM).
3. Ciel data transfer
1 to 2 weeksExport from Ciel (customers, suppliers, items, invoices, accounting entries via FEC), transformation and import into Dolibarr. For a small business, the data volume is generally modest and the transfer is fast.
4. Owner and team training
1 to 2 daysPersonalized training with end users (often the owner, an assistant and the accountant). We come on-site or do it remotely depending on your preference.
5. Soft go-live and hotline
Close supportWe recommend switching at the beginning of a month after a clean accounting close. During the first 4 weeks, we provide a responsive hotline for your daily questions.
Frequently asked questions
Ready to modernize your small business?
A 30-minute first exchange to understand your current Ciel usage, and we tell you whether Dolibarr is suited to your situation.
Request a free auditCiel and associated trademarks are the property of their respective owners. The comparisons shown on this page are based on publicly available information as of April 10, 2026 and may no longer reflect the current state of the referenced products. For the most up-to-date information, please refer to the vendors' official websites. This page is informational and does not constitute legal advice or an exhaustive comparison.