TL;DR: Google Cloud Print Is Gone—What Now?
- Google Cloud Print ended in 2021. If you relied on it for Odoo POS, you need a replacement now.
- Browser printing is the simplest path for USB and network thermal printers.
- Ultraprint is a purpose-built Odoo POS printing solution that works without Java, IoT Box, or cloud services.
Google Cloud Print was once a convenient way to print receipts from Odoo POS without wiring every workstation to a printer. Google shut it down at the end of 2021, leaving many Odoo users searching for a replacement that is just as easy—and ideally more reliable.
This guide covers the best Google Cloud Print alternatives for Odoo POS in 2026, ranked by setup complexity, hardware flexibility, and long-term maintainability.
Why Google Cloud Print Died (And Why It Matters for Odoo POS)
Google Cloud Print let Chrome OS and browser-based apps send jobs to printers over the internet. For Odoo POS, that meant a receipt could print from a tablet or laptop without a local print server. When Google retired the service, businesses lost:
- Cloud-based print routing from any device
- Simple Chromebook and tablet printing
- A zero-install option for remote locations
Modern alternatives must deliver the same convenience without relying on a free cloud service that can disappear overnight.
Option 1: Browser-Based POS Printing (Recommended for Most Users)
Modern browsers can talk directly to USB, network, and Bluetooth thermal printers through WebUSB, WebBluetooth, and raw TCP sockets. This removes the need for:
- Java applets like QZ Tray
- Odoo IoT Box hardware
- Cloud print services
Best for: Retail stores, restaurants, and warehouses that want fast, local printing without extra hardware.
Try Ultraprint: Ultraprint is built specifically for Odoo POS and prints directly from the browser to ESC/POS thermal printers.
Option 2: Odoo IoT Box
Odoo's official IoT Box connects printers, scales, and barcode scanners to your Odoo instance over the local network. It is reliable but requires:
- A $200+ Raspberry Pi-based box per location
- Network configuration and ongoing maintenance
- Compatibility with Odoo's supported printer list
Best for: Large deployments that need scales, barcode scanners, and multiple peripherals in one box.
Option 3: QZ Tray
QZ Tray is a free, open-source local print server that runs on Windows, macOS, or Linux. It supports raw ESC/POS commands but:
- Requires Java Runtime Environment
- Needs client-side installation on every POS station
- Has a steeper technical setup
Best for: Technical teams that want full control and do not mind maintaining local software.
Option 4: CUPS / Windows Print Server
A traditional print server shares one or more printers over the network. It works with Odoo's standard print dialogs but is not ideal for receipt printers that need raw ESC/POS output.
Best for: Offices and back-of-house document printing, not high-speed receipt printers.
Comparison Table
| Solution | Setup | Hardware Cost | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ultraprint (Browser) | 5 minutes | None | Receipt printing without IoT Box or Java |
| Odoo IoT Box | Moderate | $200+ per box | Multi-peripheral setups |
| QZ Tray | Technical | None | Raw ESC/POS with full control |
| CUPS / Windows Server | Moderate | Server cost | Document printing, not receipts |
How to Migrate from Google Cloud Print
- Audit your printers. Identify which models support USB, Ethernet, or Bluetooth.
- Choose a local or browser-based method. Avoid new cloud-only services to prevent another shutdown.
- Test receipt formatting. ESC/POS thermal printers need raw commands, not PDFs.
- Train staff. Browser printing works like a normal web app—no local software to restart.
Bottom Line
Google Cloud Print's shutdown forced Odoo POS users to rethink printing. The good news: browser-based solutions like Ultraprint are faster to set up, cheaper to maintain, and do not depend on a third-party cloud service.
Ready to replace Google Cloud Print? Explore Ultraprint and start printing Odoo POS receipts in minutes.