TL;DR: Quick Comparison
Ultraprint
IoT Box
Bottom line: Ultraprint saves 54-68% for printing. IoT Box required for Odoo Online or hardware peripherals.
The Odoo POS Printing Dilemma
Every Odoo POS implementation eventually hits the same question: How do we print receipts reliably?
Browser-based printing has limitations. Network printers need configuration. And direct USB access from a web app? That's not happening. The solution comes down to two main options:
- Ultraprint — A software-based printing service that works with your existing hardware
- Odoo IoT Box — A hardware device that bridges your POS peripherals to Odoo Online
Both solve the printing problem, but they serve different use cases. This guide breaks down exactly when to choose each, with honest pros and cons for both.
Quick Comparison: Ultraprint vs IoT Box
| Feature | Ultraprint | IoT Box |
|---|---|---|
| Initial Cost | $59 one-time | $200+ hardware |
| Monthly Cost | $19-89/month (tiered) | $20-30/month |
| Setup Time | 5 minutes | 30-60 minutes |
| Hardware Required | None (software only) | Raspberry Pi or IoT Box device |
| Odoo Online Support | ❌ Not compatible | ✅ Required for Online |
| Scales & Sensors | ❌ Not supported | ✅ Full support |
| Multi-Device Printing | ✅ Any device | Limited by hardware |
| Printer Compatibility | Any ESC/POS printer | Specific models only |
| Official Odoo Support | Community/vendor | Official Odoo |
✅ Choose Ultraprint If:
Ultraprint is the cost-effective choice for businesses that need reliable receipt printing without the complexity of hardware management.
- You need simple receipt printing — POS receipts, kitchen tickets, order confirmations
- Budget matters — Save 55% over 3 years compared to IoT Box
- You're on Odoo.sh or self-hosted — Full compatibility without restrictions
- Multi-device printing is needed — Print from tablets, phones, laptops, desktops
- Quick setup is valued — Running in under 5 minutes
- You have existing printers — Works with any ESC/POS compatible printer
Ultraprint Strengths
- No hardware investment — Software solution uses your existing equipment
- Universal compatibility — Works with virtually any thermal receipt printer
- Simple troubleshooting — No physical device to diagnose
- Instant deployment — Download, configure, print
⚠️ Choose IoT Box If:
The IoT Box is essential for specific scenarios where Ultraprint simply cannot work.
- You're using Odoo Online (critical!) — IoT Box is the ONLY option for Odoo Online users
- You need scales, cameras, or sensors — IoT Box supports full peripheral ecosystems
- Hardware reliability matters — Dedicated device means fewer software conflicts
- Enterprise support is required — Official Odoo support for IoT Box issues
- Complex peripheral setup — Multiple printers, barcode scanners, payment terminals
IoT Box Strengths
- Official Odoo product — Backed by Odoo's development and support team
- Peripheral hub — One device manages printers, scales, cameras, scanners
- Local network operation — Works even if internet goes down
- Enterprise-grade — Designed for high-volume retail environments
Ultraprint Tiered Pricing (2026)
Ultraprint uses a tiered pricing model based on your business size — the more you scale, the lower your per-device cost.
| Tier | Printers | Devices | Monthly | 12-Month TCO |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starter Café/resto: 1 POS + 1 kitchen |
2 | 1 | $19/mo | $278 |
| Pro 1 POS + 2 kitchens + 2 servers |
3 | 3 | $29/mo | $378 |
| Business 2 POS + 2 kitchens + 3 printers + 3 servers |
7 | 5 | $49/mo | $578 |
| Premium Food court: 5 POS + 5 kitchens + 10 servers |
10 | 15 | $89/mo | $978 |
Add-on module: $59 one-time (included in all tiers)
Additional printer: +$5/month
Additional device: +$7/month
12-Month Cost Comparison: Ultraprint vs IoT Box
Here's how Ultraprint compares to IoT Box at each tier, including hardware costs (Epson-compatible printers at $250 each):
| Scenario | Ultraprint 12mo | IoT Box 12mo | You Save |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starter (2 printers, 1 device) | $278 | $610 ($360 IoT + $250 printer) |
$332 (54%) |
| Pro (3 printers, 3 devices) | $378 | $860 ($360 IoT + $500 printers) |
$482 (56%) |
| Business (7 printers, 5 devices) | $578 | ~$1,500+ (multiple IoT boxes) |
$900+ (60%+) |
| Premium (10 printers, 15 devices) | $978 | $3,050 ($1,800 IoT + $1,250 printers) |
$2,072 (68%) |
Bottom line: Ultraprint saves 54-68% compared to IoT Box setups. The larger your operation, the bigger your savings.
The Critical Decision: Odoo Online vs Self-Hosted
Here's the deciding factor that makes this choice simple:
⚠️ Odoo Online Users
If you're on Odoo Online (Odoo's SaaS offering), the IoT Box is your only option. Odoo Online doesn't allow custom module installation, so Ultraprint cannot be used. The IoT Box is specifically designed to bridge local hardware with Odoo's cloud infrastructure.
✅ Odoo.sh or Self-Hosted Users
If you're on Odoo.sh or self-hosted Odoo, you have full flexibility. Ultraprint works seamlessly and offers significant cost savings. Unless you need scales, cameras, or sensors, Ultraprint is the smarter choice.
Setup Comparison
Ultraprint Setup (5 minutes)
- Purchase and download Ultraprint module
- Install on your Odoo instance (Odoo.sh or self-hosted)
- Install the Ultraprint service on your print server or POS device
- Configure printer connection in Odoo POS settings
- Test print — done!
IoT Box Setup (30-60 minutes)
- Purchase IoT Box or compatible Raspberry Pi
- Flash the IoT Box image to SD card
- Connect IoT Box to network and power
- Connect printers to IoT Box via USB
- Pair IoT Box with your Odoo database
- Configure IoT subscription in Odoo
- Configure printers in Odoo POS settings
- Test print and troubleshoot any connection issues
Our Verdict
Both solutions are legitimate and well-supported. The right choice depends entirely on your deployment:
- Odoo Online? → IoT Box (no alternative)
- Odoo.sh or self-hosted + printing only? → Ultraprint (saves money)
- Need scales, sensors, or cameras? → IoT Box (full peripheral support)
- Multi-location with mixed devices? → Ultraprint (device-agnostic)
We sell Ultraprint, but we're honest: if you're on Odoo Online or need IoT peripherals, the IoT Box is your answer. No software solution can replace hardware capabilities you actually need.
Summary
Ultraprint saves 55%+ over IoT Box for receipt printing on Odoo.sh or self-hosted deployments. IoT Box is essential for Odoo Online users and those needing scales, cameras, or sensor integration. The decision is straightforward: check your deployment type first, then assess peripheral needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use Ultraprint with Odoo Online?
No, Ultraprint requires module installation on your Odoo instance, which isn't possible with Odoo Online (SaaS). Odoo Online users must use the IoT Box for hardware integration.
Does Ultraprint work with any receipt printer?
Ultraprint works with any ESC/POS compatible thermal printer, which covers the vast majority of receipt printers on the market including Epson, Star, Bixolon, and other major brands.
Can IoT Box work without internet?
Yes, the IoT Box operates on your local network. Once paired with your Odoo database, printing works even if your internet connection drops temporarily — a key advantage for retail environments.
What peripherals does IoT Box support besides printers?
IoT Box supports scales, barcode scanners, payment terminals, cameras for product scanning, and customer display screens. It's a full peripheral hub, not just a print server.
Is Ultraprint subscription required or optional?
The Ultraprint subscription ($18.9/month) is required for the cloud printing service. The $59 one-time fee covers the Odoo module license. Both are needed for the service to function.
Ready to Simplify Your POS Printing?
If you're on Odoo.sh or self-hosted and need reliable receipt printing, Ultraprint delivers at a fraction of the IoT Box cost. 5-minute setup, universal printer support.
References
- Odoo IoT Box Documentation — Official Odoo IoT integration guide. https://www.odoo.com/documentation/17.0/applications/general/iot.html
- Ultraprint Product Page — Odoo Skillz. https://www.odooskillz.com/shop/ultraprint-92
- Odoo POS Hardware Compatibility — Odoo Community. https://www.odoo.com/documentation/17.0/applications/sales/point_of_sale/configuration.html
- ESC/POS Command Reference — Epson Developer Portal. https://reference.epson-biz.com/modules/ref_escpos/index.php
- Odoo.sh Documentation — Odoo Platform Guide. https://www.odoo.com/documentation/17.0/administration/odoo_sh.html