# 8 Best Open Source Alternatives for Dext

Canonical: https://caniforkit.com/dext
Last updated: 2026-11-07

Looking for the best open source alternative for Dext? Compare 8 verified free and open source alternatives to Dext (Akaunting, Invoice Ninja, Wealthfolio) with license details, self-hosting requirements, and practical trade-offs.

## Dext Overview & Subscription Cost
- **Product**: Dext
- **Category**: [finance & accounting](https://caniforkit.com/category/finance-accounting)
- **Paid Subscription Price**: $15/month per seat
- **1-Seat Annualized Cost**: $180/year
- **5-Person Team Annualized Cost**: $900/year
- **10-Person Team Annualized Cost**: $1,800/year
- **Can I Vibe-Code / Rebuild It Myself?**: NO (use a free alternative, save the tokens)
- **Rebuild Verdict**: Instead of paying recurring SaaS fees for Dext or rebuilding it from scratch, deploy one of the 8 battle-tested open-source alternatives like Akaunting.

## Verified Free & Open Source Alternatives

| Alternative | Type | License | Runs On | GitHub Stars | Head-to-Head |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Akaunting](https://caniforkit.com/fork/akaunting) | Open Source | Open Source | Self-host | ★ 10.3k | [Compare vs Dext](https://caniforkit.com/vs/dext-vs-akaunting) |
| [Invoice Ninja](https://caniforkit.com/fork/invoice-ninja) | Open Source | Open Source | Self-host | ★ 10.5k | [Compare vs Dext](https://caniforkit.com/vs/dext-vs-invoice-ninja) |
| [Wealthfolio](https://caniforkit.com/fork/wealthfolio) | Open Source | AGPL-3.0 | Self-host | ★ 9.3k | [Compare vs Dext](https://caniforkit.com/vs/dext-vs-wealthfolio) |
| [Crater](https://caniforkit.com/fork/crater) | Open Source | Open Source | Local | ★ 8.4k | [Compare vs Dext](https://caniforkit.com/vs/dext-vs-crater) |
| [Bigcapital](https://caniforkit.com/fork/bigcapital) | Open Source | AGPL-3.0 | Self-host | ★ 4.1k | [Compare vs Dext](https://caniforkit.com/vs/dext-vs-bigcapital) |
| [Frappe Books](https://caniforkit.com/fork/frappe-books) | Open Source | AGPL-3.0 | Local | ★ 5k | [Compare vs Dext](https://caniforkit.com/vs/dext-vs-frappe-books) |
| [Monetr](https://caniforkit.com/fork/monetr) | Open Source | Open Source | Local | ★ 691 | [Compare vs Dext](https://caniforkit.com/vs/dext-vs-monetr) |
| [YAFFA](https://caniforkit.com/fork/yaffa) | Open Source | Open Source | Self-host | ★ 113 | [Compare vs Dext](https://caniforkit.com/vs/dext-vs-yaffa) |

## In-Depth Alternative Profiles

### Akaunting
- **Fork Page**: [Akaunting Profile](https://caniforkit.com/fork/akaunting)
- **Head-to-Head Comparison**: [Dext vs Akaunting](https://caniforkit.com/vs/dext-vs-akaunting)
- **Official Website**: https://akaunting.com/
- **Source Code Repository**: https://github.com/akaunting/akaunting
- **License**: Open Source
- **Runs On**: Self-host
- **GitHub Stars**: 10.3k
- **Maintenance Activity**: nov 2026
- **Supported Platforms**: web, self-hosted, docker to self-host
- **Summary**: Self-hostable accounting software covering invoicing, expense tracking, cash flow, and client portals. Free to use, available in 50+ languages.
- **The Catch vs Dext**: Requires self-hosting setup, updates, and server maintenance compared to managed Dext.
- **Installation**: Clone https://github.com/akaunting/akaunting or deploy with Docker Compose
- **Setup**: Deploy via Docker or binary release from GitHub and configure environment variables.
- **Data Storage**: All application data and configuration live on your own server or local database.

### Invoice Ninja
- **Fork Page**: [Invoice Ninja Profile](https://caniforkit.com/fork/invoice-ninja)
- **Head-to-Head Comparison**: [Dext vs Invoice Ninja](https://caniforkit.com/vs/dext-vs-invoice-ninja)
- **Official Website**: https://invoiceninja.com/
- **Source Code Repository**: https://github.com/invoiceninja/invoiceninja
- **License**: Open Source
- **Runs On**: Self-host
- **GitHub Stars**: 10.5k
- **Maintenance Activity**: nov 2026
- **Supported Platforms**: web, self-hosted, docker to self-host
- **Summary**: Free invoicing software for freelancers and small businesses. Create professional invoices, track expenses, accept online payments, and manage projects without hidden fees.
- **The Catch vs Dext**: Requires self-hosting setup, updates, and server maintenance compared to managed Dext.
- **Installation**: Clone https://github.com/invoiceninja/invoiceninja or deploy with Docker Compose
- **Setup**: Deploy via Docker or binary release from GitHub and configure environment variables.
- **Data Storage**: All application data and configuration live on your own server or local database.

### Wealthfolio
- **Fork Page**: [Wealthfolio Profile](https://caniforkit.com/fork/wealthfolio)
- **Head-to-Head Comparison**: [Dext vs Wealthfolio](https://caniforkit.com/vs/dext-vs-wealthfolio)
- **Official Website**: https://wealthfolio.app
- **Source Code Repository**: https://github.com/afadil/wealthfolio
- **License**: AGPL-3.0
- **Runs On**: Self-host
- **GitHub Stars**: 9.3k
- **Maintenance Activity**: nov 2026
- **Supported Platforms**: desktop, mobile, web, self-hosted, one-click install
- **Summary**: Wealthfolio is a simple, secure desktop app for tracking investments and managing your wealth without compromising data privacy.
- **The Catch vs Dext**: Wealthfolio cannot match Copilot's turnkey US account and card aggregation, automatic categorization, transaction cleanup, and consistently polished mobile-first daily-money workflow without paid sync.
- **Installation**: Native desktop or iOS app, or the official Docker image/Compose deployment for web mode
- **Setup**: Deploy via Docker or binary release from GitHub and configure environment variables.
- **Data Storage**: Desktop and self-hosted modes use a local SQLite database (the web server exposes a configurable app.db path); optional Wealthfolio Connect and encrypted device sync send selected holdings/account data through the vendor service.

### Crater
- **Fork Page**: [Crater Profile](https://caniforkit.com/fork/crater)
- **Head-to-Head Comparison**: [Dext vs Crater](https://caniforkit.com/vs/dext-vs-crater)
- **Official Website**: https://crater.financial
- **Source Code Repository**: https://github.com/crater-invoice/crater
- **License**: Open Source
- **Runs On**: Local
- **GitHub Stars**: 8.4k
- **Maintenance Activity**: nov 2026
- **Supported Platforms**: desktop, cross-platform, one-click install
- **Summary**: Crater offers AI-driven invoicing workflows, payments, and working capital tools to enhance your platform with minimal technical effort.
- **The Catch vs Dext**: Community-driven open source project without dedicated enterprise SLAs.
- **Installation**: Clone https://github.com/crater-invoice/crater or deploy with Docker Compose
- **Setup**: Download the native package or installer for your operating system.
- **Data Storage**: All application data lives locally on your own machine.

### Bigcapital
- **Fork Page**: [Bigcapital Profile](https://caniforkit.com/fork/bigcapital)
- **Head-to-Head Comparison**: [Dext vs Bigcapital](https://caniforkit.com/vs/dext-vs-bigcapital)
- **Official Website**: https://bigcapital.app
- **Source Code Repository**: https://github.com/bigcapitalhq/bigcapital
- **License**: AGPL-3.0
- **Runs On**: Self-host
- **GitHub Stars**: 4.1k
- **Maintenance Activity**: nov 2026
- **Supported Platforms**: web, self-hosted, docker to self-host
- **Summary**: Cloud-based accounting software that streamlines bookkeeping, generates intelligent reports, and offers multi-currency support for efficient financial management.
- **The Catch vs Dext**: It lacks QuickBooks' plug-and-play bank connections, payroll and tax services, payments network, and accountant ecosystem, while making you operate the server.
- **Installation**: Official server setup script and Docker-based deployment
- **Setup**: It needs a Linux server, Docker, DNS and HTTPS, database and mail configuration, backups, and upgrades; the hosted product is not the indefinitely free path.
- **Data Storage**: Books, contacts, invoices, bills, inventory, and settings live in the deployment's MariaDB database, with generated files and attachments on configured server storage.

### Frappe Books
- **Fork Page**: [Frappe Books Profile](https://caniforkit.com/fork/frappe-books)
- **Head-to-Head Comparison**: [Dext vs Frappe Books](https://caniforkit.com/vs/dext-vs-frappe-books)
- **Official Website**: https://frappe.io/books
- **Source Code Repository**: https://github.com/frappe/books
- **License**: AGPL-3.0
- **Runs On**: Local
- **GitHub Stars**: 5k
- **Maintenance Activity**: nov 2026
- **Supported Platforms**: desktop, one-click install
- **Summary**: A user-friendly desktop accounting software that helps businesses manage invoices, track expenses, and handle bookkeeping with a modern interface.
- **The Catch vs Dext**: The SQLite company file is local and collaboration-light, with no comparable managed bank feeds, payroll, tax filing, payments, or accountant network.
- **Installation**: Native desktop installer; Homebrew and Flatpak paths are also published
- **Setup**: Download the native package or installer for your operating system.
- **Data Storage**: Each company is a local SQLite .db file selected by the user, with its ledger, invoices, bills, and related records in that file.

### Monetr
- **Fork Page**: [Monetr Profile](https://caniforkit.com/fork/monetr)
- **Head-to-Head Comparison**: [Dext vs Monetr](https://caniforkit.com/vs/dext-vs-monetr)
- **Official Website**: https://monetr.app/
- **Source Code Repository**: https://github.com/monetr/monetr
- **License**: Open Source
- **Runs On**: Local
- **GitHub Stars**: 691
- **Maintenance Activity**: nov 2026
- **Supported Platforms**: desktop, cross-platform, one-click install
- **Summary**: Manage your money confidently with monetr, putting aside what you need and spending what you want
- **The Catch vs Dext**: Community-driven open source project without dedicated enterprise SLAs.
- **Installation**: Clone https://github.com/monetr/monetr or deploy with Docker Compose
- **Setup**: Download the native package or installer for your operating system.
- **Data Storage**: All application data lives locally on your own machine.

### YAFFA
- **Fork Page**: [YAFFA Profile](https://caniforkit.com/fork/yaffa)
- **Head-to-Head Comparison**: [Dext vs YAFFA](https://caniforkit.com/vs/dext-vs-yaffa)
- **Official Website**: https://www.yaffa.cc/
- **Source Code Repository**: https://github.com/kantorge/yaffa
- **License**: Open Source
- **Runs On**: Self-host
- **GitHub Stars**: 113
- **Maintenance Activity**: nov 2026
- **Supported Platforms**: web, self-hosted, docker to self-host
- **Summary**: YAFFA is a powerful, open-source budget app for managing expenses, budgets, and investments with secure self-hosting.
- **The Catch vs Dext**: Requires self-hosting setup, updates, and server maintenance compared to managed Dext.
- **Installation**: Clone https://github.com/kantorge/yaffa or deploy with Docker Compose
- **Setup**: Deploy via Docker or binary release from GitHub and configure environment variables.
- **Data Storage**: All application data and configuration live on your own server or local database.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### What is the best free alternative to Dext?
The top free alternative to Dext is Akaunting (open source, Open Source). Self-hostable accounting software covering invoicing, expense tracking, cash flow, and client portals. Free to use, available in 50+ languages. Other popular Dext replacements include Invoice Ninja, Wealthfolio, Crater.

### How much does switching from Dext to a free alternative save?
Dext starts at $15/month per seat ($180/year). Switching a 5-person team to a free alternative like Akaunting saves $900 per year in software subscription fees.

### What is the catch when switching away from Dext?
While Akaunting replaces core Dext features without subscription fees, the real-world trade-off is: Requires self-hosting setup, updates, and server maintenance compared to managed Dext.

## Related

- [finance & accounting Software Category Hub](https://caniforkit.com/category/finance-accounting)
- [All Paid SaaS Alternatives Index](https://caniforkit.com/alternatives)
- [Self-Hosted Software Directory](https://caniforkit.com/self-hosted)
- [Homepage](https://caniforkit.com)