LedgerSMB
Serious accounting with invoices, expenses, projects and timecards; the interface assumes you came for the ledger.
Technical Profile & Specs
verified 2026-08-11
- Cost
- $0 / forever (Open Source)
- License
- GPL-2.0+
- Hosting Model
- Self-host (your server)
- Platforms
- webself-hostedself-host, real ops
- Installation
- Docker Compose is the shortest documented path; packages and manual Perl installation also exist
- Operational Setup
- The first obstacle is a real web stack, Docker, PostgreSQL, administrator credentials, a reverse proxy and TLS for internet use, plus backups and upgrades.
- Where Your Data Lives
- Companies and accounting records live in PostgreSQL databases; uploaded or generated documents live in the configured document store or server volumes.
- The Catch / Trade-off
- LedgerSMB prioritizes accounting controls over FreshBooks' approachable freelancer workflow, polished invoices, client payments, mobile capture, and low-training interface.
Replaces 5 paid apps
up to $106/mo ($1,272/yr) in subscriptions
LedgerSMB FAQ
Common questions
Is LedgerSMB free and open source?+
LedgerSMB is an open-source tool licensed under GPL-2.0+ that runs on self-host. Serious accounting with invoices, expenses, projects and timecards; the interface assumes you came for the ledger.
What paid software does LedgerSMB replace?+
LedgerSMB serves as a free replacement for 5 paid SaaS applications: FreshBooks, QuickBooks Online, Sage Accounting, Xero, Zoho Books, saving up to $106/month ($1,272/year) in subscription bills.
How do you install and set up LedgerSMB?+
Installation: Docker Compose is the shortest documented path; packages and manual Perl installation also exist. Setup notes: The first obstacle is a real web stack, Docker, PostgreSQL, administrator credentials, a reverse proxy and TLS for internet use, plus backups and upgrades.
What is the catch or trade-off with LedgerSMB?+
LedgerSMB prioritizes accounting controls over FreshBooks' approachable freelancer workflow, polished invoices, client payments, mobile capture, and low-training interface.