Top 10 Open Source Alternatives to Zoho Books in 2025

In 2025, open-source accounting software is more robust and feature-rich than ever. Whether you're a small business owner or a freelancer, these alternatives to Zoho Books offer everything you need to manage your finances. Here's a detailed comparison of the top 10 open-source alternatives.

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1. GnuCash

Description: GnuCash is a free, open-source accounting software designed for both personal and small business use. It uses a checkbook-style register interface, making it relatively easy to learn and use.
Key Features:
Double-entry accounting
Handles bank accounts, stocks, income, and expenses
Scheduled transactions
Customizable reports
Available on GNU/Linux, BSD, Solaris, Mac OS X, and Windows
Data Points:
Cost: Free
Ease of Use: Moderate (checkbook style interface, but can be complex)
Customization: High, due to its open-source nature
Scalability: Suitable for small businesses
Support: Community-based support Learn more about GnuCash

2. Akaunting

Description: Akaunting is a free, open-source online accounting software built using modern technologies like Laravel and Bootstrap. It's designed for small businesses and freelancers, offering a comprehensive suite of tools to manage finances.
Key Features:
Invoicing, expense tracking, and accounting
Multi-currency support
Client portal
Available in multiple languages
Platform and device-friendly
Data Points:
Cost: Free
Ease of Use: High (user-friendly interface)
Customization: High (open-source, can be self-hosted)
Scalability: Suitable for small businesses and freelancers
Support: Community support, and some paid options Learn more about Akaunting

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3. Odoo Accounting

Description: Odoo is a comprehensive open-source suite of business applications, with a robust accounting module. It is designed for businesses of all sizes, providing a range of integrated apps.
Key Features:
Double-entry accounting
Automated invoice management
Payment processing
Customer portal
Integrated with other Odoo modules (CRM, inventory, etc.)
Data Points:
Cost: Free for basic accounting, paid for advanced modules
Ease of Use: High (modern, user-friendly interface)
Customization: High due to the open-source nature
Scalability: Suitable for small to large businesses
Support: Community and paid support options Discover Odoo Accounting

4. LedgerSMB

Description: LedgerSMB is an open-source, free accounting software designed to facilitate systematic tracking of invoices, payments, inventory, and entire operations.
Key Features:
Systematic tracking of business operations
Highly customizable based on requirements
Can easily integrate with other business applications
Focus on security for business accounting
Data Points:
Cost: Free
Ease of Use: Simple, but powerful interface, and quick to learn
Customization: High-level customization possible
Scalability: Suitable for small to medium-sized businesses
Support: Community-based support Learn more about LedgerSMB

5. SQL-Ledger

Description: SQL-Ledger is a free and open-source double-entry accounting and ERP system with a simple documentation system, which is easy for developers to install and customize.
Key Features:
Remote access
Customizable to business requirements
Double-entry accounting
Generates invoices in multiple languages
Runs on Nix, Mac, and Windows platforms
Data Points:
Cost: Free
Ease of Use: Intuitive interface
Customization: Easily customizable, with simple Perl code
Scalability: Suitable for global usage and businesses of all sizes
Support: Documentation system Learn more about SQL-Ledger

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6. ERPNext

Description: ERPNext is a free and open-source ERP software that includes a comprehensive accounting module, designed for simplicity and power.
Key Features:
Financial accounting, order management, HR, payroll, manufacturing, CRM, etc.
Real-time insights
Integrations with other apps
User friendly
Streamlines business operations
Data Points:
Cost: Free and open-source but can also be offered as a cloud service with paid plans
Ease of Use: Designed for simplicity
Customization: High, due to its open-source nature
Scalability: Suitable for growing businesses
Support: Community and paid support Discover ERPNext

7. FrontAccounting

Description: FrontAccounting is a free, open-source web-based accounting system for small to medium sized businesses.
Key Features:
Web-based
Support for multiple currencies and languages
Sales, purchasing, inventory and manufacturing modules
Customizable with plugins
User permissions and access control
Data Points:
Cost: Free
Ease of Use: Moderate, has a learning curve
Customization: High, due to its open-source nature
Scalability: Good for small to medium-sized businesses
Support: Community and forum support Learn more about FrontAccounting

8. Dolibarr ERP/CRM

Description: Dolibarr is a free, open source ERP and CRM software that is designed for businesses, foundations, and freelancers.
Key Features:
Easy to use and install
Includes modules for prospects, invoicing, inventory, warehouse, order, shipment, POS, members and bank accounts
Modular product, with external modules available
Standalone or web-server based
Data Points:
Cost: Free
Ease of Use: Easy to use and install
Customization: Modular design with plugins
Scalability: Suitable for businesses of all sizes
Support: Community support and paid options Learn more about Dolibarr

9. Apache OFBiz

Description: Apache OFBiz is an open-source, enterprise-grade ERP system that is highly customizable.
Key Features:
Comprehensive ERP system
Highly customizable with many modules
Scalable for enterprise use
Includes accounting and inventory management
Developed by Apache foundation
Data Points:
Cost: Free
Ease of Use: Moderate to difficult with a steep learning curve
Customization: Very High with many configuration options
Scalability: Designed for large organizations
Support: Community support Learn more about Apache OFBiz

10. Frappe Books

Description: Frappe Books is a free and open-source desktop accounting software that is available for download. It's designed for freelancers and small businesses.
Key Features:
Ledgers, invoicing, payments, inventory, and point-of-sale
Desktop application
Easy to download and install
User friendly
Good for freelancers and small businesses
Data Points:
Cost: Free
Ease of Use: User-friendly interface
Customization: Can be customized by developers
Scalability: Suitable for freelancers and small businesses
Support: Community support Discover Frappe Books

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FAQ

1. What is GnuCash and who is it ideal for?

GnuCash is a free, open-source accounting software designed for both personal and small business use. It employs a checkbook-style register interface, making it relatively easy to learn and use. Learn more about GnuCash

2. How user-friendly is Akaunting for small business owners?

Akaunting is highly user-friendly with a modern interface, designed specifically for small businesses and freelancers. It supports multiple languages and currencies, making it versatile for various users. Explore Akaunting

3. Does Odoo Accounting offer features beyond basic accounting?

Yes, Odoo Accounting is part of a comprehensive suite with integrated applications including CRM, inventory management, and invoicing, suitable for businesses of all sizes. Discover Odoo Accounting

4. What makes LedgerSMB a robust option for medium-sized businesses?

LedgerSMB offers systematic tracking of invoices, payments, inventory, and operations, and is highly customizable, making it suitable for medium-sized businesses. Learn more about LedgerSMB

5. Can SQL-Ledger be customized easily by developers?

Yes, SQL-Ledger is highly customizable due to its simple Perl code, and it supports various languages and remote access for global usage. Explore SQL-Ledger

6. What additional business modules does ERPNext provide apart from accounting?

ERPNext includes modules for financial accounting, order management, HR, payroll, manufacturing, and CRM, offering a comprehensive solution for growing businesses. Discover ERPNext

7. What unique features does FrontAccounting offer for web-based operations?

FrontAccounting features a customizable, web-based system with modules for sales, purchasing, inventory, and manufacturing, along with support for multiple currencies and languages. Explore FrontAccounting

8. What is Dolibarr ERP/CRM and who can benefit from it?

Dolibarr is a free, open-source ERP and CRM software designed for businesses, foundations, and freelancers. It offers modules for invoicing, inventory, warehouse, orders, shipments, and POS, making it versatile for different user types. Learn more about Dolibarr

9. Is Apache OFBiz suitable for large organizations?

Yes, Apache OFBiz is an enterprise-grade ERP system that includes comprehensive accounting and inventory management modules, highly customizable and scalable for large organizations. Explore Apache OFBiz

10. What makes Frappe Books user-friendly for freelancers and small businesses?

Frappe Books offers a downloadable desktop application with an easy-to-use interface, suitable for managing ledgers, invoicing, payments, inventory, and point-of-sale for freelancers and small businesses. Discover Frappe Books

References

About the Author

Violetta Bonenkamp, also known as MeanCEO, is an experienced startup founder with an impressive educational background including an MBA and four other higher education degrees. She has over 20 years of work experience across multiple countries, including 5 years as a solopreneur and serial entrepreneur. She’s been living, studying and working in many countries around the globe and her extensive multicultural experience has influenced her immensely.

Violetta is a true multiple specialist who has built expertise in Linguistics, Education, Business Management, Blockchain, Entrepreneurship, Intellectual Property, Game Design, AI, SEO, Digital Marketing, cyber security and zero code automations. Her extensive educational journey includes a Master of Arts in Linguistics and Education, an Advanced Master in Linguistics from Belgium (2006-2007), an MBA from Blekinge Institute of Technology in Sweden (2006-2008), and an Erasmus Mundus joint program European Master of Higher Education from universities in Norway, Finland, and Portugal (2009).

She is the founder of Fe/male Switch, a startup game that encourages women to enter STEM fields, and also leads CADChain, and multiple other projects like the Directory of 1,000 Startup Cities with a proprietary MeanCEO Index that ranks cities for female entrepreneurs. Violetta created the "gamepreneurship" methodology, which forms the scientific basis of her startup game. She also builds a lot of SEO tools for startups. Her achievements include being named one of the top 100 women in Europe by EU Startups in 2022 and being nominated for Impact Person of the year at the Dutch Blockchain Week. She is an author with Sifted and a speaker at different Universities. Recently she published a book on Startup Idea Validation the right way: from zero to first customers and beyond and launched a Directory of 1,500+ websites for startups to list themselves in order to gain traction and build backlinks.

For the past several years Violetta has been living between the Netherlands and Malta, while also regularly traveling to different destinations around the globe, usually due to her entrepreneurial activities. This has led her to start writing about different locations and amenities from the POV of an entrepreneur. Here’s her recent article about the best hotels in Italy to work from.

About the Publication

Fe/male Switch is an innovative startup platform designed to empower women entrepreneurs through an immersive, game-like experience. Founded in 2020 during the pandemic "without any funding and without any code," this non-profit initiative has evolved into a comprehensive educational tool for aspiring female entrepreneurs.The platform was co-founded by Violetta Shishkina-Bonenkamp, who serves as CEO and one of the lead authors of the Startup News branch.

Mission and Purpose

Fe/male Switch Foundation was created to address the gender gap in the tech and entrepreneurship space. The platform aims to skill-up future female tech leaders and empower them to create resilient and innovative tech startups through what they call "gamepreneurship". By putting players in a virtual startup village where they must survive and thrive, the startup game allows women to test their entrepreneurial abilities without financial risk.

Key Features

The platform offers a unique blend of news, resources,learning, networking, and practical application within a supportive, female-focused environment:

Skill Lab: Micro-modules covering essential startup skills
Virtual Startup Building: Create or join startups and tackle real-world challenges
AI Co-founder (PlayPal): Guides users through the startup process
SANDBOX: A testing environment for idea validation before launch
Wellness Integration: Virtual activities to balance work and self-care
Marketplace: Buy or sell expert sessions and tutorials

Impact and Growth

Since its inception, Fe/male Switch has shown impressive growth:

3,000+ female entrepreneurs in the community
100+ startup tools built
5,000+ pieces of articles and news written

Partnerships

Fe/male Switch has formed strategic partnerships to enhance its offerings. In January 2022, it teamed up with global website builder Tilda to provide free access to website building tools and mentorship services for Fe/male Switch participants.

Recognition

Fe/male Switch has received media attention for its innovative approach to closing the gender gap in tech entrepreneurship. The platform has been featured in various publications highlighting its unique "play to learn and earn" model.