3 open source alternatives to QuickBooks Online
Accounting and invoicing from Intuit. Here are the open source projects real teams use instead — ranked by fit, with honest pros and cons for each.
What people don't love about QuickBooks Online
- Price increases each renewal.
- Cloud-only (desktop version is being phased out).
- Add-on upsells for payroll and time tracking.
Current QuickBooks Online pricing (for reference): Simple Start from $30/month.
Quick comparison
| Alternative | Best for | License | Self-host | Hosted cloud? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Akaunting Online accounting software for small businesses. |
QuickBooks-style usability on your own server. | GPL-3.0 | ★★☆☆☆ | Yes |
|
ERPNext Full ERP with accounting, HR, CRM and inventory. |
Growing SMBs needing full ERP, not just accounting. | GPL-3.0 | ★★★☆☆ | Yes |
|
InvoicePlane Simple invoicing for freelancers and consultants. |
Contractors needing straightforward invoicing without ERP weight. | MIT | ★☆☆☆☆ | Self-host only |
1. Akaunting — QuickBooks-style usability on your own server.
Online accounting software for small businesses.
Strengths
- Approachable for non-accountants.
- Paid app store for advanced modules.
- Decent docker self-host.
Weaknesses
- Some advanced features behind paid apps.
- Smaller accountant community than QuickBooks.
- Multi-currency handling can lag in edge cases.
Akaunting homepage · Source on GitHub · QuickBooks Online vs Akaunting →
2. ERPNext — Growing SMBs needing full ERP, not just accounting.
Full ERP with accounting, HR, CRM and inventory.
Strengths
- End-to-end ERP for SMBs.
- Multi-currency and multi-company built in.
- Strong customization via Frappe framework.
Weaknesses
- Self-hosting Frappe stack is non-trivial.
- UI can feel busy for simple needs.
- Documentation varies in quality.
ERPNext homepage · Source on GitHub · QuickBooks Online vs ERPNext →
3. InvoicePlane — Contractors needing straightforward invoicing without ERP weight.
Simple invoicing for freelancers and consultants.
Strengths
- Runs on cheap PHP/MySQL hosting.
- Focused on the invoicing workflow.
- Great for solo freelancers.
Weaknesses
- Development pace has slowed in recent years.
- Feature set narrower than Akaunting.
- UI is functional, not modern.
InvoicePlane homepage · Source on GitHub · QuickBooks Online vs InvoicePlane →
Not what you're looking for?
Browse other tools in Accounting & Invoicing, or check out open source projects by category on the full category index.