GNUKhata

Overview

GNUKhata is free, open-source accounting and inventory software built for SMEs, traders, startups, and NGOs. It is best suited to organizations working with Indian GST that also need to manage stock; its broad transaction coverage is balanced by gaps in advanced GST workflows and a security caveat.

Key features

Transactions and books

Sales and purchase invoices, point-of-sale entries, delivery notes, debit and credit notes, payments, and receipts cover a wide range of routine transactions. A customizable chart of accounts, journal and contra vouchers, and year-end closing and rollover support conventional bookkeeping. Multi-entity support and an audit trail add useful structure for organizations handling multiple entities or needing transaction traceability.

Stock and reporting

GNUKhata tracks stock across multiple godowns, with product and service records, tax details, and HSN search. Profit & Loss, Balance Sheet, and stock summaries connect financial and inventory activity. This combination is especially relevant to traders managing stock in more than one location. The absence of multi-currency support makes it a poor fit for organizations that need foreign-currency accounting.

GST and access controls

GSTR-1 reports can be exported as JSON for upload to the GST portal, and roles include Admin, Manager, Operator, Internal Auditor, and Godown In charge. These features support reporting and differentiated access, but they do not cover the full GST workflow: GNUKhata lacks online e-way billing, e-invoicing, and GST-2A/GSTR-2B reconciliation, among other advanced GST features. Businesses that depend on those processes should choose a more complete GST system.

Deployment and security

GNUKhata v8.0 is distributed as Docker images. Windows installation is possible, but the project says it is not well tested, so Windows users should be prepared for deployment uncertainty. The project says SQL injection issues are fixed, while also noting that the code has not had a security audit and recommending use in a private environment. That caveat matters for organizations deciding whether it is appropriate for their deployment and security requirements.

Pricing

The GNUKhata plan costs nothing and is free and open source. It includes the current v8.0 release, distributed as Docker images. There are no paid plan tiers to weigh against a lower-cost option; the trade-off is instead whether its feature coverage, deployment approach, and security caveat suit your organization. General support channels include Telegram, Matrix, and a mailing list.

Platforms

GNUKhata is available for Linux, web, and self-hosted use, with Windows installation also possible but not well tested. The Docker-image distribution for v8.0 is a practical consideration for teams planning how to deploy and maintain it.

Who it's for

SMEs, traders, startups, and NGOs focused on Indian GST are the natural audience, particularly those that need accounting and inventory in one system and can work with GSTR-1 reporting rather than advanced GST automation. It is less suitable for organizations requiring multi-currency books, online e-way billing, e-invoicing, GST-2A/GSTR-2B reconciliation, or a security-audited codebase.

Pros and cons

• Pros: Free and open source, with invoices, payment records, year-end accounting, stock tracking across multiple godowns, and financial and stock reports in one product.
• Pros: GSTR-1 JSON export and multiple user roles address useful parts of GST reporting and access management.
• Cons: Missing several advanced GST workflows, including e-invoicing and GST-2A/GSTR-2B reconciliation, limits its usefulness for businesses that rely on them.
• Cons: No multi-currency support rules out organizations that need foreign-currency accounting.
• Cons: The code has not had a security audit, and the project recommends a private environment; Windows installation is also not well tested.

Alternatives

Choose BUSY if its free Express plan, described as covering billing, accounting, multiple companies, multiple financial years, invoices, and receipts, better matches your needs. Choose GnuCash for free desktop accounting on Linux, macOS, or Windows if GNUKhata's GST-oriented reporting and inventory scope are not priorities. Frappe Books is another free option for Windows, macOS, and Linux. Ledger is a free option for Windows, macOS, and Linux.

Infor Public Sector is a paid alternative with a listed contact-for-pricing approach. Adagio Accounting has a listed Adagio for Accountants plan at $100 a month. AccountMate offers perpetual-license and rental-agreement options with prices not listed. Flexi is a paid option with web, API, and self-hosted platforms. For a broader comparison, see General Ledger Software and Bookkeeping Software.

Verdict

Choose GNUKhata if you are an Indian SME, trader, startup, or NGO seeking free accounting and stock management with GSTR-1 export. Its transaction and inventory breadth is a strong reason to consider it, but businesses needing advanced GST automation, multi-currency accounting, or an audited codebase should look elsewhere.