Side by side

GnuCash vs LedgerSMB

Both stand on bookkeeping software. Which one you can start free with, which one lets you read the code, and what each costs once you pay.

GnuCash

Free plan Open source AndroidAPIiPhone+4

GnuCash provides free desktop accounting for personal finances and small-business workflows, with reports, imports, and business tools. Its default XML storage is distinct from experimental database support, so users should account for that limitation.

Visit GnuCash

LedgerSMB

Free plan Open source AndroidAPIiPhone+5

LedgerSMB brings accounting, sales, inventory, and related operations together in a self-hosted application. Businesses should account for its infrastructure requirements and the custom work needed to connect an online store.

Visit LedgerSMB

The facts

	GnuCash	LedgerSMB
Free plan	Yes	Yes
Open source	Yes	Yes
Runs on	Android, API, iPhone, Linux, Mac, Self-hosted, Windows	Android, API, iPhone, Linux, Mac, Self-hosted, Web, Windows
Lowest paid plan	Free or on request	Free or on request
Plans published	1	2
Maker	GnuCash	LedgerSMB
Website	gnucash.org	ledgersmb.org
On bookkeeping software	#1 of 75	#2 of 75

GnuCash: what it does well

Free under the GNU GPL.
Includes double-entry accounting.
Offers small-business invoicing and bill-payment tools.
Imports QIF and OFX files.
Provides customizable reports and charts.

What to know first

Database support beyond XML is experimental.
Some reported database corner cases involve data loss.
Main application is unavailable for iOS and iPadOS.
Separate Android app appears abandoned.

LedgerSMB: what it does well

Includes double-entry accounting and invoicing.
Supports inventory and light manufacturing.
Tracks budgets by project or department.
Free and open source.

What to know first

Requires installation on the user's own infrastructure.
Online-store attachment requires custom integration.
Community support is provided by volunteers.

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