Top 15 Free and Open-Source ERP Solutions - Solutions Review
The editors at Solutions Review have compiled this list of leading open-source and free ERP solutions to help companies find a product that works for their needs and budgets.
Searching for ERP software can be a daunting (and expensive) process, one that requires long hours of research and deep pockets. The most popular ERP systems are popular for a reason, but they may provide more features than a non-enterprise organization needs. Thankfully, there are several free and open-source ERP solutions out there. Some of these solutions are offered by vendors looking to sell you on their enterprise product eventually. Others are maintained and operated by a community of developers looking to democratize ERP.
In this article, we will examine free and open-source ERP software by providing a brief overview of what to expect with short blurbs about each of the currently available options in the space. This is one of the most complete and up-to-date directories on the web.
Free ERP Solutions Definition
Free ERP software refers to products that are offered commercially free by the solution provider. These offerings are usually trimmed-down versions of the expert or enterprise editions, offering basic functionality that enables users to generate reports or data visualizations. Commercially free ERP tools typically offer less functionality on the whole than their open-source counterparts but are often a great way to gain more than a free trial if it's a product you were already considering.
What is Open-Source ERP?
Open-source ERP is software with a source code that anyone can inspect, modify or enhance. These tools are designed to be publicly accessible, commonly managed, and maintained by organizations with a specific mission in mind. The open-source ERP solutions included in this list are surprisingly full-featured, offering an expansive list of capabilities for various users.
It's important to remember that some of the open-source offers included in this list require some development skills, and that may make them less than ideal fits for your use case. We recommend that you read each tool's FAQ to see just how much coding is required to take advantage of the software. The open-source tools usually do a good job of explaining the requirements for use on the download pages.
Top Free and Open Source ERP Solutions
Apache OFBiz
Apache OFBiz's suite of business tools is built on a common architecture, enabling organizations to customize the ERP to their needs. It's best suited for midsize or large enterprises with the internal development resources to integrate it within existing IT and business processes. OFBiz is a mature open-source ERP system with modules for accounting, manufacturing, HR, inventory management, CRM, e-commerce, and more.
BlueSeer
BlueSeer is a completely free ERP package (no keys, no trials, no registration) for small to medium-sized businesses and personal finance. BlueSeer aims to be the first universally free ERP with the singular goal to provide businesses with a freeware alternative to high-cost commercial ERPs. BlueSeer ERP was developed for manufacturing, warehouse, and transportation companies who wish to customize and maintain their own software without the need for high-cost proprietary support or the hurdles of proprietary source code. BlueSeer has the added advantage of being more than just an ERP. The capacity for customization allows BlueSeer to be used as a peripheral custom application as well.
Dolibarr
Dolibarr comes with everything an ERP needs, including accounting, CRM, HR, and inventory modules. This all-in-one suite offers end-to-end management for small and midsize businesses—from keeping track of invoices, contracts, inventory, orders, and payments to managing documents and supporting an electronic point-of-sale system. It's all wrapped in a fairly clean interface. You can install and use Dolibarr as a standalone application or online on a shared or dedicated server or virtual machine to use it from anywhere. It is available in auto-installer packages that install Dolibarr and all prerequisites and standard distribution tools that work on all Operating System platforms and PHP architecture (Windows, Mac, Linux).
ERPNext
ERPNext is a free and open-source solution with the modern user in mind. Designed for small and medium businesses, ERPNext is presented as a series of apps. The software is based on the MariaDB database system and uses JavaScript and a Python-based server-side framework. The solution allows you to track inventory across multiple warehouses and is typically used for manufacturing setup, managing customer issues, and managing multiple user roles at a time. ERPNext can also walk you through the whole process in typical setup wizard style. It's a feeling that quickly becomes familiar, as the ERP is clean and user-friendly.
EasyERP
EasyERP is an open-source platform containing CRM, HRM, Purchases, Inventory, Expenses, Reporting, Account Management, and more. This open-source software is designed for small and medium-sized businesses with applications that offer all the necessary functionalities required for CRM. EasyERP allows you to keep your finger on the pulse of sales, view the most important information on dashboards, check information about all incoming leads, track how they're converting into opportunities, etc. EasyERP is customizable, user-friendly, and has an intuitive, fast, and scalable interface.
inoERP
inoERP is an open-source online-based enterprise management system built using open-source technologies and offers a wide range of features suitable for running various businesses. The architecture of the software is flexible and includes all reports, documents, and forms. This means it's capable of supporting the addition of any new elements that may be needed. inoERP software also offers an in-built content management system and is usable on any modern browser, laptop, desktop, and mobile devices with any resolution size. inoERP provides a single system for end-to-end requirements related to supply chain, finance, and HR & MES systems.
iDempiere
iDempiere Business Suite, also known as OSGi + ADempiere, is an open-source ERP software that is fully navigable on PCs, tablets, and smartphones; it also has customer relationship management and supply chain management functions. This is a full-fledged ERP, with everything from invoicing to POS integration to warehouse management to forecasting. Targeted at small and midsized businesses, iDempiere specializes in communities that include Subject Matter Specialists, Implementers, and End-Users. System requirements include Java OpenJDK, PostgreSQL Database, or Oracle Database.
LedgerSMB
LedgerSMB originated as an extension to SQL-Ledger—a popular general ledger software package. This web-based ERP system runs on any NIX, Mac, or Windows platforms. LedgerSMB is available for free and can prevent small-to-mid-size businesses from getting locked in by accounting software vendors by providing free and open-source accounting software, integrating invoicing, order processing, quotations, and more.
Metasfresh
Metasfresh is an open-source software package with enhanced consistency to meet the needs and demands of an ever-growing marketplace. It currently offers services in quality assurance, warranties, training, and planning. Metasfresh's name reflects its commitment to keeping its code "fresh." It's released weekly updates since late 2015, and ike ADempiere, it's an open-source ERP based on Java targeted at the small and midsize business market. While it's a younger project than most of the other software described here, it's attracted some early, positive attention, such as being named a finalist for the Initiative Mittelstand "best of open-source" IT innovation award.
MixERP
MixERP is affordable, cloud-optimized software for all types of business owners. In its free iteration, you're responsible for hosting and upgrading, but you'll have access to support for $49 per issue. It's a nice mix between do-it-yourself and complete outsourcing. The free version comes with some beneficial features, such as inventory management, sales management, accounting, and HR tools. However, it lacks manufacturing and payroll management options, so larger companies will need to use one of the cloud or on-premises, paid versions. MixERP uses a reliable open-source, free database engine (PostgreSQL), which supports almost all popular operating systems.
Odoo
Odoo is an open-source ERP and CRM tool offered as an integrated suite of applications that includes modules for project management, billing, accounting, inventory management, manufacturing, and purchasing. Those modules can communicate with each other to efficiently and seamlessly exchange information. With an easy and intuitive user interface, reminiscent of Google Drive, its strong technical structure provides top-of-the-range usability that scales across all apps. Although there is a free application limit, adding more apps isn't prohibitively expensive.
OpenPro
OpenPro is an open-source ERP solution, CRM, Payroll HRMS Time Card, and E-commerce platform. OpenPro excels with its real-time Solutions, from Accounting and Financial Reports to its MES software, MRP manufacturing, and wholesale distribution inventory control software. OpenPro is multi-language (9 different) and multi-currency. Another of the many business software solutions is a complete retail Point of Sales (POS) system, while distributors benefit from the supply chain management software.
Opentaps
Opentaps is an open-source platform equipped with all the power and flexibility larger businesses look for in an ERP solution. The platform is built on top of Apache OFBiz and Opentaps offers the expected set of modules and will help you manage things like inventory, manufacturing, financials, and purchasing. Users will also receive access to an analytics feature that helps you analyze all aspects of your business. Furthermore, you can buy add-ons and additional modules to enhance Opentaps' capabilities. They include integration with Amazon Marketplace Services and FedEx.
WebERP
WebERP is a complete web-based accounting and business management system that requires only a web browser and pdf reader to use. It has a wide range of features suitable for many businesses, particularly distributed businesses in wholesale, distribution, and manufacturing. When combined with a 3rd party interactive desktop Point Of Sale system, it can also form the hub of a dispersed multi-branch retail management system. A fully integrated webSHOP is also available as a 3rd party add-on. webERP is an open-source application and is available as a free download to use with all the PHP code written in an accessible way to add your own features as needed.
xTuple PostBooks
xTuple PostBooks is a comprehensive open-source solution built around ERP, accounting, and CRM features that add inventory, distribution, purchasing, and vendor reporting capabilities. This fully-featured, fully integrated business management system allows four users to access almost everything needed to run a single-location operation. That means inventory, accounting, billing, reporting, and other sales tools. PostBooks is a great fit for service companies, as they don't have the advanced manufacturing and inventory requirements that would require an upgrade. Even for a smaller, single-location warehouse, PostBooks could be a good fit. Just know that you're limited in your scale if you plan to stick with the free option.
Elizabeth Quirk
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