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Arelle

arelle.org

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Spec score 9.0 #2 of 24 in Regulatory Reporting Software

What it is

Arelle is a free, open-source platform for validating and processing XBRL, structured business data used in filings and other workflows. It is available as a desktop application, command-line interface, Python API, Docker image and web service, with official desktop builds for Windows, macOS and Linux. Supported standards include XBRL 2.1, XBRL Dimensions, Inline XBRL, xBRL-JSON and xBRL-CSV. Filing-rule support covers ESMA ESEF, SEC EDGAR, US FERC, Japan EDINET, South Africa CIPC and other national programs. Its Web Service API can integrate with applications such as Excel, Java and Oracle. An extensible plugin architecture allows custom validation and data-processing rules. Community plugins come with desktop builds and the full Docker image; Python package and source installations require separate plugin setup. The built-in web server has no authentication or authorization and is intended for trusted callers, not public internet or multi-tenant use. Arelle is released under Apache License 2.0.

Spec sheet

What it does
Arelle validates XBRL and related structured financial-reporting data, lets users inspect disclosures, and exposes results to applications and data pipelines.Read 15 Oct 2026 · arelle.org
Purpose
Arelle is an open source platform for validating and processing XBRL.Read 28 Sep 2026 · arelle.org
Audience
Arelle’s mission is to provide regulators, software providers, auditors, and filers a free standards-based platform for structured business data.Read 28 Sep 2026 · arelle.org
Integrations
The Web Service API supports integration with applications such as Excel, Java, and Oracle.Read 28 Sep 2026 · arelle.readthedocs.io
Support
The project directs users to GitHub issues, its Google Group, and support email, and says issues embedded in third-party products should be raised with those product developers.Read 28 Sep 2026 · arelle.readthedocs.io
License
Arelle is released under the Apache License 2.0.Read 28 Sep 2026 · arelle.org
Founded
2010Read 28 Sep 2026 · arelle.org
Command line
The CLI accepts XBRL instances, schemas, linkbases, inline XBRL documents, testcase files, and testcase indexes, and includes diagnostics and environment-reporting options.Read 15 Oct 2026 · arelle.readthedocs.io
Company founding
Workiva's SEC filing says the company was founded in 2008, initially as WebFilings LLC.Read 15 Oct 2026 · sec.gov
Company headquarters
Workiva's SEC filing gives its principal executive-office address as 2900 University Boulevard, Ames, Iowa 50010.Read 15 Oct 2026 · sec.gov
Company legal name
A Workiva Form 10-K identifies the registrant as Workiva Inc.Read 15 Oct 2026 · sec.gov
Company size
Wikipedia lists Workiva at 2,828 employees in 2024, with 2024 revenue of $739 million.Read 15 Oct 2026 · en.wikipedia.org
Containers
The published Docker image can be used for local validation or an HTTP service.Read 28 Sep 2026 · arelle.org
Desktop support
Official desktop builds are provided for Windows, macOS, and Linux.Read 15 Oct 2026 · arelle.org
Docker deployment
The project publishes an arelleproject/arelle Docker image and documents latest and slim variants.Read 15 Oct 2026 · arelle.readthedocs.io
Documentation depth
The documentation site includes installation, command-line, web-server security, FAQ, user guides, plugin installation and development, Python API, contributor guides, API reference, and licensing pages.Read 15 Oct 2026 · arelle.readthedocs.io
EDGAR Renderer
Arelle distributes an SEC EDGAR Renderer and local viewer for Windows, macOS, and Linux; the renderer previews how XBRL filings will appear on the SEC website.Read 15 Oct 2026 · arelle.org
Extensions
Arelle has an extensible plugin architecture for capabilities such as custom validation and data processing rules.Read 28 Sep 2026 · arelle.org
Filing rules
Arelle lists validation support for ESMA ESEF, SEC EDGAR, US FERC, Japan EDINET, South Africa CIPC, Denmark DBA, Netherlands SBR and KvK, UK HMRC, and Ireland ROS.Read 15 Oct 2026 · arelle.org
Filing validation
The site lists filing rule support for ESMA ESEF, SEC EDGAR, US FERC, Japan EDINET, South Africa CIPC, and several other national programs.Read 28 Sep 2026 · arelle.org
Interfaces
The product provides a desktop application, command-line interface, Docker image, Python library, plugin system, and built-in web server.Read 15 Oct 2026 · arelle.org
Licence
Arelle is released under the Apache License 2.0, while bundled dependencies can carry separate licence notices.Read 15 Oct 2026 · arelle.readthedocs.io
Limit: API learning curve
The same user reported that command-line loading validated a ZIP automatically, while API use required explicitly selecting the instance document and produced a ModelManager formulaOptions error.Read 15 Oct 2026 · groups.google.com
Limit: archive conversion
An open GitHub enhancement issue states that the inlineXbrlDocumentSet plugin cannot currently convert iXBRL files inside report-package archives and can fail because taxonomy remapping and relative paths break.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
Limit: beginner documentation
A 2017 Arelle-users post said the available Python API documentation was difficult for XBRL newcomers and requested more beginner examples.Read 15 Oct 2026 · groups.google.com
Limit: web-server security
The built-in web server has no authentication or authorization, can read arbitrary filesystem paths, and can load local Python plugins, so the documentation restricts it to trusted callers and networks.Read 15 Oct 2026 · arelle.readthedocs.io
Owner
Workiva announced that it acquired the Arelle domain, trademark, and GitHub code and became the primary steward of the project while keeping it open source.Read 15 Oct 2026 · newsroom.workiva.com
Ownership status
Wikipedia identifies Workiva as a public company traded on the New York Stock Exchange under ticker WK.Read 15 Oct 2026 · en.wikipedia.org
Plugin extensibility
Plugins can add validation rules, data extraction, and user-interface enhancements, with documented hooks and plugin-development material.Read 15 Oct 2026 · arelle.org
Plugin limit
Community plugins are bundled with desktop builds and the full Docker image, while Python package and source installations require plugins to be added and configured separately.Read 28 Sep 2026 · arelle.org
Praise: data extraction
XBRL US reported that Arelle can extract XBRL data from sources such as SEC EDGAR and expose the resulting report data for inspection.Read 15 Oct 2026 · xbrl.us
Praise: middleware design
XBRL US described Arelle as a generic processor for any XBRL data, designed as middleware with an API so analytical applications can be layered on top.Read 15 Oct 2026 · xbrl.us
Project origin
Workiva's acquisition announcement says Arelle began in 2010 as an open-source project created by Mark V Systems personnel to keep XBRL data validated and maintained.Read 15 Oct 2026 · newsroom.workiva.com
Public API
Arelle documents a supported Python API centered on the arelle.api module and Session object.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
PyPI release
PyPI records arelle-release 2.42.0 as released on 11 July 2026 and classifies it as production/stable.Read 15 Oct 2026 · pypi.org
Python installation
The package can be installed with pip install arelle-release, with optional extras for cryptography, databases, EFM, ESEF, GUI, ObjectMaker, viewer, web server, and XULE.Read 15 Oct 2026 · arelle.readthedocs.io
Python requirement
PyPI lists Python 3.10 or newer as required for arelle-release 2.42.0.Read 15 Oct 2026 · pypi.org
Release activity
GitHub lists version 2.46.0 as the latest release, dated 30 September 2026, with later release notes covering new validation rules and dependency updates.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
Standards
Supported formats and standards include XBRL 2.1, XBRL Dimensions, Inline XBRL, xBRL-JSON, and xBRL-CSV.Read 28 Sep 2026 · arelle.org
Support channels
Project support is directed to GitHub issues, the Arelle Google Group, and [email protected].Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
Supported formats
Its published conformance list includes XBRL 2.1, Inline XBRL 1.0 and 1.1, xBRL-CSV, xBRL-JSON, taxonomy packages, and report packages.Read 15 Oct 2026 · arelle.org
Web server security
The built-in web server has no authentication or authorization and is intended for trusted callers, not public internet or multi-tenant use.Read 28 Sep 2026 · arelle.readthedocs.io
Web service API
The built-in server exposes REST validation operations and can also be deployed behind Apache/CGI or IIS/CGI.Read 15 Oct 2026 · arelle.org

Plans and prices

Arelle Free Open source XBRL platform; desktop builds, Python package, Docker image, and community plugins Read 28 Sep 2026 · arelle.org
Arelle Free Free open-source download Desktop, command line, Docker, Python API, plugins, local web server · Windows, macOS, Linux Read 15 Oct 2026 · arelle.org

Every Arelle plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Free under Apache License 2.0.
  • Supports XBRL 2.1, Inline XBRL and related formats.
  • Filing rules cover multiple national programs.
  • Offers desktop, command-line, Python API and Docker options.
  • Plugins can add custom validation rules.

Limits

  • Built-in web server has no authentication or authorization.
  • Python and source installations need separate plugin setup.
  • No regulator submission support.

Who it suits

Arelle suits regulators, software providers, auditors and filers that need a standards-based XBRL platform. It offers desktop, API, command-line, container and web-service options for on-premises deployment.

Arelle in depth

Read the full write-up

Arelle is a free, open-source toolkit for validating and processing XBRL filings. It suits teams that can run software locally or integrate it into their own workflows; it is not a filing-submission service, and its built-in web server should stay behind trusted access controls.

Overview

Founded in 2010 and released under the Apache License 2.0, Arelle serves regulators, software providers, auditors, and filers working with structured business data. It is offered as a desktop application, command-line interface, Python API, Docker image, and web service. That range makes it adaptable to both individual review and automated processing, but the right setup depends on how a team deploys and extends it.

Arelle validates and processes XBRL; it does not submit reports to regulators. Organizations that need the submission step handled as part of the same product will need another tool or process.

Key features

Arelle supports XBRL 2.1, XBRL Dimensions, Inline XBRL, xBRL-JSON, and xBRL-CSV. Its filing rules cover ESMA ESEF, SEC EDGAR, US FERC, Japan EDINET, South Africa CIPC, and other national programs, with support spanning 10 jurisdictions. This breadth makes it relevant to cross-border reporting work, though teams should match the supported rules to their own filing obligations.

The Web Service API supports integration with applications such as Excel, Java, and Oracle. Combined with the command-line and Python interfaces, that gives technical teams several routes to connect validation and processing to existing workflows. The extensible plugin architecture can add custom validation and data-processing rules.

Plugin availability varies by installation. Community plugins come bundled with desktop builds and the full Docker image; Python package and source installations require users to add and configure plugins themselves. The packaged options are therefore the more straightforward starting point for teams relying on those extensions, while other deployments offer flexibility at the cost of setup work.

The Docker image supports local validation or running an HTTP service. The built-in web server has no authentication or authorization, so it is appropriate only for trusted callers—not public internet exposure or multi-tenant use. Teams needing those access controls must provide a safer surrounding deployment or choose another service.

Pricing

Arelle costs nothing. The free plan includes the open-source XBRL platform, desktop builds, Python package, Docker image, and community plugins; there is no free trial because the product is free. The Apache License 2.0 permits an open-source deployment, while the supported interfaces allow teams to choose how to run it. No separate paid plan is needed for the stated capabilities.

This is a strong fit for organizations able to manage their own deployment and integration. The trade-off is that Arelle’s stated role stops at validation and processing, and plugin setup can fall to the user depending on the installation type.

Platforms

Official desktop builds are available for Windows, macOS, and Linux. Arelle also supports API use and self-hosted deployment, including its Docker image and web service. Those options suit teams that want to run processing in their own environment; they do not make the unauthenticated built-in server suitable for untrusted traffic.

Who it's for

Arelle is best suited to regulators, software providers, auditors, and filers who need standards-based XBRL validation and processing without a license fee, and who have the technical capacity to choose, configure, and secure a deployment. It is less suitable as a turnkey filing portal for users who need regulator submission or a public-facing service with built-in access control.

For help, the project directs users to GitHub issues, its Google Group, and support email. Problems involving Arelle embedded in third-party products should be raised with those product developers.

Pros and cons

Broad format and filing-rule coverage: support for multiple XBRL standards and 10 jurisdictions gives reporting teams a substantial validation base.

Several integration paths: desktop, command line, Python, Docker, and web service options let technical teams fit Arelle into different operating models.

No license price: the free open-source plan includes validation rules and API access.

Not a submission service: filers must handle regulator submission elsewhere.

Deployment-specific plugin work: Python package and source users must add and configure community plugins themselves.

Unsafe for untrusted web access by default: the built-in server has no authentication or authorization.

Alternatives

Regulatory Reporting Software is the broader category to explore when comparing tools for reporting workflows.

Choose Altova Regulatory Solutions if a freemium alternative with a free trial and API, self-hosted, web, and Windows platforms better fits your evaluation. Its CbC Reporting App subscription is $999 a year, billed per user per year.

FIS Data Integrity Manager is a paid, web-based alternative. Diligence XBRL Suite is another paid option, with macOS, self-hosted, web, and Windows platforms; its Fintech plan starts at €10,000 a year.

REGREP offers a freemium alternative with API and web platforms. CoreFiling Seahorse is a paid, web-based option. Reg360 is a paid web alternative with custom pricing, and Regnology Abacus360 Banking is a paid option for self-hosted or web deployment, also with custom pricing. Complyfirst Regulatory Reporting is a paid web alternative offered by custom proposal.

Verdict

Choose Arelle if you need broad XBRL validation and processing, want to avoid license costs, and can manage deployment, plugins, and security. Look elsewhere if regulator submission or a built-in authenticated public service is essential.

Verdict

Arelle provides broad XBRL validation and processing options without a price. Its built-in web server is for trusted callers, and plugin setup depends on the installation type.

Where Specifiction places it

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