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Frappe Books

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Spec score 8.9 #3 of 29 in Financial Management

What it is

Frappe Books is accounting software for small businesses, available free under the AGPL-3.0 license. It supports quotes, invoices, payments, bills, supplier payments and returns, alongside double-entry bookkeeping, journal entries and financial reports. Inventory tools track stock across locations, including batches, expiry dates and serial numbers, and the software supports point-of-sale transactions. Businesses in India can produce GSTR-1 and GSTR-2 reports for GST returns. Books User, Books Manager and System Manager roles control access to records, reports and settings. Company data stays in the database of the customer’s Frappe site, and the software runs on the customer’s own server. It is listed for Android, iOS, Linux, macOS, self-hosted use, web and Windows. On phones, it runs in a browser and can be added to the home screen, but an internet connection is required. The old desktop app is no longer supported. Frappe states that its quality and information security systems have ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 27001:2022 certifications and SOC 2 Type II attestation.

Spec sheet

What it does
Frappe Books is accounting software for small businesses and freelancers.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
Purpose
Frappe Books is accounting software for small businesses.Read 8 Oct 2026 · docs.frappe.io
Free plan
YesRead 20 Sep 2026 · frappe.io
API
Frappe supplies REST and RPC HTTP APIs, including CRUD endpoints for documents and whitelisted Python method calls.Read 15 Oct 2026 · docs.frappe.io
License
The current frappe-books repository identifies its license as AGPL-3.0-only.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
Accounting
It keeps double-entry books and includes a country-specific chart of accounts, journal entries, and financial reports.Read 8 Oct 2026 · frappe.io
AlternativeTo listing
AlternativeTo lists Frappe Books as free AGPL-3.0 software for Mac, Windows and Linux, with no user comments or reviews shown.Read 15 Oct 2026 · alternativeto.net
API authentication
The REST documentation describes token authentication using an API key and secret, plus cookie-based sessions.Read 15 Oct 2026 · docs.frappe.io
Backups
The installation guide instructs administrators to back up the database and attached files with Bench and retain site_config.json.Read 15 Oct 2026 · docs.frappe.io
Changelog
The former desktop repository's v0.36.0 release added party ledger, multiple item selection, Swiss localization and print-template terms and conditions.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
Data storage
Company data is stored in the site database and the current installation has no downloadable local database file.Read 15 Oct 2026 · docs.frappe.io
Developer extensibility
The framework exposes Python and JavaScript APIs, hooks, query tools, form controls, dialogs, charts and scanner functions.Read 15 Oct 2026 · docs.frappe.io
Documentation
The documentation site includes setup, roles, transactions, POS, currencies, inventory, reports, settings and customization topics.Read 15 Oct 2026 · docs.frappe.io
Double-entry accounting
The application provides a double-entry ledger, chart of accounts and journal entries.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
Financial reports
Included reports are General Ledger, Profit and Loss, Balance Sheet and Trial Balance.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
Hosting model
Frappe Books is installed on a Frappe site and accessed through a browser on computers or phones.Read 15 Oct 2026 · docs.frappe.io
India GST
For India, GSTR-1 and GSTR-2 reports are available for GST returns.Read 8 Oct 2026 · frappe.io
Installation
The documented Bench setup creates a Frappe bench, fetches the frappe-books app, creates a site and installs frappe_books.Read 15 Oct 2026 · docs.frappe.io
Inventory
Inventory tools cover stock movements, delivery notes, purchase receipts, batches, serial numbers and FIFO valuation.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
Inventory and POS
It supports stock across locations, batches, expiry dates, serial numbers, and point-of-sale transactions.Read 8 Oct 2026 · frappe.io
Inventory tracking
YesRead 20 Sep 2026 · frappe.io
Invoice creation
YesRead 20 Sep 2026 · frappe.io
Limit: collaboration
Gappsy says the earlier desktop application lacked native multi-user collaboration.Read 15 Oct 2026 · gappsy.com
Limit: data reliability
Another SourceForge reviewer reported that an update corrupted the database and prevented it from loading.Read 15 Oct 2026 · 178.160.211.19.sslip.io
Limit: maturity
The October 2026 announcement says the replacement was available on the develop branch only at that time.Read 15 Oct 2026 · discuss.frappe.io
Limit: prior maintenance
The same announcement says the earlier desktop application had gone unmaintained for a substantial period because it lacked an owner.Read 15 Oct 2026 · discuss.frappe.io
Limit: support
Gappsy says support for the earlier desktop version relied mainly on community and GitHub channels rather than dedicated customer service.Read 15 Oct 2026 · gappsy.com
Maker company
LinkedIn lists Frappe as a privately held software company headquartered in Mumbai, with 51–200 employees and a 2008 founding year.Read 15 Oct 2026 · linkedin.com
Notable limitation
The old desktop app is no longer supported.Read 8 Oct 2026 · frappe.io
Open source license
The product page lists Frappe Books under the AGPL-3.0 license.Read 8 Oct 2026 · frappe.io
Permissions
Roles include Books User, Books Manager and System Manager, with access varying by transaction, reports, settings and stock values.Read 15 Oct 2026 · docs.frappe.io
Phone access
The current version provides a phone layout that can be installed to a device home screen from a browser.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
Phone use
It runs in a phone browser and can be added to the home screen; it needs an internet connection.Read 8 Oct 2026 · docs.frappe.io
Point of sale
POS includes shifts, checkout, barcode scanning, pricing rules, coupons and loyalty points.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
Praise: ease of use
One SourceForge reviewer called the interface intuitive and well designed for a small business.Read 15 Oct 2026 · 178.160.211.19.sslip.io
Praise: interface and simplicity
A Gappsy review describes the product as clean and modern and highlights its free, open-source positioning.Read 15 Oct 2026 · gappsy.com
Praise: offline ownership
Gappsy praises the earlier desktop version for offline operation and keeping data in a user-controlled local file.Read 15 Oct 2026 · gappsy.com
Product transition
A Frappe announcement dated October 3, 2026 says the Electron/Vue desktop repository was archived and replaced by a Frappe Framework version with a PWA.Read 15 Oct 2026 · discuss.frappe.io
Rating on SourceForge
4.0 out of 5 stars from 2 reviewsRead 15 Oct 2026 · 178.160.211.19.sslip.io
Regional support
The project documents India GST reports, Swiss fields and translations for more than 15 languages.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
Sales and purchases
It supports quotes, invoices, payments, bills, supplier payments, and returns.Read 8 Oct 2026 · frappe.io
Sales and purchasing
It supports quotations, invoices, payments, returns, supplier bills and purchase receipts.Read 15 Oct 2026 · frappe.io
Security certifications
Frappe states that its quality and information-security systems are certified to ISO 9001:2015, ISO 27001:2022 and SOC 2 Type II.Read 15 Oct 2026 · frappe.io
System requirements
Documented requirements are Frappe Framework develop branch, Python 3.14, current LTS Node.js and Yarn, Redis, and MariaDB 11.8, PostgreSQL 18 or SQLite 3.Read 15 Oct 2026 · docs.frappe.io
Team permissions
Books User, Books Manager, and System Manager roles control access to records, reports, and settings.Read 8 Oct 2026 · docs.frappe.io

Plans and prices

Free Free open-source · no subscription · self-hosted Read 15 Oct 2026 · frappe.io

Every Frappe Books plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Free and open source under AGPL-3.0.
  • Tracks inventory across locations and supports POS.
  • Includes double-entry books and financial reports.
  • India GST reports include GSTR-1 and GSTR-2.
  • Role-based access controls records, reports and settings.

Limits

  • The old desktop app is no longer supported.
  • Phone browser use requires an internet connection.
  • Runs on the customer’s own server.

Who it suits

It suits small businesses that need bookkeeping alongside sales, purchasing and inventory tools. It may also fit businesses that want to keep company data on their own Frappe server.

Frappe Books in depth

Read the full write-up

Overview

Frappe Books is small-business accounting software that combines bookkeeping with sales, purchasing and inventory workflows. It is best suited to businesses comfortable running a Frappe site on their own server. Its broad feature set and open-source license make a compelling no-subscription option, but self-hosting and the unsupported desktop app narrow its appeal.

Key features

Books handles quotes, invoices, payments, bills, supplier payments and returns, covering routine sales and purchasing in one system. Businesses selling physical goods can track stock across locations, batches, expiry dates and serial numbers, and record point-of-sale transactions. That breadth is useful for inventory-heavy small businesses, but comes with the operational responsibility of running the product on a customer-managed server.

Double-entry books, a country-specific chart of accounts, journal entries and financial reports give the accounting side more substance than a basic invoicing tool. Indian businesses also get GSTR-1 and GSTR-2 reports for GST returns. Books User, Books Manager and System Manager roles distinguish access to records, reports and settings, helping divide responsibilities as a team grows.

Company data stays in the Frappe site's database. This keeps data on the customer's server, but means the business must operate its own Frappe site rather than signing up for a ready-to-use hosted service. Phone access is through a browser, with an option to add the site to the home screen; it requires an internet connection. The old desktop app is no longer supported, so buyers should not choose Books expecting a maintained standalone desktop product.

Pricing

Books has one plan: Free at free, with no subscription. The plan is open source and intended for installation on the customer's own Frappe site; the AGPL-3.0 license is a meaningful advantage for businesses that want open-source software and can manage deployment themselves. There is no free trial because the software is free. No paid tier is provided, so there is no subscription upgrade to trade a price for hosted operation or additional features.

Platforms

Books is listed for Android, iOS, Linux, macOS, web, Windows and self-hosted use. In practice, phone use is via a browser and requires an internet connection. The unsupported old desktop app is an important distinction for Linux, macOS and Windows users: desktop platforms should not be taken as a promise of a supported standalone app.

Who it's for

Choose Frappe Books if you run a small business that needs accounting, sales documents and inventory together, values open-source software, and is prepared to maintain a Frappe site. Its stock controls and India-specific GST reports can be especially relevant to businesses with tracked goods or Indian filing needs. Look elsewhere if you want a supported desktop app or do not want to host and operate the software yourself.

Pros and cons

Pros: Double-entry accounting, sales and purchase documents, inventory tracking and POS transactions sit in one free, open-source product, avoiding a subscription while covering several everyday business workflows.

Pros: Customer-hosted data and defined user, manager and system roles give businesses control over their deployment and access boundaries.

Cons: Running the product on a Frappe site on the customer's server puts deployment and operation on the business rather than a hosted provider.

Cons: The old desktop app is unsupported, and phone-browser use depends on an internet connection.

Alternatives

BUSY is worth considering for businesses seeking a free billing and accounting plan with multiple companies, multiple financial years and a free trial; its Express plan is free, and it runs on the web.

Beancount is a free, open-source bookkeeping option for buyers who want bookkeeping software rather than Frappe Books' combined sales, purchasing and inventory scope. hledger is another free software option with no purchase price or monthly fees. Ledger may suit readers who specifically want BSD-licensed command-line accounting software.

GnuCash is a free desktop alternative for personal and small-business accounting. GNUKhata is a free, open-source alternative whose current v8.0 supports Docker installation. FrontAccounting is another free option, released under the GNU General Public License and available for self-hosted web use.

Infor ERP is an alternative for businesses considering industry-specific ERP software; its CloudSuite ERP pricing is custom.

For more options, browse General Ledger Software or Bookkeeping Software.

Verdict

Frappe Books is a strong fit for small businesses that want a free, open-source package for accounting, sales and inventory and are willing to host it themselves. Its main reason to choose is the breadth of its business workflows at no subscription cost; its main reason to look elsewhere is the responsibility of self-hosting, compounded by the unsupported desktop app.

Verdict

Frappe Books brings small-business accounting, sales documents and inventory together at no subscription cost. Its customer-hosted setup and unsupported old desktop app are key considerations.

Where Specifiction places it

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