Quick answer
OpenPetra is a free, open source project in the “Nonprofit, Church & Community” group, built with C#, Linux server. It is released under GPL-3.0, has 116 GitHub stars, and its repository was last updated in Sep 2026. You can self-host it on your own server. Verified 14 October 2026.
Nonprofit, Church & Community
OpenPetra
Open source administration software for charities and non-profits.
GitHub stars
116
Last repo update
Sep 2026
License
GPL-3.0
Technology
C#, Linux server
What is OpenPetra?
OpenPetra manages donors, sponsors, partners and finances for non-profit organisations.
Highlights
- Donor and partner management
- Finance and gift processing
- Designed for non-profits
- GPL-3.0
Best for
Charities and mission organisations.
Self-Hosted (Open Source Edition)
Install on your own server • No per-user software fee • Full control & privacy
Self-Host on My Server →🏠 Self-Hosted Version
You download the source code and run it on your own server or VPS (for example Hostinger, AWS or DigitalOcean).
Installation
This installs a developer environment, as shown in the official README. Do not use the public demo for real data.
Open the official install guide →
Requirements: A Linux server. See the project documentation for production installs.
Commands above come from the project's own documentation (checked 14 October 2026). Versions change, so confirm against the official guide before running anything on a production server.
Need a server to host it?
Docker, Node, Python, Java and similar stacks usually need a VPS where you can install your own software. A small VPS is enough to start, and you can upgrade later. Hostinger offers both shared web hosting and VPS plans.
Affiliate disclosure: this is an affiliate link. If you buy through it we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. CRMs are listed independently of any hosting partner. Learn more.
Before real customers go in: read the security and backup checklist →
🧪 Public demo
Demo data only. Never enter real personal data.
Open the demo →Demos are shared and may reset. Do not enter real customer data.
Self-Hosted vs Hosted by Someone Else
| Factor | Self-Hosted | Managed / third-party |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | No software fee for the open edition. You pay for hosting. | Depends on the provider you choose. |
| Data privacy & control | Data stays on your server. | Data lives on the provider's servers. |
| Maintenance | You install updates and run backups. | The provider handles it. |
| Best for | Teams with a developer or sysadmin, and data-sensitive companies. | Teams who want a fast start and no server work. |
No technical person on the team
→ Try the demo, then get help to install
Avoid running a server you cannot maintain.
Team with a developer or sysadmin
→ Self-Hosted
Lower running cost and full customization.
Data-sensitive or regulated work
→ Self-Hosted on your own server
You decide where data lives and who can access it.
Alternatives to OpenPetra
ChurchCRM
Free church management software for people, families, groups and donations.
968 • MIT
CiviCRM
The leading open source CRM for nonprofits, NGOs and membership organisations.
786 • AGPL-3.0
Twenty
A modern, community-driven open source alternative to Salesforce.
58.3k • AGPL-3.0
Odoo Community
All-in-one business suite with a capable CRM app.
55k • LGPL-3.0
ERPNext
Full open source ERP with a strong CRM module.
40.1k • GPL-3.0
Chatwoot
Open source customer engagement platform with a shared inbox.
37.8k • MIT
Frequently asked questions about OpenPetra
Is OpenPetra free and open source?
OpenPetra is released under GPL-3.0. Always read the LICENSE file in the official repository before you use, modify or redistribute it. License details were verified on 14 October 2026.
What technology does OpenPetra use?
OpenPetra is built with C#, Linux server.
Can I self-host OpenPetra?
Yes. You can download the source from the official GitHub repository and run it on your own server or VPS. Requirements: A Linux server. See the project documentation for production installs.
Does OpenPetra have a hosted or cloud version?
We could not confirm an official hosted plan in the project documentation. Check the official website for the latest options.
Who is OpenPetra best for?
Charities and mission organisations.
What are good alternatives to OpenPetra?
Similar open source projects in this directory include ChurchCRM, CiviCRM, Twenty. Compare them in the Nonprofit, Church & Community group.
Data verified 14 October 2026 from the project's public repository and documentation. Details change, so check the official sources. See our disclaimer. Found a mistake? Tell us.