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Accounting & bookkeeping

Bigcapital

Online accounting and inventory software for small and medium businesses.

GitHub stars

3,939

Repo updated

Oct 2026

License

AGPL-3.0

Technology

TypeScript (Node.js, React)

What is Bigcapital?

Bigcapital describes itself as smart, open source accounting and inventory software that keeps business finances in one place and automates accounting work to produce financial statements and reports. It runs as a web application, and a hosted Bigcapital Cloud exists next to the self-hosted edition.

Best for Small and medium businesses that want accounting and invoicing in a modern browser interface without a full ERP.

In depth

Bigcapital features

Accounting and inventory in one application
Financial statements and reports generated from your books
Sales invoices to bill customers
Web access for several people at once
Documented API with an API reference
Self-hosted edition and an optional hosted cloud

Strengths

  • Focused on accounting, so it is easier to learn than an ERP.
  • Reports are a core selling point.
  • Cloud option if you do not want to run a server.

Limitations

  • Smaller feature set than a full ERP, so no HR, manufacturing or POS.
  • You maintain the server and backups when self-hosting.
  • Check the license (AGPL-3.0) if you plan to modify and offer it as a service.

Where Bigcapital fits in your business

We compare Bigcapital with similar tools in these small business buying guides:

Installing and hosting Bigcapital

Follow the project's own installation guide for exact, current steps. See the official documentation.

Information checked 16 October 2026 from the project's documentation. Versions change, so confirm before running commands 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.

See Hostinger 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 and software are listed independently of any hosting partner. Learn more.

Similar software

Official links for Bigcapital

Always download from the official sources to get the latest and safest version.

Frequently asked questions about Bigcapital

Is Bigcapital open source?

Yes. The repository is licensed under AGPL-3.0, with a self-hosted edition and a separate hosted Bigcapital Cloud.

Who is Bigcapital for?

Small and medium businesses that need accounting, invoices and inventory in a browser, without adopting a full ERP.

Does Bigcapital have an API?

Yes, the project publishes an API reference alongside its documentation.

Data verified 16 October 2026 from the project's public repository, LICENSE file and documentation. Details change, so check the official sources. See our disclaimer. Found a mistake? Tell us.