OpenBoxes
Open source warehouse and inventory management born in disaster-relief healthcare.
GitHub stars
915
Repo updated
Oct 2026
License
EPL-1.0
Technology
Groovy (Grails)
What is OpenBoxes?
OpenBoxes was initially conceptualized by staff at Partners In Health to digitize the delivery, inventory and consumption of emergency medical supplies in Haiti after the 2010 earthquake. Today it runs in healthcare facilities in several countries. It is written in Groovy on the Grails framework.
Best for Health facilities, NGOs and supply-chain teams that need accountable inventory control.
In depth
OpenBoxes features
Strengths
- Proven in real field operations.
- Focus on efficiency, flexibility and accessibility.
- Free and open.
Limitations
- Groovy and Grails are less common skills.
- Tuned for healthcare supply chains rather than general retail.
- Requires server setup.
Where OpenBoxes fits in your business
We compare OpenBoxes with similar tools in these small business buying guides:
- Warehouse management guide
Installing and hosting OpenBoxes
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.
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.
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Official links for OpenBoxes
Always download from the official sources to get the latest and safest version.
Frequently asked questions about OpenBoxes
What is OpenBoxes?
An open source warehouse and inventory management system, originally built for medical supplies in Haiti after the 2010 earthquake.
Is OpenBoxes only for healthcare?
It grew out of healthcare supply chains, but it is a general warehouse and inventory tool. Evaluate fit against your own workflow.
What language is it written in?
Groovy on Grails.
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.