Bigcapital

Self-Hosted

Open-source accounting & financial management for small businesses

Overview

Bigcapital is an open-source alternative to QuickBooks, offering core accounting tools like invoicing, expense tracking, bank reconciliation, multi-currency support, and financial reporting (profit/loss, balance sheets). It includes inventory management and tax calculation features, ideal for freelancers and small enterprises. Deployable via Docker or traditional web servers (PHP/MySQL), it lets users control their financial data privately without SaaS subscription fees, ensuring compliance and data sovereignty.

Self-Hosting Resources

Find Official Image on Docker Hub View Source & Docs

Below is a reference structure for docker-compose.yml. ⚠️ Do NOT run blindly. Replace placeholders with official values.

docker-compose.template.yml TEMPLATE


version: '3'
services:
  bigcapital:
    image: <OFFICIAL_IMAGE_NAME>:latest
    container_name: bigcapital
    ports:
      - "8080:<APP_INTERNAL_PORT>"
    volumes:
      - ./data:/app/data
    restart: unless-stopped

Key Features

Comprehensive Financial Reporting (P&L, Balance Sheets)
Invoicing & Expense Tracking with Payment Integrations
Multi-currency Support & Tax Compliance Tools

Frequently Asked Questions

? Is Bigcapital hard to install?

Bigcapital is easiest to install via Docker (with basic command-line knowledge) using official images. It also supports traditional deployment on PHP/MySQL servers. The documentation provides step-by-step guides, so users with moderate technical skills can set it up quickly.

? Is it a good alternative to QuickBooks?

Yes—Bigcapital offers core accounting features like invoicing, expense tracking, and financial reports similar to QuickBooks. It’s a better choice for businesses prioritizing data privacy (self-hosted) and avoiding recurring subscription costs, though it lacks some advanced SaaS integrations.

? Is it completely free?

Bigcapital is open-source under the MIT license, so it’s 100% free to use, modify, and self-host. There are no hidden fees, though you may incur costs for server hosting or custom development if needed.

Top Alternatives

QuickBooks Search Google

Xero Search Google

FreshBooks Search Google

Tool Info

Pricing Open Source

Category Money, Budgeting & Management

Platform Self-Hosted

Pros

⊕ Privacy-focused (self-hosted data control)
⊕ No subscription fees (open-source license)
⊕ Supports multi-currency transactions for global businesses

Cons

⊖ Requires technical setup (Docker or web server deployment)
⊖ Steeper learning curve for non-accounting professionals
⊖ Limited third-party integrations compared to SaaS tools like Xero