Shelf

Self-Hosted

Open-source inventory management for small businesses and home users

Overview

Shelf is an open-source inventory tool for small teams, home users, and hobbyists. It lets you track items, categorize by type/location, monitor stock levels, and set low-stock alerts. With barcode scanning support (mobile/webcam), updating inventory is fast and accurate. Deploy easily via Docker Compose (no complex setup) or manual PHP/MySQL installation. It includes multi-user roles for safe collaboration, and since it’s self-hosted, all your inventory data stays private and under your control—no third-party access.

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:
  shelf:
    image: <OFFICIAL_IMAGE_NAME>:latest
    container_name: shelf
    ports:
      - "8080:<APP_INTERNAL_PORT>"
    volumes:
      - ./data:/app/data
    restart: unless-stopped

Key Features

Barcode scanning for quick inventory updates
Low-stock alerts and real-time stock tracking
Multi-user role management for team collaboration

Frequently Asked Questions

? Is Shelf hard to install?

No—Shelf supports Docker Compose for one-click deployment, handling all dependencies automatically. Manual installation via PHP and MySQL is also possible, though Docker is the recommended, simplest option for most users.

? Is Shelf a good alternative to Zoho Inventory?

Yes, for users prioritizing data privacy and no subscription costs. While Zoho offers enterprise features like multi-channel sales integration, Shelf covers core inventory needs (tracking, alerts, barcodes) and keeps your data self-hosted.

? Is Shelf completely free?

Absolutely—Shelf is released under the MIT License, meaning it’s free to use, modify, and distribute without any hidden fees or premium tiers.

Top Alternatives

Zoho Inventory Search Google

Square for Retail Search Google

Tool Info

Pricing Open Source

Category Inventory Management

Platform Self-Hosted

Pros

⊕ Privacy-focused (all data remains on your server)
⊕ No recurring subscription fees

Cons

⊖ Requires basic server setup knowledge (Docker recommended)
⊖ Limited advanced features compared to enterprise tools (e.g., ERP integration)