11 Top Free and Open Source ERP Software Solutions

Maximizing resource efficiency to their optimum capacity makes sense for a successful enterprise operation. Planning your resources to qualify the business requisites is perfect Enterprise Resource Planning.

Trends in managing diversified business processes are changing. The era of advanced technologies is in, and open-source ERP systems are being innovated and made available to users to establish and manage their enterprise operations.

Whatever the size of your business is, a convenient and smart business process is immensely needed.

Today is the time to introduce the ability to deliver an integrated suite of business applications, and the advanced ERP systems best serve that. These tools share a standard process and data model involving a deep and broad operational process that seems helpful in HR, Finance, Distribution, Manufacturing, Warehousing, Service, and the Supply Chain.

ERP software systems use the same database throughout a company's operation. However, they may involve different computerized functions that help ensure that all processes function efficiently.

Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) Software Systems

Enterprise Resource Planning software is a modular system designed to integrate an organization's diverse functional areas of business processes. Specific core software components, such as modules, focus on key business areas. Organizations choose the modules based on their business requirements.

Trusted, free and open-source ERP software programs are excellent examples of qualitative resources that help organizations integrate applications systematically.

As a proven business process management technique, ERP solutions help organizations manage and automate many back-office functions related to human resources, services, and technology.

ERP software programs typically cover all facets of enterprise operation, including planning, organizing, developing, manufacturing, sales, and marketing. All are performed using a single database, application, and interface.

ERP is a software-designed enterprise application that larger organizations and businesses majorly use. It often requires dedicated teams of professionals to customize and analyze the data. These professionals are also responsible for handling deployments and upgrades.

Simultaneously, lightweight business management software solutions are also available for smaller organizations or start-ups in the form of small ERP application designs. These are customized explicitly to meet the specific needs of a smaller business.

Types of ERP-based Software Solutions for Businesses

As your business flourishes, it is essential to use a suitable software package. It helps you keep track of shipments, accounting, and inventory and enables you to be efficient and profitable for a long time.

Many big market players have been constantly using conventional enterprise resource planning programs and beheading the competition with thousands of employees worldwide. However, software developers are now supporting all levels of business enterprises with their respective types and designs of software solutions.

Let’s check them as per their classification:

1. Industry-specific ERP Software Systems: These systems are often built for large corporations, but an off-the-shelf model works best for smaller corporations. Most of these software programs are grouped into finance, logistics, and based companies.
2. Web-Based ERP Software Systems: ERP programs are complex and require high-tech computers to install and run. However, many suppliers save you from buying the software to run on your office computer by offering a SaaS, i.e., Software as a Service version of the program.
3. Small Business ERP Software Systems: Free and open-source ERP software solutions for smaller businesses cover everything from inventory and supply-chain management to accounting and customer support solutions. Hence, they do not need to automate all such functions. The scaled-down models the developers offer regarding these systems are also cost-effective.

How do ERP Software Systems Benefit Businesses?

Check the table below to see how ERP systems serve businesses best.

What are Free and Open Source ERP Software Solutions for Businesses?

ERP programs have become the backbone of businesses today. Generally, big business houses look for big ERP competitors, like Oracle, SAP, Microsoft, Dynamics, etc. Their systems are comprehensive but expensive in licensing, implementation, and maintenance.

So, when your business finds it unaffordable to use such gigantic implementations or if your business operations need a bit simple solution, you should better turn towards the free and open source ERP solutions for a more economical solution.

In short, free and open-source ERP software systems are programs whose source code is made public and open to all. The open-source model allows the organization to access the ERP system's code and customize it according to the needs of its own IT department instead of paying additionally for vendor customization services.

Many small—to medium-sized businesses utilize free and open-source ERP solutions to manage their daily business operations, such as expense monitoring, billing, sales, and supply chain management.

A point to note is that almost all companies from different business verticals have different ERP requirements and solutions. Hence, it becomes hard to find one that fits all sizes.

Some open-source and free enterprise resource planning software solutions are receiving massive recognition in the market. They offer extensive customization and transformation services to small and medium-level businesses that benefit their clients, employees, technology, and processes. Overall, ERP software solutions help them achieve their strategic goals. The top free ERP software solutions are now widely appreciated and recognized for their proven services related to ERP innovations, industry-specific practices, and transformation methodologies.

Before we move to the free and open source software list, we would like to discuss the popular one in this category - NetSuite ERP, as given below -

NetSuite ERP

Oracle NetSuite ERP is a robust Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software that enables organizations of all sizes and verticals to build enterprise-wide capabilities that drive growth, innovation, and productivity for their businesses. NetSuite ERP assists businesses in bringing dynamic business changes by optimizing financial and accounting processes, streamlining supply chain management and procurement operations, and eliminating all redundant manual processes. It centralizes the management of workflows, integrates core processes, and provides end-to-end real-time visibility into enterprise-wide activities. With Oracle NetSuite, you don’t have to worry about compliance and regulatory adherence. NetSuite ERP takes employee productivity to the next level with compelling resources, lean functionalities, and easy-to-use tools. In short, NetSuite ERP connects technology, people, and processes all under one platform.

Source- NetSuite ERP

Key Features of NetSuite ERP:

• Financial Management with modules for core accounting, billing, financial planning, financial reporting and tracking of financial performance, and transactions
• Extensive resources and collaborative tools to manage budgeting, Capex planning, forecasting, and reporting
• Order management capabilities with modules for pricing management, sales order management, returns management, sales automation, and multi-currency price management.
• With modules for product data management, work order management, production planning, scheduling, quality assurance, and more, you can gain complete control of manufacturing units and real-time visibility into the production management process.
• Smart tools for Warehouse management with functional solutions for inbound logistics, outbound logistics, inventory management, and integrated modern-day warehouse technologies such as barcode scanning, mobile cycle counting, RFID controls, etc.
• Centralized procurement solutions include automated sourcing, vendor management, RFQs, purchase contract management, etc.
• In compliance with current Government Regulations with ongoing compliance management tools

Let’s examine some of the industry's top free and open-source ERP software solutions.

Comparison between Free and Open Source ERP Software Solutions:

Out of an excellent selection of free and open-source ERP software programs, some are listed and compared here with different sub-heads. To have a quick view of them all, the chart below will guide you best.

A detailed description of these software solutions and their features follows.

1. Dolibarr

Dolibarr is one of the best free and open-source software packages for foundations, freelancers, and small and medium-level businesses. Developed by the Dolibarr team and licensed under GNU General Public License 3.0, Dolibarr is cross-platform software. The stable version 8.0.2 release date is September 18, 2018.

(Source: Dolibarr)

Features:

• It is a cross-platform (Windows, Mac, and Linux) web-based application that can be accessed from anywhere on the Internet.
• It enables only those features that you need in the software.
• It is the easiest ERP in the market to handle.
• It is written in PHP and uses PostgreSQL, MariaDB, and MySQL databases.
• It is multi-user and user-friendly software with highly customizable or modular code.
• It is best used for business needs, such as sales, human resources, logistics, stock, invoicing, accounting, and manufacturing.

2.ERPNext

A product of Frappe Technologies Pvt. Ltd., ERPNext is free and open-source integrated ERP software. It is based on the MariaDB database system and uses JavaScript and Python-based server-side frameworks. Rushabh Mehta is the original creator of the software, and its stable version, 10.0.7, was released on January 9, 2018.

(Source: ERPNext)

Features:

• A Model-View-Controller architecture-based ERPNext is generic ERP software that manufacturers, service companies, and distributors primarily use.
• It covers the majority of service modules like asset management, accounting, CRM, HRM, manufacturing, project management, point of sale, purchasing, sales management, warehousing, etc.
• This powerful and easy-to-use software gives the user complete control over the role and user-level permissions to access the database data.
• Standard objects are customizable according to specific business needs.
• The software is available in more than 70 languages, which makes it the most accessible ERP software in the world.

3.MixERP

Free and open-source Enterprise Resource Planning software MixERP is a scalable business solution. This multi-platform software is available in C#.net language and provides all the tools and capabilities essential for running your business successfully.

(Source: MixERP)

Features:

• MixERP presents a suite of functional modules that help businesses manage their business activities.
• It has cloud-based software, and the users are free from all worries related to maintenance and other costs.
• It supports all devices, including Windows, Mac, and Linux-based systems, as well as iPhone/iPad, Android, and web-based mobile platforms.
• It supports the English language and involves all customer types.

4. Opentaps

Opentaps is free and open-source software with unlimited flexibility for its users. Its most recent version, 1.5, takes a business's enterprise resource planning, management, and operations to perform efficiently and perfectly.

(Source: Opentaps)

Features:

• Opentaps offers custom-tailored ERP software to meet the varied needs of businesses.
• Users have complete control of the custom software.
• In addition to ERP, it supports CRM, eCommerce, Supply Chain Management, Financial Management, Warehouse and Inventory Management, Business Intelligence, and mobility integration.
• It works on the cloud-based deployment scheme.
• Licensed under AGPL v3, Opentaps depends on Apache Open for Business, an open-source ERP system the Apache Software Foundation runs.

5.LedgerSMB

LedgerSMB originated in 2006 as an extension to SQL-Ledger, a famous general ledger software package. Dieter Simader is the name behind its evolution—this free and open-source ERP software's stable version 1.6.10 release date is January 20, 2019.

(Source: LedgerSMB)

Features:

• LedgerSMB—Accounting, ERP, and CRM software uses Perl as its programming language and database interface and has a GPLv2 license.
• It has a robust interface; hence, ramp-up time requirements are shallow.
• Its open architecture helps in easy integration with other business applications.
• The advanced version of the software brings about increased security levels for the user data.
• It supports 45 languages, and the software best suits small and mid-size businesses.

6.WebERP

WebERP has a GPL license and is among the top free ERP system software that came into existence in 2001. The PHP language is an integral part of this software program. The stable version 4.15 software release date is May 20, 2018.

(Source: WebERP)

Features:

• WebERP is entirely web-based software that can run on any web server that accommodates PHP.
• It is a multi-language software and fully UTF-8 compliant as well.
• The design of the software covers a significant percentage of US-based users, but it is fully customizable.
• It covers modules like purchasing, sale, bearings, payments, etc.
• It is multi-theme-based software, i.e., all users can view the software interface in their preferred graphical interface. The system itself contains a selection of 9 themes that one can choose accordingly.
• It facilitates page encryption using SSL to ensure absolute security measures.

7.ERP5

ERP5 is a powerful, open-source ERP software solution that relies on Python and Zope. The software operates on Linux, UNIX, and GPL licenses, and its stable version 5.5 was released in November 2014. Nexedi.com reserves all rights related to the development and maintenance of ERP5.

(Source: ERP5)

Features:

• ERP5 is excellent free and open-source ERP system software that serves financial accounting and finance frameworks well.
• Other critical functions of this software include multiple business templates, a document management system, an ingestion system, a web publication system, and a SynchML tool for data synchronization.
• Through the ERP5 mobile facility, users can also access data for their mobile phones.
• The software also facilitates creating PDF reports involving an arbitrary and unrestricted layout.
• This software provides multinationals, small or large, private or public sector businesses with a scalable, flexible, and unified business platform.

8. Apache OFBiz

As a product of the Apache Software Foundation, Apache OFBiz is open-source and free enterprise resource planning software that belongs to Java XML Freemarker Groovy and operates on multiple platforms. It owns Apache License 2.0, and its stable version 16.11.05 release date is October 2, 2018.

(Source: Apache OFBiz)

Features:

• Apache OFBiz framework provides a standard data model with business processes.
• The program has excellent software architecture and a significant service-based approach.
• SMEs, Agencies, and Enterprises are typical users of this kind of software.
• It supports web-app-based operating systems and cloud-based deployment types.
• Java 2 SDK is the only technical requirement behind installing Apache OFBiz to use this software on your computer.
• It includes comprehensive modules and features that will fit any business and its growing needs.

9.BlueSeer

For small and medium-sized businesses operating in the manufacturing, warehousing, and transporting industries, BlueSeer is trusted free and open-source ERP software that runs on Windows, Mac, and Linux and supports the English language to work on.

(Source: BlueSeer)

Features:

• BlueSeer is powerful software that offers many benefits, including a comprehensive toolset and a massive pool of developers.
• The software operates on both platforms, i.e., Windows and Linux.
• The multi-user version of BlueSeer software is also available on SourceForge, the hosting company.
• It provides highly customizable solutions that function more than just an ERP system.
• As a top free ERP software system, it facilitates inventory control, warehouse management, distribution, and EDI functionality.

10. Metasfresh

As a Metas GmbH and Community product, Metasfresh is a free and open-source ERP software system that operates on Linux, Windows, OS X, Android, and iOS platforms. It is a GPLv2/GPLv3 license-based product in Java, JavaScript, XML, and SQL languages.

(Source: Metasfresh)

Features:

• Metasfresh is the ADempiere holding and has ranked among the top 9 open-source ERP platforms by opensource.com.
• Java and JavaScript scripting language powers the software that works with the PostgreSQL database management system.
• It covers a variety of business functionalities, and the software proves immensely beneficial to small and medium-level enterprises.
• The software is adaptable to the user’s needs.
• It is transparent and gives enormous scope for innovations.

11.inoERP

inoERP is a PHP-based open-source ERP software for businesses that work on MySQL, Oracle 12c, and MariaDB databases. It is cross-platform ERP software that holds licensing under Mozilla Public License Version 2.0, and its stable version 0.5.2 release date is March 15, 2017.

(Source: inoERP)

Features:

• inoERP is a web-based enterprise management system.
• The software works on the dynamic pull system, an advanced version of the pull system.
• The software's architecture is flexible, including all reports, documents, and forms, so I can add any new elements according to the business’s needs.
• This system is usable on any modern browser, laptop, desktop, or mobile device with any resolution size.
• InoERP software also involves an integrated in-built content management system.
• It provides a single system for end-to-end requirements related to supply chain, finance, HR, and MES systems.

Apart from the above-listed free and open-source ERP software solutions, NetSuite ERP Software is one of the prominent commercial ERP solutions. Owing to its popularity, we have included it for discussion.

NetSuite ERP

NetSuite ERP is scalable ERP software that primarily targets large enterprises. It is a leader in the ERP industry and offers an exceptional combination of management and engineering services related to order management, financial management, billing and invoicing, and revenue management. It is a cloud-hosted and open-API-based software solution that can be deployed on Windows, Mac, iPhone, Android, and web-based platforms.

(Source: NetSuite ERP)

Features:

• The NetSuite software offers enterprises a broad range of robust enterprise resource planning and business processes.
• The combination of data and visual analytics generates meaningful and actionable business insights.
• The software has a free trial facility for both primary and premium versions.
• Launched in 1977, the software today has several customers who are very happy to use the software.

Other popular ERP software solutions today include Eresource Xcel, Flectra, IQMS Manufacturing ERP, Workday, Abas ERP, and Epicore ERP.

You can freely share your reviews here if you have already used one of the above software solutions.

Conclusion

Recent research states that around 78% of businesses today rely upon open-source platforms to run their businesses. 55% of enterprises believe open-source facilities deliver superior security to their companies compared to proprietary solutions.

Free and open-source ERP solutions are not just the most favored solutions for small to mid-level companies, but they are also preferred by larger organizations to run their business operations smoothly.

No matter how complex the operations are, qualitative ERP software will efficiently and effectively manage the overall tasks within your organization.

Open-source ERP software programs can save your business money in the long run. Some top free ERP systems also require no licensing or maintenance cost.

Many big organizations and corporate entities appreciate the quality measures these open-source ERP systems provide. They are also easy to upgrade by implementing the appropriate customizations.