# ERPNext — Open Source ERP for Growing Businesses

> Full-featured open-source ERP system built on the Frappe framework, covering accounting, HR, manufacturing, CRM, and supply chain.

## Install

Save in your project root:

# ERPNext — Open Source ERP for Growing Businesses

## Quick Use
```bash
# Install via Docker (recommended for evaluation)
git clone https://github.com/frappe/frappe_docker
cd frappe_docker
cp example.env .env
docker compose -f pwd.yml up -d
# Access at http://localhost:8080 (default: Administrator / admin)
```

## Introduction
ERPNext is a free, open-source enterprise resource planning system built on the Frappe web framework. It provides modules for accounting, inventory, manufacturing, HR, CRM, and project management, making it a complete back-office solution for small and mid-sized businesses without the licensing costs of proprietary ERPs.

## What ERPNext Does
- Manages full double-entry accounting with multi-currency and multi-company support
- Tracks inventory across warehouses with batch and serial number management
- Handles manufacturing workflows including BOM, work orders, and production planning
- Runs HR operations from recruitment and onboarding to payroll and leave management
- Provides CRM with lead tracking, opportunity pipeline, and quotation generation

## Architecture Overview
ERPNext runs on the Frappe framework, a full-stack Python web framework using MariaDB or PostgreSQL for storage and Redis for caching and real-time updates. The frontend uses a custom JavaScript framework with REST and WebSocket APIs. Background jobs run through a Redis-backed worker queue, and the Bench CLI manages sites, apps, and deployments.

## Self-Hosting & Configuration
- Use the Bench CLI tool to install Frappe and ERPNext on Ubuntu or Debian
- Requires Python 3.11+, Node.js 18+, MariaDB 10.6+ or PostgreSQL, and Redis
- Configure site settings via `site_config.json` for database credentials and mail
- Run `bench setup production` to configure Supervisor and Nginx automatically
- Enable scheduled tasks with `bench enable-scheduler` for background processing

## Key Features
- 13+ integrated modules covering nearly every business function
- Customizable forms, workflows, and print formats without writing code
- Built-in point-of-sale for retail with offline mode support
- REST API and webhook support for third-party integrations
- Active community with localized versions for 60+ countries

## Comparison with Similar Tools
- **Odoo** — More apps and a larger ecosystem; Community Edition is open source but key features require paid Enterprise
- **Dolibarr** — PHP-based ERP/CRM that is lighter but lacks manufacturing depth
- **Tryton** — Modular Python ERP with strict data integrity; smaller community
- **Apache OFBiz** — Java-based ERP framework; more complex setup and fewer modern UI conventions
- **Metasfresh** — Open-source ERP focused on wholesale and food distribution

## FAQ
**Q: Is ERPNext free for commercial use?**
A: Yes. ERPNext is licensed under GPLv3 and can be used commercially without licensing fees. Paid hosting and support are available from Frappe.

**Q: Can ERPNext handle multi-company setups?**
A: Yes. A single instance supports multiple companies with inter-company transactions and consolidated financial reports.

**Q: How does ERPNext compare to SAP for small businesses?**
A: ERPNext covers similar core ERP functions at zero license cost. SAP offers deeper industry-specific modules but at significantly higher expense and complexity.

**Q: What is the relationship between Frappe and ERPNext?**
A: Frappe is the underlying web framework. ERPNext is an application built on Frappe. You can also build custom apps on Frappe alongside ERPNext.

## Sources
- https://github.com/frappe/erpnext
- https://docs.erpnext.com

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Source: https://tokrepo.com/en/workflows/9e17b190-3cb3-11f1-9bc6-00163e2b0d79
Author: AI Open Source