#15 inoERP

inoERP is an open source web based enterprise management system founded in Singapore. It’s built using the following platform technologies: PHP, JavaScript, MySQL / Oracle 12c, and released under the MPL license. The primary objective of inoERP is to provide a dynamic pull based automated transaction system (using IOT & RFID). This ERP system is comprised of 6 main modules: Finance, Supply Chain, Manufacturing, Services & Support, HR and Extension. Explore the full list of features here.

This rather young open source ERP solution has acquired a total of 3.667 downloads in the last 3 years. With no or very few partners and small base of users, this software is still in its early stage of development. Therefore, it is my personal opinion that you should be very careful when examining its features and capabilities.

Although it might be a good solution for micro and small businesses, I’m not fully persuaded that this ERP is the right choice for medium sized or large organizations.

#14 EasyERP

EasyERP is an open source ERP/CRM/HRM for small businesses built on Node.js and MongoDB. It is released under the GNU & LGPLv3 license. This solution has limited features and capabilities, focusing mainly on customers and sales management, inventory and order management as well as human resource management. EasyERP enables automatic syncing of data across all channels and grants perfect and full control options to retailers.

EasyERP exist only 3 years, and has acquired a total of 8.945 downloads on Sourceforge. Its start was bright, acquiring almost 36% of the total downloads in the first year upon release (2014). But if you analyze the number of downloads in 2016 vs 2014 you’ll notice a negative trend of -5,83%.

This multichannel e-commerce management solution is specifically designed for micro and small businesses. I would not recommend it for medium sized or large organization.

#13 IntarS 6.1 ERP+CRM

IntarS is a cloud-based, commercial open source ERP software with web interface, founded in Germany. The newest version of the solution, Version 7.0, is released under the IOSCL license and is no longer free of charge. “IntarS light” is still available free of charge as a virtual appliance, and you can download it here.

This is a stable open source ERP solution with primary focus on small and mid-sized companies operating in the following industries: trade, manufacturing, and service industry.

In the last 5 years, IntarS has acquired a total of 8.184 downloads on Sourceforge. But since 2012 there has been a negative 5 years trend, ending up with 81,54% loss in the number of downloads in 2016 compared to 2012. A partial reason of this trend might be the decision of the company to license Intars 7.0 for commercial use.

But, anyway the biggest disadvantage of this open source ERP system is that it is only available in German language. Therefore it is not available for international use.

#12 OpenZ — Das Open Source ERP

OpenZ is another open source ERP solution from Germany. It is a fork from Openbravo with priority on fully integrated ERP-processes with emphasis on fully functional modules especially for countries with complex fiscal laws like Germany. It’s built using the Java technology.

This ERP system is comprised of 8 standard modules, and around 10 additional modules. Explore the full list of modules and features here.

Same as IntarS, the biggest disadvantage of OpenZ ERP system is that it is only available in German language. Therefore it is not available for international use.

In the last 5 years OpenZ has acquired a total of 50.848 downloads on Sourceforge, most of them acquired in 2013. Since 2012 there has been a positive 5 years trend, ending up with 129,86% increase in the number of downloads when compared 2016 vs 2012.

#11 LedgerSMB

LedgerSMB is an open source double entry accounting and ERP system (fork of SQL-Ledger), made specifically for small businesses. It’s built using the following platform technologies: Perl and PostgreSQL, and released under the GPL license. This ERP system is comprised of 9 core modules: general ledger and journal entry, sales, purchasing, contact management, cash management, fixed assets, inventory management and light manufacturing, point of sale and reporting. Explore the full list of features and add-ons here.

In the last 5 years, LedgerSMB has acquired a total of 55.840 downloads on Sourceforge. Besides the ups and downs in the annual no. of downloads (negative trend in 2015 and 2016), this ERP solution has noted a positive 5 years trend, ending up with 12,96% increase in the number of downloads when compared 2016 vs 2012.

With very few partners around the globe and limited documentation, this software solution is not recommended for mid-sized or large organizations.

#10 Compiere ERP + CRM Business Solution

Compiere ERP+CRM is an open source ERP solution built on Java technology platform and released under the GPL and Commercial license. Compiere Community Edition 3.5, is a basic Java/Swing UI version of Compiere’s open source ERP software that is available for download as a ready-to-install binary distribution.

In the last 5 years Compiere has acquired a total of 76.472 downloads on Sourceforge. Although free, Compiere Community Edition does not include automated upgrade tools or support. Maybe this is the main reason for the negative 5 years trend, ending up with 77,97% loss in the number of downloads when compared 2016 vs 2012.

#9 VIENNA Advantage ERP/CRM

VIENNA Advantage is the first open source, web-based ERP and CRM solution in the world with inbuilt Document Management System and Business Intelligence functionality. It is released under the Eclipse Public License, and develop on the following technologies: ASP.NET MVC, C#, SPA, HTML, CSS, JavaScript. This open source ERP/CRM has a wide range of functionalities and modules and it is used by organizations with different sizes, starting from small and mid-sized enterprises to large and multinational corporations with various business units, operating in different industries. Check the industry templates available in VIENNA Advantage here.

VIENNA Advantage has been in the open source ERP market since 2004. The company is based in Germany with offices around the globe. It differentiates from its German competitors in this list because this ERP solution is not focusing on the local markets, but rather globally. The solution is already accessible in more than ten languages, but you can localize and translate it into as much languages as you wish with the free Translation Management Module.

VIENNA Advantage ERP/CRM is very flexible and scalable. This open source ERP solution is accessible from any mobile device, browser or operating system, integrates easily with third-party applications through web services, and it can be deployed both on-premises or on the cloud.

Users can choose between 3 editions: Community Edition (free of charge), Professional Edition and Enterprise Edition (both paid).You can download the source code for the newest HTML5 version, free of charge, here: Download VIENNA Advantage ERP/CRM, or try VIENNA Advantage web and cloud based ERP/CRM with HTML5 user interface here: Register for free Cloud ERP trial. Instant access, no credit card required. Professional support included.

In the last 4 years, VIENNA Advantage ERP/CRM Community Edition has acquired a total of 109.517 downloads on Sourceforge. Since 2013 there has been a positive 4 years trend, ending up with 169,16% increase in the number of downloads when compared 2016 vs 2013.

VIENNA Advantage ERP/CRM is the fastest growing open source ERP/CRM for mid-sized and large organizations dealing with multiple business units in multiple industries, which need multi-entity, multi-language, multi-currency, multi-units support as well as multiple accounting schemas.

#8 Opentaps ERP+CRM

Opentaps is an open source ERP and CRM suite covering the needs of organizations with different sizes, from startups to large firms. This solution is built on Java platform, and released under the following licenses:

As free software under: GNU Affero GPL v3 for opentaps 1.4 and later, or the Honest Public License (HPL) for earlier versions

Professional Edition under: Commercial License which allows you to incorporate opentaps into a hosted on-demand offering or commercial product and distribute it to end users under the opentaps commercial license.

Opentaps is used by industrial machinery manufacturers, online goods retailers, online content distributors, telecommunications companies, independent software vendors and hosted service providers. The solution incorporates the following modules: customers and sales, inventory, warehousing and shipping, manufacturing, purchasing, financials and reporting.

One of the disadvantages of this solution is that the free version comes without free professional support as well as no free updates of the system. Opentaps update services cost 500 USD.

In the last 5 years Opentaps has acquired a total of 123.427 downloads on Sourceforge. But since 2012 there has been a negative 5 years trend, ending up with 55,40% loss in the number of downloads in 2016 compared to 2012. The constant decrease in the number of downloads has two significant picks noted in 2013 (-40,25% compared to 2012) and in 2015 (-25,41% compared to 2014).

#7 FrontAccounting ERP

FrontAccounting ERP is web based accounting systems for small companies, built on PHP and MySQL platform technologies and released under the GNU — General Public License. It comes with 7 core modules: sales and accounts receivables, purchases and accounts payable, inventory and stock, manufacturing, cash and bank, general ledger and reports.

Compared to the other solutions in this list which cover wider scope of business activities, FrontAcounting is mostly focusing on the accounting, and does not provide modules that cover areas such as: CRM, HR, project management, etc. Maybe this is one of the reasons why the popularity of this solution is decreasing over the last 5 years.

In the last 5 years FrontAccounting has acquired a total of 137.689 downloads on Sourceforge. Starting from 2014 there has been a negative 3 years trend, ending up with 25,55% loss in the number of downloads in 2016 compared to 2012.

#6 weberp

WebERP is a complete web based and open source accounting and business management system that requires only a web-browser and pdf reader to use. It is built on PHP and MySQL technology platform and it comes with 11 core modules: sales and orders, taxes, accounts receivable, inventory, purchasing, accounts payable, bank, general ledger, manufacturing, contract costing, and fix assets.

Similar as FrontAcounting this solution is mostly focused on the accounting area of a business, and does not provide modules that cover other important areas such as: CRM, HR, project management, etc. WebERP is suitable for small and mid-sized businesses operating in wholesale, distribution and manufacturing.

In the last 5 years WebERP has acquired a total of 230.888 downloads on Sourceforge. Starting from 2012 there has been a negative 5 years trend, ending up with 19,02% loss in the number of downloads in 2016 compared to 2012.

#5 ADempiere ERP Business Suite

ADempiere is an open source software solution that combines ERP, CRM and SCM. It began as a fork of Compiere, and was released under the GPL license. The technology platform on which this solution is built is Java. ADempiere comprises of 11 ERP modules: sales, purchasing, manufacturing management, material management, finance, human resources, project management, CRM, POS, ecommerce and maintenance management.

Due to internal conflict between the trusties of the community, since 2012 this project continued under the name iDempiere (OSGI+ADempiere). The reason for this change was because the last team managing on behalf has effectively absconded with the project assets, after arbitrarily removing the trustees from Sourceforge admin/shell, allowing others to exploit the project commercially, reversing copyright credits, and refused to hold community referendums openly to rectify.

This conflict might be the main reason why there has been a negative 5 years trend, ending up with 63,23% loss in the number of downloads in 2016 compared to 2012. In the last 5 years ADempiere has acquired a total of 420.593 downloads on Sourceforge. In this period, some of the users switched to iDempiere and others just stop using the solution because they lost the trust in it.

#4 PostBooks ERP by xTuple

PostBooks by xTuple is an open source ERP for sales, accounting, operations and CRM in a single system. It’s built under the following platform technologies: C++, JavaScript, PostgreSQL, and released under the CPAL license. A commercial license is also available and comes with unlimited online customer support.

PostBoks ERP is comprised of 8 core modules: accounting, sales, CRM, purchasing, product definition, inventory and distribution, light manufacturing, and open source report writer. It is built to run in the cloud or on a local server, and covers the requirements of a wide range of businesses and industries.

In the last 5 years PostBooks ERP has acquired a total of 419.957 downloads on Sourceforge. Starting from 2012 there has been a negative 5 years trend, ending up with 52,84% loss in the number of downloads in 2016 compared to 2012.

#3 iDempiere

iDempiere is an open source ERP/CRM/SCM software based on Compiere / Adempiere and OSGi, and released under the GPLv2 license. It’s built on the Java platform technology and supports the following databases: PostgreSQL and Oracle (preferably v11G). This solution is targeting larger manufacturing and distribution companies, with rather complex organization structures. It’s harder to implement and requires more time to learn it compare to some other ERP solutions in this list.

iDempiere comprises of 11 ERP modules: sales, purchasing, manufacturing management, material management, finance, human resources, project management, CRM, POS, ecommerce and maintenance management.

In the last 5 years iDempiere has acquired a total of 447.535 downloads on Sourceforge. Starting from 2012 there has been a positive 5 years trend, especially escalating in 2013 (1065% increase in the no. of downloads compared to 2012) and 2016 (1051% increase in the no. of downloads compared to 2015). The reason for this peaks is probably because lots of users are switching from the old ADempiere and Compiere solutions to iDempiere.

#2 Openbravo

Openbravo is a retail ERP software founded in Spain and released under the OBPL1 license. It is built on the Java platform technology and supports the following databases: PostgreSQL and Oracle. There are 3 editions available for the end users: enterprise, professional (both paid) and community edition (free). If you decide to implement the free edition of this solution be aware that support is only available for paid editions.

Currently, openbravo covers the needs of the following retail sub-industries: apparel and footwear; beer, wine and liquor; building materials and garden equipment; furniture and home furnishings; health, beauty and personal care; sports goods.

In the last 5 years Openbravo has acquired a total of 626.485 downloads on Sourceforge. Starting from 2012 there has been a negative 5 years trend, ending up with 79,19% loss in the number of downloads in 2016 compared to 2012.

Openbravo is the right solution only for for mid-size to large retailers looking to adopt a solid ERP foundation for omnichannel retailing. If your business operates in other industry you should skip this option and focus on some other options in this list such as VIENNA Advantage ERP/CRM or PostBooks.

#1 Dolibarr ERP/CRM

Dolibarr ERP/CRM is an open source and web-based ERP/CRM for small and medium sized entities, released under the GPLv3 license. It is built on PHP and JavaScript platform technologies and supports the following databases: MySQL and PostgreSQL. It comes with the following core modules: CRM & Sales, HR, Marketing, Finance & Billing, Product & Stock Management, as well as som productivity features such as: Project & Tasks, Interventions, Agenda, Import/Export… You can download additional paid features via DoliStore (the official marketplace for Dolibarr addons and plugins).

In the last 5 years Dolibarr has acquired a total of 872.084 downloads on Sourceforge and became the most downloaded open source ERP solution for small and mid-sized business. Starting from 2012 there has been a positive 5 years trend, ending up with 107,72% increase in the number of downloads in 2016 compared to 2012.

Summary

After reading all text above there is not much to say. I will end this research with this final conclusion points:

· Only 6 out of 15 open source ERP solutions in this list have a positive 5 years trend in terms of no. of downloads

· iDempiere has the highest no. of downloads in 2016

· Dolibar is the most downloaded open source ERP for small and medium sized businesses in the period from 2012 to 2016

· VIENNA Advantage ERP/CRM is the fastest growing open source ERP for medium sized and large organizations. And the first ever open source ERP/CRM with inbuilt enterprise level Document Management System & Business Intelligence functionality.

I sincerely hope that this research will contribute in your quest for the best open source ERP solution for your business. If you like this article, I invite you to subscribe to our newsletter.

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Top 15 Free Open Source ERP solutions on Sourceforge in 2017