Is there a free alternative to Xero?

Yes. The 3 free alternatives are ERPNext (open source, GPL-3.0), Akaunting (source-available, BUSL-1.1) and GnuCash (open source, GPL-2.0-or-later / GPL-3.0).

How much does Xero cost?

Xero's Early plan costs $27 a month, which is $324 a year (per month (first 3 months discounted 80%); Early is limited to 20 invoices). Source: the official pricing page at xero.com, checked Oct 17, 2026.

Which Xero alternatives run on Linux?

ERPNext (self-hosted server; web UI), Akaunting (self-hosted server; web UI) and GnuCash (Arch extra: gnucash; Flathub: org.gnucash.GnuCash).

Can you self-host a Xero alternative?

Yes. ERPNext and Akaunting run on your own server. GnuCash is a desktop app.

Are these Xero alternatives open source?

Not all of them. Akaunting (BUSL-1.1) is source-available: the code is public, but the license isn't OSI-approved open source. ERPNext (GPL-3.0) and GnuCash (GPL-2.0-or-later / GPL-3.0) are open source.

Free alternatives to Xero

Swap Xero for ERPNext, Akaunting or GnuCash and stop paying $324/yr.

2open source3run on Linux1in Arch/AUR2self-hostable

Prices and project data checked Oct 17, 2026 · How we check

$324/yr Early Verified on xero.com, Oct 17, 2026

3 alternatives

ERPNext

Self-hosted server About ERPNext →

Replaces it Active Open source · GPL-3.0 Linux Self-hostable

frappe/erpnext40.3k★last push Oct 17, 2026checked Oct 17, 2026

A heavy ERP to set up, and automatic bank feeds need your own Plaid account.

Imports your data: chart-of-accounts importer and CSV data import tool; no Xero importer

Self-host

Runs on your own Linux server. Setup docs are on frappe.io.

Akaunting

Self-hosted server About Akaunting →

Partly replaces it Active Source-available · BUSL-1.1 Linux Self-hostable

akaunting/akaunting10.2k★last push Oct 8, 2026checked Oct 17, 2026

Source-available: free use is capped at 2 users, 1 company and 1,000 invoices, and double-entry books are a paid add-on.

Imports your data: CSV/XLSX import

Self-host

Runs on your own Linux server. Setup docs are on akaunting.com.

GnuCash

Desktop app About GnuCash →

Partly replaces it Active Open source · GPL-2.0-or-later / GPL-3.0 Linux Arch/AUR

Gnucash/gnucash4.4k★last push Oct 17, 2026checked Oct 17, 2026

Single-user desktop app: no bank feeds for most banks, no online invoices or payments, and no payroll.

Imports your data: QIF/OFX/CSV transaction import; no Xero importer

Install

$ sudo pacman -S gnucash

$ flatpak install flathub org.gnucash.GnuCash

At a glance

Free alternatives to Xero compared
Alternative	Verdict	License	Linux	AUR	Self-host	Stars
ERPNext	Replaces it	GPL-3.0 open source	Yes	—	Yes	40.3k★
Akaunting	Partly replaces it	BUSL-1.1 source-available	Yes	—	Yes	10.2k★
GnuCash	Partly replaces it	GPL-2.0-or-later / GPL-3.0 open source	Yes	Yes	No	4.4k★

Xero alternatives: questions

Is there a free alternative to Xero?: Yes. The 3 free alternatives are ERPNext (open source, GPL-3.0), Akaunting (source-available, BUSL-1.1) and GnuCash (open source, GPL-2.0-or-later / GPL-3.0).
How much does Xero cost?: Xero's Early plan costs $27 a month, which is $324 a year (per month (first 3 months discounted 80%); Early is limited to 20 invoices). Source: the official pricing page at xero.com, checked Oct 17, 2026.
Which Xero alternatives run on Linux?: ERPNext (self-hosted server; web UI), Akaunting (self-hosted server; web UI) and GnuCash (Arch extra: gnucash; Flathub: org.gnucash.GnuCash).
Can you self-host a Xero alternative?: Yes. ERPNext and Akaunting run on your own server. GnuCash is a desktop app.
Are these Xero alternatives open source?: Not all of them. Akaunting (BUSL-1.1) is source-available: the code is public, but the license isn't OSI-approved open source. ERPNext (GPL-3.0) and GnuCash (GPL-2.0-or-later / GPL-3.0) are open source.

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3 alternatives

ERPNext ↗

Akaunting ↗

GnuCash ↗