Open-source ERP systems give small and mid-size companies accounting, inventory, manufacturing and HR in one self-hosted or customizable platform. The main options in the Stackora catalog are ERPNext, Odoo and Dolibarr ERP & CRM, with specialized tools such as OpenBoxes for warehouse stock and InvenTree for parts tracking. The right choice depends on which functions you need first and how much you plan to extend the system.

ERPNext

ERPNext is a free, open-source ERP system covering accounting, inventory, manufacturing, projects and HR. It is published by the frappe organization under the GPL-3.0 license and has about 40,000 stars on GitHub. Because it covers most back-office functions in one application, it is a common starting point for companies that want a single system of record rather than several disconnected tools.

ERPNext is built on the Frappe framework, a low-code full-stack web framework in Python and JavaScript. That makes it a good fit for teams that expect to customize doctypes, workflows and reports, but it also means your developers should be comfortable with the framework.

Odoo

Odoo is an open-source, web-based business application suite that covers CRM, accounting, inventory, eCommerce, HR and manufacturing. It is one of the largest projects in this category, with about 55,000 stars on GitHub, and is published by the odoo organization. Its breadth makes it attractive when you want sales, operations and finance modules to share the same data from the start.

Odoo's module coverage is wide, so plan your rollout in phases. Start with the functions that generate the most daily work, such as invoicing and stock, then add manufacturing and HR once the basics are stable.

Dolibarr ERP & CRM

Dolibarr ERP & CRM is an open-source PHP web application for managing contacts, invoices, orders, stock, accounting and HR in small and medium businesses. It is licensed under GPL-3.0 and has about 7,700 stars on GitHub. Its scope is well suited to smaller companies that need core business records without a large implementation project.

OpenBoxes

OpenBoxes is an open-source warehouse management system for tracking inventory and stock movements. It was originally built for healthcare supply chains and is licensed under EPL-1.0. If your main problem is warehouse stock and movements rather than full accounting, it can be a more focused choice than a complete ERP.

InvenTree

InvenTree is an open-source inventory management system for stock control and part tracking, with a Django backend, a web admin interface and a REST API. It is licensed under MIT. It suits manufacturers and technical teams that track components, stock levels and parts, and that want to integrate inventory data with other software through the API.

Connecting ERP data to AI agents

If you want AI assistants to query or act on ERP data, AnythingMCP is an open-source, self-hosted MCP gateway. It can turn REST/OpenAPI, SOAP, GraphQL, OData or SQL APIs into MCP tools for Claude, ChatGPT and Copilot, and its catalog lists 474 connectors including SAP S/4HANA and Business One. It is licensed under AGPL-3.0. For more agent integrations, see the MCP servers catalog page.

Other business applications

If your need is narrower, consider adjacent tools. Twenty is an open-source CRM you can self-host and extend as code, and Krayin CRM is a Laravel-based CRM for customers, leads and sales pipelines. Snipe-IT tracks IT assets and software license seats, which is useful when hardware and licenses are a large cost. You can browse self-hosted options on the self-hosted web apps page.

How to choose

Start with the processes that cause the most manual work. Consider these questions:

  • Do you need accounting and HR in the same system as inventory and manufacturing? If yes, ERPNext, Odoo or Dolibarr are the main candidates.
  • Do you mainly need warehouse or parts tracking? OpenBoxes or InvenTree may be enough.
  • Will your team customize the software? A framework like Frappe rewards developers who will build on it.
  • Do you need AI agents to read or update business data? Check whether an MCP gateway such as AnythingMCP covers your systems.
  • Check the license before you commit. ERPNext and Dolibarr use GPL-3.0, Odoo's license is not listed in the catalog data, and AnythingMCP uses AGPL-3.0.

Recommendation

For a small or mid-size company that wants one system for accounting, inventory, manufacturing and HR, shortlist ERPNext and Odoo and run a pilot with your real invoices and stock records before deciding. Choose Dolibarr if you want a simpler application with core modules. Choose OpenBoxes or InvenTree if your immediate need is warehouse or parts control and you can add accounting elsewhere. Evaluate the license and the amount of customization you expect before you commit.