Beancount

Open-source double-entry accounting from plain-text files, with the Fava web interface as a companion.

Open sourceAccounting and invoicing software

Verified facts: 3 of 3
Alternatives ranked: 4
Approved reviews: 0
Visits sent from here: 0

About Beancount

Beancount is a plain-text double-entry accounting system written in Python. You keep your books in a text file using a strict syntax, and Beancount checks that everything balances and produces reports. It is stricter than Ledger-style tools, which catches mistakes early, and its Python plugin and importer system lets you write scripts that turn bank and card exports into entries. Most people use it with Fava, a separate open-source web interface that shows balance sheets, income statements, journals and charts in the browser. Beancount is free under GPL-2.0 and runs anywhere Python does. Like hledger, it suits developers and technically minded freelancers or small businesses: there is no invoicing, payroll, bank feed or tax filing, imports are something you build, and an outside accountant will usually want exported reports rather than your file. In return you get durable data that is easy to audit and version.

Best for: Programmers who want strict, scriptable plain-text books with a web dashboard.

What works

Free and open source under GPL-2.0
Strict syntax catches errors early
Python importers and plugins for automation

Why people leave

No invoicing, payroll or bank feeds
You build your own import scripts
Fava web interface is a separate install

Top Beancount alternatives

See all 4

1
hledger
Similar plain-text approach with a built-in terminal UI and web view.
66.5
2
GnuCash
Graphical desktop double-entry accounting with no scripting needed.
62.6
3
Frappe Books
Open-source accounting app with invoicing and a modern interface.
59.6
4
Akaunting
Web-based books with invoicing that you can self-host.
57.2

Why people left Beancount

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Beancount: common questions

Is Beancount free?

Yes. Beancount is free, open-source software.

Is Beancount open source?

Yes. The source code is on GitHub at beancount/beancount.

What platforms does Beancount run on?

Beancount is available for Windows, macOS, Linux and Web.

What are the best alternatives to Beancount?

The highest-ranked Beancount alternatives right now are hledger, GnuCash and Frappe Books. See the full ranked list for pricing, platforms and verified facts.

See all 4 Beancount alternatives

Beancount facts

3 of 3 verified

License: GPL-2.0; Checked Oct 25, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab); “License: GPL-2.0 (GNU General Public License v2.0).”
Approach: Double-entry accounting from text files; Checked Oct 25, 2026beancount.github.io(opens source in a new tab); “beancount: Double-Entry Accounting from Text Files”
Web interface: Yes; Checked Oct 25, 2026beancount.github.io(opens source in a new tab); “This can be used to kick the tires on Beancount and see what reports or its web interface look like.”