Best Open-Source Inventory Management Software 2026: 6 Options Compared

Open-source inventory tools fall into two camps: dedicated stock systems and ERPs where inventory is one app among many. InvenTree is the dedicated option, with stock control and part tracking, a REST API and a plugin system, and it suits makers and workshops that track parts. Snipe-IT is also dedicated but tracks IT assets and licences, so choose it for laptops and software seats rather than retail stock. Odoo, ERPNext and Dolibarr treat inventory as a module that connects to sales, purchasing and accounting, which is better if you need stock movements to post to the books. LedgerSMB includes inventory as part of its accounting. Think about what moves in your business: components in bins, goods for sale in several locations, or equipment issued to staff. Check whether barcode scanning, lot or serial numbers and multi-warehouse transfers are in the free edition, because some projects keep those in paid editions or marketplace modules. Self-hosting means you handle database backups, and a stocktake file is the thing you will want when something breaks. Load your real part list, run a receiving and an issue transaction, and verify the on-hand figure matches a physical count.

InvenTree

MIT-licensed stock control and part tracking with a Python/Django backend, REST API and plugin system. It installs with Docker or a one-line script and has companion mobile apps.

Price: Free (Free self-hosted software; the repository page lists no paid hosting) (InvenTree pricing, checked 2026-10-23).

Platforms and license: Web, Self-hosted, iOS, Android. MIT (open source) (license source).

Project activity: 7.8k GitHub stars · latest release 1.6.3 (Oct 27, 2026) · last commit Oct 27, 2026

Best for: Workshops and makers tracking parts.

ERPNext

GPL-3.0 ERP whose order management tracks inventory levels, replenishes stock and manages sales orders. Running it yourself is a significant admin task.

Price: Free (Free to self-host; Frappe Cloud is the managed option) (ERPNext pricing, checked 2026-10-22).

Platforms and license: Web, Self-hosted. GPL-3.0 (open source) (license source).

Project activity: 40.7k GitHub stars · latest release v15.124.1 (Oct 22, 2026) · last commit Oct 27, 2026

Best for: Businesses that want stock tied to sales and accounts.

Worth knowing: Its Accounting module covers recording transactions through financial reporting. Running it yourself means handling hosting, upgrades and backups.

Odoo

LGPL-3.0 Community edition; the README lists a warehouse management app alongside accounting and point of sale. Some modules in Odoo's wider catalog are paid, so check what you need.

Price: Free (One App Free plan on Odoo Online, unlimited users) (Odoo pricing, checked 2026-10-22).

Platforms and license: Web browser, Self-hosted. LGPL-3.0 (Community edition) (open source) (license source).

Project activity: 55.4k GitHub stars · last commit Oct 28, 2026

Best for: Companies that may add other modules later.

Compare: Odoo alternatives

Dolibarr

GPL-3.0 or later, with stock, warehouse and inventory management alongside invoicing and point of sale. It needs PHP and a database.

Price: Free (Free software; commercial cloud hosting is sold separately) (Dolibarr pricing, checked 2026-10-23).

Platforms and license: Web (self-hosted), Windows, Linux. GPL-3.0 or later (open source) (license source).

Project activity: 7.8k GitHub stars · latest release 24.0.1 (Sep 7, 2026) · last commit Oct 27, 2026

Best for: Small businesses wanting stock plus invoices.

Worth knowing: Needs PHP and MariaDB, MySQL or PostgreSQL; DoliWamp, DoliDeb, DoliRpm and Docker packages exist.

LedgerSMB

GPLv2 accounting system that includes inventory management and shipping alongside invoicing. It needs Perl, PostgreSQL and a web server.

Price: Free (Free self-hosted software; the repository page lists no price) (LedgerSMB pricing, checked 2026-10-23).

Platforms and license: Web, Self-hosted. GPL-2.0 (open source) (license source).

Project activity: 571 GitHub stars · latest release 1.13.8 (Sep 11, 2026) · last commit Oct 26, 2026

Best for: Accounting-led teams with simple stock.

Snipe-IT

AGPL-3.0 IT asset and license management system. It tracks equipment and software licences, not retail stock.

Price: Free (Free open-source self-hosted software; the repository page gives no hosted pricing) (Snipe-IT pricing, checked 2026-10-24).

Platforms and license: Web, Self-hosted. AGPL-3.0 (open source) (license source).

Project activity: 15.1k GitHub stars · latest release v8.8.3 (Oct 22, 2026) · last commit Oct 27, 2026

Best for: IT teams tracking laptops and licences.

Which one to pick

• You track electronic or mechanical parts in bins: InvenTree
• Stock must post to accounts and sales orders: ERPNext
• You want one vendor's apps to grow into: Odoo
• You track company laptops and software seats: Snipe-IT
• You want inventory next to invoicing in a small system: Dolibarr