What it does
FrontAccounting is a free web application for small-company accounts, released under the GNU GPL. It connects sales and purchasing records with stock, fixed assets, receivables, payables and the general ledger. You install it on a web server with PHP and a MySQL database.
Orders, stock and bookkeeping together
FrontAccounting follows a purchase from the order through goods receipt, supplier invoice and payment allocation. On the sales side, customer orders, invoices and receipts feed the accounts. It also handles several companies and currencies.
That connection suits a small stockholding business: receiving goods and recording the supplier bill are parts of one working system. The general ledger includes budgeting, and the application has dimensions for grouping transactions.
The software is free; hosting needs planning
The project releases FrontAccounting under the GNU GPL. Its installation guide requires a web server, PHP and MySQL, so someone needs to maintain the installation and database. It is not a ready-made hosted subscription.
Start with the public demonstration and the installation guide. Choose a company and accounting setup before entering live transactions. The guide contains historical platform notes, so match any detailed server instructions to the release you install.
Strengths
- Purchasing and sales documents connect to stock and accounting
- Several companies and currencies can be maintained
Watch out for
- Installation and ongoing server maintenance are your responsibility
- Some installation notes refer to old server environments
Best for
- Small companies wanting accounting alongside stock and order records
Sources
- FrontAccounting features and GPL licence (Oct 27, 2026)
- FrontAccounting installation requirements (Oct 27, 2026)