The hidden cost of “free” accounting SaaS

Most small‑to‑medium businesses start with a cheap SaaS accounting tool, only to discover hidden subscription fees, limited customization, and data stored behind a third‑party firewall. When the software can’t scale with your growth, you end up paying for migrations, integrations, and lost productivity.

Bigcapital flips the script. It’s an open‑source, AGPL‑licensed accounting and inventory suite that you can run on your own servers—whether on a single Docker host or a full‑blown Kubernetes cluster. By keeping your financial data under your control, Bigcapital gives you the flexibility of a cloud service without the vendor lock‑in.

Why Choose Bigcapital?

• Zero licensing fees – Deploy the full platform for free; only pay for the infrastructure you run.
• Data sovereignty – All financial records stay on your premises or private cloud, satisfying GDPR, HIPAA, or other compliance regimes.
• Comprehensive double‑entry accounting – Built‑in journal, ledger, and multi‑currency support ensures accurate, audit‑ready books.
• Integrated inventory management – Stock levels auto‑adjust on sales/purchases, with smart inventory reports that replace separate ERP tools.
• Role‑based collaboration – Invite accountants, bookkeepers, or staff with granular permissions, keeping sensitive data safe.
• Developer‑friendly API – Headless accounting via RESTful endpoints lets you embed financial logic into any internal system.

Spotlight on Key Features

Getting Started

Prerequisites

• Docker ≥ 20.10
• Docker‑Compose ≥ 2.0
• A machine with at least 2 CPU cores and 4 GB RAM (more for larger catalogs)

Deploy with Docker‑Compose (Production)

# Clone the repository and enter the deployment folder
git clone --depth 1 -b main https://github.com/bigcapitalhq/bigcapital.git && cd ./bigcapital

# Copy the example environment file and edit credentials
cp .env.example .env && nano .env   # adjust mail server, DB passwords, etc.

# Pull the pre‑built images and launch the stack in detached mode
docker-compose --file docker-compose.prod.yml up -d

The stack includes:

• Nginx as a reverse proxy (already configured)
• PostgreSQL for transactional data
• Redis for caching
• Bigcapital web & API containers

Once the containers are healthy, open a browser to http://<YOUR_IP>:8000/ and follow the on‑screen wizard to create the first admin account.

Local Development (Optional)

If you prefer to hack on the codebase, the project ships with a Gitpod button that spins up a full development environment in the cloud. See the repository’s README for the one‑click link.

Comparison with Proprietary Alternatives

While QuickBooks, Xero, and Sage excel in brand recognition and integrated payroll modules, Bigcapital offers a cost‑free, self‑hosted alternative that scales with your business without surrendering data control.

Call to Action

Bigcapital proves that sophisticated accounting doesn’t have to come with a subscription price tag. Whether you’re a bootstrapped startup, a growing SME, or an accountant looking for a white‑label solution, the platform gives you the tools to automate bookkeeping, manage inventory, and generate actionable insights—all under your own roof.

• Explore the demo and start your 14‑day free trial: https://bigcapital.app/
• Read the full deployment guide: https://docs.bigcapital.app/deployment/docker
• Star the project on GitHub and join the community: https://github.com/bigcapitalhq/bigcapital

Take back control of your financial data—deploy Bigcapital today and experience open‑source freedom without compromise.