Frequently asked questions
Can I self-host it?
Yes, self-hosting is the only way to run it; there is no vendor-hosted service. Today the Docker image (tag edge) and an install from source work. Desktop installers and the PyPI package are prepared but not published yet. Without DATABASE_URL an embedded PostgreSQL starts in the data directory.
What does it cost, and what is the licence?
The software is free under the AGPL-3.0, with no per-user fees. If you modify it and offer it to others over a network, you must publish your changes under the same licence. A commercial licence is available on request.
Which languages are supported?
The interface ships in 44 languages, including right-to-left languages. Quotes and invoices can be issued in the customer’s language, independently of the language the user works in.
Which chart of accounts does it use?
Five templates are included: a generic IFRS-style chart, the German SKR03 and SKR04, the Austrian EKR and the Swiss KMU chart. You pick one in the setup wizard; SKR04 is offered for Germany, EKR for Austria and KMU for Switzerland. VAT is posted per rate (19 % and 7 % on SKR03 and SKR04; the Austrian 13 % and Swiss 3.8 % rates are available in the setup). Accounts can be added, renamed or deactivated afterwards.
Does it support XRechnung and ZUGFeRD?
Partly. The e-invoice exporter on the page of an issued invoice writes EN 16931 invoices as XRechnung 3.0 (CII), ZUGFeRD 2.1 / Factur-X 1.0 (hybrid PDF) and Peppol BIS Billing 3.0 (UBL), and checks them against a subset of the EN 16931 and XRechnung rules, not the full KoSIT validator. That confirms structure, not acceptance by a receiver. The ZUGFeRD PDFs are not strict PDF/A-3b. There is no Peppol access point; you send the file yourself. Invoices from Quotes & invoices go out as PDF today. Incoming XRechnung or ZUGFeRD files are not read in. See the e-invoicing guide.
Can my accountant work with it?
There is an export in DATEV EXTF format (Buchungsstapel with all 125 columns, format version 13, and debtors/creditors) for SKR03 and SKR04, and SAF-T 2.0. Receivables and payables are booked on Debitor/Kreditor personal accounts; the number ranges can be changed. Columns without a data source stay empty. The export is not certified by DATEV; have your accountant import a test file before the first real run. There is no DATEV mapping for the Austrian EKR or the Swiss KMU chart.
How do I move my data in?
The import wizard reads CSV and XLSX for customers, suppliers, products, opening balances, open invoices and open bills. Map the columns, check the dry run, then import. An import can be undone.
Is there an API?
Yes. Every screen uses the same REST API under /api/v1/. Outside production mode the backend serves the OpenAPI schema at /api/openapi.json with interactive docs.
Is it GoBD-certified?
No. There is no audit opinion or certification. It does have an automatic audit log (who, when, values before and after), period close and the DATEV export. Whether your use meets the German GoBD rules also depends on your process documentation; check with your accountant.
Can I restrict what staff can do?
Yes. Role presets for owner, accountant, sales, purchasing and read-only decide who can see and edit which modules.
Do I need an AI provider?
No. The AI chat is optional and uses your own API key. Without a key, all other features work.
Does it replace payroll or my accountant?
No. There is no payroll, no ELSTER submission and no annual-accounts workflow; your accountant files. It is not tax advice. Tax rates, VAT logic and formats are a starting point you check against current law.
How does it relate to OpenConstructionERP?
Both come from the same author (DataDrivenConstruction). OpenBusinessERP grew out of the same codebase and is aimed at trade and services; the package and command are now openbusinesserp.