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Ledger
Ledger · Melbourne, Australia · founded 2003
What it is
Ledger is free, open-source double-entry accounting software from Ledger, founded in 2003 and headquartered in Melbourne, Australia. It runs on Linux, macOS, and Windows through the UNIX command line rather than a graphical interface. You record transactions in your own text file using Ledger’s format; the program does not create or modify those files. Every entry must balance, and an unbalanced entry produces an error instead of a report. Ledger supports multiple currencies within an account and can convert between them. Commands generate monthly and average reports, check balances, reconcile accounts, and track stock capital gains. It accepts UTF-8 data, ISO-format dates, and US or European decimal formats. The BSD-licensed project provides downloads for GNU/Linux, Windows, Mac OS X, and BSD, plus Ledger 3 API documentation describing a C++ API. Questions go to its IRC channel or mailing list, while bugs are reported through GitHub.
For and against
For
- Free BSD-licensed software
- Supports Linux, macOS, and Windows
- Handles multiple currencies and conversion
- Generates reconciliation and capital-gains reports
- Users retain control of text files
Against
- No graphical or flashy interface
- Requires balanced entries for reports
- No bank feeds or invoice creation
- No accountant access or receipt capture
The verdict
Ledger provides command-line double-entry accounting with user-managed text data, currency conversion, and reporting commands. Its workflow is suited to users who prefer editing files and working in UNIX environments.
Who it suits
Ledger suits people who want text-file accounting from a UNIX command line and are comfortable maintaining their own transaction records. It can also fit users who need multiple currencies and command-generated reports.
Plans and prices
Ledger
BSD-licensed command-line accounting software
Read 9 Oct 2026 · ledger-cli.org
On the record
- Accountant access
- Noledger-cli.org · read 20 Sep 2026
- API
- The documentation links to Ledger 3 API documentation and describes it as a C++ API.ledger-cli.org · read 9 Oct 2026
- Automated reconciliation
- Yesledger-cli.org · read 20 Sep 2026
- Balanced entries
- Every entry must balance, and an unbalanced entry causes an error and prevents the report from being generated.ledger-cli.org · read 9 Oct 2026
- Balancing
- Ledger requires entries to balance and reports an error instead of generating a report for an unbalanced entry.ledger-cli.org · read 9 Oct 2026
- Bank feeds
- Noledger-cli.org · read 20 Sep 2026
- Bug reporting
- The maker directs users to report bugs through the GitHub issue page.ledger-cli.org · read 9 Oct 2026
- Bug reports
- The project asks users to report bugs through its GitHub issue page.ledger-cli.org · read 9 Oct 2026
- Currencies
- Ledger supports multiple currencies in an account and can convert between them.ledger-cli.org · read 9 Oct 2026
- Data format
- Users record transactions in a text file using Ledger’s textual format.ledger-cli.org · read 9 Oct 2026
- Data handling
- Ledger does not create or modify users’ data files; users maintain their own text files.ledger-cli.org · read 9 Oct 2026
- Documentation
- The documentation page links to the Ledger 3 manual, man page, API documentation, and ledger-mode manual.ledger-cli.org · read 9 Oct 2026
- Downloads
- The download page lists packages or binaries for GNU/Linux, Windows, Mac OS X, and BSD.ledger-cli.org · read 9 Oct 2026
- Interface limitation
- The site says Ledger has no flashy user interface and is accessed from the UNIX command line.ledger-cli.org · read 9 Oct 2026
- International formats
- Ledger accepts UTF-8 in data files, uses ISO-format dates, and accepts US or European decimal formats.ledger-cli.org · read 9 Oct 2026
- Inventory tracking
- Noledger-cli.org · read 20 Sep 2026
- Invoice creation
- Noledger-cli.org · read 20 Sep 2026
- License
- Ledger is released under the BSD license.ledger-cli.org · read 9 Oct 2026
