Kanakku vs Akaunting
Akaunting is a free, open-source accounting app with a modular paid app store. Kanakku is the self-hosted alternative for teams that want the full feature set in the box — double-entry, six tax packs, payments and resale rights — without assembling paid modules.
Both are self-hostable, so the difference is the model and the licensing. Akaunting's core is free under GPL-3.0, but much of the depth — double-entry, bank feeds, custom fields, inventory — lives in its paid App Store, and GPL copyleft constrains shipping a closed rebrand. Kanakku bundles those capabilities into a one-time, source-included purchase with white-label and resale rights, on a modern TypeScript/React stack.
Feature comparison
| Capability | Akaunting | |
|---|---|---|
| Self-hosted / own database | ✓ | ✓ |
| Source available | Included (commercial) | GPL-3.0 core |
| White-label & resell rights | Included (Extended) | Limited (GPL copyleft) |
| Pricing model | One-time purchase | Free core + paid apps |
| Double-entry ledger | Built-in | Core basic; depth via paid apps |
| Country tax packs | Six (IN/EU/UK/US/AU/NZ) | Manual / paid modules |
| Custom fields & inventory | Built-in | Paid apps |
| Built-in payments | Razorpay / Stripe BYOK | Mostly paid app gateways |
| Bank feeds | Manual CSV import | Paid app |
| WhatsApp invoicing | ✓ | — |
| Tech stack | React / TypeScript / Node | PHP / Laravel |
| Support & updates | 6-mo support + lifetime updates | Community / paid |
Comparison is provided in good faith for information. Akaunting and its logo are trademarks of their respective owner.
Where Kanakku pulls ahead
- The full feature set in the box — double-entry, six tax packs, recurring, custom fields and inventory — not unlocked piecemeal through a paid App Store.
- White-label and resale rights with the Extended license; Akaunting's GPL-3.0 copyleft constrains shipping a closed, rebranded product.
- Predictable one-time cost instead of stacking paid-app purchases on top of a free core.
- Modern TypeScript / React + Node stack with one-command Docker, rather than PHP / Laravel.
- Integrated WhatsApp invoicing and bring-your-own-key Razorpay / Stripe with verified webhooks.
- Commercial license with 6 months of support and lifetime free updates.
Where Akaunting is stronger
Straight answer, so you can choose well.
- A genuinely free, open-source core with a modular App Store you can extend piece by piece.
- An established community with multi-company, multi-language and multi-currency support.
- A hosted Cloud option if you would rather not self-host at all.
- A long track record and a broad catalogue of paid apps for niche requirements.
Frequently asked questions
Akaunting's core is free — why pay for Kanakku?
Is Kanakku's double-entry more complete than Akaunting's?
Can I rebrand and resell Kanakku?
Does Akaunting have anything Kanakku lacks?
Own your accounting stack — start today.
Self-hosted, source-included, white-label ready. No per-seat SaaS lock-in.