hledger

Robust, friendly, fast,
plain text accounting software


hledger is free, GPLv3+ accounting software that runs on unix, mac, windows, and the web.

It is user-friendly plain text accounting software, using human-readable plain text data files. It comes with command line, TUI, and web browser interfaces, and there are also some compatible phone apps. It is powerful enough for the most technical users, but also usable by non-techies (especially with a little setup help). Command line skills are useful but not essential. You can enter data using a data entry UI, or your favourite text editor/IDE, or by importing CSV data from banks.

hledger is dependable. Your financial data remains local, private, and free from vendor lock-in. The plain text file formats are version controllable, scriptable, and future proof. hledger is thoroughly documented, and built with the high assurance Haskell programming language. We take quality seriously; we pay $50 each time a regression is found or fixed.

hledger is fast, lightweight, and versatile. Using time-tested double entry bookkeeping, with an easier-to-learn sign convention, and easy reports, it can track and report on: money, investments, cryptocurrencies, time, inventory, or any other countable commodity. Use it to: figure out personal finances.. track your investments.. run a business.. run a non-profit.. run a FOSS project.. calculate and justify tax data.. track time.. learn double entry bookkeeping.. manage a D&D game..

hledger is actively maintained and used (since 2007), with a new release each quarter and excellent free support. Paid support and customisation are also available. hledger is a long term project led by Simon Michael with many contributors.

Features talks more about those, and FAQ answers more questions, like How does hledger relate to Ledger ?

Get started

Welcome! This plain text accounting stuff is both useful and much more fun than you'd think.

Install tells how to get an up-to-date version of hledger quickly.

Support lists our chats and other fora - don't hesitate to ask questions, report issues, or search.

Docs has the info you might need next. Here are some common paths for getting started:

  • If you like to learn by exploring:
    try running some commands. You won't break anything. Here's a good sequence: hledger setup, hledger, hledger demo, hledger add, hledger print, hledger balance, hledger ui, hledger web, hledger help

  • If you'd like to avoid the terminal and use a web browser instead:
    see Tutorial: hledger-web and the hledger-web demo.

  • If you'd like to watch/listen to a video:
    see Videos.

  • If you'd like to learn more about the accounting part:
    see Accounting basics for PTA users and maybe Accounting: further study.

Get involved

Your support is invaluable and greatly appreciated! See Sponsor hledger and Finance.

To contribute in other ways, see Contributor Quick Start and Developer docs.

CREDITS shows many of the people who have contributed code over the years.



Tips for using this website:

  • The lines button at top left toggles the site's navigation sidebar.
  • The paintbrush button changes the site theme.
  • The magnifying-glass button searches this site.
  • The left and right arrow keys step through the pages (as listed in the sidebar).
  • Access keys are also available: s sidebar, t theme, / search, 1 home, 2 changes. You may need to first click the page body to set the focus.