Open-Source CRM · Dolibarr

dolibarr

Dolibarr is an open-source PHP-based ERP/CRM suite designed for small-to-large businesses, foundations, and freelancers. It manages contacts, invoices, orders, inventory, accounting, HR, and projects with modular, optional features. Available as self-hosted, packaged, Docker, or commercial SaaS.

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Source: GitHub — github.com/Dolibarr/dolibarr

7.4k

GitHub stars

3.5k

Forks

PHP

Primary language

GPL-3.0

License (OSI-approved)

Key facts

Objective fields from the source. Values we can't verify are shown as “Unknown” rather than guessed.

Field	Value
Repository	Dolibarr/dolibarr
Owner	Dolibarr
Primary language	PHP
License	GPL-3.0 — OSI-approved
Stars	7.4k
Forks	3.5k
Open issues	1.1k
Latest release	23.0.3 (2026-05-17)
Last updated	2026-07-07
Source	https://github.com/Dolibarr/dolibarr

What dolibarr is

PHP web application (requires PHP ≥7.2) with JavaScript enhancements, supporting MySQL, MariaDB, and PostgreSQL backends. Modular architecture with ~100 default modules and 1000+ addons; REST and SOAP APIs available. Deployable via traditional web servers, Docker, or managed packages (DoliWamp, DoliDeb, DoliRpm).

Quickstart

Get the dolibarr source

Clone the repository and explore it locally.

terminalbash

1git clone https://github.com/Dolibarr/dolibarr.git2cd dolibarr3# follow the project's README for install & configuration

Need it deployed, integrated, or customized instead? DEV.co ships production installs.

Best use cases

Small-to-Medium Business ERP/CRM

Organizations needing integrated invoicing, CRM, inventory, and accounting without costly enterprise software. Self-hosted control with no per-seat licensing.

Customizable Multi-Tenant Deployments

Service providers or resellers leveraging multi-company modules and extensive customization via hooks/triggers to build white-label offerings.

Compliance-Driven Regional Operations

Businesses in EU, France, Spain, Greece, or Middle East requiring country-specific tax, invoicing, e-invoicing, or GDPR features baked into the platform.

Implementation considerations

Upgrade path is non-destructive from v2.8+, but backup strategy and database schema review mandatory before major version jumps.
Modular design allows phased rollout (e.g., CRM first, then accounting), but module interdependencies and custom field schemas require planning.
Installation process includes web-based installer; post-install, manually remove write permissions and install.lock. DevOps automation (Ansible, Terraform) not documented in excerpts.
PHP version support varies by release; verify compatibility matrix before upgrade to avoid deprecated function errors.
Multi-language and multi-currency support present, but country-specific features (e.g., ZATCA QR, Spanish RE/IRPF) may need localization validation per region.

When to avoid it — and what to weigh

Zero PHP/Linux Administration Skills — Self-hosted deployment requires server setup, database management, and ongoing patches. Packaged versions (DoliWamp, DoliDeb) exist but still demand basic technical competence.
Enterprise Real-Time Analytics Demanded — No evidence of built-in advanced BI, real-time dashboards, or machine-learning-driven forecasting. Heavy reporting needs may require external tools.
Mission-Critical 24/7 SLA Without Support Contract — Community support is free; commercial support is optional. Outages on self-hosted instances are operator responsibility. Consider SaaS if uptime SLA is non-negotiable.
Legacy Monolithic System Integration — REST/SOAP APIs exist but integration depth and middleware maturity unknown. Heavy EDI or niche ERP connectors require custom development.

License & commercial use

Licensed under GPL-3.0 (or later, at user choice). Copyleft: derivative works and distributed copies must preserve GPL-3.0 terms. Some included dependencies may have other licenses (see COPYRIGHT file). Free for unrestricted use, modification, and redistribution under GPL-3.0 terms.

GPL-3.0 permits commercial use without restriction—selling hosted instances, services, or Dolibarr-based products is allowed, provided derivative code remains GPL-3.0 and source is available. Purely using Dolibarr as-is (self-hosted or SaaS) entails no license obligations. Custom modules or extensions must comply with GPL-3.0 if distributed; proprietary closed-source addons may require separate licensing clarity.

DEV.co evaluation signals

Editorial assessment — not user reviews. Directional, with an explicit confidence level.

Signal	Assessment
Maintenance	Active
Documentation	Adequate
License clarity	Clear
Deployment complexity	Moderate
DEV.co fit	Good
Assessment confidence	High

Security considerations

No security audit, penetration test, or vulnerability disclosure process documented in excerpts. GPL-3.0 code is public (repo transparency). Multi-user and finely-grained rights system present but implementation rigor unknown. GDPR-compatible and data privacy-aware features stated; specific controls and audit trails not detailed. Self-hosted: operator responsible for network segmentation, TLS, patch management, and access controls. SaaS offerings exist but their security posture requires separate review.

Alternatives to consider

Odoo

Enterprise-grade open-source ERP/CRM with stronger BI, AI modules, and commercial backing. Higher complexity and resource overhead; proprietary vs. community-driven development model.

ERPNext

Open-source ERP built on Frappe framework (Python/JavaScript); strong reporting and extensibility. Steeper learning curve; different tech stack (not PHP).

Invoice Ninja / Wave (SaaS-first)

Simpler invoicing/accounting for freelancers/small teams; cloud-native with less admin overhead. Limited ERP depth; SaaS lock-in vs. self-hosted autonomy.

Software development agency

Build on dolibarr with DEV.co software developers

Evaluate Dolibarr's fit for your ERP/CRM needs. Our engineers can assess architecture, customization scope, integration requirements, and deployment strategy. Contact us to discuss implementation, hosting options, and support.

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dolibarr FAQ

Can we use Dolibarr without hosting it ourselves?

Yes. Commercial SaaS/Cloud offerings are available at saas.dolibarr.org; third-party partners also offer managed hosting. Self-hosting via Docker or traditional web server is free and supported.

What database should we choose: MySQL, MariaDB, or PostgreSQL?

All three are supported. MySQL/MariaDB are most common in Dolibarr deployments; PostgreSQL is also viable. Choice depends on existing infrastructure and performance needs; no comparative benchmark provided.

Is there commercial support available?

Yes. Community forums are free. Preferred partners at partners.dolibarr.org offer commercial support, consulting, and custom development. Support scope and SLA terms vary by partner.

How much customization is possible without coding?

Extensive via UI: enable/disable modules, add custom fields, customize dashboards, choose skins, and configure menu layouts. Deep business logic changes require custom code (PHP hooks/triggers).

Custom software development services

Need help beyond evaluating dolibarr? DEV.co is a software development agency offering software development services and web development for teams of every size. Our software developers and web developers build custom software, web applications, APIs, and open-source crm integrations — and maintain them long-term.

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