Can I open-source Bonsai?
YES · mature open-source replacementYes. ERPNext (38k stars), Invoice Ninja (9k stars), Dolibarr (8k stars) are mature open-source replacements for Bonsai — self-host with real ops work and stop paying $25/mo.
Bonsai: People pay because errors touch real money. Bank connections, reconciliation, tax changes, evidence, security, and support are the product.
xlive bank feeds and payment rails
xtax and accounting rule updates
xaudited security and recovery
xmulti-user controls and accountant workflows
These projects already replace it, free.
EERPNextCRM, quotes, contracts, projects, time and invoices in one free ERP; personal tax help remains personal.open source↗DDolibarrProposals, contracts, time and billing in one practical back office; freelancer tax guidance is not included.open source↗IInvoice NinjaInvoicing, quotes, expenses, and time tracking for freelancers who'd rather not pay monthly.open source↗What each one is, in full: ERPNext · Invoice Ninja
all 4 open-source alternatives to Bonsai →· no votes, no pay-to-list · just what's real
Bonsai pricing
| plan | monthly | annual (per mo) | what you get |
|---|---|---|---|
| basic | $15/user | $9/user | Unlimited projects, clients, tasks, and time entries; 1 scheduler event type; 10 GB storage |
| essentials | $25/user | $19/user | Unlimited projects, clients, proposals, contracts, invoices, forms, and scheduler event types; 100 GB storage |
| premium | $39/user | $29/user | Unlimited core work; advanced reporting, automations, and integrations; 500 GB storage |
| elite | $59/user | $49/user | 500 GB storage; advanced permissions, security, onboarding, and enterprise controls; 3-user minimum |
free tierno free tier; 7-day trial only
billingmonthly + annual (annual pricing saves up to 4 monthly payments)
hidden costsElite requires at least 3 paid users, so its minimum bill is $177/month or $147/month at the annual rate. Payment processing varies by method; onboarding is separately available for teams of 10+.
verified 2026-08-10 · source ↗
Can I open-source Bonsai?
Yes. ERPNext replaces Bonsai today — self-host it on your own server or machine with no subscription. The full list of open-source alternatives is on this page.
How much does Bonsai cost?
Bonsai costs about $25/month (Essentials, checked 2026-07-31), which is $300 per year. That's what you save by replacing it with open source.
What do I lose by replacing Bonsai?
Honestly: live bank feeds and payment rails; tax and accounting rule updates; audited security and recovery; multi-user controls and accountant workflows. If any of those are load-bearing for you, keep paying.
Is there an open-source alternative to Bonsai?
Yes: ERPNext (CRM, quotes, contracts, projects, time and invoices in one free ERP; personal tax help remains personal.) Dolibarr (Proposals, contracts, time and billing in one practical back office; freelancer tax guidance is not included.) Invoice Ninja (Invoicing, quotes, expenses, and time tracking for freelancers who'd rather not pay monthly.) All 4 curated open-source alternatives are at caniopensourceit.online/bonsai/alternatives.