Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

hledger VS Ledger-cli.org

Compare hledger VS Ledger-cli.org and see what are their differences

hledger logo hledger

Simple, precise, future-proof accounting for techies.

Ledger-cli.org logo Ledger-cli.org

Ledger is a powerful, double-entry accounting system that is accessed from the UNIX command-line.
  • hledger Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-05-03
  • Ledger-cli.org Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-04-18

hledger features and specs

  • Open Source
    hledger is open source, which means it is freely available for anyone to use, modify, and distribute. This ensures transparency and a community-driven development process.
  • Plain Text Files
    Utilizes plain text files for storing financial data, which provides simplicity, easy version control, and data portability.
  • Double-Entry Accounting
    Supports double-entry accounting principles, which are essential for accurate bookkeeping and financial management.
  • CLI and Web Interface
    Offers both a command-line interface (CLI) and a web interface, providing flexibility for different types of users and use cases.
  • Cross-Platform Compatibility
    Runs on various operating systems including Windows, macOS, and Linux, making it accessible to a wide range of users.
  • Scriptability
    Highly scriptable due to its text-based nature and integration with other command-line tools, allowing for customization and automation.
  • Community Support
    Has an active user community and a wealth of online resources, including documentation and tutorials, which can be beneficial for troubleshooting and learning.

Possible disadvantages of hledger

  • Steep Learning Curve
    Requires users to have a fundamental understanding of accounting principles and comfort with command-line tools, which can be a barrier for beginners.
  • Limited GUI Features
    The web interface, while functional, may not offer as many features or be as intuitive as some fully graphical accounting software options.
  • Manual Data Entry
    Lacks integration with many banks and financial institutions, meaning that users often need to enter transactions manually unless they automate data import through custom scripts.
  • Complex Setup
    Setting up hledger and getting it configured to suit specific needs can be complex, especially for those not familiar with text-based configurations.
  • Sparse Mobile Support
    Has limited support for mobile devices, potentially limiting its use for users who prefer managing finances on the go.

Ledger-cli.org features and specs

  • Open-Source
    Ledger-cli is an open-source project, which means it is free to use and developers can contribute to its improvement and customization.
  • Plain Text
    It uses plain text files to store data, making it easy to edit, version control, and accessible across different platforms.
  • Flexibility
    Ledger-cli is highly flexible and can be customized to meet specific accounting needs, providing advanced features like multi-currency support and automated transactions.
  • Security
    Since it relies on plain text files, users have full control over their data without relying on third-party services, offering enhanced privacy and security.
  • Detailed Reports
    Ledger-cli provides powerful reporting features, enabling users to generate detailed financial reports through its command-line interface.

Possible disadvantages of Ledger-cli.org

  • Learning Curve
    The command-line interface and text-based input can be difficult for beginners to learn, requiring a good understanding of the syntax and command-line operations.
  • No GUI
    Ledger-cli lacks a graphical user interface, which can be a disadvantage for users who prefer visual interaction over command-line operations.
  • Manual Data Entry
    It requires manual data entry, which can be time-consuming and prone to human error, especially for users with extensive transactions.
  • Limited Integrations
    Ledger-cli has limited integration options with other financial software and services, which could be a drawback for users looking to synchronize data across multiple platforms.
  • Complexity for Advanced Features
    While it is powerful, using advanced features like automated transactions or multi-currency support can be complex and require in-depth understanding of the software.

Analysis of Ledger-cli.org

Overall verdict

  • Ledger-cli.org is generally considered a valuable and effective tool, especially appreciated by tech-savvy users and those who appreciate an open-source, command-line approach. However, its steep learning curve might not appeal to everyone, particularly users seeking a more user-friendly, graphical interface.

Why this product is good

  • Ledger-cli.org is a highly regarded personal finance tool that employs a plain text accounting system. Its popularity stems from its flexibility, command-line interface, and automation capabilities, making it ideal for users who prefer a more technical approach to manage their finances. It supports double-entry accounting, ensuring accuracy and detailed tracking of financial transactions. The ability to script and customize reports makes it adaptable to individual needs.

Recommended for

  • Users with a technical inclination who enjoy utilizing command-line tools.
  • Individuals familiar with accounting concepts seeking a customizable and flexible financial management system.
  • People who appreciate open-source software and wish to avoid proprietary financial applications.

hledger videos

Hledger Overview

Ledger-cli.org videos

Ledger Nano X Review After One Year (IS IT STILL WORTH IT?)

More videos:

  • Review - Ledger Nano X Review (in 2 minutes)
  • Review - Ledger Nano X vs S | Which Should You Buy? Should You Upgrade?

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to hledger and Ledger-cli.org)
Personal Finance
36 36%
64% 64
Finance
38 38%
62% 62
Accounting
16 16%
84% 84
Financial Planner
100 100%
0% 0

User comments

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Social recommendations and mentions

hledger might be a bit more popular than Ledger-cli.org. We know about 35 links to it since March 2021 and only 24 links to Ledger-cli.org. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

hledger mentions (35)

  • My Beancount books are 95% automatic after 3 years (2024)
    I have a very similar setup but with HLedger[1]. A "do-nothing"[2] script helps me download statements by opening bank websites, waits for manual import and finally checks balances. That makes it a lot less repetitive and error prone. Or at least, I catch the errors faster. I've found HLedger and Shake to be fast enough to process almost a decade of finances. Dmitry Astapov has an extremely well produced tutorial... - Source: Hacker News / 3 months ago
  • Show HN: Puffin – a minimal terminal UI to manage personal finances
    A simple TUI to view various financial reports of your personal finances. Uses hledger[1] under the hood for the accounting stuff. [1]: https://hledger.org. - Source: Hacker News / 12 months ago
  • Double-Entry Bookkeeping as a Directed Graph
    I'm surprised that there is no mentions of a great hacker-friendly plain-text accounting software called `ledger` https://ledger-cli.org/ in this thread. It has amazing documentation when it comes to understanding basic principles of double-entry bookkeeping and goes through many typical situations and usecases. There are also several forks, most popular and advanced is `hledger` https://hledger.org/ (h is for... - Source: Hacker News / about 1 year ago
  • Ledger
    I've been using hledger[1] - similar tool but has more features like balance sheet, income statement generation with a plain text file for the last 3 years and it's been working out great. Before that I used iBank (rebranded as Banktivity) and don't miss it at all. [1] - https://hledger.org. - Source: Hacker News / over 1 year ago
  • hledger 1.30 released
    For help getting started or more info, see https://hledger.org And join our Matrix/IRC chat or mail list: https://hledger.org/support . Newcomers, experts, contributors, sponsors, feedback are welcome! For more about plain text accounting, see https://plaintextaccounting.org . Source: about 2 years ago
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Ledger-cli.org mentions (24)

  • Command-line tool to track your books
    You mean like Ledger? [1] [1] https://ledger-cli.org/. - Source: Hacker News / about 2 months ago
  • Show HN: Bagels – TUI Expense Tracker
    You have built a beautiful TUI, hats off. Having that said, however, if feels like a missed opportunity for this project to use an SQLAlchemy-based database backend over the more simplistic and widely supported ledger [1] format. While I understand that the your tool might not want to leverage the full complexity of a double-entry accounting system, as a friend of plain text accounting [2] I would have preferred... - Source: Hacker News / 4 months ago
  • Goodbye to an Old Spreadsheet
    Always neat to see what others use to manager their personal finances. I've been a fan of Ledger for a long time: https://ledger-cli.org/. - Source: Hacker News / 8 months ago
  • Show HN: Wealthfolio: A Private, Open-Source Investment Tracker
    Https://ledger-cli.org/ When comparing the two programs here, I can't immediately see any big differences. Sorry if this reads like a shallow plug. - Source: Hacker News / 9 months ago
  • Enlightenmentware
    I worked with John Wiegley for a couple of years and discovered one of his projects, Ledger (https://ledger-cli.org/), during our conversations. This tool taught me double-entry accounting and helped me understand finance and blockchains on a deeper level. Unfortunately, I’m too lazy to use the tool on a daily basis, so it’s the second most insightful piece of software I’ve never used :D. - Source: Hacker News / about 1 year ago
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What are some alternatives?

When comparing hledger and Ledger-cli.org, you can also consider the following products

Bankin - An automated financial coach available in France 🇫🇷

GnuCash - A personal and small-business financial-accounting software, licensed under GNU/GPL and available for Linux, Windows, Mac OS X, BSD, and Solaris.

Mint - Free personal finance software to assist you to manage your money, financial planning, and budget planning tools. Achieve your financial goals with Mint.

HomeBank - Access Financial Services. Easy, fee-free banking for entrepreneurs Get the financial tools and insights to start, build, and grow your business.

Webzash - Free And Open Source Accounting Software - Free Download! Powerfull community driven multiuser web based free accounting software with groups, ledgers, draft vouchers, tags, reporting and much more

YNAB - Working hard with nothing to show for it? Use your money more efficiently and control your spending and saving with the YNAB app.