metasfresh/metasfresh - Detailed Review#

1. Overview & GitHub Stats#

• URL: https://github.com/metasfresh/metasfresh
• Stars: 1951
• License: GPL-3.0
• Primary Language: Java
• Last Updated: August 2025

2. Project Description#

Metasfresh is a modern, open-source Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system built for businesses seeking flexible, scalable, and cost-effective management solutions. Unlike traditional monolithic ERP systems, metasfresh offers a modular architecture that allows organizations to implement only the components they need while maintaining the ability to scale as their business grows. The project emphasizes agility, user-friendliness, and community-driven development, making it an attractive alternative to expensive commercial ERP solutions.

3. What Software Does It Replace?#

Metasfresh serves as a competitive alternative to several popular commercial and open-source ERP systems, including:

• SAP Business One
• Microsoft Dynamics 365
• Oracle NetSuite
• Odoo ERP
• ERPNext
• Compiere ERP

4. Core Functionality#

Metasfresh provides comprehensive business management capabilities through its modular design:

Core Modules:

• Accounting & Finance: General ledger, accounts payable/receivable, financial reporting
• Inventory Management: Real-time stock tracking, warehouse management, lot tracking
• Sales & CRM: Customer management, sales order processing, quotation management
• Procurement: Purchase order management, vendor management, requisition processing
• Production: Manufacturing resource planning, bill of materials, production scheduling
• Reporting & Analytics: Customizable dashboards, business intelligence, data export

Advanced Features:

• RESTful API for integration with third-party systems
• Mobile-responsive web interface
• Multi-company and multi-currency support
• Document management system
• Workflow automation engine
• Real-time collaboration tools

5. Pros and Cons#

Pros:

• ✅ Cost-Effective: Completely free and open-source with no licensing fees
• ✅ Flexible Architecture: Modular design allows customized implementations
• ✅ Active Community: Regular updates and community support
• ✅ Scalable: Handles small businesses to enterprise-level operations
• ✅ Modern UI: Intuitive, web-based interface with mobile support
• ✅ Extensible: Easy integration with other systems through APIs

Cons:

• ⚠️ Steep Learning Curve: Requires technical expertise for deployment and customization
• ⚠️ Limited Official Support: Relies on community forums rather than dedicated support
• ⚠️ Documentation Gaps: Some advanced features lack comprehensive documentation
• ⚠️ Customization Complexity: Significant modifications require Java development skills

6. Detailed Installation Guide (Self-host)#

1
# Update system packages
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sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y
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# Install Docker
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curl -fsSL https://get.docker.com -o get-docker.sh
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sudo sh get-docker.sh
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# Install Docker Compose
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sudo curl -L "https://github.com/docker/compose/releases/download/v2.20.0/docker-compose-$(uname -s)-$(uname -m)" -o /usr/local/bin/docker-compose
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sudo chmod +x /usr/local/bin/docker-compose

1
git clone https://github.com/metasfresh/metasfresh.git
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cd metasfresh/deploy/docker-compose

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# Copy and edit environment file
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cp .env.template .env
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# Edit the .env file with your preferences
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nano .env

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# Start all services
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docker-compose up -d
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# Monitor startup process
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docker-compose logs -f

1
# Set up reverse proxy with Nginx
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sudo apt install nginx -y
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# Configure SSL with Let's Encrypt
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sudo apt install certbot python3-certbot-nginx -y
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sudo certbot --nginx -d your-domain.com

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# Check service status
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docker-compose ps
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# View logs
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docker-compose logs
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# Update to latest version
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git pull origin master
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docker-compose down
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docker-compose up -d --build
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# Backup database
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docker-compose exec db pg_dump -U metasfresh > backup.sql