Get started
**[Install](download.html)**,
read the **[tutorial](step-by-step.html)**
or **[manual](manual.html)**,
join us on IRC/mail list.
|
|---------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------
| IRC | [#hledger](http://irc.hledger.org)
| Mail list | via [google](http://list.hledger.org) or [gmane](http://news.gmane.org/gmane.comp.finance.ledger.hledger)
| Twitter | [#ledgercli](https://twitter.com/search?q=%23ledgercli&src=typd&f=realtime),
@LedgerTips
| Github | [code](http://github.com/simonmichael/hledger), [bugs](http://bugs.hledger.org), [issues](http://issues.hledger.org)
hledger
## Making accounting fun for techies.

hledger is a computer program for easily tracking money, time, or
other commodities, on unix, mac and windows. With simple yet powerful
functionality accessed from command line or web browser, it is a
reliable, lightweight, cross-platform alternative to Quicken or GnuCash.
### Free software
hledger is available under the GNU GPLv3+, which helps ensure that it
will remain free and available for as long as you need it. It has
been developed as a community project by
[Simon Michael](http://joyful.com) and
[contributors](contributors.html) since 2007.
[](http://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl.html)
### inspired by Ledger
hledger was inspired by and maintains substantial compatibility with [Ledger](faq.html#hledger-and-ledger),
and is part of the enthusiastic and supportive "*ledger" community.
### documented
Complete, accurate documentation is always a top priority.
### a command-line tool, that respects your data

hledger is first a command-line tool.
Your data lives in a simple, safe, plain text file which you can edit
any way you wish; hledger reads that file and produces reports of
various kinds, without changing your data. (It can help you add new
transactions, but does not change existing ones.)
### and a curses UI

hledger also provides a curses-style [console interface](manual#ui)
that lets you review account balances and transactions with fewer
keystrokes and less effort.
### and a web UI

hledger comes with a built-in web server providing an alternate
[browser-based interface](manual.html#web)
([demo](http://demo.hledger.org)), for assisted data entry and point
and click reporting. The web and command-line/curses interfaces can be used
simultaneously.
### a Haskell application and library

hledger is written in Haskell, a modern, highly-regarded
programming language which contributes to hledger's robustness,
performance and long-term maintainability. Most functionality is
exposed as reusable Haskell
[libraries](http://hackage.haskell.org/package/hledger-lib), making it
easy to write your own hledger-compatible
[scripts](more-docs.html#scripting-examples), [add-ons](manual.html#add-ons) and
applications.
[](https://travis-ci.org/simonmichael/hledger)
### focussed on serving the user
hledger strives to be usable, practical and to provide real-world value.
Currently it is particularly suited to power users who appreciate the
power of text files, revision control, scriptability and double entry
accounting.
I've been using it daily and improving it since 2007.
I needed a tool like this badly, and I want to keep it growing and helping others gain financial clarity and control.
If you feel the same way, join us!