hledger is an accounting program, for tracking money, time, or
other commodities, on unix, mac and windows. With simple yet powerful
functionality accessed from command line, terminal or web browser, it is a
dependable, cross-platform alternative to Quicken, GnuCash, spreadsheets etc.
### plain text ? How does that work ?
**Step 1:**
Record your transactions in a plain text file.
(Use hledger's interactive assistant.. the web interface.. any text editor.. a shell alias.. CSV/OFX import..)
**Step 2:**
Ask hledger about your accounts.. transactions.. balances.. currencies.. monthly averages.. budgets.. market values..
You can start very simply, and get more sophisticated as you learn more about double-entry accounting.
There is an enthusiastic and growing community practising this way of accounting.
which can be quite educational and enjoyable.
If you'd like more background,
we have collected many useful resources at **[plaintextaccounting.org](http://plaintextaccounting.org)**.
Read on for more about hledger, or if you're keen to get going,
**[download](download.html)** it and start the **[tutorial](step-by-step.html)** now!
### hledger is Free software
hledger is Free software, created by [Simon Michael](http://joyful.com)
and released under GNU GPLv3+.
I have been actively developing and using hledger since 2007,
together with 30+ other committers, and an unknown number of usually happy-sounding users.
### inspired by Ledger
hledger is a Haskell reimplementation of the excellent [Ledger](https://github.com/simonmichael/hledger/wiki/FAQ#hledger--ledger).
It remains substantially compatible with Ledger, and if you wish you can keep your data compatible with both.
Read more about the differences in the [FAQ](https://github.com/simonmichael/hledger/wiki/FAQ#hledger--ledger).
### a command-line tool, that respects your data
hledger is first a command-line tool.
Your data lives in a plain text journal 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.)
### a console UI
hledger also provides a curses-style [console interface](manual#ui)
that lets you review account balances and transactions quickly and without fuss.
([screencast](https://asciinema.org/a/29665))
### a web UI
And, a zero-setup
[web interface](manual.html#web) (
[demo](http://demo.hledger.org)) for a more point-and-click experience.
You can also set up your own public/private web instance in a few clicks
at
[Sandstorm](https://apps.sandstorm.io/app/8x12h6p0x0nrzk73hfq6zh2jxtgyzzcty7qsatkg7jfg2mzw5n90).
### 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](http://hackage.haskell.org/package/hledger-lib)
[Haskell](http://hackage.haskell.org/package/hledger)
[libraries](http://hackage.haskell.org/package/hledger-web), 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 users
hledger strives to be usable, practical and to provide real-world value.
Intuitive features, bug-free operation and complete, accurate documentation are top goals.
Currently it is particularly suited to techies, ie users who appreciate the
power of text files, revision control, scriptability and double entry
accounting.
I've been using hledger daily and improving it since 2007.
I needed a tool like this badly, and I hope it will keep growing and
helping folks to transform their financial lives.
If you feel the same way, join us!
### fully documented
Time to check out those **[docs](docs.html)**!
