OpenBoxes vs PartKeepr
A side-by-side comparison of two self-hosted crm & business apps options — licensing, setup difficulty, resource needs, and what each one replaces.
| Feature | OpenBoxes | PartKeepr |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Under-an-hour setup | Under-an-hour setup |
| Health score | 82 · Excellent | 15 · At risk |
| Status | Actively maintained | Archived |
| Category | CRM & Business Apps | CRM & Business Apps |
| License | MPL-2.0 | GPL-3.0 |
| Language | Groovy | JavaScript |
| Setup difficulty | Hard | Medium |
| Min. RAM | 2,048 MB | 512 MB |
| Deployment | docker, bare-metal, source | docker, bare-metal, source |
| GitHub stars | ★ 900 | ★ 1,531 |
| First released | 2011 | 2012 |
| Replaces | SAP, NetSuite | NetSuite |
What are OpenBoxes and PartKeepr?
OpenBoxes
OpenBoxes is an open-source inventory and supply chain management system. It was designed to manage stock, track inventory, and support supply chains for healthcare facilities.
- Inventory and stock tracking
- Supply chain workflows
- Shipment management
- Reporting and analytics
PartKeepr
PartKeepr is an open-source inventory management solution focused on electronic components. It tracks parts, stock levels, storage locations, and distributors.
- Electronic parts inventory
- Storage location tracking
- Distributor and pricing data
- Datasheet attachments
OpenBoxes vs PartKeepr: key differences
The biggest difference is maintenance: PartKeepr's repository is archived and no longer developed, while OpenBoxes is actively maintained. OpenBoxes is written in Groovy, while PartKeepr is built with JavaScript. Licensing differs — MPL-2.0 for OpenBoxes versus GPL-3.0 for PartKeepr. PartKeepr is the lighter option, starting around 512 MB of RAM against 2,048 MB for OpenBoxes.
Why pick each one
Choose OpenBoxes if…
- Released under the MPL-2.0 license
- First-class Docker support for quick deployment
- Written in Groovy
Choose PartKeepr if…
- Released under the GPL-3.0 license
- First-class Docker support for quick deployment
- Active community (1.5k GitHub stars)
- Written in JavaScript
Frequently asked questions
Is OpenBoxes or PartKeepr better?
PartKeepr is the stronger all-round pick: it has both the larger community and the simpler medium setup. Consider PartKeepr if its specific feature set fits your needs better.
Are OpenBoxes and PartKeepr free and open-source?
Yes. OpenBoxes is licensed under MPL-2.0 and PartKeepr under GPL-3.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run OpenBoxes and PartKeepr with Docker?
OpenBoxes: yes. PartKeepr: yes.
Which is lighter on resources, OpenBoxes or PartKeepr?
PartKeepr has the smaller minimum footprint at 512 MB of RAM, compared to about 2,048 MB for OpenBoxes. Real-world usage depends on library size, user count, and enabled features.