How to Install LedgerSMB on Debian VPS (5 Minute Quick-Start Guide)

Here’s a clear, step-by-step guide detailing how to install LedgerSMB on Debian VPS.

What is LedgerSMB?

LedgerSMB is an open-source accounting and ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) system designed for small to medium-sized businesses. It offers a secure, multi-user web interface for managing financial data, inventory, invoices, customers, vendors, and more.

🧾 Key Features

• General Ledger – Tracks all accounting transactions.
• Accounts Receivable (AR) – Manages customer invoices and payments.
• Accounts Payable (AP) – Handles vendor bills and payments.
• Inventory Management – Tracks stock levels, pricing, and cost of goods.
• Multi-user and Role-based Access – Allows different levels of user access.
• Multi-currency & Multi-language – Supports international operations.
• Audit-friendly – Designed to be transparent and secure for compliance.

🛠️ Technology Stack

• Backend: Written in Perl
• Database: Uses PostgreSQL
• Frontend: Web-based UI served via Apache or Nginx
• Operating System: Linux-based systems, especially Debian and Ubuntu

🔓 Open Source Benefits

• No licensing fees
• Active community and developer support
• Highly customizable
• Transparent and auditable code

🏢 Who Uses LedgerSMB?

• Small businesses needing accounting software
• Nonprofits managing grants and donations
• Freelancers and consultants handling invoicing
• Organizations wanting an on-premise, secure alternative to QuickBooks or Xero

In short, LedgerSMB is a powerful, secure, and free alternative to commercial accounting systems—ideal for organizations that want full control over their financial data and infrastructure.

🔧 Prerequisites

Before you begin, make sure you have:

• A Debian 11+ VPS with root access
• At least 1 GB of RAM
• A non-root sudo user
• Basic knowledge of the Linux command line
• A domain name (optional, but recommended for HTTPS)

✅ How to Install LedgerSMB on Debian VPS

To install LedgerSMB on Debian VPS, follow the steps below:

1. 🧱 Update Your System

   sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y
   

   Reboot if there are kernel updates:

   sudo reboot
   

2. 🐘 Install PostgreSQL

   LedgerSMB relies on PostgreSQL.

   sudo apt install postgresql -y
   

   Create a PostgreSQL user for LedgerSMB:

   sudo -i -u postgres
   createuser --createdb --createrole --login ledgersmb
   psql -c "ALTER USER ledgersmb WITH PASSWORD 'securepassword';"
   exit
   

   Replace 'securepassword' with a strong, unique password.

3. 🌐 Install Apache + mod_fcgid (Optional: nginx works too)

   sudo apt install apache2 libapache2-mod-fcgid -y
   

   Enable necessary Apache modules:

   sudo a2enmod fcgid rewrite ssl
   sudo systemctl restart apache2
   

4. 📦 Install Dependencies for LedgerSMB

   sudo apt install \
     libdbd-pg-perl \
     libtemplate-perl \
     libapache2-mod-fcgid \
     liblocale-maketext-lexicon-perl \
     liblocale-maketext-simple-perl \
     libyaml-libyaml-perl \
     libjson-perl \
     liblog-log4perl-perl \
     libmoosex-nonmoose-perl \
     libtry-tiny-perl \
     libconfig-std-perl \
     libdbix-safe-perl \
     libdatetime-format-strptime-perl \
     libhtml-parser-perl \
     libmoose-perl \
     libperl-dev \
     cpanminus \
     git \
     make \
     gcc \
     -y
   

5. 📥 Download LedgerSMB

   Clone the latest stable release:

   cd /opt
   sudo git clone https://github.com/ledgersmb/LedgerSMB.git
   cd LedgerSMB
   sudo git checkout 1.11  # Or replace with latest stable version
   

6. 🔨 Install Perl Modules via cpanm (if any are missing)

   Run the dependency check:

   sudo cpanm --installdeps .
   

   You may need to run this multiple times or install modules manually if errors occur.

7. 🗃 Set Up LedgerSMB Directories

   sudo mkdir -p /var/www/ledgersmb
   sudo cp -r /opt/LedgerSMB/* /var/www/ledgersmb/
   sudo chown -R www-data:www-data /var/www/ledgersmb
   

8. 📄 Configure Apache for LedgerSMB

   Create a new site config:

   sudo nano /etc/apache2/sites-available/ledgersmb.conf
   

   Paste the following:

   <VirtualHost *:80>
       ServerAdmin admin@yourdomain.com
       ServerName yourdomain.com
       Redirect permanent / https://yourdomain.com/
   </VirtualHost>
   
   <VirtualHost *:443>
       ServerAdmin admin@yourdomain.com
       ServerName yourdomain.com
       DocumentRoot /var/www/ledgersmb
   
       SSLEngine on
       SSLCertificateFile /etc/letsencrypt/live/yourdomain.com/fullchain.pem
       SSLCertificateKeyFile /etc/letsencrypt/live/yourdomain.com/privkey.pem
       Include /etc/letsencrypt/options-ssl-apache.conf
   
       <Directory /var/www/ledgersmb>
           Options +ExecCGI
           AddHandler fcgid-script .pl
           DirectoryIndex lsmb-request.pl
           AllowOverride None
           Require all granted
       </Directory>
   
       ScriptAlias /ledgersmb /var/www/ledgersmb/lsmb-request.pl
   
       ErrorLog ${APACHE_LOG_DIR}/ledgersmb_ssl_error.log
       CustomLog ${APACHE_LOG_DIR}/ledgersmb_ssl_access.log combined
   </VirtualHost>
   

   Enable the site:

   sudo a2ensite ledgersmb
   sudo systemctl reload apache2
   

9. 🔐 Secure with HTTPS (Let’s Encrypt)

   Install Certbot:

   sudo apt install certbot python3-certbot-apache -y
   

   Run Certbot:

   sudo certbot --apache
   

10. 🚀 Initialize LedgerSMB

    Now access LedgerSMB in your browser:

    https://yourdomain.com/ledgersmb
    

    You should see the setup screen.

    Create your first database:

    1. Use the ledgersmb PostgreSQL user.
    2. Choose a company name (it becomes the database name).
    3. Follow the prompts to create the admin user and finalize setup.

11. 🧼 Cleanup and Secure

    • Delete /var/www/ledgersmb/tools after setup to avoid exposure.
    • Set up a firewall (e.g., ufw) to protect your VPS.

    sudo ufw allow OpenSSH
    sudo ufw allow "Apache Full"
    sudo ufw enable
    

✅ Done!

You’ve successfully installed LedgerSMB on a Debian VPS.

🧠 Tips

• LedgerSMB stores each company in its own database.
• Back up regularly using pg_dump.
• Check logs in /var/log/apache2 or LedgerSMB’s own logs if issues arise.

Conclusion

You now know how to install LedgerSMB on Debian VPS.