[opensourcedex]

Binner is a free, open source erp & operations project written in C# and released under GPL-3.0. It has 537 GitHub stars, 69 forks and 52 open issues, and was last pushed 5 months ago. On this registry it ranks #22 of 25 tracked projects in ERP & Operations, with 5 head-to-head comparisons available.

What is Binner?

Binner is a free, open-source parts inventory tracking system that runs locally on Windows or Unix, created for makers, electronics hobbyists, and professional engineers who need to keep track of a parts inventory.

What it is

Binner is an open-source inventory management application written in C# and released under the GPL-3.0 licence. It is built on .NET and distributed as a cross-platform application that runs on Windows, Raspberry Pi OS, Ubuntu, Docker, and other environments, including embedded devices such as the Raspberry Pi. It ships a simple web-based UI and needs no separate web server installation, because it uses a standalone Kestrel service API. Data is stored in a proprietary file-based database by default, and providers for other formats such as SQL Server can be used instead. The project is listed under Business Software / ERP & Operations, and its home is https://binner.io.

The concrete problem it solves is the manual tracking of electronic components. Instead of spreadsheets and disconnected supplier sites, Binner imports orders from Digikey, Mouser, and Arrow, performs automated part lookup across Digikey, Mouser, Arrow, Octopart, Nexar, and TME, and retrieves datasheets automatically. It replaces ad hoc hobby tracking with structured inventory management: customizable nested category placement, tracking parts by project, a flexible search engine, and export of data to CSV or Excel when needed. It also supports barcoding and label printing for physical bins.

Key capabilities

  • Import orders from Digikey, Mouser, Arrow, and AliExpress.
  • Automated part lookup against Digikey, Mouser, Arrow, Octopart, Nexar, and TME.
  • Automated datasheet retrieval and datasheet search, plus a datasheet repository and a schematics repository for example circuits per part.
  • Barcode support and label printing for physical parts storage.
  • KiCad HTTP Library support.
  • Export of inventory data to CSV or Excel.
  • Custom fields that can be added to inventory data, nested category placement, and tracking of parts by project.
  • File-based database by default, with providers available for other formats such as SQL Server.

Who uses it and how

  • Makers and electronics hobbyists managing a personal parts stock, which is the audience the README names first.
  • Professional engineers who need order imports, supplier part lookup, and datasheet retrieval inside one system.
  • Small teams, since the free open-source version allows a maximum of 3 users; additional users unlock with a subscription.
  • KiCad users who want their inventory exposed through the KiCad HTTP Library interface.
  • Self-hosters running the application on Windows, Ubuntu, Raspberry Pi OS, or Docker, including embedded devices like a Raspberry Pi.

Getting started

Pull the Docker image and run an instance with docker run --name Binner -d binnerofficial/binner:latest, or configure it through docker compose; full Docker details are on Docker Hub and the official wiki. On Windows, download the installer from the latest release and run .\Binner.Web.exe as a console application, or install it as a service with .\Binner.Web install, then open the web interface at https://localhost:8090.

How it compares

The provided facts name no other inventory products in this registry, so Binner stands alone here. It is positioned against paid inventory services by its licence rather than by a named product list: the core system is free and open source under GPL-3.0 and can be self-hosted, while a paid license at https://binner.io/signup unlocks additional features and raises the 3-user cap. Because it runs locally on the user's own hardware and stores data in a local database, inventory data stays under the operator's control.

When to use it — and when not to

A self-hoster must operate the application and its database; the default is a proprietary file-based database, though SQL Server and other providers are supported. The free version caps usage at 3 users, and the README states that additional features and limitations are unlocked with a paid license, so teams larger than that should expect a subscription. The project carries 52 open issues and is maintained primarily through GitHub releases, so anyone needing guaranteed commercial support or a vendor SLAs should look elsewhere.

project readme (upstream, from github) — read inline

Binner

GitHub release Docker Image Version Github all releases GitHub commits GitHub contributors GitHub license Build status

Binner is a free open-source parts inventory tracking system you can run locally in Windows or Unix environments. It was created for makers (like myself), hobbyists or professionals to keep track of your parts inventory.

Screenshots

Binner

Features

  • Standard inventory management input
  • Import your orders from Digikey, Mouser, Arrow, or AliExpress
  • Customizable nested category placement
  • Track parts by Project
  • Automated datasheet retrieval / Datasheet search
  • Automated part lookup on Digikey/Mouser/Arrow/Octopart/Nexar/TME
  • Flexible search engine
  • Export your data to CSV / Excel if you need
  • Proprietary file-based database (or use providers for other formats such as SQL Server)
  • No web server installation required, uses standalone Kestrel service API
  • Based on .Net - runs on Windows, Unix and embedded devices like Raspberry PI
  • Simple web-based UI
  • Barcoding support
  • Label printing
  • KiCad HTTP Library support
  • Supports adding custom fields to your data

Limitations

We try to include as many features as possible in the free open-source version. In order to keep active development going additional features and limitations can be unlocked with a paid license.

  • Max 3 Users (additional users can be unlocked with a subscription)

Planned Upcoming Features for 2025

  • Dedicated datasheet repository (Q1)
  • Schematics repository for example circuits per part (Q1)
  • Local upload of datasheets/images
  • Integration of Arrow's API for orders and parts (Q1)
  • Multiple language support (Q1)
  • Auto update (Q1)
  • Full BOM / PCB management (Q1)
  • TME parts api support (Q2)
  • KiCad HTTP Library api support (Q2)
  • Ability to add custom fields (Q2)
  • Electronic bins support (Q2)
  • Maybe a parts marketplace? with lasers?

Installation

Binner is a cross-platform distribution and runs on Windows, Raspberry Pi OS, Ubuntu, Docker and more!

Installation on Docker

Pull the latest Docker image and run an instance using docker run --name Binner -d binnerofficial/binner:latest.

Docker is best configured using docker compose. Full Docker installation details available at Docker Hub or the official wiki.

Installation on Windows

Download the Windows installer from the latest release GitHub release.

Binner can be run as a standalone console application, or as a service.

To run as a service, run the following in an Administrative console:

.\Binner.Web install
.\Binner.Web start

Other commands are available to manage the service such as uninstall, stop, help.

To run as a console application:

.\Binner.Web.exe

Proceed to the web interface at https://localhost:8090 to start using Binner!

Login

The first time you login you will be prompted for a username and password. The default credentials are:

Username: admin

Password: admin

Installation on Ubuntu

Download the ubuntu.14.04-x64.tar.gz from the latest release GitHub release.

// extract the archive
tar zxfp ./Binner_ubuntu.14.04-x64-VERSION.tar.gz

// to install as a service
sudo chmod +x ./install-as-service.sh
sudo ./install-as-service.sh

// or you can just run directly
sudo chmod +x ./Binner.Web
./Binner.Web

Installation on Raspberry Pi OS

Download the linux-arm.tar.gz from the latest release GitHub release.

// extract the archive
tar zxfp Binner_linux-arm-VERSION.tar.gz

// to install as a service
sudo chmod +x ./install-as-service.sh
sudo ./install-as-service.sh

// or you can just run directly
sudo chmod +x ./Binner.Web
./Binner.Web

See the Wiki for help installing on other platforms.

Description

Binner is designed for electronics in mind, however it could be used for other types of inventory management (chemistry, retail). It is purpose built for quick data entry and fast performance. I built it because I couldn't find good free alternatives for tracking inventory in my home maker lab - it's easy to forget what you bought and where you put them and I end up sometimes ordering things I already have around. Saves money and time! It's built on .Net Core / C# with a React js front end.

I welcome all who want to contribute to this project, and please suggest features in the Issues section.

What if I want to use it but not to install it myself?

A free online version of Binner is available at Binner.io. This service offers both free and paid subscriptions based on inventory size requirements and additional features. Compared to other options out there it's incredibly useful for makers, and it helps me keep this project alive!

Getting Help

Help with your installation, questions, reporting bugs, suggesting features can be provided in multiple ways:

  • If you simply have a question or need help with installation issues, you have 2 options:
  • If you are reporting a bug or suggesting a feature, create a New Issue

Storage Provider

Binner supports multiple storage providers. If your needs are simple, you can continue to use the built-in Binner storage provider which is configured by default. Alternatively, you can specify to use any of the following supported storage providers:

  • Binner
  • SqlServer
  • Postgresql
  • MySql
  • Sqlite

Configuring Binner Provider (default)

In appsettings.json under StorageProviderConfiguration set the Provider to Binner and under ProviderConfiguration specify the database file location as "Filename": "C:\\Binner\\binner.db" or the location of your choice. It should look like the following:

"StorageProviderConfiguration": {
    "Provider": "Binner",
    "ProviderConfiguration": {
      "Filename": "C:\\Binner\\binner.db" // for unix environments use: "./binner.db"
    }
  },

Configuring SQL Server

In appsettings.json under StorageProviderConfiguration set the Provider to SqlServer. Example:

"StorageProviderConfiguration": {
    "Provider": "SqlServer",
    "ProviderConfiguration": {
      "ConnectionString": "Server=localhost;Database=Binner;Trusted_Connection=True;TrustServerCertificate=True;Integrated Security=True;"
    }
  },

Configuring Postgresql

In appsettings.json under StorageProviderConfiguration set the Provider to Postgresql. Example:

"StorageProviderConfiguration": {
    "Provider": "Postgresql",
    "ProviderConfiguration": {
      "ConnectionString": "Server=localhost;Port=5432;Database=Binner;Userid=postgres;Password=password;SslMode=Disable;Persist Security Info=true;"
    }
  },

Configuring MySql / MariaDb

In appsettings.json under StorageProviderConfiguration set the Provider to MySql. Example:

"StorageProviderConfiguration": {
    "Provider": "MySql",
    "ProviderConfiguration": {
      "ConnectionString": "Server=localhost;Database=Binner;Uid=root;Pwd=password;"
    }
  },

Configuring Sqlite

In appsettings.json under StorageProviderConfiguration set th

readme truncated — read the full docs on github

Frequently asked questions

Is Binner free to use?

Binner is open source under the GPL-3.0 licence. There is no licence fee and no seat count — you can self-host it or, where the project offers one, pay a vendor for a managed version instead.

What does Binner do?

Open source parts inventory system for makers, electronics hobby, and professional engineers

What is Binner written in?

Binner is primarily written in C#. Its source is publicly available at https://github.com/replaysMike/Binner, and it has 537 GitHub stars.