Open Source Asset Management Software

Shelf is a free, open-source asset management platform that helps teams track who has what, where it is, and when it is due back. It is built around QR code scanning, custody logging, and booking workflows — and it is available under the AGPL license for anyone to inspect, modify, or self-host.

Why Open Source Matters for Asset Management

Most asset management software is a black box. You pay a monthly fee, your data lives on someone else's servers, and you have no visibility into how the system works or what happens to your information.

Open source changes this:

Transparency: The entire codebase is public. You can read every line of code that handles your data — no hidden tracking, no mystery logic.
No vendor lock-in: Your data is never held hostage. Export anytime, inspect the schema, or migrate on your terms.
Community-driven development: Features are shaped by real teams using the product, not a sales roadmap. Issues and roadmap are public on GitHub.
Trust by default: When the code is open, claims are verifiable. Security, privacy, and data handling are auditable — not just promised.

Shelf is one of the few asset management platforms that combines open-source transparency with a production-ready cloud offering. Most teams use the hosted version at app.shelf.nu — you get the reliability of managed SaaS with the trust and freedom of open source.

What Shelf Does

Shelf is purpose-built for tracking physical equipment across people, locations, and workflows.

QR Code Scanning

Every asset gets a unique QR code. Scan it with any phone camera — no app required — to see details, check equipment in or out, update locations, or view booking status. Labels are customizable with your logo and print on DYMO, Brother, and Zebra printers.

Custody Tracking

Shelf records who is responsible for each asset and when responsibility changed. Every transfer is logged with timestamps and user details. PDF custody agreements with e-signatures are available for high-value items.

See: Custody

Equipment Booking

Reserve equipment ahead of time with a visual booking calendar. Shelf prevents double-bookings automatically and highlights overdue items. Team members browse availability by day, week, or month.

See: Bookings

Location Tracking

Organize assets by building, floor, room, job site, or vehicle — up to 12 levels of hierarchy. QR scanning updates locations instantly, and GPS coordinates are captured from the scanning device.

See: Location Tracking

Kits

Group items that belong together (camera + lenses + charger + memory cards). When a kit is checked out, all components move together. Missing items are flagged during check-in.

See: Kits

Custom Fields and Reminders

Track purchase dates, serial numbers, warranty expirations, monetary values, or any metadata your workflow requires using seven field types. Set time-based reminders for maintenance, renewals, or calibration due dates.

See: Custom Fields · Asset Reminders

Workspaces

Separate inventories by department, location, or team. Each workspace gets its own assets, users, and configuration while administrators retain visibility across the organization.

See: Workspaces

How Most Teams Use Shelf

The vast majority of Shelf's 3,000+ teams use the hosted cloud version at app.shelf.nu. It is the fastest way to get started and the easiest to maintain:

Sign up and start tracking in minutes — no servers, no DevOps, no configuration
Automatic updates — new features and security patches are deployed continuously
Free plan with unlimited assets for one user
Team and Enterprise plans for multi-user workspaces, SSO, SCIM, and advanced features
Data stored securely with TLS/SSL encryption and encryption at rest

The hosted version is not a stripped-down product — it runs the same open-source codebase, with managed infrastructure so you do not have to think about servers.

Self-Hosting Option

For organizations with strict data residency, compliance, or air-gapped network requirements, Shelf can also be self-hosted with Docker. The AGPL license allows free use, modification, and deployment. Self-hosting requires PostgreSQL and Supabase — setup documentation is available in the GitHub repository.

How Shelf Compares to Other Open Source Options

Most open-source asset management tools fall into one of two categories: enterprise-grade platforms that require months of configuration, or simple spreadsheet replacements that lack real workflows. Shelf sits in between.

What sets Shelf apart:

QR-first design: Scanning is the primary interaction model, not data entry. This makes Shelf fast to adopt across teams that are not technical.
Custody and accountability built in: Most tools track items. Shelf tracks who has them, when they took them, and when they brought them back — with signed agreements.
Booking system included: Equipment reservations with conflict prevention are a core feature, not an add-on.
Works on any device: Progressive web app that runs in any browser. No native app to install or maintain.
Production-ready from day one: Teams managing 50,000+ assets use Shelf in production. It is not a side project.

Who Uses Shelf

Shelf is used by 3,000+ teams managing 450,000+ assets across 50+ countries. A few examples:

CES Utility Solutions recovered $70,000 in drone equipment thanks to Shelf's QR labels and Found-via-Scan workflow.
Fabel Film eliminated double bookings entirely by moving from memory-based coordination to Shelf's booking system.
HAARP unified seven universities under one asset system, tracking research instruments in the Alaskan Arctic.
ResQ manages 4,000+ contact center devices across multiple sites using Shelf's mobile-first workflows.
Eastern Michigan University streamlined theatre and media equipment checkout for students.
Kansas City Art Institute migrated from Cheqroom to Shelf and preserved their DYMO label printing workflow.

Getting Started

Sign up for free at app.shelf.nu — no credit card required.
Add assets manually or import from CSV.
Print QR labels and attach them to your equipment.
Invite your team and start scanning.

Most teams are fully operational within an hour. If your organization requires self-hosting, setup documentation is available in the GitHub repository.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Shelf really free?

Yes. The free plan includes unlimited assets, QR codes, location tracking, and basic custody features for one user. Upgrade to Team for unlimited users, booking calendars, PDF custody agreements, and more.

What license does Shelf use?

Shelf uses the AGPL (GNU Affero General Public License). This means you can use, modify, and deploy it freely. If you modify the source code and offer it as a service, you must make your modifications available under the same license.

Can I migrate from another asset management tool?

Yes. Shelf supports CSV import with flexible column mapping. You can import asset names, descriptions, categories, locations, custom field values, and more.

Does Shelf have an API?

Shelf does not currently offer a documented public API. The application uses internal routes for its own functionality, but external API access for third-party integrations is not available.

Can I self-host Shelf?

Yes, if your organization requires it. Self-hosting needs Docker, PostgreSQL, and Supabase. Most teams prefer the hosted cloud version at app.shelf.nu — it requires no setup, includes automatic updates, and has a free plan to get started.

Does Shelf support SSO?

Yes. SSO with SAML and SCIM is available as a Team plan add-on or included with Enterprise.

Open Source Asset Management