The API key is needed to get different apps (chunks of functionality), so that's the answer.

Ah, this is how they enforce limits. You must have an account to get an API key. Even if you don't interact with them?

All installation instructions, straightforward. Although I don't get why then the later refs to dependency issues, if it's as basic as this

Akaunting on my Macbook may throw an npm install error.

solution to install error wrt npm on Apple silicon w akaunting. Not sure if this will arise.

The reqs are basic. Do check if my MAMP has all the mentioned extensions. They assume a hosting package, but for my usage the local webserver is fine.

You can run a local version on-prem, which will be limited to a single company, and 1 user. Under 1k invoices / yr. How would they limit that? Phoning home? As you can purchase extensions.

Here it mentions a different company name, also not present in opencorporates or companies house.

Another business not being clear where they are based. Akaunting as a term seems Bulgarian in spelling's origin, the lead dev has a Turkish personal domain, the company on #socmed lists its location as London. The company is not registered at Companies House though (2 others with similar name are, but different), and not known in opencorporates.com.