ExpenseOwl

Self-Hosted

Open-source self-hosted expense tracking and budgeting tool

Overview

ExpenseOwl is an open-source self-hosted solution for personal and small business expense tracking and budget management. It enables users to categorize transactions, set monthly budget limits, generate visual reports (charts/graphs), and support multi-user access with role-based permissions. Deployment is simplified via Docker or docker-compose, compatible with SQLite (lightweight) or PostgreSQL (scalable) databases. It prioritizes data privacy by keeping financial records on your server, with customizable categories and offline web access.

Self-Hosting Resources

Find Official Image on Docker Hub View Source & Docs

Below is a reference structure for docker-compose.yml. ⚠️ Do NOT run blindly. Replace placeholders with official values.

docker-compose.template.yml TEMPLATE


version: '3'
services:
  expense_owl:
    image: <OFFICIAL_IMAGE_NAME>:latest
    container_name: expense-owl
    ports:
      - "8080:<APP_INTERNAL_PORT>"
    volumes:
      - ./data:/app/data
    restart: unless-stopped

Key Features

Categorize expenses & set custom budgets
Generate visual financial reports
Multi-user access with role-based controls

Frequently Asked Questions

? Is ExpenseOwl hard to install?

No—ExpenseOwl supports Docker deployment via a simple docker-compose file, making setup quick for users familiar with containerization. Documentation for manual installation is also available for those preferring non-container methods.

? Is it a good alternative to Mint?

Yes—ExpenseOwl offers core features like expense tracking and budgeting similar to Mint, but with full data control (self-hosted) instead of relying on third-party SaaS. It lacks Mint’s automatic bank sync but prioritizes privacy and customization.

? Is ExpenseOwl completely free?

Yes—ExpenseOwl is open-source software released under a permissive license (e.g., MIT), so it’s free to use, modify, and self-host without any hidden costs or premium tiers.

Top Alternatives

Mint Search Google

YNAB (You Need A Budget) Search Google

PocketGuard Search Google

Tool Info

Pricing Open Source

Category Money, Budgeting & Management

Platform Self-Hosted

Pros

⊕ Full data privacy (self-hosted)
⊕ No recurring subscription fees
⊕ Customizable categories & reports

Cons

⊖ Requires basic server/container setup knowledge
⊖ No automatic bank sync integration
⊖ Web-based only (no native mobile apps)