Fava

Self-Hosted

Open-source web interface for plain-text accounting (Beancount)

Overview

Fava is an open-source web interface for Beancount, a plain-text accounting tool. It offers real-time visualizations, financial reports (balance sheet, income statement), budget tracking, and transaction management. Users can self-host it via Docker, Python, or source code, with support for multiple currencies, tax reporting, and expense categorization. Ideal for those who prefer transparent, local-first finance management—no SaaS reliance, full control over data, and integration with Beancount’s syntax for version-controlled, human-readable financial records. Lightweight and customizable, it’s perfect for privacy-focused budgeting.

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:
  fava:
    image: <OFFICIAL_IMAGE_NAME>:latest
    container_name: fava
    ports:
      - "8080:<APP_INTERNAL_PORT>"
    volumes:
      - ./data:/app/data
    restart: unless-stopped

Key Features

Real-time financial reports (balance sheet, income statement)
Plain-text accounting integration with Beancount
Budget tracking and expense categorization
Multi-currency support and tax reporting tools

Frequently Asked Questions

? Is Fava hard to install?

Fava is easy to self-host with options like Docker (simplest for most users), Python pip, or source code. Docker requires a single command to spin up a container, while pip installs it as a Python package. Technical users can build from source—all methods are well-documented in the repo.

? Is Fava a good alternative to YNAB?

Yes, if you prefer local-first, transparent finance management. Unlike YNAB’s subscription model, Fava is free and uses plain-text files. It offers budget tracking and reports but lacks YNAB’s automatic bank sync—ideal for users who value data control over convenience.

? Is Fava completely free?

Yes! Fava is licensed under MIT, so it’s fully free to use, modify, and self-host. There are no hidden fees or premium features—all core functionalities (reports, budgeting, multi-currency support) are available at no cost.

Top Alternatives

YNAB (You Need A Budget) Search Google

Mint Search Google

Personal Capital Search Google

Tool Info

Pricing Free/Open Source

Category Money, Budgeting & Management

Platform Self-Hosted

Pros

⊕ Privacy-focused (local data storage)
⊕ Open-source (fully customizable)
⊕ No subscription fees
⊕ Version control friendly (plain-text files)

Cons

⊖ Requires basic Beancount syntax knowledge
⊖ Steeper learning curve for non-technical users
⊖ Limited mobile app support
⊖ No automatic bank sync