OwnTracks Recorder

Self-Hosted

Open-source backend for storing OwnTracks location data privately

Overview

OwnTracks Recorder is a self-hosted, lightweight service that receives, stores, and manages location updates from OwnTracks mobile apps. It supports MQTT for real-time data ingestion, integrates with databases like SQLite, PostgreSQL, or MySQL, and allows querying location history via APIs. Deployable via Docker or binary, it prioritizes user privacy by keeping location data under your control. Additional features include geofencing event logging and compatibility with OwnTracks Frontend for mapping.

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

Key Features

Receives location updates from OwnTracks mobile apps
MQTT protocol integration for real-time data
Supports multiple databases (SQLite, PostgreSQL, MySQL)
API access for querying location history

Frequently Asked Questions

? Is OwnTracks Recorder hard to install?

OwnTracks Recorder is straightforward to install, especially with Docker (a single command can get it running). It also offers precompiled binaries or source builds. Minimal setup includes configuring an MQTT broker (if not already in use) and choosing a database (SQLite is default for simplicity).

? Is it a good alternative to Google Location History?

Absolutely—for users prioritizing privacy. Unlike Google’s service, OwnTracks Recorder keeps your location data on your own server. It tracks location history but lacks Google’s automatic place labeling; however, it integrates with tools like OwnTracks Frontend for mapping.

? Is it completely free?

Yes—OwnTracks Recorder is open-source under the MIT License. There are no costs, subscriptions, or restrictions on usage; you can modify and self-host it freely.

Top Alternatives

Google Location History Search Google

Life360 Search Google

Apple Find My (family tracking) Search Google

Tool Info

Pricing Open Source

Category Maps and Global Positioning System (GPS)

Platform Self-Hosted

Pros

⊕ Privacy-first (self-hosted, no third-party data sharing)
⊕ Lightweight and low-resource usage
⊕ Easy Docker deployment option
⊕ Seamless integration with OwnTracks ecosystem

Cons

⊖ Requires OwnTracks mobile app to send location data
⊖ Limited built-in visualization (needs OwnTracks Frontend or external tools)
⊖ Basic geofencing support compared to proprietary alternatives