ExpenseOwl

ExpenseOwl is an open-source, self-hosted application for tracking personal expenses and income. It focuses on simplicity, providing a way to monitor spending across categories without the complexity of full budgeting systems or account management. The software is designed for users who want a quick monthly overview of their financial habits without the overhead of managing multiple accounts or complex budget rules.

The software is deployed as a server application, available as a self-contained binary or a Docker container. Users interact with the system through a web browser, and the application supports Progressive Web App (PWA) installation for use on mobile devices. This allows users to add transactions on the go while keeping the data hosted on their own infrastructure.

Key features

• Monthly pie-chart visualizations with the ability to toggle categories on or off
• Cashflow indicators showing total income, total expenses, and current balance
• Support for recurring transactions for both income and expenses
• Customization of categories, currency symbols, and monthly start dates
• Data import and export functionality using CSV files
• Light and dark theme options with system adaptation
• Optional tagging system for further transaction classification
• Support for both JSON and Postgres data backends

Built with Go, the application is designed for single-user environments, specifically for home lab deployments. It does not include built-in authentication, meaning it is intended to be used behind a reverse proxy or an authentication layer like Authelia. The system stores expenses as negative values and income as positive values, focusing on manual entry to help users maintain a mental overview of their monthly spending. The table view allows for chronological listing of all expenses, where users can search for specific names or tags using browser tools and delete entries as needed.

ExpenseOwl is positioned as a lightweight tracking tool for individuals who prefer a minimal interface over comprehensive financial planning software.