Questions people ask before installing Expense Tracker.
Short answers about what the app does, why it is self-hosted, how updates work, and what you are responsible for when you run it yourself.
Is Expense Tracker a hosted service?
No. It is self-hosted software. You can run it from a repository checkout or deploy published release images.
Why would I use this instead of a spreadsheet?
It gives you reusable recurring transactions, month cloning, guided entry flows, account movement, balance snapshots, backups, and review screens built around the monthly budgeting loop.
Does it connect to banks automatically?
No. The workflow is built around manual accounts, account snapshots, and CSV imports instead of live bank connections.
Who is Expense Tracker not for?
It is not the right fit if you want automatic bank connections, a hosted budgeting service that manages the server for you, or investment, tax, accounting, or legal advice.
How do I keep a self-hosted install updated?
Use versioned Docker images for repeatable deploys, or pull the latest source checkout if you run from git. The app includes release notes and GitHub update prompts so you can see when a newer release is available.
Does it include backup and restore tooling?
Yes. It includes versioned JSON exports, optional encrypted backups, workflow preference exports, import previews, and sample backup files.
Who is responsible for privacy in a self-hosted install?
The operator of the installation is responsible for hosting, storage, backups, access control, and privacy practices for that deployment.