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Frequently asked questions

General​

Is FlyBudget really free?​

Yes. FlyBudget is free and open-source software under the AGPL-3.0 license. The only possible cost is a bank connection service, if you choose to use one (see Connecting a bank).

Where is my data stored?​

In a single SQLite database file: on your computer for the desktop app, or in the data directory of your self-hosted server. Nothing is sent to FlyBudget; there is no FlyBudget server to send it to.

Can I try it without installing anything?​

Yes: Try the demo runs the real app in your browser with a sample budget. Nothing you change is saved or sent anywhere, and closing the tab throws it away. Bank connections need the installed app.

Can I use it on my phone?​

Yes, through a self-hosted server: open it in your phone's browser. Every page has a layout made for small screens. See On your phone.

Can more than one person use the same budget?​

A self-hosted server can be opened from several devices at once with the same password. There are no separate user accounts yet.

Does FlyBudget support multiple currencies?​

Yes. Your budget has one currency, and each account can have its own: its amounts stay in it, and your budget counts them in yours at each day's exchange rate. Rates can be typed in, or downloaded from the European Central Bank once you turn that on. See Currencies.

Can I move my budget to another computer, or to a server?​

Download a backup on the old one and restore it on the new one. It works between the desktop app and a self-hosted server in either direction. Connect your banks again afterwards.

Can I undo a change?​

Press Ctrl+Z (⌘+Z on a Mac). See Undo.

Troubleshooting​

The desktop app says "FlyBudget is starting up again"​

Its built-in server stopped for a moment and is restarting. It usually comes back on its own within a few seconds. If it doesn't, close FlyBudget and open it again.

My self-hosted server shows "can't reach the server"​

The page is fine; the server isn't answering. Check that the container is running (docker ps) and what it logged (docker logs flybudget). Anything you add in the meantime is kept on your device and sent when it's back (see Working offline).

I forgot my server password​

See Your password in the self-hosting guide: a command on the server removes it, and you then set a new one.

Windows or macOS won't open FlyBudget the first time​

FlyBudget isn't signed with a paid Microsoft certificate or notarized by Apple yet. On Windows, choose More info → Run anyway. On a Mac, open System Settings → Privacy & Security and choose Open Anyway next to FlyBudget (see Installing). You can check that the download is genuine with its signature (see Verifying your download).

FlyBudget won't start from the AppImage on Ubuntu​

Ubuntu 24.04 and later block the sandbox Electron apps use when they run from an AppImage. Install the .deb instead (see Installing).

Imported transactions have the wrong sign, or the wrong dates​

See What FlyBudget understands and Credit cards on the importing page.

A transaction didn't get the category I expected​

Rules run top to bottom and a higher rule wins; a category you picked yourself always stays. See Order matters.

Getting help​

I found a bug or have an idea​

Please open an issue on GitHub. For security problems, follow the security policy instead so they can be fixed privately.

How can I help?​

See Contributing. Bug reports, documentation fixes and code are all welcome.