Syllogic

Syllogic is a rare breed: a self-hosted finance dashboard that doesn't feel like a side project. The UI is modern, the deployment is Docker-first with a Railway option for the impatient, and the optional AI categorization actually works well when you plug in an OpenAI key. The MCP server for natural language queries via Claude Desktop is a clever addition for power users. When to pick this tool? If you're already running a homelab or Docker stack, and you want real visibility into your spending without sending transaction data to a SaaS. The European bank connectivity via dedicated services is a genuine differentiator for users in that region. When to pass? If you expect a mobile app or native desktop client, you'll be disappointed – it's web-only. Non-technical users may struggle with the self-hosting setup despite the 10-minute claim. And if you need multi-currency or investment tracking, you'll need to wait or look elsewhere. Compared to alternatives like Firefly III, Syllogic offers a more polished UI and optional AI, but Firefly III has a larger community and more import integrations. Actual Budget is simpler but uses a different data model (and some may prefer its open-core approach). In practice, the live demo is a great way to test before deploying. The install script works smoothly, and the documentation is clear. The roadmap focuses on onboarding and community feedback rather than feature bloat, which is a sensible priority for an early-stage tool. Where it bites: there's no multi-currency support yet, and the AI feature requires an OpenAI API key (which costs money per token). But for a free, AGPL-licensed tool, you're getting remarkable value if you fit the profile.