Finlynq lets you track income, expenses, budgets, investments, loans, and financial goals, then ask about that data in plain language from any AI assistant that supports MCP. Self-host with Docker and PostgreSQL, or use our managed cloud at finlynq.com. Same features either way.
What is Finlynq?▾
Finlynq is an open-source (AGPL v3) personal finance web application with a built-in Model Context Protocol (MCP) server. You track income, expenses, budgets, investments, loans, subscriptions, and financial goals, then ask about that data in plain language from any MCP-compatible AI assistant: Claude, Cursor, Windsurf, and ChatGPT custom GPTs all work. Run it on our managed cloud at finlynq.com, or self-host with Docker and PostgreSQL. You get the same features either way.
Is Finlynq the same as Finq.com?▾
No. Finq.com is a forex / CFD trading broker, and it has no relationship with Finlynq. Finlynq is an open-source personal finance app for budgeting, expense tracking, and investment portfolio management. It isn't a broker, doesn't execute trades, and never holds customer funds.
Is Finlynq the same as Finlync?▾
No. Finlync is a corporate treasury and banking-connectivity B2B platform built for enterprise finance teams. Finlynq is an open-source personal finance app for individuals and households. The two projects are unrelated. The similar names are just a coincidence.
Who builds Finlynq?▾
Finlynq is an independent open-source project hosted at github.com/finlynq/finlynq under the GNU AGPL v3 license. It's bootstrapped and donation-funded (GitHub Sponsors, Ko-fi). No paid tiers, no advertising, and no selling your data. The complete source, including the encryption code and the MCP server, is right there for anyone to audit.
How is Finlynq different from Monarch Money, YNAB, or Simplifi?▾
Monarch, YNAB, and Simplifi are polished closed-source hosted SaaS products with mature US bank-aggregation via Plaid. Finlynq is open-source and self-hostable, with a first-party MCP server (109 HTTP / 93 stdio tools) and per-user envelope encryption that keeps even the operator from reading your data. The catch: Finlynq doesn't have first-party Plaid bank sync yet. For now it imports from CSV, OFX, QFX, and email, with the SnapTrade brokerage integration on the roadmap. There's a side-by-side comparison at finlynq.com/vs/monarch.
How is Finlynq different from Firefly III or Actual Budget?▾
Firefly III and Actual Budget are both open-source self-hostable PFMs. Firefly III is mature double-entry accounting with PSD2 bank sync for EU/UK users. Actual Budget is local-first envelope budgeting. So what sets Finlynq apart? A first-party MCP server (the others rely on community wrappers or have none), per-user envelope encryption that locks out the operator, native multi-currency investment tracking with lot-tracked cost basis, and Canadian tax-account support (RRSP / TFSA / RESP). There's a side-by-side comparison at finlynq.com/vs/firefly-iii.
How is Finlynq different from Era?▾
Era is a closed-source hosted AI-native PFM that launched with first-party MCP in May 2026. Here's where Finlynq parts ways: AGPL v3 open source (Era is closed), self-hostable on your own infrastructure (Era is hosted-only), per-user envelope encryption with keys derived from your password (Era holds the keys for its AES-256-at-rest), and a 109 HTTP / 93 stdio tool MCP surface (v3.3.0) against Era's 27. To be fair, Era has stronger US bank sync and shared household features. There's a side-by-side comparison at finlynq.com/vs/era.
Does Finlynq sync with my bank automatically?▾
Not yet, at least not through Plaid or MX. For now Finlynq imports transactions from CSV, OFX, QFX, and email, with template detection and a staging-review pipeline so you check things before they land. SnapTrade for brokerage accounts is on the near-term roadmap, and bank-sync aggregator integration is a tracked future item.
Does Finlynq have a mobile app?▾
Yep. Finlynq has native iOS and Android apps, free on the App Store and Google Play. They cover Dashboard, Transactions, Import, Budgets, and Settings, and they sign in to your Finlynq web server, whether that's the managed cloud or your own self-hosted box. They're newer than mature apps like Monarch's, so not everything has caught up yet, but they handle your everyday tracking on the go just fine. The full story is at finlynq.com/blog/finlynq-mobile-app.
What AI assistants does Finlynq work with?▾
Any AI assistant that speaks the Model Context Protocol (MCP). We've tested Claude (Claude.ai web, Claude Desktop, Claude Code), Cursor, Windsurf, and custom Anthropic SDK agents. Finlynq's MCP server supports three transports: Streamable HTTP with OAuth 2.1 + Dynamic Client Registration, HTTP with a Bearer API key, and stdio. And if you'd rather not set up an external MCP client at all, there's a built-in AI chat UI right in the app.
Is Finlynq free?▾
Yes. The self-hosted Docker version is completely free, with the same features as the managed cloud. The managed cloud at finlynq.com is free too, kept running by voluntary donations through GitHub Sponsors and Ko-fi. No paid tiers, no feature gates, no upsells.
How does Finlynq protect my data?▾
Finlynq uses per-user envelope encryption (AES-256-GCM with a scrypt-derived KEK) on six tables that hold user-named data: transaction payees, notes, tags, account names, category names, and budget names. The KEK comes from your password plus a server-side pepper, so even the operator can't decrypt those fields without your password. There's a trade-off to be honest about: lose your password without a recovery backup and the encrypted fields are gone for good. Full details at finlynq.com/privacy.
Does Finlynq support Canadian tax accounts?▾
Yes. Finlynq tracks RRSP, TFSA, and RESP contribution room against CRA-published limits, and it offers asset-location advice (bonds in RRSP, stocks in TFSA, growth assets in TFSA). FHSA and RRIF support are on the roadmap.