Product Introduction

1. Flow is a free and open-source expense tracker designed to prioritize user privacy and simplicity while offering cross-platform compatibility for Android, iOS, and other operating systems. It enables users to manage personal finances without compromising data security, with features like offline functionality and optional iCloud synchronization. The project operates under the GPL v3.0 license, ensuring transparency and community-driven development.
2. The core value of Flow lies in its commitment to privacy-first design, allowing users to retain full control over their financial data while providing a seamless, user-friendly experience. It eliminates reliance on cloud-based storage by default, ensuring financial information remains locally stored unless explicitly synced via iCloud.

Main Features

1. Flow operates fully offline, requiring no internet connection for core functionalities like expense tracking, categorization, and local backup creation, though exchange rate updates for multi-currency support may require periodic connectivity. Data is stored in device-specific secure storage containers on modern Android and iOS devices, with explicit user consent for external access.
2. The app supports multi-currency transactions with automatic conversion rates fetched from trusted financial APIs when internet access is available, enabling accurate financial reporting for international users or travelers. Users can manually override exchange rates for offline calculations, ensuring flexibility in diverse scenarios.
3. Flow offers optional iCloud synchronization for iOS users, allowing periodic encrypted backups to Apple’s cloud infrastructure while maintaining end-to-end data control. This feature is strictly opt-in, adhering to the app’s privacy-centric philosophy by never forcing cloud dependency.

Problems Solved

1. Flow addresses the lack of privacy-focused, cross-platform expense trackers that prioritize local data storage without monetizing user financial information through ads or data sales. It eliminates concerns about third-party access to sensitive financial records by defaulting to offline operation.
2. The product targets privacy-conscious individuals, digital nomads, and users in regions with unreliable internet connectivity who require robust financial tracking tools without cloud dependencies. It also serves developers and open-source advocates seeking transparent, auditable financial software.
3. Typical use cases include tracking daily expenses securely during international travel without stable internet access, maintaining household budgets across multiple currencies, and synchronizing financial data between iOS devices via user-controlled iCloud backups.

Unique Advantages

1. Unlike proprietary alternatives like Mint or YNAB, Flow guarantees data ownership through its open-source architecture and absence of mandatory cloud integration, allowing users to audit the codebase for security compliance. The GPL v3.0 license ensures perpetual community access and modification rights.
2. Flow innovates with hybrid offline/online functionality, combining local data storage with optional iCloud sync for iOS users, while maintaining compatibility with older Android devices and niche operating systems through customizable storage configurations.
3. Competitive advantages include platform-agnostic design, zero telemetry collection, and support for containerized storage on modern devices, which prevents unauthorized app access to financial data. The app’s modular architecture allows community-driven feature expansions via GitHub contributions.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Where is my financial data stored? Flow stores data locally on your device using platform-specific secure storage systems, such as Android’s Scoped Storage or iOS’s app sandbox, with optional encrypted iCloud backups for iOS users. On older Android devices or non-mainstream operating systems, data may reside in accessible directories, requiring manual device-level security measures.
2. Does Flow require an internet connection? The app functions fully offline for expense tracking and reporting, but internet access is needed to fetch real-time currency exchange rates if using multi-currency features. All core financial operations remain available without connectivity.
3. Which platforms does Flow support? Flow is available for Android, iOS, and experimental builds for Windows and Linux, though feature parity varies by platform due to OS-specific storage and synchronization capabilities. iOS versions include iCloud sync, while Android uses platform-agnostic local backups.
4. How does Flow ensure data privacy? By default, Flow avoids cloud services and encrypts local data using platform-native encryption protocols, with source code auditable via GitHub. Users on older devices must implement device encryption or secure directory permissions to match modern containerized storage protections.
5. Can I contribute to Flow’s development? Yes, Flow encourages community contributions through its GitHub repository, where developers can submit pull requests, report issues, or propose features. Financial support options include GitHub Sponsors and one-time donations via “Buy Me a Coffee.”