Show HN: I built a Finances app for Mac where you own the SQLite database

Show HN: I built a Finances app for Mac where you own the SQLite database(thefinances.app)

1 points by steveharrison 160 days ago | 2 comments

Hey HN,

I feel like there is a gap in personal finance apps: local-first options typically have less polished UIs, while those with great design like Monarch Money are not local-first. This app fills the gap by providing a modern UI like Monarch/Monzo along with a database that you can hack around with outside of the app. File > app!

- Local-first: transactions are stored in an encrypted SQLite database on your Mac, so you can read/write to it with Claude Code or your favourite DB client.

- Link transactions to merchants manually or automatically with https://ntropy.com to add sensible merchant names, brand icons, categories, GPS locations (e.g. converting "APPLE STORE R238 R238 SYDNEY" into "Apple Store, Sydney | Electronics | 367 George St, Sydney NSW 2000 | Parent: Apple")

- Map view with clustering to see how much you’ve spent in different locations.

- Enrich Uber transactions with pickup/drop-off details

- macOS inspired UX patterns like dragging transactions into folders or tags. It's an Electron + React app so think 1Password-style UI.

Once you link your transactions to merchants, you can run SQL queries like "What's my total Uber spend this year?" or ask questions about your spending with Claude Code (just get it to decrypt & read the database).

I’m starting with CSV and OFX file import, with syncing (Plaid, etc.) coming next.

You can download the Mac app at https://thefinances.app. To auto-enrich transactions via the API, you can go to Finances > Settings and add this demo licence key, KESC-9QQU-VU0X-EGJP-N373.

Let me know what you think!

chmaynard 160 days ago |

Closed source, I assume. Are you using double-entry bookkeeping?

steveharrison 158 days ago | |

Yes, I’m planning for the app itself to be subscription and/or one-time payment, but of course the database is all yours if you stop paying.

I haven’t used double-entry because I wanted to focus on spending analysis rather than account balances, and often bank statements are partial data. Would this be a deal-breaker for you?