# How to self-host Actual Budget with Docker Compose

> Run Actual Budget's sync server with Docker Compose: port 5006, server password, the HTTPS requirement, bank sync, end-to-end encryption, backups and upgrades.

## Key facts

| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| App | Actual (https://appsgit.com/apps/actual) |
| Difficulty | beginner |
| Time | about 10 minutes |
| Requirements | 1 vCPU / 512 MB RAM; Docker + Docker Compose v2; HTTPS access (required when not using localhost); A domain name (recommended) |
| Last updated | 2026-10-06 |

## What is Actual Budget?

Actual Budget is a local-first personal finance app built around envelope budgeting, a popular alternative to YNAB. It is open source under the MIT license. The budget runs in your browser or desktop app, and the self-hosted sync server keeps your devices in sync and can end-to-end encrypt your data. It supports multiple budgets, rules, reports, scheduled transactions and optional bank sync.

## Requirements

- Any Linux server with 1 vCPU and 512 MB of RAM.
- Docker Engine and Docker Compose v2.
- HTTPS. Actual needs a secure browser context, so you must reach it through HTTPS unless you browse on `localhost`.

## Step 1: Prepare the server

This guide assumes Ubuntu 24.04 with Docker installed. If you need Docker, follow the [official install guide](https://docs.docker.com/engine/install/ubuntu/). Create a project folder:

```bash
mkdir -p ~/actual && cd ~/actual
```

## Step 2: Create the Docker Compose file

This follows the official Compose file from the Actual repository. Save as `docker-compose.yml`:

```yaml
services:
  actual_server:
    image: docker.io/actualbudget/actual-server:latest
    container_name: actual
    restart: unless-stopped
    ports:
      - "127.0.0.1:5006:5006"
    environment:
      ACTUAL_UPLOAD_FILE_SYNC_SIZE_LIMIT_MB: 20
      ACTUAL_UPLOAD_SYNC_ENCRYPTED_FILE_SYNC_SIZE_LIMIT_MB: 50
      ACTUAL_UPLOAD_FILE_SIZE_LIMIT_MB: 20
    volumes:
      - ./actual-data:/data
    healthcheck:
      test: ["CMD-SHELL", "node build/scripts/health-check.js"]
      interval: 60s
      timeout: 10s
      retries: 3
      start_period: 20s
```

There are no secrets in this file. You set the server password in the browser on first launch. The port is bound to `127.0.0.1` because the reverse proxy in Step 4 provides the HTTPS that Actual requires. The `latest` tag is the most recent stable release; Actual publishes a new version roughly every month, and you can pin one such as `26.10.0` from the [releases page](https://github.com/actualbudget/actual/releases). There is also a smaller `latest-alpine` variant for low-powered devices.

## Step 3: Start and open the app

```bash
docker compose up -d
```

Complete Step 4 first, because the app will not load over plain HTTP on a remote IP. For a quick test before your domain is ready, use an SSH tunnel from your computer, `ssh -L 5006:127.0.0.1:5006 user@server`, and open `http://localhost:5006`.

On first visit Actual asks you to set a server password. Anyone with this password can open the budgets on the server, so make it long, for example from `openssl rand -hex 32`, and save it in your password manager. Then create a new budget or import one from YNAB 4, nYNAB or an Actual export. To protect your data even from someone with server access, enable end-to-end encryption under Settings, Encryption, and keep that key safe as well, since it cannot be recovered.

## Step 4: Put it behind HTTPS

With [Caddy](https://caddyserver.com/docs/):

```caddyfile
budget.example.com {
    reverse_proxy 127.0.0.1:5006
}
```

Caddy fetches a Let's Encrypt certificate automatically, which gives Actual the secure context it needs. Nginx Proxy Manager works the same way: a proxy host to port 5006 with an SSL certificate and "Force SSL". If you use OpenID Connect, Actual also supports OIDC login to replace the server password; configure it from the settings page after setup.

## Backups and upgrades

The `actual-data` folder holds the server database (`server-files/account.sqlite`) and every synced budget (`user-files/`). Copy it off-site regularly:

```bash
docker compose stop && tar czf actual-$(date +%F).tgz actual-data && docker compose start
```

You can also export any budget as a zip from Settings, Export, which is the easiest way to restore into a new instance. Because Actual is local-first, each device keeps a full copy of the budget too, but that is not a substitute for a real backup.

Upgrade with:

```bash
docker compose pull && docker compose up -d
```

After an upgrade, reload the browser tab so the client loads the new version.

## Troubleshooting

- **"SharedArrayBuffer is not defined" or a fatal error page:** you opened Actual over plain HTTP on a non-localhost address. Use your HTTPS domain.
- **"File is too large" during sync:** raise the `ACTUAL_UPLOAD_*` limits and the reverse proxy's upload size limit.
- **Bank sync fails:** GoCardless or SimpleFIN credentials expired, or your bank requires re-authorisation every 90 days. Reconnect the account in Actual.
- **Forgotten server password:** reset it from the container with `docker compose exec actual_server node build/scripts/reset-password.js`.

## Next steps

Set up rules to categorise transactions automatically, schedule recurring bills, link bank accounts through GoCardless or SimpleFIN, and install the desktop app or add the site to your phone's home screen.

## FAQ

### What port does Actual Budget use?

The Actual sync server listens on port 5006 by default. You can change it with the ACTUAL_PORT environment variable or by mapping a different host port.

### Is Actual Budget free?

Yes. Actual Budget is free and open source under the MIT license. Self-hosting costs nothing beyond your server; some managed hosting partners offer it for a small fee.

### Why does Actual say SharedArrayBuffer is not available?

Actual needs a secure context in the browser. Unless you open it on localhost, you must access it over HTTPS, for example through a reverse proxy with a Let's Encrypt certificate.

### Does Actual Budget support bank sync?

Yes. Actual can import transactions automatically through GoCardless Bank Account Data for European banks and SimpleFIN Bridge for many North American banks, each configured with your own account at that provider.

### Actual Budget vs YNAB?

Actual uses the same envelope budgeting method as YNAB, giving every dollar a job, but it is free, open source and runs on your own server. YNAB has a more polished mobile app and built-in bank connections for a subscription fee.

Prefer not to do it yourself? [appsgit installation help](https://appsgit.com/services/install) installs it on your server for a fixed quote.

---

Canonical page: https://appsgit.com/guides/actual
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