Open-Source Databases · jameskokoska

Cashew

Cashew is an open-source budget and expense tracking app built with Flutter, supporting iOS, Android, and web platforms. It offers multi-currency accounts, custom budgets with time periods, transaction categorization, and cloud sync via Google Drive and Firebase.

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Source: GitHub — github.com/jameskokoska/Cashew

4.5k

GitHub stars

738

Forks

Dart

Primary language

GPL-3.0

License (OSI-approved)

Key facts

Objective fields from the source. Values we can't verify are shown as “Unknown” rather than guessed.

Field	Value
Repository	jameskokoska/Cashew
Owner	jameskokoska
Primary language	Dart
License	GPL-3.0 — OSI-approved
Stars	4.5k
Forks	738
Open issues	9
Latest release	5.3.4+396 (2024-07-01)
Last updated	2026-03-09
Source	https://github.com/jameskokoska/Cashew

What Cashew is

Flutter-based application using Drift (SQL ORM) for local persistence and Firebase for authentication, backup, and cross-device synchronization. Deployed as native apps (iOS/Android via app stores) and as a Progressive Web App (PWA), with biometric authentication support.

Quickstart

Get the Cashew source

Clone the repository and explore it locally.

terminalbash

1git clone https://github.com/jameskokoska/Cashew.git2cd Cashew3# follow the project's README for install & configuration

Need it deployed, integrated, or customized instead? DEV.co ships production installs.

Best use cases

Personal Multi-Account, Multi-Currency Finance Management

Users managing finances across multiple accounts and currencies benefit from real-time conversion rates, automatic account switching, and synchronized dashboards across devices.

Flexible Budget Planning with Custom Time Periods

Individuals with non-standard billing cycles (e.g., gig economy, travel budgets, irregular income) can create custom budget periods, set category spending limits, and track progress toward savings goals.

Privacy-Focused Personal Finance on Open-Source Infrastructure

Users prioritizing data ownership and transparency can self-host or review the open-source codebase, with the option to use Google Drive backups or manage local-only sync without proprietary cloud vendor lock-in.

Implementation considerations

GPL-3.0 license requires any modifications or derivative works to remain open-source and redistribute source code; internal closed-source customizations must remain internal only.
Firebase dependency (authentication, backup, sync) creates vendor lock-in; self-hosting requires fork and alternative backend (e.g., Supabase, self-managed backend).
Biometric authentication requires platform-specific configuration (iOS Keychain, Android BiometricPrompt); testing needed per target device family.
CSV and Google Sheets import workflows may require manual data mapping or cleanup; no documented ETL error handling or rollback.
Web PWA deployment requires HTTPS, service worker support, and modern browser capabilities; older browsers or network-restricted environments may have limited functionality.

When to avoid it — and what to weigh

Enterprise Compliance or Regulated Financial Services — Cashew is a consumer app with no SOC 2, FedRAMP, HIPAA, or financial service regulation compliance documentation. Not suitable for organizations handling sensitive financial data or subject to audit requirements.
Requirement for Commercial Liability or SLA Guarantees — As a GPL-3.0 open-source project, Cashew provides no warranty, SLA, or commercial support contract. Suitable only for self-managed deployments or where GPL obligations are acceptable.
Need for Advanced Reporting or Accounting Integration — Cashew is a personal budgeting tool, not an accounting system. No native integration with QuickBooks, Xero, accounting APIs, or business tax-filing workflows.
Offline-First or Low-Connectivity Environments — While Drift provides local SQLite storage, backup and sync rely on Firebase/Google Drive. Limited documentation on conflict resolution or offline-first strategies; not ideal for consistently disconnected use.

License & commercial use

GPL-3.0 (GNU General Public License v3.0). Copyleft license: any modification or derivative work distributed must include source code and remain under GPL-3.0. Internal use without distribution is unrestricted.

GPL-3.0 does not prohibit commercial use, but imposes reciprocal obligations: if you modify and distribute Cashew (or deploy a modified version as a service), you must provide source code and license derivatives under GPL-3.0. Packaging as-is in an app store is permitted; closed-source commercial forks are not. Requires legal review if considering forking or embedding.

DEV.co evaluation signals

Editorial assessment — not user reviews. Directional, with an explicit confidence level.

Signal	Assessment
Maintenance	Active
Documentation	Adequate
License clarity	Clear
Deployment complexity	Low
DEV.co fit	Good
Assessment confidence	High

Security considerations

Biometric authentication is supported for local app lock. Firebase/Google Drive integration handles credential storage via OAuth; review Firebase security rules and backup access controls. No security audit, penetration testing, or vulnerability disclosure policy documented. Local SQLite database encryption not mentioned; sensitive data (account details, transactions) stored locally requires device-level encryption review. Users should verify Firebase project security settings and enable two-factor authentication on Google accounts.

Alternatives to consider

YNAB (You Need a Budget)

Proprietary SaaS with strong reporting, mobile-first design, and financial behavior coaching; suitable for users prioritizing support and integration with banks. Higher cost; closed-source.

GnuCash

Open-source (GPL) desktop accounting software with double-entry bookkeeping and tax reporting; aimed at personal finance and small business. Steeper learning curve; limited mobile support compared to Cashew.

Firefly III

Open-source self-hosted personal finance manager with Docker deployment; full control over data and backend. Requires self-hosting infrastructure and system administration; more complex than Cashew for casual users.

Software development agency

Build on Cashew with DEV.co software developers

Review the source code on GitHub, test the web PWA, or install from app stores. For commercial modifications or backend integration, consult legal on GPL-3.0 obligations and consider Devco's custom development services.

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Cashew FAQ

Can I use Cashew for a business or accounting team?

Cashew is designed for personal finance management, not multi-user business accounting. It lacks features like expense approval workflows, audit trails, or integration with accounting software. For business use, consider QuickBooks, Xero, or Wave.

What happens if Google/Firebase services go down?

Local data on the device remains accessible (stored in SQLite via Drift). Sync and backup features will be unavailable. Recovery depends on local database integrity; cloud-only backups are lost if not previously downloaded.

Can I modify Cashew and deploy a closed-source version?

No. GPL-3.0 requires that any distributed modification remain open-source. You may modify for internal use only. Commercial closed-source forks would violate the license; consult legal counsel if considering derivative commercial products.

How do I export my data if I want to switch to another app?

CSV export and Google Sheets import are supported. Direct export to accounting formats (e.g., OFX, QBO) is not documented. Manual CSV export to another tool is the primary migration path.

Software developers & web developers for hire

DEV.co is a software development agency delivering custom software development services to companies building on open source. Our software developers and web developers design, integrate, and ship production systems — spanning web development, APIs, AI, data, and cloud. If Cashew is part of your open-source databases roadmap, our team can implement, customize, migrate, and maintain it.

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