Quick answer
Monica is a free, open source project in the “Personal CRM” group, built with PHP (Laravel), MySQL. It is released under AGPL-3.0, has 25,480 GitHub stars, and its repository was last updated in Sep 2026. You can self-host it on your own server. Verified 14 October 2026.
Personal CRM
Monica
Personal CRM to remember everything about friends, family and contacts.
GitHub stars
25,480
Last repo update
Sep 2026
License
AGPL-3.0
Technology
PHP (Laravel), MySQL
What is Monica?
Monica keeps notes, reminders, activities and relationships for the people in your life. It is a personal relationship manager rather than a sales CRM.
Highlights
- Notes, reminders and activities
- Family and relationship tracking
- Self-hostable
- Strong community
Best for
Individuals who want a private, self-hosted contact manager.
Self-Hosted (Open Source Edition)
Install on your own server • No per-user software fee • Full control & privacy
Self-Host on My Server →Official Website & Docs
We did not find an official hosted plan in the project documentation. Read the docs before deciding.
Open the docs →🏠 Self-Hosted Version
You download the source code and run it on your own server or VPS (for example Hostinger, AWS or DigitalOcean).
Installation
The main branch is the in-development beta. The project recommends the 4.x branch for the current stable version, and an official Docker image exists on Docker Hub. Follow the official documentation.
Open the official install guide →
Requirements: PHP/Laravel application with a MySQL-compatible database.
Commands above come from the project's own documentation (checked 14 October 2026). Versions change, so confirm against the official guide before running anything on a production server.
Need a server to host it?
Most PHP and MySQL apps can run on ordinary web hosting, as long as the plan offers the PHP version and extensions the project requires. Check the requirements first. If you need more control, a VPS is the safer choice. Hostinger offers both shared web hosting and VPS plans.
Affiliate disclosure: this is an affiliate link. If you buy through it we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. CRMs are listed independently of any hosting partner. Learn more.
Before real customers go in: read the security and backup checklist →
🌐 Official Website & Documentation
We could not confirm an official hosted plan for Monica in its documentation. Self-hosting is the main route.
Third-party providers may offer managed hosting. Always check their terms and that you can export your data.
Self-Hosted vs Hosted by Someone Else
| Factor | Self-Hosted | Managed / third-party |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | No software fee for the open edition. You pay for hosting. | Depends on the provider you choose. |
| Data privacy & control | Data stays on your server. | Data lives on the provider's servers. |
| Maintenance | You install updates and run backups. | The provider handles it. |
| Best for | Teams with a developer or sysadmin, and data-sensitive companies. | Teams who want a fast start and no server work. |
No technical person on the team
→ Ask a developer or managed host to set it up
Avoid running a server you cannot maintain.
Team with a developer or sysadmin
→ Self-Hosted
Lower running cost and full customization.
Data-sensitive or regulated work
→ Self-Hosted on your own server
You decide where data lives and who can access it.
Alternatives to Monica
Meerkat CRM
Simple self-hosted CRM for your personal life.
295 • MIT
PingCRM
Personal networking CRM with AI-drafted follow-ups.
126 • AGPL-3.0
Twenty
A modern, community-driven open source alternative to Salesforce.
58.3k • AGPL-3.0
Odoo Community
All-in-one business suite with a capable CRM app.
55k • LGPL-3.0
ERPNext
Full open source ERP with a strong CRM module.
40.1k • GPL-3.0
Chatwoot
Open source customer engagement platform with a shared inbox.
37.8k • MIT
Frequently asked questions about Monica
Is Monica free and open source?
Monica is released under AGPL-3.0. Always read the LICENSE file in the official repository before you use, modify or redistribute it. License details were verified on 14 October 2026.
What technology does Monica use?
Monica is built with PHP (Laravel), MySQL.
Can I self-host Monica?
Yes. You can download the source from the official GitHub repository and run it on your own server or VPS. Requirements: PHP/Laravel application with a MySQL-compatible database.
Does Monica have a hosted or cloud version?
We could not confirm an official hosted plan in the project documentation. Check the official website for the latest options.
Who is Monica best for?
Individuals who want a private, self-hosted contact manager.
What are good alternatives to Monica?
Similar open source projects in this directory include Meerkat CRM, PingCRM, Twenty. Compare them in the Personal CRM group.
Data verified 14 October 2026 from the project's public repository and documentation. Details change, so check the official sources. See our disclaimer. Found a mistake? Tell us.