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UI Options for Apache Fineract
Apache Fineract is a backend API platform - it ships with no bundled user interface. All operations are performed through the REST API. This is intentional: it gives institutions the freedom to build or adopt a UI that fits their workflows rather than being locked into a fixed interface.
This page covers the available UI options and how to connect them to a Finecko-hosted instance.
Why There Is No Built-in UI
Fineract's API-first design means it can serve as the core for:
- A custom mobile banking app
- A web-based loan officer portal
- An integrated ERP system
- A fully headless operation driven by automation
There is no single "right" interface for a core banking system - a microfinance institution has very different workflow needs from a consumer BNPL platform or an SME lender. Fineract leaves the UI layer open.
Mifos X Web App
The Mifos X Web App (also called the Community App) is the most widely used open-source frontend for Apache Fineract. It is maintained by the Mifos Initiative and covers the majority of day-to-day operations.
Repository: https://github.com/openMF/web-app
What it covers
- Client and group management (create, search, view profiles)
- Loan account lifecycle (apply, approve, disburse, repay, close)
- Savings account lifecycle
- Loan and savings product configuration
- User and role management
- Accounting - chart of accounts, journal entries, trial balance
- Standard reports
- Office and staff management
- Scheduler job management
What it does not cover
- Advanced datatable management
- Business event configuration
- COB monitoring dashboards
- Delinquency bucket configuration (must be done via API)
- Progressive loan payment allocation setup (must be done via API)
Connecting to a Finecko instance
The Mifos X Web App connects to any Fineract-compatible backend. To point it at your Finecko instance:
- Clone or download the web app:
https://github.com/openMF/web-app - In the app's configuration (or at login), set the base API URL to your Finecko instance endpoint:
https://api.your-finecko-instance.com/fineract-provider/api/v1 - Set the tenant identifier to your tenant ID (for example
defaultor your assigned tenant) - Log in with your Fineract credentials
The web app communicates entirely via the Fineract REST API - it requires no special backend changes.
Limitations
- The community app is a volunteer-maintained project; some features lag behind the latest Fineract API capabilities
- UI/UX is functional but not polished - suitable for back-office staff, not end-customer facing
Mobile Applications
The Mifos Initiative also maintains Android-based mobile apps for field operations:
- Mifos Mobile - customer-facing mobile banking app
- Mifos Mobile Android - loan officer app for field data collection
Both connect to the Fineract API. See https://github.com/openMF for current repositories.
Building a Custom Frontend
Many institutions using Fineract build their own custom UI - either from scratch or by customising the community app. Because Fineract exposes a full REST API with Swagger documentation, any web or mobile technology stack can be used.
Key resources for building against Fineract:
| Resource | URL |
|---|---|
| Swagger UI (live) | https://<your-instance>/fineract-provider/api/v1/swagger-ui/index.html |
| REST API Overview | REST API Overview |
| Authentication guide | REST API Overview - Authentication |
Recommended approach for custom UIs
- Start with the Swagger UI to explore available endpoints and their request/response shapes
- Use the
Getting Startedguide to establish the core data model (tenants, offices, clients, products, loans) - Build against the API using HTTP Basic Auth or the token endpoint
- Subscribe to business events for real-time updates rather than polling
Swagger UI (API Explorer)
Even if you are not building a custom UI, the Swagger UI built into Fineract is the most practical tool for exploring the API, testing endpoints, and understanding required fields.
Access it at:
https://<your-instance>/fineract-provider/api/v1/swagger-ui/index.htmlAll endpoints are listed, grouped by resource. You can execute requests directly from the browser after authenticating via the "Authorize" button. This is the recommended starting point for any integration work.
Summary
| Option | Best for | Effort to set up |
|---|---|---|
| Mifos X Web App | Back-office operations, loan officers, getting started quickly | Low - point at your Finecko URL |
| Custom web app | Branded portals, specific workflows, customer-facing apps | High - build against the API |
| Custom mobile app | Field officer tools, customer mobile banking | High - build against the API |
| API-only / headless | Fully automated workflows, embedded finance, ERP integration | Low to medium - no UI needed |
| Swagger UI | Developer exploration, testing, one-off operations | None - built into Fineract |