Gramps Web review covering collaborative family tree editing, self-hosted genealogy hosting, privacy controls, pricing and top alternatives in 2026.
Category
Productivity
Pricing
Open Source (self-hosted; optional paid third-party hosting), from Free (self-hosted)
Verified
Not yet
Last updated
July 18, 2026
Founded
2020
Free PlanWeb AppAPIOpen SourceAISelf-Hosted
Overview
Gramps Web is the collaborative, browser-based counterpart to Gramps, an open source genealogy desktop application that Don Allingham started as a personal hobby project in 2001. Gramps Web itself was developed later, led primarily by contributor David Straub, emerging as a public project around 2020.
It has no company or investors behind it and is maintained as a community open source project licensed under the AGPL-3.0, which requires hosted derivatives of the software to also share their source code.
Key Features
Gramps Web offers interactive ancestor, descendant, fan and hourglass family tree charts, historical map overlays, and record-level privacy controls that filter private data at the database layer so sensitive information about living relatives stays protected.
It syncs bidirectionally with the Gramps desktop app, generates the same PDF reports the desktop version supports, and lets users export all of their data at any time, avoiding vendor lock-in entirely.
Pricing
The software itself is completely free and open source. Users who are comfortable with Docker can self-host at no software cost, including on low-cost hardware like a Raspberry Pi.
Those who prefer not to manage a server can pay a third-party host such as Grampshub, run by a core Gramps Web contributor, for managed hosting, backups and updates.
Key Features
Interactive Family Tree Charts — Explore ancestor, descendant, fan and hourglass chart visualizations of a family tree.
Collaborative Multi-User Editing — Multiple family members can research and edit a shared tree from any browser or device.
Historical Map Overlays — Plot family history events and places on interactive maps with custom historical overlays.
Privacy-Aware Record Permissions — Private records are filtered out at the database layer, not just hidden in the UI, for stronger data protection.
Gramps Desktop Sync — Bidirectional synchronization with the Gramps desktop app via the Gramps Web Sync add-on.
Full Data Export — Download all tree data, media files and user accounts at any time for backup or migration.
In-Browser Report Generation — Generate PDF relationship graphs and book-style reports without leaving the browser.
Self-Hosted Docker Deployment — Runs via Docker Compose on standard servers or ARM devices like a Raspberry Pi.
Pros & Cons
Pros
Completely free and open source with no required subscription
Full interoperability with the mature, two-decade-old Gramps desktop application
Strong, database-level privacy controls, well suited to sensitive living-relative data
Self-hostable, giving users complete ownership of their genealogical data
Cons
Requires comfort with Docker or a paid host like Grampshub for non-technical users
Lacks the automated historical record hints and document matching of commercial services like Ancestry
Smaller community and slower feature development pace than venture-backed competitors
No dedicated native mobile app; relies on the mobile web experience
Pricing
Self-Hosted (Community) Free N/A
Managed Hosting (e.g. Grampshub) Varies by provider Monthly or Annual
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Gramps Web free?
Yes, Gramps Web is free and open source under the AGPL-3.0 license; the only potential cost is hosting if you choose a managed provider.
What is the difference between Gramps and Gramps Web?
Gramps is the original desktop genealogy application; Gramps Web is a browser-based, multi-user collaborative front end built on the same underlying data model.
Can I sync Gramps Web with the Gramps desktop app?
Yes, using the Gramps Web Sync add-on, data can be synchronized bidirectionally between the desktop app and Gramps Web.
Does Gramps Web support automated record hints like Ancestry?
No, it is a family tree management and collaboration tool rather than a historical-record matching service.
Can I self-host Gramps Web?
Yes, the recommended method is Docker Compose, and it also supports ARM devices such as a Raspberry Pi.
What license is Gramps Web released under?
Gramps Web and its API are licensed under the GNU Affero General Public License version 3 (AGPL-3.0).