About
Hinged is a local-first, open-source stamp collection manager built for serious philatelists who want powerful organization tools without cloud lock-in or recurring fees. Released under the GPL v3 license, it runs natively on macOS, Windows, and Linux, storing your entire library as a SQLite database on your own machine. The interface features a sidebar tree, filterable stamp list, and full editing form in a single window. You can catalog stamps under any major system — Scott, Stanley Gibbons, Michel, Yvert et Tellier, Sakura, or Facit — and even define custom catalog systems with automatic per-country prefixes. Key capabilities include smart collections (Owned, Want List, Trading Stock, etc.), named series grouping with completion tracking, bulk editing across hundreds of stamps, inline cell editing, and a multi-image gallery with drag-to-reorder and a full-resolution lightbox. Gap analysis lets you pinpoint exactly which stamps are missing within a country and year range, while the statistics dashboard shows completion percentages, decade histograms, top countries, and total spend. Hinged also supports printable want lists (PDF or Markdown), a CSV import wizard with column mapping, auto-snapshots on every launch, and a built-in Google lookup browser. All data stays on your computer — no account, no subscription, no cloud upload, ever. Ideal for hobbyist and advanced collectors who want a desktop-grade, privacy-first alternative to spreadsheets.
Key Features
- Multi-Catalog System Support: Track collections by Scott, Stanley Gibbons, Michel, Yvert et Tellier, Sakura, Facit, or define your own custom catalog with automatic per-country prefixes.
- Gap Analysis & Statistics: Select a country and year range to instantly see what's missing from your collection, with completion percentages, decade histograms, and total spend breakdowns.
- Smart Collections & Series Tracking: Stamps are automatically sorted into smart collections (Owned, Want List, Trading Stock, etc.) and can be grouped into named series with progress badges in the sidebar.
- CSV Import/Export & Printable Want Lists: Import existing inventories with a column-mapping wizard, export your library at any time, and generate print-ready PDF or Markdown want lists grouped by country.
- Local-First Storage with Auto-Backups: Your library lives as a SQLite database on your own machine with plain-JSON backups. Auto-snapshots run on every launch — no account, no cloud, no subscription.
Use Cases
- A philatelist migrates their existing spreadsheet inventory into Hinged using the CSV import wizard and organizes stamps by Scott catalog number with per-country prefixes.
- A collector uses gap analysis to identify which stamps are missing from a specific country and decade, then exports a printable want list to bring to a stamp show.
- A hobbyist tracks multiple named series (e.g., Famous Americans, Liberty Series) and monitors completion percentages through the statistics dashboard.
- A stamp dealer manages trading stock and want lists using smart collections and bulk editing to quickly update condition and pricing across hundreds of entries.
- A collector documents rare stamps with multi-image galleries including front, back, and expert certificate scans, using the full-resolution lightbox for detailed viewing.
Pros
- Completely Free & Open Source: Licensed under GPL v3 with no paywalls, subscriptions, or feature tiers — every capability is available to every user at no cost.
- Privacy-First, Local Data: All data is stored locally as SQLite; nothing is uploaded to any cloud service, making it ideal for users who value data ownership and privacy.
- Cross-Platform Desktop App: Native builds for macOS, Windows, and Linux ensure a consistent, performant experience across all major operating systems.
- Powerful Organization Tools: Bulk editing, inline cell edits, multi-image galleries, series tracking, and gap analysis go well beyond what spreadsheets can offer for serious collectors.
Cons
- No Mobile Support: Hinged is a desktop-only application with no iOS or Android app, so your collection isn't accessible on the go from a phone or tablet.
- No Cloud Sync or Collaboration: The local-first design means there's no built-in way to sync your library across multiple devices or share live collections with others.
- Early-Stage Release: Currently at v0.1.6, the app is still in early development and may lack some advanced features or polish expected from mature collection management software.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Hinged really free?
Yes. Hinged is completely free and open-source under the GPL v3 license. There are no subscriptions, premium tiers, or hidden costs — every feature is available to all users at no charge.
Which platforms does Hinged support?
Hinged runs natively on macOS, Windows, and Linux. You can download the latest release from the official website or from the GitHub releases page.
Can I import my existing stamp inventory?
Yes. Hinged includes a CSV import wizard with column mapping that can handle new inserts, updates to existing entries, or update-only enrichment, making it easy to migrate from spreadsheets or other tools.
Where is my data stored?
Your library is stored as a SQLite database on your local machine, with images stored alongside it. Backups are plain JSON files, and auto-snapshots are created on every launch. Nothing is ever uploaded to the cloud.
Which stamp catalog systems does Hinged support?
Hinged includes built-in support for Scott, Stanley Gibbons, Michel, Yvert et Tellier, Sakura, and Facit. You can also define your own custom catalog systems with automatic per-country prefixes.
