diff --git a/backend/app/api/bgrunner.go b/backend/app/api/bgrunner.go
index ce4b7cca..9f56059b 100644
--- a/backend/app/api/bgrunner.go
+++ b/backend/app/api/bgrunner.go
@@ -23,8 +23,9 @@ func NewTask(name string, interval time.Duration, fn func(context.Context)) *Bac
 }
 
 func (tsk *BackgroundTask) Start(ctx context.Context) error {
+	tsk.Fn(ctx)
+	
 	timer := time.NewTimer(tsk.Interval)
-
 	for {
 		select {
 		case <-ctx.Done():
diff --git a/backend/app/api/handlers/v1/controller.go b/backend/app/api/handlers/v1/controller.go
index 43607113..aae9aee6 100644
--- a/backend/app/api/handlers/v1/controller.go
+++ b/backend/app/api/handlers/v1/controller.go
@@ -84,13 +84,14 @@ type (
 	}
 
 	APISummary struct {
-		Healthy           bool     `json:"health"`
-		Versions          []string `json:"versions"`
-		Title             string   `json:"title"`
-		Message           string   `json:"message"`
-		Build             Build    `json:"build"`
-		Demo              bool     `json:"demo"`
-		AllowRegistration bool     `json:"allowRegistration"`
+		Healthy           bool            `json:"health"`
+		Versions          []string        `json:"versions"`
+		Title             string          `json:"title"`
+		Message           string          `json:"message"`
+		Build             Build           `json:"build"`
+		Latest            services.Latest `json:"latest"`
+		Demo              bool            `json:"demo"`
+		AllowRegistration bool            `json:"allowRegistration"`
 	}
 )
 
@@ -123,6 +124,7 @@ func (ctrl *V1Controller) HandleBase(ready ReadyFunc, build Build) errchain.Hand
 			Title:             "Homebox",
 			Message:           "Track, Manage, and Organize your Things",
 			Build:             build,
+			Latest:            ctrl.svc.BackgroundService.GetLatestVersion(),
 			Demo:              ctrl.isDemo,
 			AllowRegistration: ctrl.allowRegistration,
 		})
diff --git a/backend/app/api/main.go b/backend/app/api/main.go
index 96d0fdab..6363296a 100644
--- a/backend/app/api/main.go
+++ b/backend/app/api/main.go
@@ -254,6 +254,18 @@ func run(cfg *config.Config) error {
 		}
 	}))
 
+	if cfg.Options.GithubReleaseCheck {
+		runner.AddPlugin(NewTask("get-latest-github-release", time.Hour, func(ctx context.Context) {
+			log.Debug().Msg("running get latest github release")
+			err := app.services.BackgroundService.GetLatestGithubRelease(context.Background())
+			if err != nil {
+				log.Error().
+					Err(err).
+					Msg("failed to get latest github release")
+			}
+		}))
+	}
+
 	if cfg.Debug.Enabled {
 		runner.AddFunc("debug", func(ctx context.Context) error {
 			debugserver := http.Server{
diff --git a/backend/app/api/static/docs/docs.go b/backend/app/api/static/docs/docs.go
index f8840104..9cf65996 100644
--- a/backend/app/api/static/docs/docs.go
+++ b/backend/app/api/static/docs/docs.go
@@ -2950,6 +2950,17 @@ const docTemplate = `{
                 }
             }
         },
+        "services.Latest": {
+            "type": "object",
+            "properties": {
+                "date": {
+                    "type": "string"
+                },
+                "version": {
+                    "type": "string"
+                }
+            }
+        },
         "services.UserRegistration": {
             "type": "object",
             "properties": {
@@ -2982,6 +2993,9 @@ const docTemplate = `{
                 "health": {
                     "type": "boolean"
                 },
+                "latest": {
+                    "$ref": "#/definitions/services.Latest"
+                },
                 "message": {
                     "type": "string"
                 },
diff --git a/backend/app/api/static/docs/swagger.json b/backend/app/api/static/docs/swagger.json
index 3077c6cc..8006ab90 100644
--- a/backend/app/api/static/docs/swagger.json
+++ b/backend/app/api/static/docs/swagger.json
@@ -2943,6 +2943,17 @@
                 }
             }
         },
+        "services.Latest": {
+            "type": "object",
+            "properties": {
+                "date": {
+                    "type": "string"
+                },
+                "version": {
+                    "type": "string"
+                }
+            }
+        },
         "services.UserRegistration": {
             "type": "object",
             "properties": {
@@ -2975,6 +2986,9 @@
                 "health": {
                     "type": "boolean"
                 },
+                "latest": {
+                    "$ref": "#/definitions/services.Latest"
+                },
                 "message": {
                     "type": "string"
                 },
diff --git a/backend/app/api/static/docs/swagger.yaml b/backend/app/api/static/docs/swagger.yaml
index a46b6112..ee6ba80e 100644
--- a/backend/app/api/static/docs/swagger.yaml
+++ b/backend/app/api/static/docs/swagger.yaml
@@ -654,6 +654,13 @@ definitions:
       value:
         type: number
     type: object
+  services.Latest:
+    properties:
+      date:
+        type: string
+      version:
+        type: string
+    type: object
   services.UserRegistration:
     properties:
       email:
@@ -675,6 +682,8 @@ definitions:
         type: boolean
       health:
         type: boolean
+      latest:
+        $ref: '#/definitions/services.Latest'
       message:
         type: string
       title:
diff --git a/backend/internal/core/services/all.go b/backend/internal/core/services/all.go
index 87cd3feb..0609080a 100644
--- a/backend/internal/core/services/all.go
+++ b/backend/internal/core/services/all.go
@@ -61,7 +61,7 @@ func New(repos *repo.AllRepos, opts ...OptionsFunc) *AllServices {
 			repo:                 repos,
 			autoIncrementAssetID: options.autoIncrementAssetID,
 		},
-		BackgroundService: &BackgroundService{repos},
+		BackgroundService: &BackgroundService{repos, Latest{}},
 		Currencies:        currencies.NewCurrencyService(options.currencies),
 	}
 }
diff --git a/backend/internal/core/services/service_background.go b/backend/internal/core/services/service_background.go
index 1af8e1ba..5b0e60cf 100644
--- a/backend/internal/core/services/service_background.go
+++ b/backend/internal/core/services/service_background.go
@@ -2,6 +2,9 @@ package services
 
 import (
 	"context"
+	"encoding/json"
+	"fmt"
+	"net/http"
 	"strings"
 	"time"
 
@@ -11,8 +14,13 @@ import (
 	"github.com/sysadminsmedia/homebox/backend/internal/data/types"
 )
 
+type Latest struct {
+	Version string `json:"version"`
+	Date    string `json:"date"`
+}
 type BackgroundService struct {
 	repos *repo.AllRepos
+	latest Latest
 }
 
 func (svc *BackgroundService) SendNotifiersToday(ctx context.Context) error {
@@ -79,3 +87,52 @@ func (svc *BackgroundService) SendNotifiersToday(ctx context.Context) error {
 
 	return nil
 }
+
+func (svc *BackgroundService) GetLatestGithubRelease(ctx context.Context) error {
+	url := "https://api.github.com/repos/sysadminsmedia/homebox/releases/latest"
+
+	req, err := http.NewRequestWithContext(ctx, "GET", url, nil)
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("failed to create latest version request: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	req.Header.Set("User-Agent", "Homebox-Version-Checker")
+
+	client := &http.Client{}
+	resp, err := client.Do(req)
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("failed to make latest version request: %w", err)
+	}
+	defer func() {
+			err := resp.Body.Close()
+			if err != nil {
+					log.Printf("error closing latest version response body: %v", err)
+			}
+	}()
+
+	if resp.StatusCode != http.StatusOK {
+		return fmt.Errorf("latest version unexpected status code: %d", resp.StatusCode)
+	}
+
+	// ignoring fields that are not relevant
+	type Release struct {
+		ReleaseVersion string    `json:"tag_name"`
+		PublishedAt    time.Time `json:"published_at"`
+	}
+
+	var release Release
+	if err := json.NewDecoder(resp.Body).Decode(&release); err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("failed to decode latest version response: %w", err)
+	}
+
+	svc.latest = Latest{
+		Version: release.ReleaseVersion,
+		Date:    release.PublishedAt.String(),
+	}
+
+	return nil
+}
+
+func (svc *BackgroundService) GetLatestVersion() (Latest) {
+	return svc.latest
+}
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/backend/internal/sys/config/conf.go b/backend/internal/sys/config/conf.go
index 8b7b23c3..0d177716 100644
--- a/backend/internal/sys/config/conf.go
+++ b/backend/internal/sys/config/conf.go
@@ -32,6 +32,7 @@ type Options struct {
 	AllowRegistration    bool   `yaml:"disable_registration"    conf:"default:true"`
 	AutoIncrementAssetID bool   `yaml:"auto_increment_asset_id" conf:"default:true"`
 	CurrencyConfig       string `yaml:"currencies"`
+	GithubReleaseCheck   bool   `yaml:"check_github_release"    conf:"default:true"`
 }
 
 type DebugConf struct {
diff --git a/docs/en/configure-homebox.md b/docs/en/configure-homebox.md
index c2d2db69..e014080f 100644
--- a/docs/en/configure-homebox.md
+++ b/docs/en/configure-homebox.md
@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@
 | HBOX_MAILER_FROM                     |                                            | email from address to use                                                              |
 | HBOX_SWAGGER_HOST                    | 7745                                       | swagger host to use, if not set swagger will be disabled                               |
 | HBOX_SWAGGER_SCHEMA                  | `http`                                     | swagger schema to use, can be one of: `http`, `https`                                  |
-
+| HBOX_OPTIONS_CHECK_GITHUB_RELEASE    | true                                       | check for new github releases                                                          |
 
 ::: tip "CLI Arguments"
 If you're deploying without docker you can use command line arguments to configure the application. Run `homebox --help` for more information.
@@ -55,6 +55,7 @@ OPTIONS
 --options-allow-registration/$HBOX_OPTIONS_ALLOW_REGISTRATION            <bool>    (default: true)
 --options-auto-increment-asset-id/$HBOX_OPTIONS_AUTO_INCREMENT_ASSET_ID  <bool>    (default: true)
 --options-currency-config/$HBOX_OPTIONS_CURRENCY_CONFIG                  <string>
+--options-check-github-release/$HBOX_OPTIONS_CHECK_GITHUB_RELEASE        <bool>    (default: true)
 --help/-h    display this help message
 ```
 :::
diff --git a/frontend/components/App/OutdatedModal.vue b/frontend/components/App/OutdatedModal.vue
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..79697d5d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/frontend/components/App/OutdatedModal.vue
@@ -0,0 +1,41 @@
+<template>
+  <BaseModal v-model="modal">
+    <template #title>🎉 {{ $t("components.app.outdated.new_version_available") }} 🎉</template>
+    <div class="p-4">
+      <p>{{ $t("components.app.outdated.current_version") }}: {{ current }}</p>
+      <p>{{ $t("components.app.outdated.latest_version") }}: {{ latest }}</p>
+      <p>
+        <a href="https://github.com/sysadminsmedia/homebox/releases" target="_blank" rel="noopener" class="link">
+          {{ $t("components.app.outdated.new_version_available_link") }}
+        </a>
+      </p>
+    </div>
+    <button class="btn btn-warning" @click="hide">
+      {{ $t("components.app.outdated.dismiss") }}
+    </button>
+  </BaseModal>
+</template>
+
+<script setup lang="ts">
+  const props = defineProps({
+    modelValue: {
+      type: Boolean,
+      required: true,
+    },
+    current: {
+      type: String,
+      required: true,
+    },
+    latest: {
+      type: String,
+      required: true,
+    },
+  });
+
+  const modal = useVModel(props, "modelValue");
+
+  const hide = () => {
+    modal.value = false;
+    localStorage.setItem("latestVersion", props.latest);
+  };
+</script>
diff --git a/frontend/layouts/default.vue b/frontend/layouts/default.vue
index 79d20294..d6d917f1 100644
--- a/frontend/layouts/default.vue
+++ b/frontend/layouts/default.vue
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@
     up the tree
    -->
     <ModalConfirm />
+    <AppOutdatedModal v-model="modals.outdated" :current="current ?? ''" :latest="latest ?? ''" />
     <ItemCreateModal v-model="modals.item" />
     <LabelCreateModal v-model="modals.label" />
     <LocationCreateModal v-model="modals.location" />
@@ -100,10 +101,9 @@
 
 <script lang="ts" setup>
   import { useI18n } from "vue-i18n";
+  import { lt } from "semver";
   import { useLabelStore } from "~~/stores/labels";
   import { useLocationStore } from "~~/stores/locations";
-  import MdiMenu from "~icons/mdi/menu";
-  import MdiPlus from "~icons/mdi/plus";
 
   import MdiHome from "~icons/mdi/home";
   import MdiFileTree from "~icons/mdi/file-tree";
@@ -111,6 +111,8 @@
   import MdiAccount from "~icons/mdi/account";
   import MdiCog from "~icons/mdi/cog";
   import MdiWrench from "~icons/mdi/wrench";
+  import MdiMenu from "~icons/mdi/menu";
+  import MdiPlus from "~icons/mdi/plus";
 
   const { t } = useI18n();
   const username = computed(() => authCtx.user?.name || "User");
@@ -124,6 +126,15 @@
     return data;
   });
 
+  const latest = computed(() => status.value?.latest.version);
+  const current = computed(() => status.value?.build.version);
+
+  const isDev = computed(() => import.meta.dev || !current.value?.includes("."));
+  const isOutdated = computed(() => current.value && latest.value && lt(current.value, latest.value));
+  const hasHiddenLatest = computed(() => localStorage.getItem("latestVersion") === latest.value);
+
+  const displayOutdatedWarning = computed(() => !isDev && !hasHiddenLatest.value && isOutdated.value);
+
   // Preload currency format
   useFormatCurrency();
   const modals = reactive({
@@ -131,6 +142,14 @@
     location: false,
     label: false,
     import: false,
+    outdated: displayOutdatedWarning.value,
+  });
+
+  watch(displayOutdatedWarning, () => {
+    console.log("displayOutdatedWarning", displayOutdatedWarning.value);
+    if (displayOutdatedWarning.value) {
+      modals.outdated = true;
+    }
   });
 
   const dropdown = [
diff --git a/frontend/lib/api/types/data-contracts.ts b/frontend/lib/api/types/data-contracts.ts
index b4ee1d5a..97b3d8be 100644
--- a/frontend/lib/api/types/data-contracts.ts
+++ b/frontend/lib/api/types/data-contracts.ts
@@ -392,6 +392,11 @@ export interface ValueOverTimeEntry {
   value: number;
 }
 
+export interface Latest {
+  date: Date | string;
+  version: string;
+}
+
 export interface UserRegistration {
   email: string;
   name: string;
@@ -404,6 +409,7 @@ export interface APISummary {
   build: Build;
   demo: boolean;
   health: boolean;
+  latest: Latest;
   message: string;
   title: string;
   versions: string[];
diff --git a/frontend/locales/en.json b/frontend/locales/en.json
index a6727815..aeba4a59 100644
--- a/frontend/locales/en.json
+++ b/frontend/locales/en.json
@@ -6,6 +6,13 @@
                 "description": "Import a CSV file containing your items, labels, and locations. See documentation for more information on the \nrequired format.",
                 "title": "Import CSV File",
                 "upload": "Upload"
+            },
+            "outdated": {
+                "current_version": "Current Version",
+                "latest_version": "Latest Version",
+                "new_version_available": "New Version Available",
+                "new_version_available_link": "Click here to view the release notes",
+                "dismiss": "Dismiss"
             }
         },
         "global": {
diff --git a/frontend/package.json b/frontend/package.json
index e88066b4..428ab5cf 100644
--- a/frontend/package.json
+++ b/frontend/package.json
@@ -61,6 +61,7 @@
     "markdown-it": "^14.1.0",
     "pinia": "^2.2.8",
     "postcss": "^8.4.49",
+    "semver": "^7.6.3",
     "tailwindcss": "^3.4.15",
     "vue": "3.4.8",
     "vue-router": "^4.5.0"
diff --git a/frontend/pnpm-lock.yaml b/frontend/pnpm-lock.yaml
index f1307872..752fbd06 100644
--- a/frontend/pnpm-lock.yaml
+++ b/frontend/pnpm-lock.yaml
@@ -68,6 +68,9 @@ importers:
       postcss:
         specifier: ^8.4.49
         version: 8.4.49
+      semver:
+        specifier: ^7.6.3
+        version: 7.6.3
       tailwindcss:
         specifier: ^3.4.15
         version: 3.4.15