Actual Budget

Privacy-focused, local-first zero-based budgeting system and YNAB alternative.

Best for: Budgeters seeking a modern, zero-based envelope budgeting app without recurring YNAB subscriptions

Free plan

4.9/5Editorial score 94/100actualbudget.org

Entry plan

Free Forever (MIT)

Get started free

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Editorial score94/100

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The editorial note

What to know about Actual Budget

Actual Budget is a fast, local-first personal budgeting tool built around the zero-based budgeting (envelope) methodology. Originally a commercial application open-sourced in 2022, Actual Budget features end-to-end encrypted multi-device synchronization, bank syncing, and an intuitive user experience modeled after YNAB.

Is it right for you?

Who Actual Budget suits

Choose it if

Budgeters seeking a modern, zero-based envelope budgeting app without recurring YNAB subscriptions

Look elsewhere if

Investors seeking real-time stock portfolio trackers and retirement asset simulations

What you get

Key features

Zero-based (Give every dollar a job) envelope budgeting
Local-first SQLite database with offline-first editing
End-to-end encrypted multi-device sync
Bank transaction import (OFX, QIF, CSV) and automated bank sync
Custom transaction categorization and split transactions
PWA web client and desktop app for macOS, Windows, and Linux

Works with

Integrations5

SimpleFINGoCardlessPikapodsDockerSQLite

What it costs

Pricing

Actual Budget pricing plans
Plan	Price	What it includes
Open Source	Free Forever (MIT)Billed one-time	100% free and open-source under MIT license, self-hosted on your preferred server or Pikapods

Prices are recorded from the vendor's public pricing page and can change. Check before you buy.

The trade-off

Pros and cons

Pros

Local-first architecture: lightning fast responsiveness that works seamlessly offline
End-to-end encrypted synchronization across all your mobile and desktop devices
Drop-in replacement for YNAB with familiar envelope budgeting workflows and rules

Cons

Syncing across devices requires hosting a lightweight sync server (Pikapods, Fly.io, or Docker)
Automated bank syncing in Europe/US requires configuring SimpleFIN or GoCardless API keys

Quick read

At a glance

Category: Finance & Business Services
Pricing model: Free
Entry plan: Free Forever (MIT)
Free plan: Available
Free trial: Not listed
Website: actualbudget.org

The verdict

Our take on Actual Budget

Actual Budget is the definitive free, open-source alternative to YNAB, combining modern design with local-first speed and bulletproof privacy.

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