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Actual Budget alternatives: 9 apps ranked by verified data

Facts checked Nov 1, 2026AppBreakup editorialHow we rank

Common reasons people leave Actual Budget: sync, mobile and bank sync need a server you run or rent, and no native phone app; mobile use is in the browser. We ranked 9 alternatives by how directly each one replaces Actual Budget, then by reviews, real visits and how recently each app's facts were checked against its own website. YNAB currently ranks first.

Quick comparison

#AppPricingOpen sourcePlatformsVerified factsScore
1Money Manager Ex logoMoney Manager ExOpen sourceYesWindows, macOS, Linux +25 of 540.0
2HomeBank logoHomeBankOpen sourceNoWindows, Linux, macOS4 of 440.0
3Skrooge logoSkroogeOpen sourceNoLinux, Windows, macOS5 of 540.0
  1. Money Manager Ex logo

    1. Money Manager ExTop pick

    Best for: People who want a free, offline money tracker with budgets and investments and no bank-login cloud.

    Open sourceWindows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS

    40.0

    score / 100

    Why switch from Actual Budget

    Free offline desktop finance app that also tracks stocks and assets alongside budgets.

    Pros

    • Free and open source with no ads or subscription
    • Tracks stocks, shares and assets alongside everyday spending
    • Local database file with optional encryption
    • Custom reports with SQL, Lua and HTML for power users

    Cons

    • No automatic bank connections; imports are QIF or CSV files
    • Desktop interface feels dated next to modern budgeting apps
    • Syncing between devices means managing the database file yourself
    Visit Money Manager Ex Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.312
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Money Manager Ex a good Actual Budget alternative?

    Verified facts

    5 of 5 verified
    License
    GPL-2.0
    Checked Oct 29, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Price
    Free, no ads
    Checked Oct 29, 2026moneymanagerex.org(opens source in a new tab)
    Platforms
    Windows, macOS, Linux, Android
    Checked Oct 29, 2026moneymanagerex.org(opens source in a new tab)
    Encryption
    AES-256
    Checked Oct 29, 2026moneymanagerex.org(opens source in a new tab)
    Import formats
    QIF and CSV
    Checked Oct 29, 2026moneymanagerex.org(opens source in a new tab)
  2. HomeBank logo

    2. HomeBank

    Best for: People who want free, offline budgeting and expense tracking on a desktop computer

    Open sourceWindows, Linux, macOS

    40.0

    score / 100

    Why switch from Actual Budget

    Free desktop finance app that keeps everything offline, with detailed reports and charts.

    Pros

    • Free and open source, with data kept on your computer
    • Rule-based categorisation and duplicate detection on import
    • Mature, with decades of development and many translations

    Cons

    • No official mobile app
    • No direct bank connections; you import statement files
    • macOS builds come only from third-party package managers
    Visit HomeBank Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.312
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is HomeBank a good Actual Budget alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    License
    GPL v2 or later
    Checked Nov 1, 2026gethomebank.org(opens source in a new tab)
    Platforms
    Windows, Linux, FreeBSD, macOS (third-party)
    Checked Nov 1, 2026gethomebank.org(opens source in a new tab)
    Mobile app
    None official
    Checked Nov 1, 2026gethomebank.org(opens source in a new tab)
    Duplicate detection
    Yes
    Checked Nov 1, 2026gethomebank.org(opens source in a new tab)
  3. Skrooge logo

    3. Skrooge

    Best for: Linux and KDE users who want a free, local finance tracker with strong import options

    Open sourceLinux, Windows, macOS

    40.0

    score / 100

    Why switch from Actual Budget

    Free desktop app that keeps data in a local file and imports from many formats.

    Pros

    • Imports from many formats and other finance apps
    • Free and open source, with data kept in a local file
    • Unlimited category levels, budgets and graphical reports
    • Undo history that persists after closing the file

    Cons

    • Direct bank import relies on the third-party woob tool and doesn't cover every bank
    • No mobile app
    • Windows and macOS builds are less polished than the Linux version
    Visit Skrooge Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.312
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Skrooge a good Actual Budget alternative?

    Verified facts

    5 of 5 verified
    License
    GPL v3
    Checked Nov 1, 2026skrooge.org(opens source in a new tab)
    Import from other apps
    KMyMoney, Microsoft Money, GnuCash, Grisbi, HomeBank, Money Manager Ex
    Checked Nov 1, 2026skrooge.org(opens source in a new tab)
    Bank import
    Via woob
    Checked Nov 1, 2026skrooge.org(opens source in a new tab)
    Multiple currencies
    Yes
    Checked Nov 1, 2026skrooge.org(opens source in a new tab)
    Platforms
    Linux, BSD, macOS, Windows
    Checked Nov 1, 2026skrooge.org(opens source in a new tab)

The best Actual Budget alternative for…

The highest-ranked app in this list for each need.

YNAB logo

Best Actual Budget alternative for most people

YNAB

The hosted, supported version of the same envelope approach, with native apps and no server to run.

Firefly III logo

Best Actual Budget alternative for a free option

Firefly III

Another free self-hosted money manager, with double-entry accounts, rules and an API for automation.

Goodbudget logo

Best Actual Budget alternative for a free plan you can upgrade

Goodbudget

Hosted envelope budgeting with a free plan and phone apps, no self-hosting needed.

Money Manager Ex logo

Best Actual Budget alternative for open source

Money Manager Ex

Free offline desktop finance app that also tracks stocks and assets alongside budgets.

HomeBank logo

Best Actual Budget alternative for Mac

HomeBank

Free desktop finance app that keeps everything offline, with detailed reports and charts.

Skrooge logo

Best Actual Budget alternative for Windows

Skrooge

Free desktop app that keeps data in a local file and imports from many formats.

Money Manager Ex logo

Best Actual Budget alternative for Linux

Money Manager Ex

Free offline desktop finance app that also tracks stocks and assets alongside budgets.

Hunter Vault logo

Best Actual Budget alternative for iPhone and Android

Hunter Vault

Also keeps data on your device, but as a phone app with a free core and no server to set up.

EveryDollar logo

Best Actual Budget alternative for working in the browser

EveryDollar

Zero-based monthly budget with a simple mobile app, if you'd rather not host anything yourself.

Actual Budget alternatives: common questions

What is the best alternative to Actual Budget?

YNAB ranks first right now. The hosted, supported version of the same envelope approach, with native apps and no server to run. Goodbudget and Hunter Vault follow it in our ranking.

Is there a free alternative to Actual Budget?

Yes. Goodbudget (free plan + paid), Hunter Vault (free plan + paid), EveryDollar (free plan + paid) and Firefly III (open source) have a free option. Check each app's verified facts for current plan limits.

Is there an open-source alternative to Actual Budget?

Yes: Money Manager Ex.

Which Actual Budget alternatives work on Linux?

Money Manager Ex, HomeBank and Skrooge run on Linux.

Why do people switch from Actual Budget?

The complaints we hear most: sync, mobile and bank sync need a server you run or rent; no native phone app; mobile use is in the browser; support is through community channels.

How is this list ranked?

Every app is scored with the same published formula: how directly it replaces Actual Budget, reviews (weighted by verification), visits from AppBreakup, how recently its facts were checked against its own website, and reader votes.