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

#	App	Pricing	Open source	Platforms	Verified facts	Score
1	Money Manager Ex	Open source	Yes	Windows, macOS, Linux +2	5 of 5	40.0

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)

The best Actual Budget alternative for…

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

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.

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.

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.

Best Actual Budget alternative for open source

Money Manager Ex

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

Best Actual Budget alternative for Mac

HomeBank

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

Best Actual Budget alternative for Windows

Skrooge

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

Best Actual Budget alternative for Linux

Money Manager Ex

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

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.

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.