Personal finance analytics · Actual Budget (open source project)
Actual Budget
Open-source, self-hostable zero-based budgeting app with local-first data and an optional hosted sync server.
Actual Budget is an open-source envelope-style budgeting app in the tradition of YNAB, where money is assigned to categories before it is spent. Data is stored locally in a SQLite file on the user's device and synced end-to-end encrypted through a small sync server that anyone can self-host, run on a home server or VPS, or launch through a third-party host such as PikaPods; there is no requirement to trust a vendor with financial data. Self-hosting requires Docker or Node.js and a small amount of always-on compute (a Raspberry Pi is enough for most households), plus willingness to handle backups. Actual supports bank-linked import in supported regions, manual CSV import everywhere, budget reports, and multi-device sync. Because it is free software, there is no vendor subscription; anyone hosting it themselves pays only their own hosting costs.
At a glance
| Vendor | Actual Budget (open source project) |
|---|---|
| Pricing model | Open source + paid options |
| Free tier | Yes |
| Deployment | Cloud, Self-hosted |
| Open source | Yes (MIT) |
| Best for | Privacy-conscious, self-hosting-comfortable users who want YNAB-style envelope budgeting without a subscription or third-party data custody. |
Pricing
Free, open-source software; self-hosting costs only the user's own server or third-party host fees, with no vendor subscription.
Pricing has not been verified yet — see the vendor's site.
Features
- Zero-based, envelope-style budgeting
- Local-first storage with end-to-end encrypted sync
- Self-hosted sync server (Docker/Node.js) or third-party hosting
- Bank-linked import in supported regions, manual CSV import elsewhere
- Multi-device sync
- Budget and spending reports
- Multi-currency support
- No account required to use the desktop app standalone
Integrations
Profile last reviewed September 21, 2026